As we enter 2023, the architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing (AEC+MFG) industries are undergoing significant changes as they adopt new technologies and practices to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet the increasing demand for sustainable buildings and products. The three key trends driving these changes are automation and artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and the realization of the “I” in Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Companies are looking for ways to optimize processes, eliminate manual and labor-intensive tasks, improve data precision, and increase control over the project delivery lifecycle. Automation and AI are growing best practices in AEC to help meet those objectives. The adoption of automation technologies can bring benefits ranging from cost savings and improved quality to greater accuracy and increased competitiveness in the global market. Development of automation tools that are usable and “out-of-the-box” create advantages over software that requires specialized knowledge to create and utilize them. With easily understood automation tools, everyday users will have simplified access to software applications and other technologies that allow them to take advantage of the automation’s capabilities. Ultimately, automation technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way buildings, products, and systems are designed, built, and maintained, bringing significant benefits to businesses and consumers alike.
For example, BIM software can be used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the design and construction process through automation of tasks such as quantity takeoff, cost estimation, and construction coordination. Meanwhile, the use of robotics and machine learning (ML) algorithms in manufacturing can improve the consistency and accuracy of tasks, reduce the need for manual labor, and increase the speed at which products are produced.
With worldwide awareness of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, green initiatives have evolved from a trend to a necessity for all industries as consumers and governments demand more environmentally responsible products and buildings. Currently, sustainability initiatives in AEC focus on creating more ecologically sound urban landscapes, measuring carbon sequestering and emissions, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to track land use and changes in plant communities over time, and analyzing the carbon impact of materials used in designs.
The demand for carbon analysis in building and product design is steadily growing and is becoming a significant market driver. As more legislation related to sustainability is passed around the globe, the need to consider the carbon impact of materials produced and transported for use in designs increases. The analysis of those materials also extends to the operational carbon emissions associated with their use as a finished building or product.
Examples of sustainability initiatives include the use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to evaluate the environmental impact of a building or product over its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. By using LCA tools, designers and manufacturers can identify opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of their products and make informed decisions about which materials to use in their designs. Also, the use of green building rating systems, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) provide guidelines for the design, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings and can aid designers and builders to reduce the environmental impact of their projects.
Finally, the “I” in BIM is being recognized as an essential enabler of automation and sustainability initiatives. By capturing and managing a wide range of information and data about a building or construction project, BIM allows for the creation of a common data environment (CDE) in the cloud. This CDE can be accessed by all project stakeholders and can be used to carry information forward from initial design to final operations. The use of BIM enables the automation of tasks such as quantity takeoff, cost estimation, and construction coordination. It can also support sustainability initiatives by allowing designers and manufacturers to evaluate the environmental impact of a product or building over its entire life cycle using LCA tools, and supporting the use of green building rating systems.
In the coming years, the AEC+MFG industries will continue to undergo significant transformation as they adopt these and other new technologies and practices to improve efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, and meet the need for sustainable buildings and products. As a focus on automation, sustainability, and information innovations become more widespread in use in AEC, economic and environmental progress around the globe will be evident.
About Author:
Luc Wing is an Architecture Solution Specialist at Microdesk, a Symetri company. He is committed to promoting the integration of sustainable solutions and implementation of BIM throughout the project lifecycle. Luc guides clients involved in supporting and participating in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to achieve their goals. Additionally, he reviews building performance analyses to ensure the Microdesk/Symetri team is making informed design decisions that enhance projects.
