Building information model (BIM) life-cycle analysis (LCA)

COCON is a software application for studying the environmental quality of materials and buildings, and carrying out life-cycle analysis (LCA) on the basis of digital models (BIMs) imported from the main drawing applications on the market. It is available in French, Spanish and English.

COCON carries out LCAs compatible with the “energy-carbon” E+C- label which prefigures the RE 2020 Environmental Regulations. It is approved by the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition.

COCON allows you to work :

• in 3D from digital models (BIMs) in IFC format (Ifc2x3 or Ifc4 format) produced by many drawing applications (Archicad, AllPlan, Freecad, Revit, etc.).
• in 2D by importing metrics :
• in Excel format
• from RT2012 thermal studies.

COCON complies with European standards, in particular concerning the "Sustainability of construction works - Sustainability assessment of buildings" (EN 15643 : "General framework" and EN15978 : "Calculation method").

Demonstration videos here, free download here, main features here.

Pricing and conditions of user licences here.

Training in Cocon-BIM software is provided on site or online by Eosphere or its partners (MAJ Bordeaux, VAD Rhônes-Alpes, Crepa Normandie, Crepa Bourgogne Franche Comté, etc.). The french course materials can be downloaded here. The training courses cover materials, construction systems, regulations and standards, digital modelling and environmental quality. 

Main features :

• compatible with Mac OS and Windows.
• uses the current IFC formats (Ifc 2x3 or Ifc4) - see our tips for entering digital models here.
• offers 3D display / manipulation of buildings and building components.
• includes a database containing descriptions :
• of more than 3,000 building materials specifying :
• thermal information (thermal conductivity, specific heat, density, etc.) e.g. for calculating :
• thermal resistance or thermal losses from the walls.
• thermal inertia and phase displacement of complex walls (as per standard EN 13786).
• environmental information in the form of impact indicators (grey energy, GHG emissions, air and water pollution, resource depletion, water consumption, etc.).

• technical installations (lifts, boilers, heat pumps, lighting and plumbing equipment, etc.) and the environmental impacts relating to :
• • their manufacture
  • their use
  • the end of their life
  • site equipment (excavation, lifting, etc.) and means of transport (car, truck, train, boat, plane, helicopter, etc.) and the environmental impacts associated with their use.
  • can be used to study the environmental impact of the construction or refurbishment of buildings.
  • is based on various data sources obtained in :
  • France : 
  • FDES (Environmental Product Declaration Sheets) produced in particular by the INIES database
  • DEP (Environmental Product Declarations) as per standard EN 15804 
  • PEP (Environmental Product Profiles as per standard EN 14040, notably from the PEP Ecopasseport database.
  • MDGDED (Default Generic Environmental Data Modules) available in INIES.
  • Germany - Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) including those in the OEKEBAU database.
  • UK - Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
  • Switzerland, including those in the Kbob database and EcoInvent.
• • complies with current European standards (notably EN 15804). It helps to understand the environmental and thermal issues in terms of a material, wall or building.
  • gives information on the environmental impacts relating to the stages of the life cycle of materials and equipment.
  • allows you to :
  • create different variants of the same building,
  • study several buildings simultaneously. This makes it possible, for example, to model an urban space (district) or to compare the options of a new build with a refurbishment.
  • determines how far a project complies with the "bio-based building" label as per the Order of 19 December 2012.