Green Building Information Modeling (BIM) | BIM for Sustainable Green Building & Construction

What does Green Building mean?

Green buildings are resource-efficient buildings, which are environmentally friendly both in structure and in the application process. These buildings are built and operated to complement the conventional building design concerns of budget, efficacy, comfort, and durability. Green buildings are also known as sustainable buildings as it designed, constructed, and operated in such a way that the 3 dimensions (people, planet, and profit) of sustainability are considered throughout the entire supply chain.

According to World Green Building Council “A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life.”

Features of a Green Building

Any building irrespective of the size and type can be considered a Green Building if it has the below-mentioned features.

??Adequate use of natural resources like energy, water, etc.

??Utilization of renewable energy like Solar energy.

??Efficient utilization of waste materials by re-using and/or, recycling to mitigate the pollution.

??Healthy air quality inside the building-environmental

??Maximum use of non-toxic, sustainable, and ethical materials

??Contemplation of the nature throughout the building life cycle from conceptual planning to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition

??The quality of life of residents must be considered during the design, construction, and operation stage

??A precise design that enables variation in a changing environment

What is BIM for Green Building and Construction?

We all know BIM, the Building Information Modeling is a holistic process of collaborating multi-disciplinary teams and trades to generate an information-rich 3-dimensional model in the digital platform that supports design requirements, enhances building performance, and simplifies project workflow.

Therefore, the cutting-edge technology of the BIM tool enables highly sustainable building design through prefabrication and energy simulation that helps in forecasting upcoming green building construction and operation.

The use of BIM-based data-rich digital model for energy efficiency and building sustainability is known as Green BIM.

Why use Green BIM?

BIM is widely accepted as a collaborative tool that enables data to be accessible to all relevant project team members on a digital platform. Using BIM for Green building and construction is now certain because of the need for solutions for alternative energy sources, energy conservation, and efficient building design.

?All relevant and reliable building information is available in a single digital platform helps in analyzing design sustainability.

?The collaborative tool of BIM integrates drawings with other project data. Project stakeholders can digitally analyze the engineering performance along with material specifications. This helps in forecasting building performance and its properties through the BIM 3D model representation.

?Any modification in the parametric BIM model takes place on a real-time basis. Architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners can understand the impact of the change on the performance characteristics and design to make an informed decision.

The Green BIM fastens the entire design-build process to proceed further and mitigates the risk of budget overrun.

Why Green Buildings are Important?

With the increasing popularity of green buildings, the world has seen the benefits of green buildings in our environment, economy, and society. Some of the benefits include creating sustainability, considering climate change, improving quality of life, and further enhancing economic growth.

??Environmental Importance:

Green buildings have significant importance for our natural environment. They have the capability to eliminate negative impact on climate by efficiently using natural resources like water, energy, etc. Further, they empower and protect biodiversity and the ecosystem by conserving natural resources.

According to Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction Working Groups (GABC) “The building sector has the potential to make energy savings of 50% or more in 2050, in support of limiting global temperature rises to 2°C (above pre-industrial levels)”

??Economic Importance:

The economical advantages of green buildings are enormous and relevant to multiple communities and a range of people. They help in reducing and saving costs for the utility bills through water and energy efficiency for residents or, households. Building developers gain profitability as it lowers the construction budget and increases the value of the property. Owing to the enormous advantages the occupancy rate increases and the overall operating cost reduces, which are highly beneficial for building owners.

The report by World Green Building Council said, “Building owners report that green buildings - whether new or renovated - command a 7% increase in asset value over traditional buildings”

According to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory(PNNL), the sustainable building’s, “aggregate operations costs are 19% lower than the industry average”.

??Social Importance:

Green buildings are not only benefiting the environment and economy but also, they are consisting of several social benefits. The positive impacts on the mental and physical health of the residents and workers of green buildings are needless to say.

According to World Green Building Council “Workers in green, well-ventilated offices record a 101 percent increase in cognitive scores (brain function)”.

Moreover, low absorptions of CO2, contaminants, and high ventilation rates enhance the quality of air and the well-being of the occupants of green buildings.

According to a study in the Research Gate by Park and Yoon, “better indoor air quality (low concentrations of CO2 and pollutants, and high ventilation rates) can lead to improvements in the performance of up to 8 percent”.

Final Thought

Therefore, for happier, healthier, and more productive lives Green Buildings are being developed with returning positive impact on the environment and the planet. The rise of green building development will result in a better future for human beings and the construction industry along with profitable growth.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is part of its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system had taken initiative to encourage green building construction.