[Bldg-sim] Software Recommendations - NESEA conference

[Anupam Jain]

Hi Ryan,

For taking shading and building geometry into account, first time users can
work with:

1) For smaller buildings: HEED (http://mackintosh.aud.ucla.edu/heed/).
2) For analysis of the climate, they can work with Climate Consultant (
http://www2.aud.ucla.edu/energy-design-tools/)

However, for excellent graphics and complex geometry / bigger buildings,
initial users should be working on Ecotect (http://ecotect.com/). This
powerful software has now become free for students as Autodesk has recently
acquired it.

For detailed analysis, students can use: IES-VE (
http://www.iesve.com/content/). This software is quite powerful. The only
drawbacks are:
1) It can be daunting for first time users
2) It is not free for students. I recently paid $ 100 for it as a student
myself.

The use of such energy analysis software programs is becoming increasingly
mandatory in all design competitions and in the real world as well,
including code compliance. The expectation from students can be pretty high
with respect to them, quite often more than practitioners, as these are
being increasingly emphasized in architecture and engineering schools. An
example of such an initiative is at the University of Southern California
where the School of Architecture has signed up for the Architecture 2010
Imperative (http://architecture2030.org/2010_imperative/index.html) and the
students are being vigorously trained in energy efficient and passive design
strategies.


Thanks,

Anupam

-- 
Anupam Jain, B.Arch.
Master of Building Science '09

School of Architecture, University of Southern California
Los Angeles CA 90089 | Cell: (213) 300 5520
email: anupam11 at gmail.com | website: http://arch.usc.edu



>
>
>
> From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
> [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Lacey
> Sent: 12 September 2008 09:47
> To:
> Subject: [Bldg-sim] Software Recommendations
>
>
>
> Hello,
>
>
>
> I am helping out with the planning of the student design competition for
> the upcoming NESEA conference this up coming March.  (
> http://www.buildingenergy.nesea.org/)   I think it would be great if the
> contestants in addition to designing sexy building to have the design
> heating and cooling loads as part of their entry.  Can anybody recommend
> any friendly software that would be forgiving for first time users and
> the technically impaired?  I know that HAP puts out a basic block load
> calculator but my major issue with it is that it does not take into
> account the potential of shading its self as a result of complex
> building forms and asking contestants to use EQuest would just be
> crewel.  I am looking for a happy medium that would have the building
> geometry front end that Equest that doesn't require a PE to operate.
> Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
>
>
>
>
>
> Ryan Lacey
>
> LEED AP
>
> Petersen Engineering, Inc.
>
> PO Box 4774
>
> 6 Market Square
>
> Portsmouth, NH 03801
>
> Phone 603.436.4233 x113
>
> Fax 603.436.4294
>
> www.petersenengineering.com
>
> ryan at petersenengineering.com
>
>
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