ABSTRACT
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a methodology that can support such vision. The European Commission has also promoted the integration of BIM's data rich models and processes with sustainable methodologies that represent life-cycle thinking, such as life-cycle assessment (LCA). This chapter discusses the BIM–LCA integration process and explores integration and interoperability challenges, the actors that are involved in this process and how they can contribute to the success of BIM-LCA integration. The interoperability of BIM–LCA integration is of major importance, as the success of such a tool would depend on information transparency and the user's ability to manipulate the original information to fit their goals. A good example is the Australian National Specification System (NATSPEC) Guide, which includes the NATSPEC National BIM Guide and the NATSPEC BIM object/element matrix, providing suggestions for digital building information exchange.
