Exploratory research on bim integration in housing refurbishment in the UK

Environmental impacts and energy efficiency of the housing sector have become more important because the housing sector alone accounts for 27% of the total UK CO2 emission, and 87% of the housing responsible for current 27% CO2 emission will still stand in 2050. 27 million homes in the UK are in need of refurbishment, and indeed, housing refurbishment have a huge opportunity to bring significant implications for the UK economy and resolve current sustainability issues. However, housing refurbishment seems to be challenging due to the highly fragmented nature of construction practice and the characteristics of housing refurbishment, which impede the integration of diverse construction information throughout a project life cycle. Although, Building Information Modelling is widely adopted in the construction sector to enhance the integration of construction information and collaboration, current BIM adoption rate in the housing sector is only 25%.This research reviews the current BIM application in the housing sector and examine a way to apply BIM system for housing refurbishment project as a decision support tool. Consequently, key challenges to adopt and utilize BIM system in the housing sector have been identified. Furthermore, a potential way to utilize BIM system for housing refurbishment is suggested by providing a conceptual BIM framework for housing refurbishment based on BIM standard, interviews and questionnaire survey. The conceptual BIM framework will enables construction professionals to consider life cycle cost and CO2 performance simultaneously for a housing refurbishment project. As an exploratory research, the research outcome will provide a fundamental foundation to develop a practical BIM framework for the housing sector, and enlighten construction professionals who attempt to adopt and utilize BIM for housing refurbishment project.