Sustainable BIM Design & Construction

Course details

This module will introduce the field of Sustainability in the Design and Construction of the built environment and in particular the use of Building Information Modelling technologies in designing, constructing and operating buildings in a manner that minimises their environmental impact.

Learning Outcomes:

On Completion of this module, the learner will be able to:

• Identify potential design solutions and show how these could be synthesised into a coherent building design proposal.
• Communicate effectively and interact constructively with other members of the design project team and gain an understanding of the ICT tools available in achieving sustainable design and construction.
• Make a quantitative assessment of building performance based on suitable application of BIM comparative analysis methods and communicate analysis results and design proposals in a professional manner.
• Discuss critically the specific problems of sustainability in AEC.
• Exercise critical judgement in relation to appropriate selection and weighting of sustainability assessment criteria.

Indicative Syllabus:

• Overview, history and introduction to modelling sustainable design.
• Modelling site and climate.
• Building placement, orientation and layout for sustainability.
• Optimising natural daylighting, heating/cooling and ventilation.
• Optimising building fabric for sustainability.
• Optimising mechanical & electrical services through modelling.
• Optimising construction operations for sustainability.
• Using BIM to model energy load, GHG emissions.
• Introduction to Passive House principals.
• Overview of the existing sustainability systems: LEED, BREEAM, DGNB.
• Sustainability in the global context, drivers, futures, exemplars.

The project-based curriculum explores an information modelling approach to sustainable design that spans architecture and related engineering disciplines and addresses key topics of sustainability in the field of building construction. This curriculum is intended to be part of a formal exploration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodologies that support the development of critical thinking skills. The use of this curriculum will prepare students for the integrated practice of sustainable design and multidisciplinary collaboration.