Sustainable Design, Construction and Management – For a Green Construction Industry

The construction industry is one of the most resource-intensive segments of the economy. At the same time, the demand for living space is increasing across the board. Therefore, it is important to use raw materials and energy efficiently. This is the only way to design, construct and operate buildings in a manner that is more sustainable. The Nemetschek Group has always been a pioneer in this respect, offering advanced solutions across the entire building life cycle that focus on driving sustainability. This is demonstrated by numerous successful projects throughout Europe.

The Nemetschek Group offers a broad portfolio of innovative software solutions with which resource efficiency in the construction industry and in building management can be raised to a new level, helping to save materials and minimise the energy requirements of buildings. We’re committed to facing up to our ecological responsibility in a considered way, and making a long-term contribution to curbing climate change while working with the industry to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees.

The digital process methodology BIM (Building Information Modelling) paves the way for more precise and efficient planning and construction. BIM minimises errors and dismantling, thereby conserving precious resources and protecting the environment. The software solutions support the entire construction life cycle, from the planning and construction phases through to the management phase. Many successful construction projects across Europe have been realised through BIM:

Hospital Nova: a pioneer for sustainable healthcare architecture in Finland

For example, in Jyväskylä, Finland, Hospital Nova is an efficient, patient-centred hospital designed for the future. This modern hospital paves the way for a new generation of healthcare. It is based on an innovative concept in which the healthcare functions are grouped around a central corridor, which is similar in principle to a shopping centre or an airport.

(C) Archicad by Graphisoft

Thanks to the consistent standardisation of the clinic, the efficiency of processes, rooms, technical facilities and equipment is significantly improved. There is also plenty of room for manoeuvre and flexibility for future extensions or changes. Modifications to logistics planning and operations, for example, could reduce costs by ten per cent annually. Archicad BIM software from Graphisoft was used for all design phases, including concept design and dimensioning of individual zones, detailed walls and rooms, functional design and interior design. Thanks to BIMcloud and Archicad Teamwork, several teams were able to work collaboratively, simultaneously and efficiently on different elements of the project. Hospital Nova is an outstanding example of how innovative architectural design elements can put the well-being of patients and staff at the heart of the building.

BERN 131: a sustainable timber construction in the heart of the Swiss capital

The BERN 131 office and service building in Bern, Switzerland, impresses with its focus on delivering high levels of sustainability. Constructed from wood, it has the shape of an arched triangle. The staggered floor slabs form a rooftop terrace, where visitors can enjoy the wonderful view of Bern city as well as the distant Alps. A central atrium helps circulate air vertically, reducing energy requirements. The roof and the façade parapets are covered with photovoltaic panels to collect solar energy, further driving efficiency and leading to greater long-term sustainability.

(C) Vectorworks

The architecture firm Atelier 5 used the design and BIM software Vectorworks Architect for this major project. The intelligent tools enable work processes to be accelerated, summarized, and simplified. The structuring of the floors designed within Architect with referenced layers created a realistic model that can react quickly to adjustments, corrections, or revisions early on in the planning process, saving time and preventing errors later in the project.

Bus station in Merthyr Tydfil: redefining sustainable mobility

In another flagship project, one of Wales' busiest bus stations in Merthyr Tydfil has been completely redesigned and equipped with modern and sustainable infrastructure, such as ULEV charging stations. The building's heating and hot water systems can be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy sources, while the public toilets are fed by a rainwater tank. These measures will reduce CO₂ emissions over the entire life cycle of the building.

(C) Bluebeam

Bluebeam tools were used to create more accurate measurements and cost estimates. The planning team used the same tool to develop and sequence the project schedules. Thanks to digital collaboration, the team was able to increase productivity by a factor of five. In addition, the design processes were accelerated by 50 per cent and the time required for quantity take offs and estimates was reduced by 80 per cent, bringing measurable efficiency gains right from the outset.

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona: cultural heritage in harmony with sustainability

The sustainable renovation of a cultural monument in Barcelona, Spain, shows how BIM solutions can also prove their worth in the management phase of a construction project. The renovation of the Art Nouveau complex Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau had two main objectives: The original art and architectural elements were to be restored and, at the same time, the rooms and infrastructure were developed for the future. In order to reduce energy costs, more than 140 consumption meters for electricity, heat flow and water, were installed in the individual buildings. However, managing and analysing all the energy data proved difficult. A special analysis and visualisation tool was needed to track the development of the numerous individual consumption values in all the buildings.

(C) Spacewell Energy

To address that challenge, the energy management software Spacewell Energy proved to be a useful solution. It enables energy data to be recorded, visualised and analysed precisely in real time. This saves time and prevents errors when conducting manual meter readings. The solution also makes it possible to specifically identify excessive consumption in certain times or areas. And, at the same time, consumption data can be collected over time in order to compare and improve the energy efficiency of the historical buildings. These measures immediately led to a noticeable change in consumption levels, resulting in a 28 per cent reduction in energy costs compared to the previous year.

Designers require on-site teams to install metal framing according to specifications and BIM models for technical services. Fire-rated wall stud installation involves framing encasing boxes around openings for specified technical installations, ensuring a proper fire seal. On-site teams, however, need coordinated planning to finalize technical MEP/HVAC layouts before partition walls are erected. Ideally, openings should be prepared before installing technical services, demanding accurate overlay of service layouts on partition drawings. This is seldom done, as design teams often optimize layouts during coordination, impacting metal wall stud placement. This sequencing challenge poses a significant project risk, particularly when fire partition walls are closed from both sides, hindering visibility. Damage to wall studs during later installations can compromise the wall's fire integrity.

