A design decision support tool to visualise embodied carbon at early design stage?

As designers increasingly recognise the crucial role of the built environment in combating climate change, the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology can become pivotal. BIM offers a transformative approach to design and construction processes through digital models and now data visualisation. With the urgency of addressing embodied carbon emissions in construction, this research aims to develop an automated BIM workflow that enables designers to visualise and mitigate the environmental impact of material selection within domestic construction projects in Ireland and the UK, aligning with national targets for emissions reduction by 2030. Using comprehensive data mapping and digital visualisation tools, problematic areas in material selection are identified, allowing for informed material substitutions that can significantly reduce the building's carbon footprint. The authors have developed a tool and process that technical building designers can use to identify selected materials and the validated embodied carbon values of these materials.