Abstract
In the light of the current global trends of sustainability and digital technologies, Building Information Modeling (BIM) proved the efficiency of its applications in supporting architects and designers to achieve sustainability during all stages of the project life cycle. Despite the availability of various studies about BIM trends and techniques and its related applications in global markets, those related to Saudi Arabia did not include sufficient data about the real status of its availability and the challenges facing its application in the local market. This status represents the research gap and problem of this paper that aims to bridge the gap and provide the necessary information about BIM top trends and challenges that could support architects and designers in enhancing the efficiency of building energy consumption. The information also aims to support the decision makers in prioritizing these trends and challenges, directing the related support, and addressing the necessary measures to handle BIM related challenges. The paper adopted the descriptive analytical approach to achieve its objectives through two parts: the first depends on the literature review to explore BIM top trends and challenges in the field of enhancing building energy efficiency, while the second depends on the field survey to explore the real status of practicing in the Saudi local market including the trends of availability, relational importance and the challenges of its application. Moreover, the significance of this paper as being considered one of emanates from the initiatives to achieve the goals of the digital transformation program for the Kingdom's Vision 2030, and to bridge the research gap found in this field. It is expected that the results would support executives and officials in the government sections related to achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030, and help the decision-making centers identify the priorities for supporting applying top trends of Building Information Modeling and address the measures needed to handle the challenges facing its application.