This was a great write up in Triple Pundit on BIM and it’s role in sustainability:

The terms ‚Äòcleantech’ or ‚Äògreen technologies’ have been applied to a wide array of processes, technologies, and services. Within this overall market space, there exist a number of specific target market segments such as transportation, energy development, and manufacturing, as examples. The buildings & facilities segment is a large target market segment for green technologies, given the size and projected growth around the world and opportunity to leverage a disruptive new technology & collaborative process called “Building Information Modeling”, or BIM.
The building & facility industry is undergoing radical change today, as owners are demanding more project visibility, improved risk management (scheduling & costs); and increased use of technologies that will allow for less waste, more efficient energy consumption, and ultimately lower costs over the lifecycle of the facility (from design and construction to operations).
What is Building Information Modeling (”BIM”) The rapid (but uneven) adoption of BIM in the buildings industry has changed the way facilities are designed, constructed, and even operated. The National Institute of Building Sciences (NBIS) defines BIM as “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility, serving as a shared knowledge resource of information”. This knowledge or database contains the ‚Äòintelligent objects” of a structure; not just lines and arcs typically associated with traditional CAD or drawing tools. As such, BIM can represent multiple, dynamic, and collaborative views of information such as spatial data (3D), un-structured data (text), and structured data (databases, spreadsheets), as well as new views including scheduling and cost information (termed ‚Äò4D’ and ‚Äò5D’, respectively).
This type of technology, with its associated benefits of visualization, built – in intelligence, and simulation is a dramatic step forward from the current technology used for design and construction: 2D CAD (computer assisted drawings). Patrick Suermann is a Testing Team Leader for NBIMS (National Building Information Modeling Standards Committee, a part of NBIS), and has led a number of BIM deployments for the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE). “BIM is the next evolution of CAD maps, and allows for the design of a virtual model” states Suermann.
Why is the BIM adoption trend important for green technology companies to understand and incorporate into their market strategies? The use of BIM (both the technology and changes in increased collaboration) allows for significant exchange of data & information by all stakeholders involved over the lifecycle of the facility: owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and operators. This information includes that associated with green technology adoption: efficiencies in energy use; increased emphasis on environmental health; and the drive to generate less waste.

BIM and GreenTech Benefits to Owners & Operators
BIM allows provides the following benefits to stakeholders, with opportunities for green technology to add value:
Risk Management: BIM may provide more visibility into projects, and allow owners to manage risk through a collaborative and inclusive process. The inclusion of green technologies allows stakeholders to collaborate as well in this process.
Materials Management: Developing bid quantities and verifying them in a BIM process allows for more efficient material use, as well as opening opportunities to use more energy efficient and environmentally friendly materials. BIM may align scheduling and material quantities for better cash flow analysis as well.
Marketing & Branding: BIM provides a visual representation of a facility, and encourages collaborative review and discussion by stakeholders and public alike. Inclusion of greentech furthers the visual representation, by illustrating energy saving concepts and adherence to key green certifications, such as LEED. Green branding is thus improved as well
Portfolio Management: For owners of multiple facilities or enterprise level owners, BIM allows for the re-use and purposing of models to standardize design and construction; thus driving down material use & costs, as well as technology applications across a portfolio.
Optimization of Building Performance: BIM allows for integrated facility management, so that energy use, occupant health & comfort, and space planning may be monitored and improved upon.
“Not only can BIM optimize building performance via less waste generation during construction, and improved energy management during operation, it can accelerate certification for LEED status”, said Buddy Cleveland, SVP of Applied Research at Bentley Systems, a leading technology provider in the architecture, engineering & construction (AEC) market. LEED (‚ÄòLeadership in Environmental and Engineering Design’) is a highly accepted rating system for the design and construction of green buildings.
According the 2007 Green Index Study (conducted by Autodesk and the American Institute of Architects), 44% of architects surveyed are using BIM currently. The report went on to state that architects adopting BIM are more likely to adopt green building design software practices such as HVAC energy analysis, energy modeling, and also the evaluation of more environmentally – friendly building materials.
But across the AEC industry, the general interpretation, use, and even terminology of BIM are still in an early phase. “People are defining BIM as whatever they want it to be” commented Buddy Cleveland. BIM training, cultural acceptance (in the AEC sector), and business process modifications are all unique challenges that must be overcome for continued adoption in the marketplace.
Green Technologies in the Buildings & Facilities Industry
General categories of green technologies that apply to the buildings and facility market have been documented in many periodicals; for the building & facility industry, the key technologies of interest are:
Energy & Resource Efficiency (HVAC systems, day-lighting, water management & re-use)
Alternative Energy Development (self – contained solar, wind, and other power sources)
Advance Material Use (for insulation, walls, windows, structural)
Information Management (energy modeling, sensors, life cycle assessment)
Environmental / Health (occupant health & comfort, waste reduction, carbon emissions management)
Next installment: strategies that cleantech firms may take to leverage BIM to accelerate adoption and growth in the buildings market sector.
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(Note: some of this content was previously published in a column for Greenbiz.com; link is here).
Scott Boutwell is a management consultant and former AEC executive from Oracle and URS Corporation; providing tech commercialization, M&A advisory, and market strategy services to cleantech, sustainability, and global AEC firms. His blog covers anecdotes and growth strategies in the engineering design and sustainability sectors. Scott can be reached at scott@c-level.biz
(image source: www.djc.com)

