An inquiry into the building performance simulation tools usage by architects in Austria

This paper presents the results of an empirical study to establish if and to which extent professionals in design community are familiar with and use building performance simulation applications. A total of 198 architects in Austria participated in this study, answering questions regarding their familiarity and experiences with performance simulations tools, problems they have encountered, and their suggestions toward improvements of such applications. The results can help formulating strategic recommendations for the process of developing and promoting performance simulation tools for building design support.