This article summarises a study undertaken to reveal potential challenges and opportunities for using building performance simulation (BPS) tools. The article reviews current trends in building simulation and outlines major criteria for BPS tool selection and evaluation based on analysing users' needs for tools capabilities and requirement specifications. The research is carried out by means of a literature review and two online surveys. The findings are based on an inter-group comparison between architects and engineers. The aim is to rank BPS tool selection criteria and compare 10 state-of-the-art BPS tools in the USA market. Five criteria are composed to stack up against theories and practices of BPS. Based on the experience gained during the survey, suggested criteria are critically reviewed and tested. The final results indicate a wide gap between architects' and engineers' priorities and tool ranking. This gap is discussed and suggestions for improvement of current tools are presented.

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Selection Criteria for Building Performance Simulation Tools : Contrasting Architects and Engineers Needs

Considering facilities management (FM) at the early design stage could potentially reduce the efforts for maintenance during the operational phase of facilities. Few efforts in construction industry have involved facility managers into the design phase. It was suggested that early adoption of facilities management will contribute to reducing the needs for major repairs and alternations that will otherwise occur at the operational phase. There should be an integrated data source providing information support for the building lifecycle. It is envisaged that Building Information Modelling (BIM) would fill the gap by acting as a visual model and a database throughout the building lifecycle. This paper develops a framework of how FM can be considered in design stage through BIM. Based on the framework, the paper explores how BIM will beneficially support FM in the design phase, such as space planning and energy analysis. A case study of using BIM to design facility managers’ travelling path in the maintenance process is presented. The results show that early adoption of FM in design stage with BIM can significantly reduce life cycle costs.

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Engagement of Facilities Management in Design Stage through BIM: Framework and a Case Study

Low energy building design in high density urban cities

Commercial buildings have a significant impact on energy use and the environment. They account for approximately 18% (17.9 quads) of the total primary energy consumption in the United States (DOE 2005). The energy used by the building sector continues to increase, primarily because new buildings are added to the national building stock faster than old buildings are retired. Energy consumption by commercial buildings will continue to increase until buildings can be designed to produce more energy than they consume. As a result, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Building Technologies Program has established a goal to create the technology and knowledge base for marketable zero-energy commercial buildings (ZEBs) by 2025.

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Lessons Learned from Case Studies of Six High-Performance Buildings

Performance of a residential heat pump operating in the cooling mode with single faults imposed

Designing and constructing low-energy buildings (buildings that consume 50% to 70% less energy than code-compliant buildings) require the design team to follow an energy-design process that considers how the building envelope and systems work together. A design team must set energy efficiency goals at the beginning of the pre-design phase. Detailed computer simulations are then used throughout the design and construction phases to ensure the building is optimized for energy efficiency and that changes to the design do not adversely affect the energy performance. Properly commissioning the building and educating the building operators are the final steps to successfully constructing a low-energy building. This paper defines this energy-design process and shows an actual project where energy costs were reduced by 63%. These energy savings were achieved by incorporating daylighting, passive solar heating and cooling, and energy efficiency strategies into the building design.

Low-energy building design -- The process and a case study

Buildings designed and constructed using an energy design process that optimizes the interaction between the building envelope and systems can save between 30% and 75% in energy costs. These buildings can be constructed for the same or nearly the same first cost as a non energy-efficient building with no sacrifice of comfort or functionality. First, the energy design process requires that a design team be committed to energy efficiency before the pre-design phase. detailed computer simulations are used throughout the design and constrcution phases to ensure the building's optimal energy performance and that changes to the design do not adversely affect that performance. Properly commissioning the building and educating the building operators are the final steps in the design process to successfully construct a low-energy building

Optimizing building and HVAC systems

This paper presents two case studies of passive solar commercial buildings that were designed and constructed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, as part of the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) and NREL's Exemplary Buildings Program. These buildings use much less energy than equivalent code-compliant buildings and have remained within government-mandated budget constraints. Performance predictions generated as an integral part of the design process, as well as actual measured energy and daylighting performance are presented. Also presented are lessons learned during the design, construction, and initial occupancy of the buildings. Two general practices were tantamount--close communication between all team members from predesign through commissioning and occupancy, and a commitment to use of solar technologies and energy efficiency by all building design team members. It was found that, even when a team is committed to a low-energy goal, the actual energy savings can disappoint if there is lack of communication among team members. Several more specific practices were also key--a whole-building energy design approach using computerized energy simulation tools during the entire design process, and frequent inspections during construction. Additionally, the building team, usually consisting of an architect, engineer, builder, and owner, should also include an energymore » consultant. Furthermore, the energy design process must begin in predesign as soon as location, size, and building type are known in order to determine the main energy issues. The team should continually work together to minimize the building's energy use.« less

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R. Judkoff

Papers

Low-energy building design -- The process and a case study

Optimizing building and HVAC systems

Creating low-energy commercial buildings through effective design and evaluation