Green BIM Assessment Applying for Energy Consumption and Comfort in the Traditional Public Market: A Case Study

Abstract

This study focused on the energy consumption and environmental comfort of the traditional Xindian Central Public Retail Market. Established for more than 30 years, the market has been a crucial role in the daily life of local residents. Thus, the energy consumption and comfort level of the market are subjects of great concern. By using green building information modeling (BIM) simulation, which is an innovative assessment process that combines green buildings and BIM for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries to achieve sustainability, this study explored the current situation of energy efficiency and comfort level of the market. A green BIM model of the market and surrounding area was constructed in Autodesk Revit. Subsequently, nine items pertaining to energy consumption and environmental comfort were selected from the green BIM model to conduct simulation by using the software package Integrated Environmental Solutions Virtual Environment (IES VE). Based on the IES VE simulation results, heat radiation was identified as one of the main causes of energy consumption in the market. Moreover, the results indicated problems of ventilation and insufficient sunlight inside the market. These analytical outcomes and optimization suggestions can be provided as references for retrofitting to obtain sustainable architectures in future.