Evaluating VBE and BIM-frameworks: A cost estimation case study and reflections to environmental issues

Abstract

This paper describes and evaluates two recently emerged concepts, Virtual Building Environment VBE and Building Information Modelling BIM, fitting them into the context of contemporary design and construction. Both are elementary concepts in modern digitally "reinforced" design and construction. A case study of cost estimation is presented to illustrate how discipline related issues are currently managed within VBE and BIM. An environmental aspect is presented as a corresponding domain to evaluate the other use cases of building related information. Other similar domains to be evaluated perhaps in further case studies could be the functional user aspect, the project management aspect and the regulating aspect by the society and authorities. A hypothetical assumption is, that methods and technologies which are currently used within VBE and BIM, mainly by designers, can well support various data extractions from BIM-models, but they may not serve all construction process participants in the most beneficial way. Also wider scale building portfolios are requested as conceptual extensions to VBE and BIM. This study is based on ongoing PhD studies on building information modelling and environmental life cycle assessment.