How can Revit help you design more sustainable buildings?

1 Revit and BIM

BIM is a process that involves creating and managing digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of buildings. Revit is a software that enables you to create and use BIM models for design, analysis, documentation, and collaboration. Revit allows you to work with parametric, 3D, and intelligent models that reflect the real-world conditions and performance of your buildings.

2 Energy analysis

One of the benefits of using Revit for sustainable design is that you can perform energy analysis on your models to evaluate and optimize the energy consumption and environmental impact of your buildings. Revit integrates with Autodesk Insight, a cloud-based service that provides you with various metrics, such as energy use intensity, carbon emissions, renewable energy potential, and more. You can use these insights to compare different design options, identify potential improvements, and meet sustainability standards and certifications.

3 Material optimization

Another way that Revit can help you design more sustainable buildings is by enabling you to optimize the materials and resources that you use for your projects. Revit allows you to assign physical and thermal properties to the materials in your models, such as density, conductivity, reflectivity, and more. You can also use Revit to calculate the quantities and costs of the materials that you need for your projects, and generate reports and schedules that can help you reduce waste and manage your budget.

4 Lifecycle assessment

A third aspect of sustainable design that Revit can support is lifecycle assessment (LCA), which is a method of evaluating the environmental impact of a building throughout its entire lifecycle, from construction to operation to demolition. Revit integrates with Autodesk Tally, a tool that helps you conduct LCA on your models and measure the embodied carbon, energy, and water of your buildings. You can use Tally to compare different scenarios, such as using alternative materials, methods, or locations, and make informed decisions that can reduce your environmental footprint.

5 Collaboration and coordination

A fourth advantage of using Revit for sustainable design is that it facilitates collaboration and coordination among different disciplines and stakeholders involved in your projects. Revit allows you to share and sync your models with other team members and consultants using cloud-based platforms, such as Autodesk BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud. You can also use Revit to communicate and coordinate your design intent and requirements with contractors, clients, and authorities using various formats, such as 2D drawings, 3D views, or PDFs.