Abstract
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is creating new opportunities for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. One of them is the integration of the Building Sustainability Assessment (BSA) during the design process. Currently, an approach for using BIM to foster and optimise the application of BSA methods has not been clearly established yet, creating a knowledge gap on the application of BIM for sustainability assessment purposes. Thus, this paper analyses the current role of BIM to evaluate three BSA methods—LEED, BREEAM and SBTool. The current BIM applicability is assessed by performing a systematic review, where the criteria being assessed and the applied BIM software are identified. A comparison is made to determine which BSA method can currently take more advantage from BIM and to identify the number of assessed criteria from each one. Furthermore, the attractiveness of a BIM-based assessment for SBTool is analysed, facing the actual BIM scenario for LEED and BREEAM. Despite the restrictions, BIM use is increasing for sustainability purposes. Most of the analysed studies and identified software are still focused on the use of LEED for assessing sustainability during the design phase. However, BIM software capabilities can also support the assessment of the other BSA methods so that process replicability can happen. Among the most addressed criteria, the energy and material-related categories are the most eminent. Autodesk Revit is the most-used software. A BIM-based assessment for SBTool will have enough attractiveness. It can assess, at least, the same percentage of criteria as the other schemes, creating new opportunities to enhance building sustainability.
Highlights
The scientific community has already proved the relationship between the built environment and environmental problems [1]
This review will only focus on publications that directly address the practical assessment of, at least, one criterion from the selected Building Sustainability Assessment (BSA) methods—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Sustainable Building Tool (SBTool)
LEED has more than 400% of the studies compared with BREEAM
Summary
The scientific community has already proved the relationship between the built environment and environmental problems [1]. Different actions have been taken to reduce buildings’ negative impact and fight against environmental issues. Among them are the Building Sustainability Assessment (BSA) methods, which aim at implementing and spreading sustainable principles, evaluating building performance and gathering information to support decision-making [2]. They are usually characterised by assessing several building features and aggregate the results into a sustainability score. Despite the existence of different BSA methods, the following three are recognised as the basis of all the other approaches [3,4]: Building Research Establishment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
