Abstract
Integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is regarded as useful for making design decisions regarding the environmental and health impacts of building products and materials. This research aimed at studying the process of BIM-LCA integration to assist designers in making sustainable material and product selection decisions in Ghana. A guidance framework for implementation of BIM-LCA supported by energy analysis has been developed to aid optimisation of sustainable design solutions based on simulations using Autodesk Revit as a BIM authoring tool, Green Building Studio and Tally to perform energy and LCA simulations on a hypothetical two-bedroom single-family house. The research considers both operational and embodied carbon effects of the design solution. The framework aligns with the RIBA Plan of Work 2013 Stages 0–2 (i.e. Strategic definition, Preparation and briefing, and Concept design) and presents a systematic approach for BIM-based LCA estimation for the early design stages using the Business Process Modelling Notation. The paper proposes a generic approach which has the potential to incorporate LCA as an integral part to the BIM-enabled design development process. This assists designers in decision-making that consider environmental impacts of materials and energy consumption as part of sustainable building design considerations.
Highlights
Designing buildings to respond to the wide and amorphous scope of sustainability requirements is challenging
This paper reports on the findings of a broader study within the theme of sustainability and building design and the context of Ghana through the concepts of sustainable building design (SBD) and lifecycle thinking
This research aimed at studying the process of Building Information Modelling (BIM)‐based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and developing a guidance framework to enable its application in Ghana to optimise Sustainable Building Design (SBD) with an emphasis on the organizational relationships, information requirements, and process
Summary
Designing buildings to respond to the wide and amorphous scope of sustainability requirements is challenging. Decisions made must be informed to make the process fluid and efficient Assessment methods such as Building Research Establishment Environmental Method (BREEAM), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and the Sustainable Building Tool (SbTool) among others, have been developed to guide designers in providing environmentally friendly solutions [3]. A ‘Government‐driven approach’ presents a lengthy and high-level roadmap to realising these goals as housing development is growing in the face of increasing housing deficit [9] Designers of these buildings need to be equipped with decision‐making support tools and guidance to minimise the impact on the environment in line with global trends and help meet the SDG goals
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