Article

Integrating life cycle assessment and building information modelling: A purpose-driven approach

Integrating life cycle assessment and building information modelling: A purpose-driven approach

Journal of Building Engineering

Maria Teresa Ferreira; António Aguiar Costa; José Dinis Silvestre — 2025 — Elsevier

Key information

Authors:

Maria Teresa Ferreira (Maria Teresa Henriques Alves Ferreira); António Aguiar Costa (António Morais Aguiar da Costa); José Dinis Silvestre (José Dinis Silvestre)

Published in

December 17, 2025

Abstract

Building information modelling (BIM) has become a transformative methodology in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) by integrating collaborative design, construction, and facility management. This paper investigates the BIM’s evolving role across design phases, with a particular focus on the level of information need (LOIN) and its integration into life cycle assessment (LCA). Although the design process progresses through distinct phases requiring tailored information and model development, it currently lacks an intermediate LCA capable of supporting early optimization of design solutions. To address this gap, the study examines how BIM adaptability and the structured use of LOIN through progressive detailing of components can enhance information consistency, efficiency and collaboration throughout the project timeline. A standardized, purpose-driven framework is proposed to manage data requirements and support the integration of LCA within BIM workflows. The proposed framework enables informed decision-making, improves environmental performance, and supports phase-appropriate data accuracy across the life cycle (LC). Its novelty lies in incorporating average Environmental Product Declaration, improving BIM-LCA interoperability, and facilitating data automation via a dedicated tool. The approach is validated through a real-life case study, demonstrating the practical benefits of a LOIN-based LCA approach. In conclusion, the findings show that BIM has the potential to harmonize design phases, LOIN, and LCA, fostering collaboration, efficiency, and sustainability. The resulting purpose-driven framework provides stakeholders with a structured method for adjusting the LOIN across design phases and integrating it with LCA requirements to act in early phases to support climate and construction related environmental impact mitigation.

Publication details

Authors in the community:

Publisher

Elsevier

Link to the publisher's version

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.115006

Title of the publication container

Journal of Building Engineering

Volume

118 (2026)

Issue

115006

DOI

doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2025.115006

Fields of Science and Technology (FOS)

civil-engineering - Civil engineering

Keywords

  • Building information modelling (BIM)
  • Data
  • Environmental product declaration (EPD)
  • Life cycle assessment (LCA)
  • Level of information need (LOIN)
  • Level of development (LOD)
  • Sustainability
  • Twin transition

Publication language (ISO code)

eng - English

Alternative identifier (URI)

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Rights type:

Only metadata available

Financing entity

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Title of the project, award or grant: Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon, and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)

Identifier for the funding entity: https://doi.org/10.54499/UI/BD/153398/2022

Number for the project, award or grant: UI/BD/153398/2022

Financing entity

Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability

Identifier for the funding entity: https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/06438/2025

Number for the project, award or grant: UID/6438/2025