Value driven life cycle based sustainable business models – ECOBIM

The elements of the ecobim framework are the following:
• the different actors of the building lifecycle use specific tools dedicated to their specific disciplines and role in the building project and life of the building for producing or using specific data. As much as possible, and starting from the design phase, BIM is used in IFC format for gathering the building technical information of the building;
• a BIM Viewer, Checker and Synthesizer tool is used for providing a common technical view of the building all along its lifecycle, checking that the IFC data are correctly defined and filled, depending of the lifecycle phase, establishing the links between the objects of the building and its different associated requirements, annotations, documents, ecobim indicators (analysis results dedicated to eco performance) and monitoring data;
• ecobim Web Services for offering a public available connection between the different actor tools and the ecobim PLM;
• ecobim PLM Engine for establising the links between the different pieces of the building technical data, managing the actors roles and collaborative access rights to these pieces;
• the ecobim Data Server for sharing and archiving the different files of the building.
In the scope of the ecobim project framework, eveBIM from CSTB will be extended to play the role of the BIM Viewer, Checker and Synthesizer and the Lascom AEC platform of Lascom will be extended and parametrized for playing the role of the ecobim WEB Services and PLM engine.

At this stage the, the coupling between the eveBIM Viewer/checker and the Lascom AEC PLM server is established, offering :
• The Capability to manage a set of openBIM files, produces by IFC compliant and disciplines dedicated tools, on a collaborative PLM platform, taking into account roles, responsibilities and access rights of the file’s author as well as the versioning of these files;
• The Capability to use the BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) for annotating BIM files and dedicated objects for establishing communication between the different actors of the project;
• The Capability to compare different openBIM files, coming from different actors and disciplines, using visualisation comparisons;

The following stage will be to offer the capability to exploit BIM objects quantities with spreadsheet tools (ex: Excel) for building environmental impact purpose.

This first coupling between eveBIM and Lascom AEC platform opens the perspective to first commercial exploitation, early 2014, for supporting eco-innovation and collaborative building design phases of construction projects.

Two deliverable documents :
- D1.1 Analysis of present construction business models in relation to eco-innovation : State of the art of BIM related tools to eco-innovation
- D1.2 ecobim framework for sustainable eco-innovative construction business models : statement of work for the ecobim framework development

The paradigm change to eco-innovation within the construction sector means more than technological innovation. Systemic approaches including LCA and ICTs are needed to cover social, environmental and economic aspects. Novel business models are needed to create clear advantages for all actors (particularly SMEs) in the value chain. Effective and easy-to-use tools are needed for the implementation of the developed model.

Ecobim's main goal is to develop a sustainable construction business model to support paradigm change in eco-innovation, in addition to providing recommendations to policy makers for its successful implementation covering the whole value chain.

Ecobim intends to initiate the next generation of integrated (social, environmental, economic) user oriented sustainability assessment tools to aid paradigm change to sustainable eco-innovative construction business models. It will also provide a roadmap to a sustainable eco-innovative paradigm change for enterprises, particularly SMEs, and recommendations for policy makers. Results obtained are intended to be primarily implemented already during the project.

Ecobim is intended to positively and widely impacting the sustainability of the community while focusing mainly in changing the present paradigm of construction business models, therefore resulting in an improved quality of life for citizens and new business opportunities for the participating partners.

Research methods will be based on case studies form a solid basis to link development to SMEs daily practice. Interactive face to face workshops and virtual webinars help maintaining ecobim's international nature and to cover the whole value chain. Top down and bottom up approaches are used concurrently to boost the eco-innovation infrastructure. System thinking is at the core of this systemic approach. Comparisons will be made between approaches adopted in the manufacturing industry and construction industry. Furthermore, best practices will be underlined and shared between partners across various European regions.

The work will be carried out in three countries in north, central and south of Europe, thus covering the European dimension and providing business opportunities for the common marketplace. The case studies are national but interactive information exchange ensures covering the whole value chain even considering local special features.
The planned consortium contains the following partners:
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (Coordinator)
- SME architectural firm, Finland
- SME eco-consultant, Germany
- Lascom - SME ICT consultant, France
- CSTB, Centre Scientifique & Technique du Bâtiment, France

VTT has good earlier experience in collaborating with the partners with whom ecobim is planned and who are already experts in this domain.
The proposal clearly promotes collaboration with SMEs. The input expected from the architectural firm is important to define the design/procurement process from a life cycle perspective and its obstacles regarding the implementation of sustainable eco-innovative measures beyond commonly adopted energy efficiency and indoor-environment measures. The eco-consultant helps to introduce a wider scope, bringing also in other views (client - main contractor - supplier). Finally, CSTB and Lascom can provide an adequate software according to the needs defined.