BIM and virtual reality for pre-design evaluation of building performance

This study aimed to assess the extent to which design errors that cause construction performance failures in healthcare facilities, typically identified in a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE), can be anticipated through Pre-Design Evaluation (PDE). The methodological approach involved comparing two case studies crossing results of a POE with walkthrough, questionnaires, interview, and checklist, and a proposed PDE using a checklist and simulation with an immersive virtual reality device. An exploratory study of POE and PDE, involving user participation in two healthcare facilities in Brazil, was conducted to validate the data. Diagnostic maps were created to assess the relationship between design issues identified in both POE and PDE. The findings indicated that many problems detected in the POE could have been foreseen through the proposed PDE model, with input from a limited number of expert users. Immersive virtual reality integrated with BIM workflows facilitates communication between designer and users, guiding the development of appropriate design solutions related to sizing, space functionality, and furniture and equipment requirements. The practical implications suggest that implementing the proposed PDE in future studies can help anticipate potential performance issues in healthcare buildings, leading to resource optimization and enhanced performance in the built environment. This study demonstrates the implementation of a PDE approach based on the principles of POE, integrating both technical expertise and user perspectives. It confirms that this type of evaluation can significantly contribute to the early stages of the design process.