Building performance simulation tools as part of architectural design: breaking the gap through software simulation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin ◽  
José Manuel del Río ◽  
Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Software Simulation ◽  
Building Performance Simulation ◽  
Simulation Tools

scholarly journals Building Performance Simulations and Architects against Climate Change and Energy Resource Scarcity

Earth ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-44
Author(s):  
Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin ◽  
José Manuel del Río ◽  
Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Building Performance Simulation ◽  
Simulation Tools

In Europe, 40% of the total energy is consumed by buildings; in this sense, building performance simulation tools (BPSTs) play a key role; however, the use of these tools by architects is deficient. Therefore, this study aims to detect the architects’ perception on BPSTs. To this end, an online survey was conducted to determine the selection criteria of these BPSTs and non-users, to investigate the reasons for not using the tools. The outcomes showed that there was a wide gap between architects and the management of simulation programs in Spain, mainly due to the lack of training. BPSTs are described as a kind of intellect amplifiers, as they are perceived as powerful allies between professors and students of architecture and between architects and architectural design; therefore, through BPSTs, sustainability is taken very much into consideration to make buildings more energy efficient. Therefore, it is primarily concluded that further and higher education must undergo significant improvement to use simulations as part of the architectural design.

BUILDING PERFORMANCE SIMULATION AS AN EARLY INTERVENTION OR LATE VERIFICATION IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: SAME PERFORMANCE OUTCOME BUT DIFFERENT DESIGN SOLUTIONS

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohuan Xie ◽  
Zhonghua Gou
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Building Performance Simulation ◽  
Integrated Design Process

INTRODUCTION Current green building practice has been largely advanced by an integrated design process. This integrated design process involves multiple disciplines, such as architecture, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. The design method heavily relies on utilizing building performance simulation to illustrate how design parameters affect the energy consumption and quality of the indoor environment before actual design decisions are made (Anderson, 2014). The architectural design tools in the integrated design process supersede traditional geometrical exploration instruments, such as Sketchup, Revit, ArchiCad, and Rhino (Negendahl, 2015). More building performance simulating tools, such as Ecotect, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Radiance, and EnergyPlus, have been developed to help architects measure building performance (e.g., natural ventilation, daylighting, solar radiation, and energy uses) in the design process and attain green building standards such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The information presented by these tools guide architects at a certain level in achieving green building goals. However, building simulation is generally beyond the architect's knowledge domain. Many architects have difficulty in understanding these technical terms and models, as well as their design implications. Therefore, specific consultants have emerged to help architects grasp the meanings of these numbers and models, which require architects to implement a high level of design collaboration and coordination (Aksamija, 2015; Gou & Lau, 2014). Simulation consultants can work in parallel with architects at the early design stage to intervene in the conceptual and schematic design; they may also work behind architects to verify the building performance after the design is finished and make their design green through technical alterations. Most existing literature argues for an early intervention of building performance simulation in the architectural design process and explores different algorithms or models for optimal intervention (Degens, Scholzen, & Odenbreit, 2015; Sick, Schade, Mourtada, Uh, & Grausam, 2014; Svetlana Olbina & Yvan Beliveau, 2007). However, the difference between early intervention and late verification is often not investigated. Few qualitative studies can help understand how the building performance simulation is actually implemented, and how it influences the quality of design solutions in addition to the quantity of performance outcomes. The current research presents two case studies that compare building performance simulation as an early intervention and a late verification tool in the architectural design process, which contextualizes the building simulation research in real building practices.

scholarly journals The Relationship between the Use of Building Performance Simulation Tools by Recent Graduate Architects and the Deficiencies in Architectural Education

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin ◽  
José-Manuel del-Río ◽  
Fernando del Ama Gonzalo ◽  
Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano
Keyword(s):  
University Education ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Building Performance Simulation ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Recent Graduate ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Spanish Universities ◽  
University Training

This paper examines the actual knowledge regarding Building Performance Simulation Tools (BPSTs) of recent graduate architects in Spain. BPSTs quantify aspects of building performance that are relevant to design, construction, and operation. Recent graduate architects are those who have been awarded a first degree from a university or college and face their first professional experience. This article aims to identify the deficiencies within the current curricula of Spanish universities relating to BPSTs. The authors have surveyed 171 recent graduate architects, and the analysis of the data reveals the deficiencies in university education. Regarding the collected results, the Spanish university syllabi must undergo necessary modifications to encourage the use of simulation as a part of university training courses. The incorporation of energy simulation in such training courses can provide recent graduate architects with tools that would assist them during the design stage. The use of these tools is key in the development of innovative pedagogy-based teaching materials for the courses. In this sense, the present work aims to delve into the usage deficiencies associated with BPSTs and propose ways in which to bridge the gap between higher education and first professional experiences.

scholarly journals The use of building performance simulation to support architectural design: a case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
pp. 205-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gaspari ◽  
K. Fabbri ◽  
T. Cancellari ◽  
G. Corazzi ◽  
V. Vodola
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Building Performance Simulation

Improving occupant-related features in building performance simulation tools

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed M. Ouf ◽  
William O’Brien ◽  
H. Burak Gunay
Keyword(s):  
Building Performance ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Building Performance Simulation ◽  
Simulation Tools
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