Circular Immersive Parametric Design Workflow for Innovative Materials

Abstract

There is sufficient evidence that the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR) in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) education environments is desirable and beneficial. This study introduces a workflow for circular immersive parametric design (CIPaDe). The proposed CIPaDe, BIM-into- VR-based workflow is expected to improve students’ learning performance, provide an environment similar to real- world, increase the visualization of models on a larger scale, and enhance their creativity. The CIPaDe Workflow includes stages of 1) material selection for non-loadbearing elements 2) geometry exploration and VR sessions 3) life cycle assessments (LCA). Secondary materials for LCA were selected from declared products on the Embodied Carbon Construction Calculator (EC3) Tool. The goal was to arrive at a design with minimal embodied carbon and energy. The intersections of material choices for innovation and sustainability provides the opportunity to test its impact through embodied energy investigations and operational energy impacts. Emerging designs are the basis for comparisons between recycling and virgin materials. The results show that the novel workflow utilizes BIM and VR to promote circularity and provide environmental benefits.