Digital Twin-Stakeholder Informed Best Practice Framework for Building Management: A Case of a University Library

Abstract

Digital twin, a technology that offers an opportunity to access dynamic and real-time data for efficient decision-making, has witnessed minimal utilization in smart facilities management. Additionally, combining stakeholders’ views with a digital twin provides more efficient building management. Thus, this study aimed to combine digital twin technology and stakeholders’ views to develop a best practice framework for enhancing indoor conditions of a typical university building. It analyses feedback received from building stakeholders and results from a digital twin to develop the best practice framework. This study adopted a case study approach by using a university library at Western Sydney University, Australia. It used a multi-stage approach and a series of interviews with facility management experts for the development and validation of the framework, respectively. The key findings revealed that all the monitored parameters in the digital twin system were within acceptable thresholds. However, the building occupants expressed concerns regarding excessive solar heat gain, inadequate airflow, and direct glare. It was also revealed that heat was the most disturbing environmental parameter in the library, and built-in energy efficiency measures were also not adequately maintained, contributing to the building’s energy consumption. The proposed framework provides strategic measures for improving building occupants’ comfort and energy consumption. Furthermore, the best practice framework aids facility managers in holistically considering key aspects of building services management in managing such buildings.