Digital Transformation in Construction | Interview Series

Hello Construction and Digital World!

Our first guest is Astghik Grigoryan , a BREEAM UK and International Certified Assessor, and Partnerships Manager at BIM Consulting Yerevan with expertise in sustainability and regulatory compliance.

We discussed the role of regulations in construction, the challenges of digital adoption, and how technologies like BIM and environmental modeling contribute to sustainability. Astghik also shared insights on leading countries in sustainable construction, the hurdles companies face when implementing new technologies, and how digital tools can improve resource planning and regulatory compliance.

Tatevik: Hello Astghik, thank you for accepting my invitation to talk about digital transformation in construction. I would like to start our conversation with understanding the key regulations and compliances in construction and why they are important?

Astghik: Let me start with the last part of the question. Regulations and compliance are crucial in construction because it is one of the industries most responsible for human life, as well as one of the most capital-intensive sectors. Therefore, a strict legislative framework is essential. Without it, the losses—both human and financial—can be severe.

Construction is also a sector with a significant environmental impact, further emphasizing the importance of adhering to various regulations and legal requirements.

The key regulations and compliance measures I would like to highlight include legal and legislative requirements related to seismic stability, limits to floor number, construction density, daylight provision, the use of appropriate building materials, structural compliance, and environmental impact considerations. For example, dust mitigation during construction can be achieved using water sprays. While there are many such regulations, the main challenge is that they are not always properly followed.

Tatevik: What are some of the key regulatory and compliance challenges related to digital adoption?

Astghik: If we consider digital adoption primarily in terms of BIM (Building Information Modeling) regulations, then in the case of Armenia, the first challenge is the absence of a defined roadmap. There is no relevant legislation or legislative acts regulating digitalization in the construction sector, particularly related to BIM. Currently, Armenia lacks legal regulations for BIM. The Urban Development Committee has developed a set of rules; however, they are still draft and will remain entirely voluntary.

Tatevik: I see. Let me also ask you what are the key regulatory hurdles construction companies face when adopting new technologies, and how can digital transformation help overcome them?

Astghik: One thing I can say for sure is that construction personnel are often completely unaware of BIM or, more broadly, digital tools. Many struggle to operate even the simplest digital equipment, which creates significant challenges for construction companies.

Tatevik: And how can construction companies ensure compliance with evolving environmental regulations, and what role can digital transformation play there?

Astghik: Let me give an example from the BREEAM standard based on the UK experience. Construction companies are required—just like in Armenia—to manage construction waste by storing it temporarily on-site and then transporting it to the proper landfills. However, in the UK, contractors are also encouraged to reuse construction waste as much as possible and reduce landfill disposal by up to 30%. This is one of the environmental rules that construction companies must follow.

In addition, ecologists in construction companies train employees on how to handle vegetation, follow safety rules, and take care of the environment. These training sessions, led by specialists, help reduce the impact of construction on nature.

Digital tools can make this process easier by using drones and cameras to monitor waste management. If this responsibility is left only to the employees, there may be violations, as proper waste management requires extra effort.

Tatevik: Sustainability remains a global priority, with construction playing a critical role in its three key pillars: environmental, social, and economic. The industry significantly impacts carbon emissions, resource consumption, and waste management, as well as workforce safety and economic efficiency. How can digital transformation help construction companies drive sustainability across these areas?

Astghik: I will answer this question by bringing an example. A significant amount of CO2 is emitted during building construction. Digital technologies, particularly BIM and related tools—such as carbon emission calculation tools—play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development goals. By using modeling before the project begins, architects and designers can estimate the CO2 emissions of their chosen materials and make adjustments accordingly. This ensures that the contractor receives an optimized project with the most sustainable selection of building materials and organizes procurement processes much more effectively.

The same applies to the building's energy efficiency. During the design phase, architects and designers use BIM to model the building and to calculate its energy consumption, by minimizing it with appropriate tools. This allows for selection of optimal materials during construction and for reducing unnecessary resource waste, which aligns with sustainability principles. At the same time, it ensures the implementation of the most energy-efficient projects.

Tatevik: How can digital transformation, specifically through BIM, streamline compliance with sustainability certifications like BREEAM?

Astghik: As I mentioned earlier, BIM plays a key role in supporting sustainable development. Specifically, BREEAM assesses environmental performance, and BIM contributes by simulating various environmental scenarios. It enables the evaluation of different design choices and their impacts on sustainability, leading to more informed decisions that align with BREEAM standards.

BIM creates digital models of buildings. These models store comprehensive data about materials, energy use, and environmental impact. This information is crucial for BREEAM certification.

Tatevik: Are there any countries that serve as leading models of innovation in sustainable construction, incorporating advanced technological solutions?

Astghik: One of the top countries in digital construction is Singapore, which was originally developed using digital technologies. The United Kingdom is also a leader, as it remains the only country where sustainable development standards for the built environment (BREEAM) are mandatory. Specifically, regarding the BREEAM standard, developers cannot obtain the handover approval until they receive this certification.

Finland, Norway, and Sweden are also among the leaders, but the UK is often considered as the benchmark in this area.

Tatevik: Can we also talk about the challenges in training employees on new digital tools and processes?

Astghik: I believe the human resources management departments of construction companies would be best suited to answer this question. However, in many cases, there may be limited interest, as it does not come with additional incentives and often requires extra resources, effort, and strategic thinking—factors that can sometimes be deprioritized in the industry.

Tatevik: How can technologies improve resource planning and procurement?

Astghik: As I already mentioned, by having a Building Information Model before construction begins, we can use specialized tools to calculate material quantities, assess the emissions of building materials, and design the most optimal selection of materials. With a digital model, material consumption can be calculated automatically, eliminating the need for manual estimations and allowing for faster, more efficient procurement.

Tatevik: What role does digital transformation play in improving collaboration and data-sharing across stakeholders during the construction lifecycle, especially for projects seeking sustainability certifications?

Astghik: The answer to this question summarizes many of the points made in previous responses. First, with BIM, when people work in a digital format, they can collaborate on a single platform, viewing each other's work. This leads to significant time and resource savings. Second, as I mentioned earlier, throughout the construction lifecycle, various digital tools help specialists—such as architects, engineers, and construction teams—maintain operational communication with one another. This allows them to optimize the project for sustainability before construction even begins, without using additional resources.

This is a key prerequisite for obtaining a sustainable development certificate.

Tatevik: Thank you once again for your time. I am confident that the audience will find great value in this discussion.

Reflecting on our conversation, I’ve outlined the key insights and takeaways from the discussion. These points highlight the critical role of regulations, sustainability, and digital transformation in shaping the future of construction.

Key takeaways

1. BIM and Collaboration: BIM enables digital collaboration between all stakeholders (architects, engineers, and construction teams) on a single platform, saving time and resources while improving efficiency.
2. Sustainability Optimization: Throughout the construction cycle, digital tools allow professionals to effectively communicate and optimize designs for sustainability before construction begins, ensuring minimal waste of resources.
3. Sustainability Certification: The effective use of digital tools and BIM is a key factor in achieving sustainability certifications, as it helps ensure that projects meet sustainability standards from the very beginning.