Towards An Accessible Life Cycle Assessment : A Literature Based Review Of Current BIM And Parametric Based Tools Capabilities

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for buildings has not been widely applied because of its complexity and time-consuming nature. Several studies have been trying to address this issue by the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Parametric tools, which enable them to face specific issues arising on projects. Amongst the different research efforts, one can perceive a gap in the field. This gap lies in the insufficient understanding of the methodological approaches and tools best suited to carry out environmental analysis. The novelty of the paper is to compare the paradigms and scope of most common used BIM and Parametric approach for LCA. This leads to an enhanced awareness on how to apply both trending phenomena to increase their features and reduce the limitations

Outdoor comfort simulation of complex architectural designs: a review of simulation tools from the designer perspective.

The expanding design interest in outdoor comfort design is today supported by a few software tools. Given their different user-friendliness, modelling environments and simulation engines, a rational inquiry is how they are integrated into the digital design flow of architects and urban planners, which may include complex forms developments. Preliminary work is conducted to select architect-friendly tools that support the analysis of urban microclimate. A minimum set of criteria (amongst them the use of 3D models, the capability of calculating Mean Radiant Temperature and visual graphical outputs) led to the pre-selection of CitySim Pro, ENVI-met, Autodesk Thermal CFD, Grasshopper plug-ins Honeybee / Ladybug. The complex modelling experiment is conducted by simulating the outdoor thermal comfort of the space underneath the Rolex Learning Centre in Lausannewith each of the tools above. The paper describes and compares the principles, the procedures and the resources needed to prepare sound models that reduce the time of computation without compromising the quality of results. The potential applicability of tools in design is finally discussed from a user’s point of view. The tools’ capability of creating a 3D complex geometric model, or of importing one from a typical architectural tool, such as Rhino, is studied. Furthermore, it is debated how models can be used in the broader digital environment

The effect of passive measures on thermal comfort and energy conservation. A case study of the Hot Summer and Cold Winter climate in the Yangtze River region

The energy consumption for heating and cooling of buildings in the cities located within the boundaries of the Hot Summer and Cold Winter (HSCW) zone in China is rapidly increasing due to the increased comfort expectations from well-resourced occupants. Guidance on how and to what extent it is possible to improve energy efficiency of buildings is thus required by policy makers as well as designers and building managers. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how the use of climate-sensitive passive design solutions can help the improvement of indoor thermal conditions while reducing the energy needs and ultimately carbon emissions. An extensive parametric analysis of several passive strategies such as building orientation, thermal insulation, glazing area, shading devices, air tightness and natural ventilation, is carried out for a typical apartment block located in the cities of Chongqing, Changsha and Shanghai, which lays respectively in the upper, middle and downstream of the Yangtze River. Detailed hourly dynamic simulations show how it is possible to extend the non-heating/cooling period and reduce the peak loads, highlighting the potentialities of each strategy according to different climate constraints. The recommended strategies provides quantitative guidance to either design of new or retrofitting of existing buildings. This research contributes to the building energy conservation knowledge for policy-makers, developers and building designers with insight on the feasibilities of the application of passive measures for the residential buildings located in the Yangtze River region with hot summer and cold winter climates