BIM, sustainability and energy optimisation

New graduates who will take place in technical and managerial positions in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry should be aware of the recent trends in the AEC industry along with developing their technical and managerial skills. In this way, it is possible to create the human resource profile required by the AEC industry. Therefore, the subjects included in engineering education should be shaped according to the needs, expectations, and practices of the AEC industry. In this context, examining the trends in the AEC industry and reflecting them as a part of training becomes a critical success factor.
Sustainability has largely become an essential part of project design, construction, and maintenance in the AEC industry. The achievements of these objectives have been significantly aided and indeed necessitated by the advents of BIM. In particular, integrated data platform of BIM enables energy optimisation within the wider context of lifecycle performance and sustainability. In this context, when the trends in the AEC industry are examined; sustainable building design, constructing buildings that able high environmental protection and energy efficiency, BIM enabled energy optimisation in facility management come forward as one of the continuous concerns of AEC industry.
Based on the necessity of providing teaching and learning in accordance with the recent trends in the AEC industry is crucial for meeting the expectations of the industry, this chapter mainly provides insights for students and educators about the integration of BIM and sustainability. Besides, it is aimed that the information presented in this chapter contribute to the academic knowledge of educators, as well as enable new graduates to be adapted to the industry more easily by gaining their awareness about the most up-to-date construction and management topics.