Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Visual Representation of Embodied Impacts of Buildings: Current Methods and Future Prospects

The environmental crisis in the building sector calls for immediate mitigation strategies. Sustainable material selection has proven to be one of the most prominent ones. In traditional project execution, material selection is typically associated with the procurement processes. Nonetheless, it is imperative to incorporate its consideration from the early design phases as an integral component of a holistic design approach. Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology allows Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operation (AECO) professionals to manage substantial volumes of information with parametric qualities in a collaborative manner. Despite the technological advancements in implementing various evaluation methods within the BIM environment, literature highlights consistent challenges that hinder its widespread adoption within the industry. This research proposes a visually-oriented strategy to integrate material selection seamlessly into the BIM framework. Leveraging the parametric qualities of BIM facilitates the incorporation of supplementary data pertaining to material sustainability, presented in a clear manner, and forming part of the primary workflow. Consequently, relevant stakeholders can benefit from assisting in the decision-making process during the early stages of design. In the long term, a comprehensive graphical representation of data holds the potential to foster the integration of environmental sustainability practices in the construction sector.