Today, construction is essential to every economy since it employs many workers and significantly contributes to GDP. The construction industry’s efficiency has lagged behind other industries for decades due to low productivity, a lack of research, and poor adoption of advancements. Fortunately, the successful development of digital technologies such as Digital Twin (DT) has facilitated growth in many sectors, and DT has the potential to address challenges in building construction projects. While DT is a virtual replica that provides real-time data and analysis of a physical asset to optimize its performance, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a collaborative process for creating, managing, and exchanging information throughout a construction project. BIM is the most efficient way to create an accurate, high-value DT and support industry transformation. An integrated DT and BIM platform can improve building design, construction, and performance in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors. Based on a literature review, this research aims to clarify and differentiate DT from other advanced 3D modeling technologies, such as BIM. Related publications from articles about DT and BIM in the construction industry were selected, identified, and organized after careful research of the relevant scientific databases. The research has three primary objectives: (1) to examine the present applications of DT and BIM in the construction industry; (2) to emphasize the similarities and differences between the two; and (3) to develop solutions and design methods for BIM and DT integration in building construction.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a transformative tool in Sustainable Design (SD), providing measurable benefits for efficiency, collaboration, and performance in architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) practices. Despite its growing presence in academic curricula, a gap persists between students’ recognition of BIM’s sustainability potential and their confidence or ability to apply these concepts in real-world practice. This study examines students’ understanding and perceptions of BIM and Sustainable Design education, offering insights for enhancing curriculum integration and pedagogical strategies. The objectives are to: (1) assess students’ current understanding of BIM and Sustainable Design; (2) identify gaps and misconceptions in applying BIM to sustainability; (3) evaluate the effectiveness of existing teaching methods and curricula to inform future improvements; and (4) explore the alignment between students’ theoretical knowledge and practical abilities in using BIM for Sustainable Design. The research methodology includes a comprehensive literature review and a survey of 213 students from architecture and construction management programs. Results reveal that while most students recognize the value of BIM for early-stage sustainable design analysis, many lack confidence in their practical skills, highlighting a perception–practice gap. The paper examines current educational practices, identifies curriculum shortcomings, and proposes strategies, such as integrated, hands-on learning experiences, to better align academic instruction with industry needs. Distinct from previous studies that focused primarily on single-discipline or software-based training, this research provides an empirical, cross-program analysis of students’ perception–practice gaps and offers curriculum-level insights for sustainability-driven practice. These findings provide practical recommendations for enhancing BIM and sustainability education, thereby better preparing students to meet the demands of the evolving AEC sector.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has accelerated the adoption of advanced digital technologies in construction, with Digital Twin (DT) emerging as a data-driven framework for enhancing project performance, efficiency, and sustainability. Despite these advantages, DT adoption in construction remains limited due to high implementation costs, data integration challenges, and a lack of standardized practices, especially in real-time data utilization and lifecycle management. This study presents a PRISMA-guided systematic literature review of DT applications across the construction lifecycle. The study addresses three main objectives: (1) to analyze DT’s adoption across construction lifecycle phases, (2) to identify barriers and benefits to DT adoption, and (3) to explore research gaps and potential advancements. Peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2003 and 2024 were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases using structured keyword combinations related to Digital Twin and the built environment. From an initial pool of 3109 records, 53 studies met predefined inclusion criteria. They were analyzed using a lifecycle-oriented thematic coding framework examining application domains, enabling technologies, reported benefits, and implementation constraints. Unlike prior reviews that focus on specific technologies or lifecycle segments, this study provides a lifecycle-wide synthesis of DT maturity across design, construction, operation, and demolition phases. The findings indicate that DT applications are most developed in the design and operation phases, particularly through integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems for simulation, monitoring, and predictive maintenance. In contrast, construction-phase adoption is constrained by challenges in real-time data integration, while demolition and end-of-life applications remain largely conceptual. Overall, current DT implementations are predominantly phase-specific rather than lifecycle-integrated, therefore emphasizing the need for standardized data frameworks, scalable architectures, and cross-phase governance strategies to enable end-to-end lifecycle digitalization in construction.

The construction industry faces significant challenges in reducing energy consumption and achieving sustainability goals. Green building rating systems (GBRS) have been created to assess and confirm the effectiveness of sustainable construction practices. As buildings strive to reduce energy consumption, a holistic approach to building design, construction, and operation is necessary. The study aims to explore sustainable construction practices and their sustainability in high-performance green buildings (HPGB). The Georgia Tech Life Science Building (GTLSB), designed to serve the life science community in Metro Atlanta, is the chosen case study. Our research will involve (1) examining guidelines and standards for a sustainable building, (2) understanding the use of sustainable criteria, and (3) demonstrating technical expertise. Initially, we conducted a literature review of the current state of the GBRS and analyzed project information as a case study. Our analysis showcases an in-depth understanding of the technologies, methods, and resources required to produce and operate an HPGB. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of sustainable building and provide insights into the utilization of GBRS, focusing on two widely adopted systems, LEED and Green Globes (GG). The study's findings will help promote sustainable construction practices for professionals, policymakers, educators, and researchers and help achieve a more sustainable built environment.

Natural or artificial disasters, such as earthquakes, pandemics, conflicts, and hurricanes, often lead to the displacement of people, damage to critical infrastructure, and disruption of the supply chain. Rapid and resilient post-disaster reconstruction is thus essential for communities to recover faster. This paper proposes a framework for integrating emerging technologies, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), Reality Capture, AI, Computer Vision, GPS/GIS, Construction 3D Printing (C3DP), and Modular Construction (MC), with Lean Construction (LC) principles to streamline and strengthen the post-disaster reconstruction supply chain. This paper identifies the common challenges in post-disaster reconstruction through a literature review, investigates technology-driven solutions, and proposes strategies to strengthen the reconstruction supply chain regarding speed and resilience. The integrated framework addresses four specific reconstruction phases, from rapid damage assessment and data management to planning, design, and on-site implementation. Our findings emphasize the importance of cross-sector collaboration, specialized training, and strategic investment in these technologies to improve disaster response, recovery, and long-term community resilience. Additionally, this paper provides recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders, highlighting how advanced technologies could reduce timelines, lower costs, and ensure a more sustainable and adaptive rebuilding process in the face of future disruptions.