Mike
I
agree with your point that energy conservation should begin with Architects but
I have reservation about how to implement it, given the current circumstances. Energy
simulation is a complex task oriented process. It needs a lot of
parameters to be specified to kick off and that might not be
available when a designer/ Architect starts the
design.
Another
point to note is the lack of integrated UI (User Interface) – be it
graphical or textual. Most of the researches in Energy Simulation /
Conservation are aimed at developing stand-alone utility or piece of software
to do certain job. In my opinion, the emphasis should be placed on the
integration with the design process and final outcome or product. For example, I
want to kick off Energy Simulation module from within the CAD software I am
working with, without specifying further parameters and I want to check for
energy consumption after every change I made to the layout or component. I don’t
want to open a different window or software and spend a week to define and run
the simulation. You might as well say IFC or STEP is there to help. To be
honest these specifications seem just prototypes to me, I have reservations
about them being used in real life situations – not in next 3/5 years at
least.
It
is wisely said; know your target audience before you even think to code your
software. Knowingly or unknowingly, Most of the software/ Interfaces are targeted towards HVAC Engineers, not architects. There’s
a fundamental difference in the think/ work process of an architect with
Engineers. I don’t think architects are too comfortable with what’s
available out there, commercially or research wise. This is the only reason for
not using them in profession. Nobody has problems with learning something new,
if it increases the quality of the product or increases efficiency of the
process.
Regards,
Monjur
Mourshed
IRUSE,
Civil Engineering, UCC. Ireland
http://www.ecaad.com/monjur
http://www.ucc.ie/iruse/monjur
-----Original
Message-----
From: postman@xxxxxxxx
[mailto:postman@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike
Roberts
Sent: 12
February 2003
16:06
To: BLDG-SIM@xxxxxxxx
Subject: [BLDG-SIM] 3D Modeling +
Energy Analysis
I'm sure you have seen
the discussion of eQUEST over the last few days. I consider it and it's
DOE-2.2 calculation engine the best available for serious production
energy simulation. My business is energy simulation for other engineers and
architects, and we do probably 90 percent of our work with
eQUEST/DOE-2.2. It can even do rudimentary modeling, though probably
not what you would want to present to a client. eQUEST's wizard makes
preliminary analysis very quick and easy. You can then take that model as
far as you want with the Detailed Edit Mode.
On the other hand, any
good simulation program will have a significant learning curve. I believe
eQUEST to have the best user interface available, but the program is not
trivial to learn and use properly. I have worked with Marlin Addison on
presenting two day eQUEST training seminars to engineers and architects.
Normally, after a seminar, about 10 percent of the participants will contact me
with questions, indicating to me that they are actually using the
program. While I have felt for a long time that energy conservation
should start with the architect, few of the seminar participants are architects
and I cannot remember a single architect with a follow up question.
I would highly recommend
that whatever program makes your short list, you attend a training seminar to
determine if it is practical for you to actually use the program. I would
be happy to talk or email further about this subject.
-----Original Message-----
From: postman@xxxxxxxx
[mailto:postman@xxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Warren
A. Campbell
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 7:55 AM
To: BLDG-SIM@xxxxxxxx
Subject: [BLDG-SIM] 3D Modeling +
Energy Analysis
I have a request. I am an architect
in North Carolina, and it is
my job to choose the next generation of software that my office will use in the
production of construction documents. On the one hand, I am considering a 3D
modeling program, such as Revit, in order to take advantage of both the
parametric and rendering capabilities. However, I also have a strong interest
in promoting high performance design. Therefore, I was hoping there exists
a program that can fluidly incorporate energy analysis into the modeling
software. Maybe there is even something on the horizon.
Warren A. Campbell, RA
Millennium 3 Design Group
1313 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 333-1965.Ext 22 phone
(704) 376-7122 fax
wcampbell@xxxxxxxx
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