Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and

Building Information Modeling in the Design Studio

The Oxford Conference 23 J uly 2008 Ute Poerschke +Loukas Kalisperis Penn State University, The Cyprus Institute
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
What do we understand as energy simulation applications / software ?
analysis/representationof climate data analysis/representation of climate data
(wind, sun, temperature, humidity, rainfall, covered sky etc.)
analysis/calculationof natural and mechanical ventilation analysis/calculation of natural and mechanical ventilation
analysis/calculation of passive solar heating
analysis/calculation of daylighting
analysis/calculation of active solar (PV, collectors)
analysis/calculation of heating/cooling (HVAC)
u-values, thermal insulation specifications
energy need and costs, life-cycle analysis
t f b ildi ti t support for green building rating systems
Which of these programs can support the early design stages?
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
Using energy simulation applications means
Dealing with better support for decision-makingand optimisation in building design
[Harputhugil/Hopfe 2006] g
Architects arguments:
design is a qualitative work, but energy applications give just quantitative information
the use of energy programs is an engineers job
the use of energy programs is too time intensive the use of energy programs is too time intensive
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
Advantages in the Studio:
idea-generator for the design g g
representation and intermediation in relation to a client
more effective site/program analysis in the early design stage
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
Testing Different Course Settings:
1) GraduateArchitecture Studio, Fall 2007 1) Graduate Architecture Studio, Fall 2007
2) Technical Systems Integration Course combined with a Thesis Studio, Spring 2008
3) ACSA-Autodesk Integrative Studio Project, Spring 2008
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
1) G d t A hit t St di F ll 2007 1) Graduate Architecture Studio, Fall 2007
Used applications:
Revit Architecture / 3D Studio Max
Green Building Studio (GBS)
Integrated Environment Systems <Virtual Environment>(IES<VE>) Integrated Environment Systems <Virtual Environment> (IES<VE>)
Ecotect
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
Student Kaustav Gupta
Revit
3D StudioMax
IES<VE>
GBS (Green BuildingStudio) GBS (Green Building Studio)
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
2) Technical Systems Integration Course combined with a Thesis Studio Spring 2008 2) Technical Systems Integration Course combined with a Thesis Studio, Spring 2008
used applications: used applications:
free internet downloads
Ecotect
Student: Lisa Starr: Steel Museum in Pittsburgh
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/climate/windrose.html
(WRPLOT software - http://www.weblakes.com/lakewrpl.html
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
3) ACSA-Autodesk Integrative Studio Project, Spring 2008
used applications:
Revit Architecture
3DsMax 3 s a
IES Sustainability Toolkit
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
H h i Hypothesis:
Architects will increasingly use energy applications if these are
in built in / interoperable with the routinely used CADprograms in-built in / interoperable with the routinely used CAD programs.
(Revit MEP - integrated)
(Revit Architecture -
partially integrated)
++
(web-based)
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
St d t Phili W ll Student Philip Wessell
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
Some conclusions:
1 It is necessary to further partition the early design stageand then relate appropriate software
Student Nathan Derr, use of 3dsMax and IES<VE>
1. It is necessary to further partition the early design stage and then relate appropriate software
2. Simple programs, often as free downloads
can easily support the very early design steps of site analysis idea generation principle can easily support the very early design steps of site analysis, idea-generation, principle
massing and orientation (setting 2)
3. Energy consumption analysis is heavily related to a detail scale (e.g. thickness of insulation,
triple glazing etc.) and thus comes at a later stage. Related programs, such as Green Building
Studio, are not very helpful in the very early design stage (setting 1)
Integrating Energy Simulation Applications and Building Information Modelling in the Design Studio
Some conclusions:
4 P l d d li h i h di d l il i f l
Student Philip Wessell, shading study, use of Revit
4. Programs related to daylighting, shading and natural ventilation are useful to support
faade development (setting 1 and 3)
5 BIM t / i t l l i i th l d i t 5. BIM can support energy/environmental analysis even in the early design stages
6. Architects should not mimic the engineers work. The architects intuitive and visual use of
energy software as idea-generator and representation tool does not compete with the
engineering tasks.
Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements:
Associate Schools of Architecture ACSA
Autodesk
Architecture and Architectural Engineering Departments, Penn State
College of Arts and Architecture, Penn State
Ute Poerschke: uxp10@psu.edu
L k K li i l k@ d Loukas Kalisperis: lnk@psu.edu