Journal of Information Technology in Construction

To achieve energy-efficient design in urban communities, the design phase needs to adopt reliable energy modeling approaches. However, current urban modeling approaches often use abstract and low level information to describe buildings because of the difficulties of collecting and managing building data on the large scale required of such urban communities. This abstraction of building data creates large uncertainties in the modeling and simulation of energy scenarios at the community level. An important part of the solution to this challenge relies on the integration of information systems at the scale of both urban communities and individual buildings, which are based on geographic information system (GIS) and building information modeling (BIM) respectively. Since current technologies do not sufficiently address the interoperability between GIS and BIM, the existing conversion between GIS and BIM does not satisfy the data requirements for community energy design. This paper investigates this challenge and presents an approach that uses semantic web technologies, including web ontology language (OWL) and resource description framework (RDF), to integrate GIS and BIM data. In this approach, we use an extract, transform and load (ETL) tool to convert GIS and BIM data to RDF and conduct queries on the integrated RDF to provide the required information for energy simulation. The approach is tested through a case study of the University of British Columbia campus.

Renovation of existing buildings pose unique challenges to the projects, especially when facilities must remain operational during construction. Building Information Modeling (BIM) methods offer a potential solution by enhancing project management and coordination. Nevertheless, comprehensive case study research on BIM implementation challenges and benefits in renovation projects is lacking. This research addresses this gap through an ethnographic investigation of BIM implementation in a complex renovation project. The ethnographic methods involved direct observation of project meetings, active engagement in all project communications, and access to project data resources. Additionally, surveys and expert interviews with key decision-makers were conducted. The findings reveal how BIM implementation streamlined project management and improved communication, decision making, and output quality, despite limited prior BIM expertise among the major stakeholders. Challenges included a lack of BIM skills, absence of standardized practices, and unclear data management. Furthermore, valuable lessons were identified, including that the necessity of BIM requirements and proper procurement methods encompassing the entire project workflow, formalizing information exchange, preventing information fragmentation, facilitating model accessibility, and ensuring clarity in model detail and content are crucial for project success. This research sheds light on the potential of BIM in renovation projects and highlights key considerations for successful implementation.

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is plagued by persistent challenges such as low productivity, cost overruns, and frequent project delays. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) has emerged as a potential solution, offering collaborative approaches to improve project outcomes. This study proposes a two-tiered methodology for evaluating the disruptiveness of innovations in the AEC industry, with a particular focus on IPD as a disruptive innovation. In the first tier, a multidimensional framework is developed to systematically assess the disruptiveness of innovations in the AEC sector. This framework, informed by a thorough literature review and disruptive innovation theory, includes dimensions such as business models, processes, and anticipated outcomes. The second tier applies the framework by analyzing the disruptiveness of IPD. The assessment draws on data from three comprehensive studies, including ethnographic research, interviews, and focus groups, which examine IPD’s impact on different stakeholder groups such as clients, consultants, and contractors. Findings reveal that IPD has the potential to significantly disrupt traditional business models, processes, and project outcomes, particularly at the project level. Notable disruptive characteristics include shifts in collaboration dynamics, redefined project financing models, and improved efficiency. However, several barriers hinder IPD adoption, including resistance to change and misalignment with conventional contractual structures. Expert interviews support these results, indicating that IPD represents a fundamental shift in the AEC industry. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering a structured framework for assessing the disruptiveness of AEC innovations and demonstrating its practical application. In this way, AEC organizations, projects, and practitioners can better strategize for the adoption of any new disruptive innovation and thus pursue a strategic advantage in the highly competitive industry market.

This research investigates the integration of building energy modeling (BEM) within collaborative construction projects to inform design decisions for achieving high-energy performance goals. The study aims to understand current practices, benefits, and challenges associated with this integration. Using an ethnographic case study approach focused on two high-energy performance social housing projects with integrated project delivery and integrated design processes, data were collected through direct observations, document analysis, and interviews with project team members. Design process modeling was utilized to dissect current practices, followed by a hybrid inductive and deductive thematic analysis to find challenges related to energy performance design in collaborative projects. Findings from this research revealed that BEM experts often operate in isolation, with late integration of energy models into design decisions. Compliance-centric BEM usage and challenges related to interoperability of design and BEM tools further compound the issue of seamless collaboration. However, the study highlights that early collaboration among project stakeholders emerges as a pivotal factor in informed design decisions, bridging the gap between energy modeling and design. This research provides valuable insights for practitioners seeking to optimize BEM in their design process, and offers support to policymakers aiming to enhance the role of BEM in projects.