Framework for sustainable building design – utilizing parametric design and BIM in the conceptual design phase

The long-term performance and environmental impact of buildings are significantly influenced by decisions made during the initial design phase. Moreover, the conceptual and schematic design stages are where modifications can be implemented with the lowest cost implications and the greatest ease. Therefore, these phases play a crucial role in the exploration, evaluation, and comparison of various alternatives, facilitating the creation of more sustainable buildings. In this study, we propose the development of a decision-support framework that leverages the advantages of integrating parametric design with the Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology. While parametric design enables the rapid generation of alternatives by modifying either geometric or non-geometric parameters, the application of database-linked models and BIM methodology allows for various analyses and simulations, such as energy performance, sustainability, and structural assessments. By evaluating the results obtained and optimizing the data, an efficient decision-support tool can be established.