By, Boutwell

Source: http://www.triplepundit.com/2008/05/building-information-modeling-and-the-adoption-of-green-technologies/

Hope you enjoy this inspiring TED talk from the CEO of IDEO, Tim Brown.   We did!

Great little clip on Revit MEP on how simple and streamlined Revit makes it to get LEED credits

This is a great little article on how the Dir. of Construction, John Moebes of the Crate&Barrel stores. John Moebes, will also be a speaker at the Business of BIM conference happening in Sept 2009, in SF! So excited!!!!

check out the article:
“for immediate release”

Today Urban Re:Vision announced three finalists for what might become the most sustainable city block in America. Situated in the heart of Dallas three teams were selected from hundreds of entries as part of the Revision Dallas design competition Ideas integrated local materials, vegetated screens to green ways, shaping how people will live and work in the future. Finalists include former Siyathemba finalist MOOV with Atelier Data of Lisbon, Portugal; David Baker and Partners Architects and Fletcher Studio, MediZed, and the firm Little from Charlotte, North Carolina

so excited!!! our hands – all shaking.

Here's what MediZed and David Baker Architects made!!!

I was just in our local Little Star Pizza on Divisadero in San Francisco for dinner Sunday night.  An artist, Erik Otto displayed some incredible art on the walls.  Here’s a little something we’d like to share with you! 

In 1967 doctors told Kamal Meattle that the polluted air in New Delhi was killing him. Instead of abandoning his home, Meattle found ways to grow his own fresh air. Now, Meattle runs a 50,000 square foot green hotel and business center in New Dehli. The facility is home to 1,200 indoor plants – 4 for each of the 300 occupants. In addition to lowering the HVAC system requirements, the plants pump oxygen into the air and remove volatile chemicals and formaldehydes. Studies have shown that for many occupants the plants increase productivity and blood oxygen levels while reducing headaches, lung impairment, and eye-irritation. To connect occupants with their living purification system, the facility’s website posts daily indoor and outdoor air quality levels.

In February 2009, Meattle joined other visionaries at the TED conference in California to explain how easy it is to grow your own fresh air.

The TED talk highlights 3 house plants that are vital for oxygen production and airborne chemical reduction – the Areca Palm, Mother-in-laws Tongue, and the Money Plant.

Rayna Gordon-Hellman
rayna@medized.com
415-994-6549 office

courtesy of Gluckman Mayner Architects

Ever since Donald Fisher (the founder of GAP) proposed a new Contemporary Art Museum at the Presidio (CAMP) to house his personal art collection, stakeholders have been unable to agree on an appropriate design. The first design by New York City-based Gluckman Mayner Architects caused a huge public oucry from San Francisco citizens and architects. To find a better solution, 10 local architecture firms held an exhibition called “CAMP: Reconsidered” to choose an alternative design.

The new design by WRNS Studios moves the structure underground and celebrates the surrounding landscape with a green roof. Still, not everyone is pleased.

courtesy of WRNS Studios

The Presidio Historic Association devoted its March newsletter to explaining why the new design is a poor choice for the Presidio, and encouraged readers to voice their oppositions at the April 7th meeting of the Presidio Trust. To further complicate matters, the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Chronicle have published editorials opposing the development for reasons ranging from increased car traffic in the Presidio to Donald Fisher’s arrogance.

Last night, The San Francisco AIA chapter held a public meeting to discuss “The Future of the Presidio’s Main Post”. WRNS studios and the Presidio Trust were present to speak about their vision for CAMP. While their vision may be clearer, the road to construction is not. Will CAMP become a reality? Stay tuned.

Rayna Gordon-Hellman
rayna@medized.com
415-994-6549 office