The Application of Building Information Modeling Tools in Decreasing Energy Consumption in Sustainable Architecture (A Case Study of University Buildings)

Abstract

Over the past few years, more and more people have been showing an interest in nonrenewable natural resources. Among such resources, the ones used to generate electricity are at the top of the list. The reason for this is pretty simple: the electricity production system as a whole is very detrimental to the environment. Studies have shown that non-eco-friendly buildings (i.e., those that aren't designed with passive solar heating and cooling in mind) account for a big chunk of that electricity. The technological advancements and the surging need for them in many areas have made engineering and construction change. They are needed in a range of industries and skills. Now more than ever before, a lot of construction specialties have to use, or at least have to be very familiar with a lot of computer-based software to carry out their jobs well. In particular, building design specialties especially in the area of structural engineering have to use a lot of computer-based engineering and drafting software now. Revit, Autodesk's software, was employed to build a three-dimensional, true-to-life model. This research project explores using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for energy analysis in a housing context, to examine the design of a house that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also energy-efficient.