“Not making things is the most environmentally friendly option. Making something highly practical or finding a solution to an unresolved issue is the second most sustainable option.”
The importance of becoming green is now being understood by the entire world. One of the largest problems facing the globe now is climate change, so it is crucial that all industries embrace sustainability. Buildings make up a significant portion of the global greenhouse gas emissions—about 40%. Consequently, one of the essential components of a greener future is sustainable building.
Stakeholders can achieve climate goals by using sustainable architecture. Additionally, it opens up the possibility of improved workplace productivity, less waste going to landfills, and cleaner air. Better environmental stewardship is the end effect of everything. To cohabit with our natural environment, construction and building operations must be as minimally disruptive as possible.
With the help of contemporary software tools like 3D modeling, sustainable architecture is no longer only a high ideal but is actually becoming more and more powerful.
Using 3D Models for Sustainable Architecture
Buildings that are intelligent, automated, and take into account energy, water, and pollution factors on their own constitute the most sustainable architecture. BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a vital tool in achieving this. Building design and construction experts are given the ability to manage the entire building's components in a digital model thanks to Steps Animation.
These abilities extend beyond the building's blueprints. They consist of all components of the building that use energy or water, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems, water pipes, transformers, electrical wiring, and more. These days, BIM systems are used in every new construction project, both during the building process and once the project is complete.
Engineers, architects, and construction companies may now incorporate all required environmental and sustainability factors into the structure thanks to the adoption of BIM. These elements have the potential to leave their marks on the structure in distinctive, potent, and even advantageous ways:
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- Knowing how much energy is needed for each asset in a facility will allow you to see where energy can be saved and where machine failure is wasting energy.
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- Conflicts and clashes will be found as early in the design process as possible by utilizing BIM (e.g., if a sprinkler system and electric system are meant to be in the same physical spot). This avoids wasting resources and enables solutions to be explored before construction.
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- The use of BIM as a tool will often result in fitting components that are more durable and long-lasting, avoiding the expensive and wasteful need to replace fittings more frequently.
In order to advance the concept of sustainable architecture, 3D modeling can be used to promote the green features of numerous different building design and construction processes, including:
Building structure:
Incorporating intrinsically sustainable aspects like passive lighting and heating, rooftops ready for solar panel installation, and green spaces will be best suited to a building's purposeful structure.
Construction materials:
Not just in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) sector but across all industries, the materials used to construct buildings are one of the major sources of carbon emissions. The embedded emissions associated with construction materials can be reduced by reducing wasteful material usage and determining where more environmentally friendly materials, such as cork and bamboo, might be employed.
Energy analysis:
A building has a vast network of interrelated energy systems, including lighting, HVAC, office equipment, and more. To simulate how these and other energy-consuming building components will interact and find potential areas for optimization as soon as feasible, 3D models are the first step.
Understanding the topography:
Understanding the topography of the area where a building will be constructed provides a practical means to consider elements like anticipated solar patterns, subsurface building components, and more. Because of this, sustainable 3D modeling encompasses not only the structure itself but also the surrounding landscape.
Coordination of the construction process:
Poorly planned and timed operations that send too much material at times other than when it is needed run the danger of damaging the material or delaying construction deadlines, which results in material waste. These dangers can be avoided by maintaining building processes in 3D models and implementing BIM.
End-of-life considerations:
Sustainability includes both the building's construction and use as well as its eventual destruction and disposal. Buildings can be constructed using 3D modeling, ensuring that materials aren't wasted or polluted and that end-of-life recycling can take place.
Given all of these important factors, sustainable architecture is surely gaining popularity on a global scale. The advantages that 3D modeling brings to sustainable architecture have rejuvenated the field and highlighted several use case considerations, including:
Urban city planning:
Connecting and coordinating these various elements of the overall urban plan is the best way to assure sustainability because a building is merely one part of a larger urban plan. City planners and officials can carry out this process thanks to 3D modeling of the building.
Sustainable land use:
When construction begins, the surrounding environment is also taken into account, including any green spaces, transportation facilities, or other features. When using 3D modeling, it is possible to take into account both the current state of the land and any future sustainable developments, such as natural parks or electric vehicle charging stations.
Renovating old buildings:
Building modeling is useful for both figuring out how to incorporate new energy systems and upgrading older buildings, which frequently waste a lot of energy. In addition, cities will reduce waste and needless production of building materials to a greater extent by retrofitting buildings rather than demolishing and rebuilding them.
Conclusion
Sustainable architecture is a new wave in engineering, construction, and design that is unquestionably here to stay, not just a passing fad. Building owners are becoming aware of the financial advantages of green structures. Customers are increasingly requesting sustainability as a fundamental value from architecture and design organizations. Sustainable business practices are helping construction companies save time and money.
But before they can be implemented in the real world, sustainable ideas need to be carefully thought out and designed. In this area, 3D modeling has vastly expanded the range of possibilities. All commercial and residential buildings are now able to adopt sustainability thanks to 3D modeling.
Contact Steps Animation so we can assess your 3D modeling needs and highlight the sustainability potential you can start taking advantage of right away if you're unsure how these new chances may relate to you.