The Role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Sustainable Development and Optimizing Life Cycle Management of Commercial Buildings
Abstract
Nowadays, the increasing complexity of construction projects and the need to reduce resource consumption and environmental impacts have heightened interest in the use of advanced technologies in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Among these technologies, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an integrated approach for creating, managing, and exchanging project information and has considerable potential to improve the design, construction, operation, and maintenance processes of buildings. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of BIM in achieving sustainable development objectives and improving building performance throughout its life cycle. A review of previous studies indicates that BIM, by integrating information across different disciplines, enhancing coordination among project stakeholders, reducing rework, lowering costs and project duration, and enabling integration with energy, cost, and structural performance analysis tools, can improve decision-making processes in construction projects. Furthermore, the use of BIM during the early design stages enables the evaluation and comparison of different alternatives from both economic and environmental perspectives and can contribute to optimizing energy consumption, resource use, and life-cycle costs. Nevertheless, limitations such as insufficient user training and expertise, information exchange problems among different software platforms, legal and contractual issues, and the concentration of BIM applications on the early stages of projects are considered barriers to fully realizing its potential. Overall, the reviewed studies indicate that integrating BIM with sustainability assessment criteria can serve as an effective approach to supporting decision-making, reducing life-cycle costs, increasing productivity, and improving the environmental performance of buildings. Therefore, extending BIM applications from the design stage to all stages of the building life cycle is one of the key requirements for fully exploiting the potential of this technology in advancing sustainable development in the construction industry.
Keywords:
Building information modeling, Sustainable development, Building life cycle, AEC industry, Sustainable design, Energy assessmentReferences
- [1] Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Liston, K. (2008). BIM handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers, and contractors. Wiley Online Library. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470261309
- [2] Babalola, A., Musa, S., Akinlolu, M. T., & Haupt, T. C. (2021). A bibliometric review of advances in building information modeling (BIM) research. Journal of engineering, design and technology, 21(3), 690–710. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-01-2021-0013
- [3] Eastman, C. (1974). An outline of the building description system. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED113833
- [4] van Nederveen, G. A., & Tolman, F. P. (1992). Modelling multiple views on buildings. Automation in construction, 1(3), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/0926-5805(92)90014-B
- [5] Smith, D. K., & Tardif, M. (2009). Building information modeling: A strategic implementation guide for architects, engineers, constructors, and real estate asset managers. John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470432846
- [6] Cassandro, J., Mirarchi, C., Gholamzadehmir, M., & Pavan, A. (2024). Advancements and prospects in building information modeling (BIM) for construction: A review. Engineering, construction and architectural management, 32(9), 6006–6026. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-04-2024-0435
- [7] Akbari, S., Sheikhkhoshkar, M., Pour Rahimian, F., El Haouzi, H. B., Najafi, M., & Talebi, S. (2024). Sustainability and building information modelling: Integration, research gaps, and future directions. Automation in construction, 163, 105420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2024.105420
- [8] Azhar, S. (2011). Building information modeling (BIM): Trends, benefits, risks, and challenges for the AEC industry. Leadership and management in engineering, 11(3), 241–252. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LM.1943-5630.0000127
- [9] Azhar, S., Nadeem, A., Mok, J. Y. N., & Leung, B. H. Y. (2008). Building information modeling (BIM): A new paradigm for visual interactive modeling and simulation for construction projects. First international conference on construction in developing countries (Vol. 1, pp. 435–446). NED University of Engineering and Technology (NEDUET). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283118367
- [10] Popov, V., Juocevicius, V., Migilinskas, D., Ustinovichius, L., & Mikalauskas, S. (2010). The use of a virtual building design and construction model for developing an effective project concept in 5D environment. Automation in construction, 19(3), 357–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2009.12.005
- [11] Scheuer, C., Keoleian, G. A., & Reppe, P. (2003). Life cycle energy and environmental performance of a new university building: Modeling challenges and design implications. Energy and buildings, 35(10), 1049–1064. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7788(03)00066-5
- [12] Ortiz, O., Castells, F., & Sonnemann, G. (2009). Sustainability in the construction industry: A review of recent developments based on LCA. Construction and building materials, 23(1), 28–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2007.11.012
- [13] Arenas, N. F., & Shafique, M. (2023). Recent progress on BIM-based sustainable buildings: State of the art review. Developments in the built environment, 15, 100176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2023.100176
- [14] Teng, Y., Xu, J., Pan, W., & Zhang, Y. (2022). A systematic review of the integration of building information modeling into life cycle assessment. Building and environment, 221, 109260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109260
- [15] Hu, W., & He, X. (2014). An innovative time-cost-quality tradeoff modeling of building construction project based on resource allocation. The scientific world journal, 2014(1), 673248. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/673248
