Collaborative design technologies and methods for sustainable built environment

In the present design process, designers still operate relatively alone, each in their own "swimming lane". Coordination between different design trades typically takes place in BIM coordination meetings organized by consultants. The process is reactive, and the feedback loops are long and error prone. Reaching successfully multi-criteria design solutions can be very difficult. This is eminently a burning issue with sustainability which is imposing new criteria and requirements for design solutions. Collaboration is widely understood as a necessity to successfully manage the ever-increasing complexity and demands of construction. Advanced collaboration consists of frequent reliable information sharing and constant working together. Naturally this requires specific technologies, and when these technologies are implemented, fundamental changes are likely to happen concerning design processes and roles of key professionals. This paper shall first open the BIM based collaborative solutions and practices as a possibility for reaching design solutions for sustainable built environment. Second, certain technologies for collaboration are presented for explain the possibilities further. Third, workshops-based research data and relating analyses are introduces for explaining the dimensions of targeted design collaboration. The obtained results are pointing out the need for more dynamic design processes and solutions supporting this movement. The current design business conventions and mindsets of designers are seen as challenges for changes towards dynamic collaboration practices.