Investigating the Role of Computer-based Design Technologies in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Architectural Design Related Activities (Case study: Using Building Information Modeling (BIM))

Environmental problems with economic and social inequalities caused by the industrial revolution led to intensifying the rise of movements and ideas in the second half of the 20th century to achieve a balanced development in different fields, which can be referred to as sustainable development theory. Achieving the goals of sustainable development in the field of architecture requires attention to all environmental, economic, and social aspects. Studies have shown that sustainable architecture, especially later-related movements, which utilize modern technologies in design and construction fields, are more suited to such goals. In this regard, computer-based design technologies, as effective instruments, played a significant role in achieving sustainability goals. This research investigates the amount of the effects of building information modeling (BIM) applications in different stages of the design process on achieving sustainability goals. The research method is descriptive-analytic. So indicators related to the use of BIM in sustainability achievement were collected through the library sources and case studies that contain sustainable buildings, which were designed using BIM applications. Then, by performing a hierarchical analysis based on the criteria derived from theoretical foundations, the authors concluded that the major BIM effects in achieving sustainability are due to the possibility of using dynamic analysis in the early stages of the design process, particularly the conceptual design stage as well as the establishment of effective interactions between engineers and other stakeholders.