Parsimonious process model of energy retrofit of buildings

Abstract Building information modelling (BIM) technology has been focusing on the creation, sharing and use of a comprehensive digital twin of the facility under construction or renovation. It is believed that a more comprehensive, structured and complete model would be better. The aim of this paper and the underlying research is to reaffirm the view that the essence of information is to inform the user and that the main purpose of information models is that they are informative – that they contain the necessary information. Parsimonious information is information that is necessary but as simple as possible. Our hypothesis is that in many cases simpler models could be more useful, as they do not introduce technological barriers with the usually involved low- and medium-level contractors. One such case is the energy retrofitting of existing buildings. Many public and residential buildings with poor energy performance are located all over the world, especially in Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in China. They are an efficient target for a significant improvement in their energy performance by improving the building envelope and openings. The paper presents an economical process model for the modernisation of existing buildings. This model provides a basis for a parsimonious product model, which is currently under development. The broader objective of the research presented is to examine cases where a heavy information model may not be necessary and where a detailed process definition – as described in the BIM implementation plan and related documents – would lead to over-specification that would limit the free dynamics of a workflow.