Performance, environmental sustainability of buildings and BIM (Building Information Modeling) are topics in evidence in the Buildings subsector. Our aim is to analyze the characteristics and positioning of a group of seven building design firms in São Paulo city, participating in a management development program for design firms, regarding the new demands for performance, environmental sustainability and BIM, in their interaction with the market and clients. The research was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 aimed to verify if the demands were being considered by firms and to act in order to highlight the importance of considering them strategically in their preparation to meet the market. The research method used in this phase was the action research. Phase 2 consisted in the application of a questionnaire via webmail to carry out a post intervention analysis by researchers about the firms positioning in relation to these demands. Despite the recognizing the work points related to the demands, some firms persist in a passive behavior regarding them. We recommended that firms work their strategic planning and define their core business, considering their strengths and weaknesses, threats and opportunities. Also, it is recommended that firms assess whether they are prepared to meet the demands and verify the need of change in their processes, staff qualification, internal training and equipment, as well as partnership with clients.
Performance standards; Environmental sustainability; Building information modelling; Management; Design firms
