May 14 - Track B - Green Modeling

[Brian Frels / RTKL]

[Brian Kimsey]

The two Brians are co-blogging this session. Paul Stoller with Atelier 10 has done an energy measure "refresher", just going through which measures and units are typically used. He's now getting into an analysis of the "tools of the trade" - which are user friendly and which phase of design they best are used.

[Brian Kimsey]

IES, Ecotech, Energy-10 and Radiance seem to be tools Paul is excited about. Note to self: Have someone in our office kick the tires on each one next week...

[Brian Frels / RTKL]

Brian,
I've been working with a group in DC that is actively exploring these programs. We've just started a blog to document our progress.

Green BIM Network

Check it out if you have a chance.

[Brian Kimsey]

The concept Paul has just presented of only modeling as much of the building as necessary, to enable more time for analysis, is intriquing. For example, in a linear lab building, just modeling one section (a one hour investment) is all that is needed to start work. The results can be multiplied by how many times the module is repeated.

In a multi story building, it is more problematic. I guess modeling the ground floor, a typical tower floor and the top floor would accomplish his goal, but then are there really any time savings?

[Brian Frels / RTKL]

Paul begins the discussion describing different types of Analyses.

Energy Analyses typically not done by MEP Engineers include:Energy Use and Intensity
MEP engineers always do: peak load, frequency,
Others
Comfort, Cost, Equipment sizing and performance

Daylight Analyses that some lighting designers do: Levels, Distibution, Quality
Luminance: surface brightness, glare, quality
Comfort: levels, distribution, glare qualities
Energy: Lighting Power density
Cost

Airflow Analyses include Airflow Analyses, Volume + Distribution, Flow rates, Distribution Freshness, Predictability
Quality: Freshness, Temperatures
Comfort
Cost

[Brian Kimsey]

You have faster fingers than I do. There's a lot of info being presented.

One thing I would like clarified in the use of BIM tools for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling. I've been in sessions as recently as late 2007 where expert said that all credib le CFD tools required creation of a separate, specialized model. There were not tools, at least at that time, which could import IFCs. Now, Paul Stoller has implied that this can be done.

[Brian Frels / RTKL]

We are now looking at a chart that shows all of the analysis tools that are available in the industry and what they do well and what they do not do will….I’ll attach a picture later.

The next slide describes the WOWs and Woes of modeling Green Building: Data, Tools, Analysis, Projects

Paul mentions that he believes BIM will not make analysis any faster. BIM models typically overtax the analysis software.

He has some strong feelings about the reliability of Ecotech data but notes that the graphics are very impressive.

Questions to ask once an analysis is created:
-qualitative analysis
-Pro’s and Con’s

Quantitative analysis: Validity, Accuracy, Precision, Scale, Value

Prioritization and Synthetic thinking


Fundamental Questions to be asked before an Analysis:
What question do I need answered?
Am I after a relative difference, or an absolute magnitude?
What scale of information is available?
What scale of information is needed for the analysis?
Do I know enough to validate analysis results?
-i.e. Do I know what the answer should be before I begin?
-Do I know the tool’s strengths and weaknesses?
-Do I have benchmark data to compare results to?
What is the simplest way to construct the analysis?
In what context do I review the results?

[Brian Kimsey]

Paul Stoller has presented the most understable summary of what kinds of energy analysis should be done in each project phase, and to what level of detail. This kind of information is very helpful for me as an owner, to incorporate (steal...) into our scopes of work for design services. Now he is going into more detail for the types of activities, supporting analyses and expected design contribution during each project phase. Good stuff!

[Brian Frels / RTKL]

I agree. I heard something about presentations being available on the web. Do you know if this is happening and where they will be? Paul's presentation is very well formatted.

[Brian Kimsey]

We'll just demand all the presentations be posted. People power! I am pretty sure that is already being planned though.

[Brian Frels / RTKL]

What do you think about filming these presentations live or semi-live next year. If we really want to increase web traffic we should be posting video clips that people can watch on their lunch break.

[Brian Kimsey]

Great idea. There is some cost involved of course. Typically in the AIA Convention itself the tracks are filmed, and then CDs of the programs are available for sale.

Is the AIA willing to give up this income source in order to enable more open distribution (open protocols!) of the information?