Vector Field Representation for the Evaluation of Multiple Performance Variables

A vector field representation is proposed to simulate the spatial distribution of four building system performance variables: light, sound, radiant heat, and air flow. From this simulation, a measure of the impact of adding, deleting, or modifying an object in the field is computed. This measure serves as a passive evaluation of the user/designer's decision to modify the location or dimensions of the object in a space. This process of simulation-evaluation is performed by a performance module (PM), which is viewed as a component of a CAAD System (Computer Architectural Aided Design). This paper describes the motivation, objectives, methodology and preliminary results of the approac

An integrated approach to design and engineering of intelligent buildings--The Intelligent Workplace at Carnegie Mellon University

In the past few years, there have been significant advances made in the design and engineering of “intelligenti workplaces, buildings that not only accommodate major advances in office technology but provide better physical and environmental settings for the occupants. This paper will briefly present recent approaches to the creation of innovative environments for the advanced workplace. The architectural and engineering advances demonstrated in Japan, Germany, North America, the United Kingdom, and France can be summarized in four major system categories: (1) enclosure innovations including approaches to load balancing, natural ventilation, and daylighting, (2) heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system innovations including approaches to local control and improved environmental contact, (3) data/voice/power “connectivityi innovations, and (4) interior system innovations, including approaches to workstation and workgroup design for improved spatial, thermal, acoustic, visual, and air quality. In-depth international field studies of over 20 intelligent office buildings have been carried out by a multidisciplinary expert team of the Advanced Building Systems Integration Consortium (ABSIC) based at Carnegie Mellon University. ABSIC is a university-industry-government partnership focused on the definition and development of the advanced workplace. The ABSIC field team evaluated the component and integrated system innovations for their multidimensional performance qualities, through expert analysis, occupancy assessments, and field diagnostics.  Based on the results of the case studies and building on the most recent technological advances, the ABSIC team developed the concepts for the Intelligent Workplace, a 7000 square foot living laboratory of office environments and innovations. This project is now under construction at Carnegie Mellon University and its features are discussed in the second section of this paper.

Data Acquisition and Visualization for IEQ Assessment: A case study of daylight field measurement

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of buildings can have strong effects on occupants’ productivity and health. Post occupancy evaluation (POE) and associated processes have been emphasized as a crucial stage for energy conservation and occupants’ comfort and satisfaction of the building. Preliminary research has shown that POE supports opportunities for energy savings while meeting or exceeding IEQ standards. Current practice of mapping measured data with existing building components is manual and lack of flexibility of accommodating timeseries building performance measurements. In order to support POE, we propose an integrated process to automate the measured field data mapping to assist building performance visualisation. For the demonstration, we take the fullgrid lighting quality measurements in an unoccupied LEED gold certified building in Los Angeles, California, USA. The outcomes are presented to show how measured performance data can be updated with the associated building elements automatically. We further compare the measured and simulation data statistically and visually. Gaps between measured and simulated performance are also discussed