[BLDG-SIM] getting the whole design team into the performance assessment game.

Robert Lord rgl.lsbris at lincolne.com.au
Wed Feb 12 14:42:23 PST 2003


perhaps an alternative perspective is for architects to utilise software that statistically predicts comfort levels or provides lighting levels (i.e. models the benefit) without too much angst, hence defining the critical properties for the architecture & HVAC systems...An example of such a program is TAS which can export into Lightscape. While not being ideal for whole-of-building energy exercises, it provides the 80% for 20% effort and can render reasonably well...Both of these tools could be shared by engineers to detailed system selection and energy analysis. Having been through a recent sharing exercise myself, there is a need for some sort of architect training to understand the program's science..

can I just stir the pot a bit by saying that I am saddened that (typically) HVAC engineers & architects cannot share responsibilities or concerns...the energy efficiency question is just selecting the most efficient manner to do something, but whether we need to do that thing in the first place is a question that doesn't get half the effort of energy simulation...

Rob Lord 
Australia

-----Original Message-----
From: Monjur M Mourshed [mailto:monjur at ecaad.com]
Sent: Thursday, 13 February 2003 7:15 AM
To: BLDG-SIM at gard.com
Subject: [BLDG-SIM] getting the whole design team into the performance
assessment game.


Quick note to clarify some points in Dr. Hand's reply

[Dr. Hand]
I have been following the dialog on getting Architects interested in and
competent with simulation.

My View:
In my opinion, Architects (being one myself) are more than interested to
use Energy Simulation tools provided that they are available and they
can be used intuitively. To perform basic simulations that is required
in early stages (before HVAC comes to the scene), architects are well
equipped with required knowledge and concepts.

[Dr. Hand]
We do this via supported technology deployments which put computers 
with relevant simulation software and simulation staff into design 
practices (from one-man-bands to multi-national practices).

My View:
I appreciate very much these attempts at mitigating industry drawbacks
by advocating ad-hoc concepts like STD. But it seems, we as a whole
industry failing recurrently to understand one important fact: we need a
tool that doesn't need another specialist to explain and run. Architects
want a tool that can be used without asking BSE (Building Services
Engineer) what a particular parameter means; simulation can be run
without leaving CAD tool and the same for result visualization. For
detailed HVAC design assistance from specialists will be sought out, but
for basic understanding of the building's performance is it worth to ask
BSE's help?

I do understand that Architects (in Academia) need to conduct research
on how Energy Simulation tools can be used and adopted to the design
process and they also need to sort out interface issues.

All the technology is available (to do what architects want) right now.
Nobody seems to take an initiative to develop reliable commercial
software. From my experience in using different Energy Simulation tools
I can tell, you need to know how the software works than what you want
to do. That may be ok for academic purposes as like mine but it is not
feasible for a practising architect.

70's to 00's: that's 3 decades -> Energy Conservation and Sustainability
is being emphasized. How far did we achieve except for a few buildings
in magazines? 

Regards

Monjur Mourshed
http://www.ecaad.com/monjur




-----Original Message-----
From: postman at gard.com [mailto:postman at gard.com] On Behalf Of Jon Hand
Sent: 12 February 2003 20:08
To: BLDG-SIM at gard.com
Subject: [BLDG-SIM] getting the whole design team into the performance
assessment game.


I have been following the dialog on getting Architects interested in and
competent with simulation. Members of the list might like to see another
way design professionals in Europe are exploring simulation by visiting
the Scottish Energy Systems Group site <http://www.sesg.strath.ac.uk>. 
SESG is the Scottish affiliate of IBPSA. 

We do this via supported technology deployments which put computers 
with relevant simulation software and simulation staff into design 
practices (from one-man-bands to multi-national practices) so that 
practitioners can better evaluate simulation and/or increase their 
skills in simulation in the context of actual projects. 

Last year we managed dozens of deployments for our members, provided 
training for even more practitioners on a range of simulation tools. 
Not only is simulation is getting used, vendors are selling quite
a bit of software. If you are interested, the web page has instructions
for getting the SESG newsletter. 

-Jon Hand, SESG

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