Integrating energy simulation applications and building information modelling in the design studio

This paper presents an overview of a research project undertaken in several undergraduate and graduate design studios. It investigates the integration of energy simulation applications and Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the schematic phase of the design process. It was instigated by two hypotheses: first, while analysis tools have been so specialized, time-consuming and visually/graphically ineffective/unattractive that architects have not used them, the simplification and enhanced visualization of such analysis tools could allow information such as energy performance data to be used routinely within the early phases of design; second, that BIM could support architects to easily integrate analysis tools and. processes that are normally outsourced to consultants. The project reviews different energy analysis packages in combination with a BIM tool in varied studio and seminar settings. The paper presents reflections on the analysis tools' applicability during the early design stages and their effectiveness in supporting linking of the technical, aesthetic and social approaches of environmentally responsible design in order to achieve an architecture in which the environmentally sensible elements become meaningful parts of an architectural whole, rather than additive pieces.