- [16] Matarneh, S. T., Danso-Amoako, M., Al-Bizri, S., Gaterell, M., & Matarneh, R. (2019). Building information modeling for facilities management: A literature review and future research directions. Journal of building engineering, 24, 100755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100755
- [17] Abideen, D. K., Yunusa-Kaltungo, A., Manu, P., & Cheung, C. (2022). A systematic review of the extent to which BIM is integrated into operation and maintenance. Sustainability, 14(14), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148692
- [18] Cao, Y., Kamaruzzaman, S. N., & Aziz, N. M. (2022). Building information modeling (BIM) capabilities in the operation and maintenance phase of green buildings: A systematic review. Buildings, 12(6), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12060830
- [19] Nguyen, T. D., & Adhikari, S. (2023). The role of BIM in integrating digital twin in building construction: A literature review. Sustainability, 15(13), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310462
- [20] Baghalzadeh Shishehgarkhaneh, M., Keivani, A., Moehler, R. C., Jelodari, N., & Roshdi Laleh, S. (2022). Internet of things (IoT), building information modeling (BIM), and digital twin (DT) in construction industry: A review, bibliometric, and network analysis. Buildings, 12(10), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101503
- [21] Wang, J., Ma, Y., Li, R., & Zhang, S. (2025). Applications of building information modeling (BIM) and BIM-related technologies for sustainable risk and disaster management in buildings: A meta-analysis (2014–2024). Buildings, 15(13), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132289
- [22] Sriyolja, Z., Harwin, N., & Yahya, K. (2021). Barriers to implement building information modeling (BIM) in construction industry: A critical review. IOP conference series: Earth and environmental science (pp. 12021). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/738/1/012021
- [23] Iushkin, I. I., Alamedy, S. G. H., & Stashevskaya, N. A. (2022). Problems and benefits of implementing BIM in the construction industry. Structural mechanics of engineering constructions and buildings, 18(2), 172–181. https://doi.org/10.22363/1815-5235-2022-18-2-172-181
- [24] Al-Qazzaz, I., Osorio-Sandoval, C. A., Tokbolat, S., & Thermou, G. (2024). Integration of building information modeling into building circularity assessment: A systematic review. Built environment project and asset management, 15(3), 574–593. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-12-2023-0229
- [25] Ding, L., Zhou, Y., & Akinci, B. (2014). Building information modeling (BIM) application framework: The process of expanding from 3D to computable nD. Automation in construction, 46, 82–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.04.009
- [26] Gu, N., & London, K. (2010). Understanding and facilitating BIM adoption in the AEC industry. Automation in construction, 19(8), 988–999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.09.002
- [27] Khosrowshahi, F., & Arayici, Y. (2012). Roadmap for implementation of BIM in the UK construction industry. Engineering, construction and architectural management, 19(6), 610–635. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699981211277531
- [28] Morlhon, R., Pellerin, R., & Bourgault, M. (2014). Building information modeling implementation through maturity evaluation and critical success factors management. Procedia technology, 16, 1126–1134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.protcy.2014.10.127
- [29] Volk, R., Stengel, J., & Schultmann, F. (2014). Building information modeling (BIM) for existing buildings — Literature review and future needs. Automation in construction, 38, 109–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.10.023
- [30] Drobnyi, V., Hu, Z., Fathy, Y., & Brilakis, I. (2023). Construction and maintenance of building geometric digital twins: State of the art review. Sensors, 23(9), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23094382
- [31] Lu, Y., Wu, Z., Chang, R., & Li, Y. (2017). Building information modeling (BIM) for green buildings: A critical review and future directions. Automation in construction, 83, 134–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.08.024
- [32] Wong, K., & Fan, Q. (2013). Building information modelling (BIM) for sustainable building design. Facilities, 31(3–4), 138–157. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632771311299412
- [33] Soust-Verdaguer, B., Llatas, C., & García-Martínez, A. (2017). Critical review of bim-based LCA method to buildings. Energy and buildings, 136, 110–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.12.009
- [34] Wang, Y., Wang, X., Wang, J., Yung, P., & Jun, G. (2013). Engagement of facilities management in design stage through BIM: Framework and a case study. Advances in civil engineering, 2013(1), 189105. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/189105
- [35] Nour El-Din, M., Pereira, P. F., Poças Martins, J., & Ramos, N. M. M. (2022). Digital twins for construction assets using BIM standard specifications. Buildings, 12(12), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12122155
- [36] Zhang, S., Teizer, J., Lee, J. K., Eastman, C. M., & Venugopal, M. (2013). Building information modeling (BIM) and safety: Automatic safety checking of construction models and schedules. Automation in construction, 29, 183–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2012.05.006
- [37] Liu, X., Wang, X., Wright, G., Cheng, J. C. P., Li, X., & Liu, R. (2017). A state-of-the-art review on the integration of building information modeling (BIM) and geographic information system (GIS). ISPRS international journal of geo-information, 6(2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi6020053
- [38] Kaur, R., Mwambegele, B. J., Abraham, A. G., Basheer, S. A., & Garia, S. (2025). A comprehensive review on building information modelling (BIM), its implementations and applications. Discover civil engineering, 2(1), 177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00342-5
- [39] Karunaratne, T., Ajiero, I. R., Joseph, R., Farr, E., & Piroozfar, P. (2025). Evaluating the economic impact of digital twinning in the AEC industry: A systematic review. Buildings, 15(14), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142583