Technology in Architectural Practice

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  • 1.  Residential energy modeling

    Posted 07-05-2024 04:03 PM

    What are small residential firms using for energy modeling? HEED? Open Studio/Sketchup? Sefaira? Autodesk Insight? Most of our residential work is additions and renovations.

    We use Revit so it would be great to be able to use that geometry, but I wouldn't be opposed to using Sketchup.  I'm not sure such an animal exists, but we would love use one software to; show performance based code compliance, provide 2030 Challenge reporting, test different design options and show clients cost savings by investing in the envelope.



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    Thomas Ahleman AIA
    Studio Talo Architecture, Inc.
    Evanston IL
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  • 2.  RE: Residential energy modeling

    Posted 07-09-2024 03:08 AM
    Thomas, are you interested in software that can automate the construction of walls, roofs, and floors to meet building/energy code requirements? Or are you looking for software that can identify what is needed to comply with the code? 
    SketchUp allows you to create customized designs, but it can be challenging to implement significant detail across the entire project, especially when modifications are necessary. Sefaira can assist with certain aspects and provide reports based on geometric attributes, but it does not provide detailed modeling. However, Sefaira may encounter issues with excessive detail when used on a detailed BIM/VDC. 
     
    Have you considered the PlusArchitect BIM Plugin for SketchUp Pro or Sketchup Studio? Similar to Revit, ArchiCAD, or Chief, this plugin is parametric and can create detailed, quantified multi-layer walls, roofs, windows/doors, beams, stucture and floors. It will also generate shadow diagrams, Scenes, Tags, Styles, structural elements, and dimensioned construction documents in Layout from SketchUp.  Yet you cant give it a job address and expect it to automate the requirments according to code.  I hope that helps.  


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    Andrew Dwight
    Designer/BIM manager AAD Build
    BDM RubySketch
    Sydney Australia
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  • 3.  RE: Residential energy modeling

    Posted 08-22-2024 04:47 AM
    Edited by Cedric de La Beaujardiere, Assoc. AIA 08-22-2024 04:49 AM

    When I worked for SolarCity as a software engineer, we did building energy simulations using EnergyPlus (e+) from the US Department of Energy. I was hired to expand and maintain a web interface and software service through which our technicians would input the characteristics of a customer's building, such as type of wall construction, windows, doors, presence of insulation, preferences for air and water temperature, etc., as well as input attributes we could add, such as floor insulation or fixing leaky ducts. The software service would package this information and feed it as input parameters to EnergyPlus and run a simulation of operating the building for a year and report out the energy usage and costs.  We could then offer customers energy upgrades and have a good idea how much energy and cost it would save them over time.  This was a great addition to SolarCity's offering because not all customers could add solar panels, or energy improvements could reduce how many panels they would need.

    As far as I know, EnergyPlus was not at the time integrated with design tools such as SketchUp or Revit, or at least, we did not use it in this way, but integrations may have been added in the intervening decade, or the DOE may have other more integrated tools. You may want to check out if any of their offerings work with your toolset: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-energy-modeling



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    Cedric de La Beaujardiere Assoc. AIA
    Palo Alto CA
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  • 4.  RE: Residential energy modeling

    Posted 09-18-2024 06:10 PM

    You may be interested in this upcoming seminar which relates to your question:

    https://buildgreenct.org/building-performance-as-design-integrated-simulation-tools-for-architectural-optimization/

    Thursday, September 26, 2024 | 4:00 – 5:30pm | Virtual

    I assume the time zone is east coast as the poster is in Connecticut. I saw this posted in the AIA Committee on the Environment: https://communityhub.aia.org/discussion/webinar-integrated-simulation-tools-for-architectural-optimization#bmb8391121-4652-40d2-8369-7c88ab306dbd 



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    Cedric de La Beaujardiere Assoc. AIA
    CEDs Eco Designs
    Palo Alto CA
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