Imerso empowered Nyt Hospital Nordsjælland's construction team to boost their site supervision 15-fold by enabling them to independently conduct 3D scanning activities, a task traditionally deemed time-consuming and requiring expert surveyors. The Imerso platform analyzes the on-site As-built environment against BIM models, promptly reporting work status and deviations. Project Manager Anders Kaas prevented numerous costly issues within months, surpassing expectations. Additionally, Anders's team achieved precise on-site monitoring of fire-rated wall stud installations with Imerso, ensuring millimeter-accurate placement. Swift comparisons with BIM plans identified potential issues, promptly addressed to enhance building safety through efficient routine work status monitoring. Read the first 16 months' results here.

Another typical fire-stopping challenge in construction projects lies in the installation of technical equipment through wall openings in the concrete superstructure. To preserve fire-stopping capabilities, such equipment must be installed at specific distances from the structure and between each other, to allow appropriate fire-rated insulation. 

The popular BIM coordination software Solibri, an industry-leading tool and partner of Imerso, recently launched new rulesets for validating safety-compliance automatically in the BIM models. But even in projects leveraging these accurate models, the problem happens when the onsite installations deviate from the planned design and remain undocumented, since traditional manual and visual controls using photos, 360° panorama images, and manual checklists are ineffective at flagging such changes. By analysing the onsite installation status against the BIM plans, Imerso helps the Nyt Hospital Nordsjælland team to prevent such hidden deviations from being overlooked, by detecting them instantly without human subjectivity.

Around 80% of the costs of a building are incurred during the utilization phase. A large part of this expenditure is due to energy consumption. Digital tools help monitor and reduce this energy consumption – as well as enable optimal control of heating, ventilation, and lighting. They can also be used to plan and use existing office space efficiently by showing how much space is actually needed, saving resources.

The healthcare sector is facing a number of challenges worldwide in terms of operating real estate. On the one hand, the demand for new assisted living facilities and nursing homes is continuously increasing due to demographic changes. On the other hand, many governments are placing greater emphasis on implementing sustainability and reducing energy consumption when operating a care facility.
The care organization "Stichting Voor Regionale Zorgverlening" (SVRZ) in the Zeeland region of the Netherlands is also facing up to these challenges. It primarily cares for vulnerable elderly people who need short- or long-term care and support due to their physical condition or impairments caused by dementia, for example. With more than 57 care facilities spread over 23 centers in the Zeeland region, SVRZ faces major challenges in maintaining its existing properties. This is one of the reasons why this area is the responsibility of an independent department, which has been using the Spacewell Maintenance solution for multi-year maintenance planning since 2012.
In 2020, the Energy Transition Master Plan was adopted by SVRZ with the subtitle: "Full speed ahead to zero gas". SVRZ has a sustainable goal and ambition to operate its care properties completely gas free by 2030. If this ambitious goal could be realized, SVRZ would meet national climate goals for 2050 before 2030.
Since then, the organization has already installed more than 6,500 solar modules. In the process, the technical condition of the roofing was checked in advance using the multi-year maintenance plan. At several sites, where necessary, the roof covering was renewed before the solar panels were installed, which increased the insulation value to the level of current standards for new buildings.
SVRZ also applied the principle of natural replacement time to renovations: for example, conventional light bulbs were replaced with modern and energy saving LED lighting as standard as part of renovation activities, and existing gas boilers were replaced with electric heat pumps.
As a result, SVRZ achieved a CO2 reduction of no less than 28% in the 2018-2020 period and reduced fossil natural gas consumption by more than 400,000m³ per year. In the coming years, the implementation of the Energy Transition Master Plan will continue based on the sustainable multi-year maintenance plan.

(c) Groepswoning ter Schorre

(c) Groepswoning ter Schorre

The science and technology company Merck has its corporate headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, and employs more than 60,000 people in over 60 countries worldwide. In Germany alone, more than 12,000 employees work to find solutions to some of the greatest medical challenges of our time.
As is common in many companies, every employee in the company used to have a fixed assigned workstation. New ways of using workstations and space have been explored – but a strategic approach to hybrid working and the office of the future only recently received a significant boost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to make the company headquarters fit for the work of the future and to allow all employees to participate in a modern office concept, Merck relied on the implementation of workplace solutions from CREM SOLUTIONS for the redesign of the working environment. The maxim of the concept was to get away from fixed workplaces and towards "New Work" or "Activity Based Working". As part of the redesign process, the Workplace Solutions system enabled a meaningful analysis of space and workspace utilization and ensured a safe return of employees to the office, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative, data-based monitoring of occupied space is also possible. The main goal here is to proactively manage available space and be able to respond in real time to changes in the organization as well as user behavior.
The information collected with the Workplace system is extensively analyzed and used for future scenarios in order to drive the further digitalization of the company's buildings and offices and implement modern working methods. Efficient control can optimize both the use of space and energy consumption – for example, it is no longer necessary to heat all office areas across the board or provide permanent lighting. Based on sound planning, accumulated experience, and close collaboration between the project teams, the Workplace solutions and the integrated Internet of Things (IoT) solutions were designed in such a way that the desired needs of the Merck Group are easily and completely mapped in a smart building system. In the long term, the aim is to deploy the Workplace system across the board in suitable properties.

(c) Tobi Bohn Fotografie

(c) Tobi Bohn Fotografie

The project examples show that there is a shift in thinking in the construction industry: away from analog silos and toward digital collaboration. This rethinking is also driven by the need to plan, build, and operate more sustainably. With the help of digitalization, this cycle can be closed from initial planning to the end of the life cycle – for a more sustainable, future-oriented construction industry.