The need for businesses to be more ‘green’ is never more apparent.  76% of UK adults pay attention to the green credentials of products, including the reputation of companies or brands, and 64% of US consumers claim they expect businesses to be more environmentally friendly.  The UK government also claims to be committed to sustainability and the green agenda with the Climate Change Act, which mandates a reduction of 80% in CO₂ from the 1990 levels by 2050.

So how does BIM help the construction industry make their business and the projects that they run more environmentally friendly?

Reducing Carbon Footprints

Carbon foot printing with BIM helps to test conceptual designs, allowing project leaders to provide solutions with the lowest carbon impact. This enables them to identify the best options with the potential to reduce carbon emissions during the design and construction stages as well as a building’s carbon footprint long term.

Reducing Energy Use

By combining BIM with energy modelling software such as MEP – Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing – systems, the running of a building can be simulated and optimised for energy efficiency.  In the same way as for reducing carbon emissions, recommendations can then be made during the design phase to construct a structure that wastes the least amount of energy.

Reducing Waste

The use of BIM can make procurement more accurate and reduce construction waste considerably, reducing the environmental impact of the building phase significantly.  This is important with projects of all sizes; it is easy to generate a large amount of waste if projects are not managed effectively.  Reducing this waste will also help to cut costs, this can be especially important in large and more complex projects.

Choosing more Environmentally Friendly Materials

Being able to look at the different materials at the design stage; what they might look like and how they might perform, enables decision makers to look at a wider range of materials and how they might be the best for the environment and/or reduce the building’s carbon footprint long term.

For information or hints and tips on BIM, get in touch with Cadassist on sales@cadassist.co.uk or call on 0845 872 5555, or for more news, updates, hints and tips you can follow Cadassist on Twitter or on LinkedIn.