Utilization of integrated computer systems for energy and indoor climate in design practice

In an integrated computer system, different design tools like energy simulation and CAD programmes can cooperate, and this gives architects and engineers and improved tool for cooperation. By using such a tool, the architect will be able to analyze the energy and indoor climate conditions in a new building early in the design process. At the same time the work will be more rational and safe because the building data can be provided automatically from the CAD drawings. In total, it will be possible to evaluate different architectural and technical solutions for new buildings as well as retrofit in order to obtain an optimal building design from a energy point of view. In the project, the consulting engineering companies Carl Bro A/S and Birch og Krogboe A/S have tested a prototype of SBI's integrated computer system for analyzing the energy and indoor climte conditions in two building projects. In connection with the testing, the integerated system was modified and improved as to make it more suitable for the working habits of the consulting engineers and architects, and to make it faster and more safe to build up the models in the integrated system. The two tests show that an integrated system is a good tool for discussing the pros and cons of different solutions early in the design process with the building owner, and to improve the corporation between architects and engineers during the design process