H.e.n.k. a software tool for the integrated design of buildings and installations in the early design stage

A good tuning between building and installations plays a major role in achieving energy savings and a high quality of the indoor climate. To realize this match, it is necessary to have tools that can be used from the very beginning of the building design, that support the decision making and that enhance the communication within the design team. Last but not least, these tools should match the psychology of the engineer. H.e.n.k. is a software tool that tries to respond to this demand. It has been developed at Deerns Consulting Engineers, with the support of the Dutch Agency for Energy and Environment (Novem) and of the Association of Automation in Building and Installation  Technology (Vabi). Results that are important for decision making and for further design are generated, like duration curves, hourly data and needed equipment capacities. In this paper, the choices made to match the way consulting engineers think are highlighted and the comments delivered by the first users are analyzed.