Building Information Modelling (BIM)-supported cooperative design in sustainable renovation projects: Benefits and limitations

This paper presents and demonstrates the main benefits and limitations of the BIM technology in sustainable renovation projects. The built environment is acknowledged as a value both as material and cultural resource to be preserved. The set of buildings that constitutes the built environment represents a valuable deposit of meanings and knowledge. A proper conservation of the built environment is expressed by a sustainable use of materials and territories/lands that have to be preserved for the future generations. Furthermore, undertaking a sustainable way to renovate the buildings means to improve the quality of life and health of people/inhabitants. There are many differences between the design of new buildings from scratch and the renovation of existing buildings. In the latter case, the designer has to tackle the difficulties that arise from the real buildings, represented by a set of constraints (i.e.: walls, beams, spaces, etc.). Digital tools, and in particular Building Information Modeling (BIM), make manageable and improve the design, organization and construction of renovation projects. The benefits using BIM during cooperative design for sustainable renovation projects affect the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, economical and social) but there are also limitations that delay its diffusion in this field within the AEC sector.