Sunway Pinnacle was one of the developments by Sunway which was completed using Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) in the process.
Virtual design, sustainable materials and on-site energy are greening the construction industry from the ground up
BASED on a research report by Accenture titled Uniting technology and sustainability, technology will continue to be a fundamental driver of sustainability for companies, their supply chains, customers and the broader business ecosystem.
The report states that “92% of companies in our survey aim to achieve net-zero targets by 2030, which will require deployment of advanced technologies to measure, reduce and remove an organisation’s carbon footprint.”
Besides being essential to improving transparency and traceability, the report emphasises that technology will also help companies uncover insights to spur action, whether that means transforming customer experiences or building a more sustainable organisation.
Building a greener future
Globally, the construction industry is known for its resource-intensive nature. However, this sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the urgent need for sustainability.
Our built environment accounts for a significant portion of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), after a period of growth between 2015 and 2021, where direct emissions from building operations rose by an average of nearly 1% annually, a slight year-on-year decline began in 2022.
At the same time, indirect emissions from building operations grew by around 1.4% in 2022, reflecting an increased reliance on electricity.
Emissions trends differ by region. In the European Union, emissions fell in 2022, aided by a mild winter, while in the United States, building emissions increased, driven by extreme temperatures. To get on track with the net-zero emissions scenario, emissions must fall by 9% per year on average until 2030, more than halving by the end of the decade.
Beyond the direct and indirect emissions from buildings operations, another 2.5 Gigatonne (Gt) in carbon dioxide in 2022 were associated with buildings construction, including the manufacturing and processing of cement, steel and aluminium for buildings. Altogether, building operations and construction emissions account for more than one-third of global energy-related emissions.
Mitigation and adaptation measures are needed across the whole building’s value chain. To mitigate these impacts and create a more sustainable future, the construction industry is increasingly turning to technology as a powerful ally.
Two such game-changers, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), are changing the way we design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure.
Leveraging technology
Imagine a digital twin of a building, encompassing every detail from its architectural design and structural framework to its mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
Essentially, that is what BIM does - it’s not just a 3D model of the building, but a dynamic, data-rich platform that connects all stakeholders throughout a project’s lifecycle.
There are a few ways BIM aids in sustainable construction. For instance, it allows for a more seamless and coordinated communication among architects, engineers, contractors and clients. This collaborative approach reduces errors, minimises rework and optimises resource allocation by allowing precise quantity takeoffs and material estimations.
Other than that, BIM also allows designers to simulate and analyse building performance under various conditions, allowing them to optimise energy consumption and reduce the building’s carbon footprint.
As the data extends beyond construction, it also facilitates efficient building operations, maintenance and even demolition or renovation planning, promoting sustainability throughout a building’s entire lifespan.
Meanwhile, VDC takes the power of BIM to the next level by integrating immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
Using this technology, planners can virtually walk through a building before a single brick is laid or use AR to overlay digital information onto a physical construction site.
VDC allows stakeholders to experience a project in a realistic, interactive way, improving communication, identifying potential clashes early on.
These VR simulations can also provide immersive safety training for construction workers in an effort to reduce the risk of accidents and promote a safer work environment.
Together, BIM and VDC form a powerful tool, driving sustainable practices throughout the construction lifecycle.
Sunway Construction Group Berhad (SunCon), a leading Malaysian construction company, has embraced both BIM and VDC, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and sustainable construction practices.
“Our construction services business is enabled by the use of VDC, which is an advanced digital project management tool that promotes the exchange of information and upfront collaboration involving multiple facets of the construction phase,” SunCon stated in its Integrated Annual Report 2023.
“It is an integrated approach in design, construction and facility management using software information models throughout the project lifecycle, enabling sharing of knowledge and resources in a digital representation where design, schedule and cost can be integrated in all phases and simulated digitally prior to the physical construction of a project.”
A sustainable ecosystem
While BIM and VDC play a crucial role in driving sustainable construction, they represent just two pieces of a larger puzzle.
A truly holistic approach requires integrating a range of innovative technologies and strategies throughout the building lifecycle – and extending that commitment beyond the construction phase itself.
For instance, the choice of building materials plays a significant role in sustainability. The construction industry is increasingly turning to green building materials, such as recycled aggregates, sustainably sourced timber and innovative bio-based products.
These materials offer lower embodied carbon footprints, meaning they require less energy and resources to produce, reducing the overall environmental impact of a building.
Beyond construction methods and materials, integrating sustainable energy solutions into buildings and infrastructure is essential for minimising operational footprints.
This is where companies like SunCon are also extending their commitment to sustainability beyond the construction phase. SunCon is heavily involved in constructing and installing solar energy facilities, directly contributing to Malaysia’s goal of generating 31% of its energy capacity from renewable sources by 2025, as outlined in the nation’s Energy Transition Plan 2021–2040.
But SunCon’s sustainable energy portfolio goes beyond solar. The company is actively developing advanced energy infrastructure and solutions, including Thermal Energy Storage (TES) and District Cooling Systems (DCS).
A prime example is the TES tank completed by SunCon at the IOI City Mall Phase 2 project in FY2022.
TES offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional electricity storage, proving particularly valuable for integrating intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. By storing thermal energy, TES helps reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while boosting overall energy efficiency.
Through a comprehensive suite of sustainable technologies – from digital design tools like BIM and VDC to innovative construction methods, green materials, smart building systems and on-site renewable energy solutions – the construction industry can move beyond incremental improvements and achieve a truly transformative shift.
