Building Information Modelling [BIM] for energy efficiency in housing refurbishments

Building Information modelling offers potential process and delivery improvements throughout the lifecycle of built assets. However, there is limited research in the use of BIM for energy efficiency in housing refurbishments. The UK has over 300,000 solid wall homes with very poor energy efficiency. A BIM based solution for the retrofit of solid wall housing using lean and collaborative improvement techniques will offer a cost effective, comprehensive solution that is less disruptive, reduces waste and increases accuracy, leading to high quality outcomes. The aim of this research is to develop a BIM based protocol supporting development of 'what if' scenarios in housing retrofits for high efficiency thermal improvements, aiming to reduce costs and disruption for users. The paper presents a literature review on the topic and discusses the research method for the research project (S-IMPLER)

BIM FM: An international call for action

Despite significant progress for the adoption of BIM in AEC, currently its adoption for FM has been sparse, scarce, and extraneous. There are few cases in the world where robust adoption has taken place that are able to demonstrate success and are willing to disseminate the positive impact of BIM FM on sustainability, operational efficiency, and cost reduction. To date, there is no approach, motivation, or support in place to enable the extensive adoption of BIM for FM worldwide. In the UK, for instance, the UK BIM initiative, mandate, and the Digital Built Britain cannot count on the participation of FM stakeholders; the government has only started promoting initiatives that could trigger an extensive BIM approach, generating benefits for organizations and more importantly, society as a whole. In this chapter, data from authors’ various research projects has been put together to generate an agenda for BIM FM implementation. The findings reveal that unless an intervention, such as a mandate for FM services suppliers, is put in place, very little will happen with regards to BIM FM