Utilisation of building information modelling for indoor environmental quality assessment – A review

Abstract

The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is considered as a social aspect of sustainability that concerns on health, safety and well-being of building occupants. The satisfaction of occupants in the buildings is affected by acoustic, thermal, lighting and ventilation and has been corresponding to the self-estimated workers job performance in the workspace. The poor indoor environmental quality in building has resulted to health problems such as asthma and cancers and this having an effect in frequency of absenteeism and intention to quite job. Therefore, occupant satisfaction is an important factor in the design, operation, and management of buildings. This study reviews the extent to which relevant literature on IEQ has been carried out and the utilisation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the IEQ assessment. Reviewed works shows that many works have been carried out on indoor environmental quality of buildings and other aspect of sustainability such as environmental and economic sustainability. However, despite an increased interest in GreenBIM, it is surprising that little empirical research has been conducted on the topic. Most of the studies are directed towards the environmental benefits of sustainability such as energy consumption, carbon dioxide emission, and waste reduction. This study aims to identify areas that are yet to be considered and provides information on interventions that could be used to improve the health and wellbeing of occupants of the building is a compliment to previous studies that are on the other components of sustainability.