Dynamic simulation software as a graphic tool for energy efficient building design

Building designers are increasing their use of computer software to more effectively take advantage of analytical tools that are useful to the design process. The area of energy analysis, though developing for twenty years or more, is still not effectively integrated into the conceptual design process. Too often, energy Performance is evaluated as an after thought or it is done only for compliance to local energy codes. One reason that energy principles are ignored in design is that building designers are accustomed to communicating in graphical formats during the design process, and energy performance is typically represented in numerical formats Energy results are often presented in labular forms and are therefore hard to visualize by the designer. This paper presents results of research that was intended to encourage energy considerations early in the design process through the use of dynamic simulation of energy results along with the pictorial representation of the bulding's physical form. Die software allows a designer to dynamically simulate sun motion, shadow patterns, energy performance, costs, and thermal impacts on walls, windows, and roofs Much of this is done in bar-chart format while sun motion and shadow patterns are done with animation. The program also permits the designer to interactively alter (through icon selections) wall materials, window types, occupancy parameters, lighting levels, and mechanical system types Results of every parameter change are revealed graphically in real time animation. Part of the research endeavor was to include design knowledge in a database that would help advise the designer on space layouts, material selections, and practical limitations on building features such as percent glazing and story heights. An energy knowledge base provides advice to the designer as to which building parameters would be most likely to improve the energy performance if modified The software operates on a Silicon Graphics workstation under the UNIX operating system and is developed in the C language. High resolution graphics is also an essential ingredient to beneficial use of the software.