Sustainable design analysis and BIM integration

In this chapter the purpose of sustainable design analysis (SDA) in the building design process is addressed – its principles, integration, implementation,\ud advantages and pitfalls. The benefits of full integration of SDA with building\ud information modelling (BIM) is also explored, with the author reflecting on interoperability\ud and uptake issues. There is no attempt to propose alterations to the\ud nature of the design process in its journey from conception to completion, nor to\ud pose an argument as to what merits good architecture, sustainable or not. Instead\ud the author explores the need for, and the role of, sustainable design analysis\ud within the design process as it is, arguing for an approach that favours a true\ud iterative cycle of sustainable design. A case study demonstrates the integration of\ud SDA in the design process and highlights its benefits. Although the term ‘sustainable\ud design analysis’ is used within the text, the primary focus of this chapter will\ud be on the environmental\ud aspects of sustainability