Monitoring Environmental and Health Impact Data in BIM Models to Assure Healthy Living Environments

Health is our wealth and we are rarely aware that the choice of living and working environment affects us. We spend most of our time in indoor environments so the quality of indoor air plays an important role in the maintenance of health and well-being. Moreover, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is emerging technology, which plays an essential role in collaboration among multi-discipline professions, time and cost saving, fabrication and construction as well as facilities management. However, it is not accepted by all planners yet. BIM could also offer a framework to help improving health and well-being of future users of the new building. The main aim of this paper is to monitor environmental and health impact data in BIM models to assure healthy living environments. First, the paper explores which environmental and health parameters could be measured in the indoor environment and which are already present in BIM models. Second, it explores options to expand BIM specifications to support monitoring environmental and health impact data in BIM models to assure healthy living environments.