By Kishan Govindaraju
One of the biggest technological developments of this decade can surely be attributed to solutions which have helped us visualise our products better. From 3D and digital modelling to augmented and virtual reality, technologies are enabling experts, particularly in the domain of real estate which includes developers, designers and architects, to better visualise their projects and take actions. This is leading to higher efficiencies, lower wastage of resources and development of environmentally sustainable projects. These developments coincide perfectly with the green revolution currently unfolding in the Indian Real Estate industry in a bid to contribute to India’s Net Zero by 2070 commitment while future-proofing its business.
1Interestingly, India ranked third in the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual list of top 10 countries and regions in the world for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in 2023. LEED is a green building rating system and the certification is a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
In this transformational journey, the Building Information Modelling (BIM) is becoming one of the most impactful initiatives in developing sustainable real estate projects of the modern era. It involves the creation of a model-based design of the physical and functional characteristics of a project to develop them in an environmentally sustainable manner. 2As per industry estimates, BIM helps reduce reduction in project costs by 20-30%.
Simulate Buildings’ Energy Consumption via BIM
It is important to ascertain the longevity of a real estate project in order to price it right and create the right value for all stakeholders including the developers, buyers, the landowners and the investors. Here, deploying various tools such as energy performance simulation, lighting analysis, and construction and demolition waste analysis among other key parameters helps in understanding the carbon footprint of the building and minimise carbon emissions during construction.
BIM can broadly be studied across four aspects of construction namely land, water, energy and material. Here, it regulates and simulates the progress of construction on the land parcel, aids efficient use of water, drainage, and planning and controls the energy consumption within the building and analyses deficits and gaps respectively. Furthermore, it also keeps a check on the consumption and use of materials across all stages of the project.
The Building Information Modelling program also involves the exchange of information between the AEC (Architects, Engineers, Contractors) professionals, to strengthen their interaction between the design team. This collaborative effort results in all aspects of project construction to be in sync with sustainable vision of the developer.
Robust Demand For BIM Enginners
3According to a 2023 report by Market Research Future, India’s Building Information Modeling (BIM) market is expected to reach $1.35 billion by 2024. There are several BIM tools, like Vectorworks, Navisworks, Tekla BIMsight, and Infurnia, Revit and ArchiCAD which are quite popular in India and the demand for cloud-based solutions for BIM softwares have risen significantly over the last few years as they can be managed remotely. These developments are leading to a surge in the demand for BIM engineers across the country even as the government is actively building structures in alignment with BIM. This requires close participation of industry and academia to align with the evolving BIM trends in the market. Furthermore, training programs, certifications, and partnerships with educational institutions will help develop a pool of competent BIM practitioners.
This assumes significance given the various initiatives being rolled out by the federal and state governments including the Smart Cities program which entails developing energy efficient sustainable buildings. Furthermore, 4India will require a high investment of around $4.5 trillion for developing infrastructure by 2040, according to a 2017-2018 Economic Survey. This will necessitate the need for a greater role of BIM in developing cost effective and sustainable infrastructure in the country. According to a 2017-2018 Economic Survey and we expect BIM to play a central role in its fulfilment. This is leading to a greater demand for BIM engineers and is necessitating higher collaboration between architects, engineers and contractors, making it an attractive domain for young professionals. Over the next decade, the real estate space in India is going to develop around sustainability and BIM will play a pivotal role in its growth.
The author is director, Vaishnavi Group
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