Retrospective use of building information modelling for information management of existing buildings

The Association of University Directors of Estate (AUDE) identified a number of key challenges in the management of large portfolio of existing buildings dating back to the 1960s, these challenges includes poor performance of out-dated building components, a lack of flexible functionality to spaces and a complete lack of accurate and reliable data necessary for efficient building management. These challenges are findings of AUDE commissioned and published paper entitled “The Legacy of 1960’s University Buildings”. The paper highlights that much of the building stock held by Universities is progressively becoming out of date and unfit for purpose. The report considers “how to renew (refurbish/replace) a very large proportion of the property portfolio that was built in the 1960’s.” Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a technology that can improve the way in which building data is created, collated and utilised to improve how buildings are designed and managed from cradle to grave. A critical review of the literature was carried out investigating the role of Building Information Modelling in Construction Management. A case study approach has been used to investigate the various aspects of information collection and modelling. The George Eliot building, part of Coventry University Estate has been identified and selected as the main case study. A number of experimental processes and techniques were tested using experimental data collection focusing on key themes of relevance to BIM: 3D BIM modelling, Data interoperability, Data Sustainability and Model Validation. The result of the study recognised an existing problem in information management regarding a lack of accurate building data. The study establishes critical components to consider within the adoption of BIM practices to improve information management such as the need for robust model validation. Additionally the research highlights a number of existing issues within the interoperability of information management tools, which should be considered when adopting BIM. The improvement in interoperability is intrinsically intertwined with good BIM practice. The processes experimented within the research demonstrate the potential that BIM can have to improve information management. The findings of the investigation consequentially informed into the creation of informed process maps designed to facilitate information management within organisations with large built assets portfoli

Non-Invasive Approaches for Low-Energy Retrofit of Buildings:Implementation, Monitoring and Simulation in a Living Lab Case Study

There is urgent need for Europe to transform into a low-carbon economy to reduce the risk of climate change. The building sector is responsible for nearly 40% of the total energy consumption in Europe. In order to achieve substantial energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, low-energy retrofitting of existing buildings becomes a very important challenge/opportunity in both domestic and non-domestic buildings. A considerable number of existing buildings are either protected or contain hazardous materials limiting the potential for conventional retrofitting approaches for improving the existing façades. Retrofitting Solutions and Services for the enhancement of Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings (RESSEEPE) is an EU-funded research project that focuses on the refurbishment of existing public buildings in different European cities. A case study approach is used to implement and monitor the performance of a range of building fabric materials. The case study focuses on a demo building in Coventry University, located within the city centre of Coventry. The paper documents the materials selection and the low-carbon refurbishment, monitoring and simulation process followed. As asbestos was found in the building, it was necessary to ensure that the materials and technologies selected didn’t interfere with the existing elements of the façade. The materials finally installed were specifically selected to work as an addition of layers rather than substitution of elements. The living lab nature of the demo-site aims to set an example for low carbon refurbishment in protected or existing buildings with hazardous materials, with a non-invasive approach based on state-of-the-art materials and technologies

Methodology for Evaluating Innovative Technologies for Low- Energy Retrofitting of Public Building

There is urgency to transform Europe into a low-carbon economy to reduce the risk of climate change and achieve sustainable energy security. One of the most cost-effective measures to meet energy reduction targets, as clearly specified in the “European Economic Recovery Plan”, is to address performance of existing building stock. Buildings account for about 40% of the EUenergy consumption and one third of the GHG emissions. In particular, the state of the European building stock contains a high improvement potential. REtrofitting Solutions and Services for the enhancement of Energy Efficiency in Public Edification (RESSEEPE) is an EU funded project that focuses on the refurbishment of existing public buildings in three European cities: Coventry (UK), Barcelona (SP) and Skelleftea (SW). The aim of the project is to bring together design and decision making tools and innovative building fabric manufacturers to collaborate and improve building performance through low impact retrofitting interventions to achieve energy reduction in the region of 50%. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the process of low-energy retrofit and the selection and evaluation of low-energy technologies for retrofit. Specifically the paper looks at the decision making procedure to select advanced building technologies for high energy performance retrofitting, using Coventry University estates as a case study. The paper reviews innovative technologies and using analytical methods investigates the benefits of these potential technologies as applied to existing case study buildings within Coventry University. The interconnectivity of these buildings within the urban environment within which they sit is also evaluated