In October 2012, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) released “An Architect’s Guide to Integrating Energy Modeling in the Design Process.” For ambassadors of the green building movement, this was a notable occasion as it marks a significant change in thinking and is evidence of the growth in recognition of the importance of energy modeling amongst architects. The guide was released with a statement saying: “Energy modeling is fast becoming a more useful means to better inform major design decisions early and often throughout the building design process. It can provide a roadmap to help practitioners lead their clients toward energy efficiency goals, green code compliance and building certification programs.”
The use of energy modeling as part of an integrated design process has become increasingly important and architect firms are realizing that they must adopt new design practices to remain competitive. Incorporating performance analysis can seem like an added complication and is often perceived as laborious and time consuming. However, specialists in building performance analysis, such as Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd., Glasgow, Scotland, have recognized this and are addressing these issues by offering architects software packages that make it easier for them to adopt analysis into their day-to-day practice.
The issue is, that most building performance simulation tools are deemed not compatible with architects’ working methods and needs. From the perspective of many architects, these tools are judged as too complex and cumbersome. This stems from the fact that most analysis tools were developed by technical researchers, building scientists or HVAC engineers concerned with empirical validation. There is a real need to fully comprehend architects’ problems in interacting with performance simulation tools-architects have different backgrounds, different knowledge processing methods and are visually orientated. This is exactly what IES is trying to do with its new software package-VE for Architects.
It is often misperceived that Architects need to produce data that will reflect real-life building data as closely as possible from the beginning of the design process. At the early stages of design this kind of accuracy is often not possible and not required. Architects just need to get a ballpark idea of how their design will perform by undertaking like-for-like comparisons to inform design decisions.
Imagine if you could use specific site understanding to automatically outline suitable bioclimatic architecture strategies for a project. Such pre-design sustainability direction is invaluable. Then once you have several viable options it can help investigate and refine the most promising. In performance terms, this means looking at the impact of different orientations, forms, constructions, etc., and understanding potential passive or active systems the engineer might want to investigate.
VE for Architects not only provides tools for energy modeling, it also recognizes the broader issues of daylight, solar shading, water, climate and much more; it provides a fully comprehensive package of tools to allow architects to analyze the full performance of an entire building in an integrated fashion. The tools help architects to incorporate data driven and integrated design into their processes from the opening charrette. Being better informed on performance from the start of the design process allows architects to retain control over their design and not sacrifice aesthetics for performance, but marry them together.
A great example of architects leading the way in this area is the work Boston-based CBT Architects carried out on the Fitchburg State University project in Fitchburg, Mass. Using VE for Architects, CBT was able to drive sustainability through performance analysis by acting as a central hub to the engineers, energy consultants and commissioning agents. This integrated workflow, essential for the future of sustainable design, resulted in the successful completion of an energy-efficient yet extremely cost-effective structure. The project achieved LEED certification, and the university saved overall $1.5 million in construction and renovation costs and more than $34,000 annually in operating costs.
The world and economy are changing; sustainable design is now on boardroom agendas. Building and architectural firms must adopt new design practices to remain competitive in this climate. Clients are demanding ever higher energy and performance targets designed to save them money and deliver on corporate targets. We’re seeing at IES that increasingly architects are starting to embrace and understand the power of analysis; more architectural firms are purchasing or enquiring about our software-firms from all around the globe. The campaign is still ongoing, but we are definitely seeing a shift and this is very positive for the future of sustainable building design.
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Dr. Craig Wheatley is the director of Glasgow, Scotland-based Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd. He is an expert in environmental engineering, with 14 years’ experience of engineering consultancy in the UK at senior and executive levels. He also spent three years in the Department of Civil and Building Engineering at Loughborough University, England, undertaking a Ph.D. into the integration of detailed thermal and moisture modelling. To learn more, visit www.iesve.com.