What is Building Information Modelling (BIM)?

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WHAT IS BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM) AND HOW IT DRIVES SMARTER, DIGITAL, MORE SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

Key Insights: 

• Building Information Modeling (BIM) supports sustainable construction by enabling better early design decisions, reducing material waste, and improving energy efficiency.
• BIM enhances collaboration across project teams, improving project outcomes and reducing lifecycle costs through smarter data management.
• BIM supports emerging practices like net-zero building design, virtual design & construction (VDC), modern methods of construction, (MMC) circular construction methods, digital twins and integration with renewable energy technologies.
• RED Engineering Design uses BIM across disciplines including ICT and MEP design, sustainable infrastructure, and intelligent building systems, as well as high-performance data centre delivery to deliver futureproof construction ready projects.

What is Building Information Modeling, and why is it considered so important for the future of sustainable construction?

For many architects, engineers, and developers, BIM has moved beyond a technical tool into a critical part of digital project strategy. By providing a central digital model that informs every stage of design, construction and right through to operation, BIM technology is transforming how buildings are planned, as well as how they’re built, and of course maintained.

Today, BIM is also playing a major role in reducing the environmental impact of the built environment, from net-zero office developments to energy-efficient data centres and critical infrastructure projects.

In this article, we explore what BIM is, how it advances sustainability, and how RED Engineering Design uses it to create smarter, greener infrastructure.

What is Building Information Modeling (BIM)?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of a building’s physical and functional characteristics. It provides a shared knowledge base for decision-making throughout a project’s lifecycle, from initial concept through to operation and maintenance.

When asking what is building information modeling, it is important to see BIM as 3D modelling as well as a complete digital ecosystem. It integrates architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) data into a single coherent platform.

Understanding what is BIM building information modeling means recognising its ability to:

• Support detailed analysis of energy performance and material usage
• Improve collaboration between teams through shared access to real-time project geometry and data
• RED use BIM as our baseline technology in preparation for next generation cloud based fileless projects. Digital technologies offer significant opportunities for improved efficiency, collaboration, and project outcomes. Industry wide digital tools, International standards (ISO19650) and digital processes are steadily being adopted and some times backed by governments.
• ISO 19650/ legal/ contractual/ Safety updates
• Introduction of Digital Audit trails with Opensource data formats COBie/ FIRie/ SAFie
• DfMA – Design for manufacture and assembly
• MMC – Modern methods of Construction
• VMCR – Volumetric modular construction research
• Industrial construction techniques - Kit of parts A collection of repeatable, standardised building components that are pre-engineered and designed to create a variety of assemblies which define part or all of a finished building
• Parametric/ Generative / algorithm modelling and optimisation
• Out of the box Ai already available or in use
• Use of Robotics – Construction techniques/ Manufacturing/ Demolition
• Digital construction client’s expectations are always evolving, demanding digital solutions. RED embrace the Digital Future through better technology execution reaching out to the next gen projects with cloud based fileless working.
  

Why BIM matters for sustainability

The construction sector is responsible for a significant proportion of global carbon emissions. Smarter, more efficient design is essential to meet climate targets and deliver future-proof infrastructure. This is where BIM becomes a critical enabler.

When exploring what building information modelling means for sustainability, several key benefits emerge:

1. Reducing material waste

BIM allows teams to model and simulate construction processes before building begins, reducing errors and over-ordering of materials. Precise quantity take-offs and sequencing enable smarter procurement strategies, minimising site waste.

2. Enhancing energy efficiency

By modelling building systems in detail, including MEP components, engineers can simulate energy performance early in the design phase. This enables optimisation of HVAC systems, lighting, and renewable energy integration to meet net-zero targets.

3. Supporting circular construction practices

Circular construction, i.e. reusing materials and designing for disassembly, depends on detailed tracking of building components. BIM models provide the necessary data for identifying reusable elements and planning for future adaptability. Explore more about RED’s commitment to lifecycle efficiency here.

4. Enabling smarter urban planning

BIM’s capabilities extend beyond single buildings. Digital twins, data centre campus’ and city-scale BIM models are now supporting sustainable urban planning efforts, helping cities optimise energy grids and manage resources, as well as also improving resilience. 

Practical examples of BIM and sustainable innovation

BIM is being used today to support and drive practical sustainable innovations across the construction and infrastructure sectors:

• In net-zero building projects, BIM enables accurate modelling of carbon outputs from a bill of materials (BOM) and systems, helping teams design to meet stricter carbon budgets and achieve certification targets.
• In circular construction, BIM supports initiatives where salvaged materials are catalogued, tracked, and redeployed, extending the lifecycle of building elements and reducing waste.
• BIM’s integration with renewable energy systems, such as solar PV arrays, battery storage, or geothermal installations, allows engineers to optimise renewable deployment and site energy performance from the outset.
• BIM plays a key role in optimising waste heat recovery and reuse strategies. Detailed system modelling helps identify opportunities to capture and redirect heat energy that would otherwise be lost, supporting carbon reduction goals. Learn more about our work on waste heat export.
• In data centre projects, where energy efficiency and resilience are critical, BIM enables precision engineering from design through to commissioning. At RED, we use BIM to support thermal optimisation, energy modelling, and system coordination for sustainable data centre delivery. Read how RED Engineering Design is recognised as a Top 10 Global Data Centre Consultant, and explore our data centre design expertise.

RED Engineering Design’s approach to BIM for sustainability

At RED Engineering Design, we use Building Information Modeling across disciplines to drive sustainability outcomes from the earliest project stages.

Our teams apply BIM for:

• Sustainable MEP design in high-performance buildings
• Embodied carbon assessments and lifecycle impact modelling
• Supporting BREEAM and LEED certification pathways
• Real-time energy optimisation in data centres and critical infrastructure

Whether it’s informing material choices or optimising building systems, or even future-proofing operational performance, our approach to BIM supports clients’ sustainability goals while improving project delivery and value.

Ready to build smarter, greener projects with BIM?

Talk to RED to discover how our BIM-led approach can help you design infrastructure that performs better today, and tomorrow.