| If sustainable strategies are really going to result in better buildings, issues must be considered and addressed from the earliest concept stage – well before key design decisions are made. Indeed, sustainable, low-energy strategies should be a critical factor in the decisions that shape the entire design process.
Building performance analysis and energy modelling provides design teams with the high quality information needed to quantify and inform iterative decisions, so the project team can effectively develop creative sustainable solutions. For the full impact of performance simulation to be realised it must be undertaken right from the very earliest stages and then continued throughout the entire process to design completion and beyond. The detail and accuracy of the model should be developed in parallel with the design and all other performance analysis areas. Comparative analysis at the early stage, using ballpark figures, is useful to check feasibility, quantify and inform design team decision making. It can help with those all important masterplanning, orientation, massing and form decisions; justifying choices and differentiating project proposals. Detailed analysis provides more accurate figures and results for system sizing, fine tuning, compliance, costing and documentation. Results and analysis can be presented to clients and building control, justifying design decisions and offering you competitive advantage. IES provides a wide range of different analysis options and capabilities designed to give feedback quickly and efficiently at the relevant level. All are powered by the sophisticated performance modelling engine that undertakes detailed simulations at hourly or smaller increments as necessary. IES software can help you: • Undertake energy performance snapshots to assess impact of design decisions • Develop building loads and impact of conservation strategies • Develop carbon Footprint reduction strategies • Assess passive/hybrid/renewable strategies • Assess the impact of daylight and solar • Incorporate bulk airflow, ventilation and indoor air quality into the equation • Assess compliance with a range of worldwide regulations and voluntary codes |