A critical and theoretical analysis of current proposals for integrating building thermal simulation tools into the building design process

This paper critically examines the main trends in attempting the integration of building thermal simulation tools throughout the whole building design process, focusing on studies related to building design only, not addressing studies related to HVAC and servicing engineering design. It presents a review of the research literature on the issue showing that, so far, attempts have been concentrated in propositions to improve thermal simulation tools data interpretation as well as propositions to improve the role of tools in building design practice. Examples of the literature related to the two topics are critically examined by considering their effectiveness in addressing the interdisciplinary problem of integration. This critical examination leads to a thorough mapping of specific reasons about why integration is not happening, complementing the current information provided from empirical studies on the matter. Even though the author recognises integrated design should account for HVAC and servicing, it is necessary to first have a discussion that addresses assimilating simulation tools into the design process if proper integrated design is to happen

Contrasting paradigms of design thinking: the building thermal simulation tool user vs. the building designer

This paper contrasts two different paradigms of design thinking: the one of the dynamic thermal simulation tool users with the one of the building designer. It shows that, in theory, the two paradigms seem to be incommensurable but complementary due to differences in knowledge and praxis between the two professions. The author discusses these differences side-by-side based on a review of the design science literature together with an analysis of the basic structure and knowledge involved in existing thermal simulation tools. This discussion aims to unfold a set of insights into the type of approach needed to move this research area further. It highlights the modus operandi of the building designer rather than focusing on collaborative efforts and sets up the backgrounds for designers to learn relevant concepts of building physics in an environment in which they can experiment with these concepts as ‘craftsmen’

Studies into the use of building thermal physics to inform design decision making

This paper describes the methods and results of an experiment in which building designers were trained to use building thermal physics to inform design decision making. In this environment, building designers were presented with a task specifically tailored to facilitate the extraction of examples of what they consider useful parameters, indices, diagrammatic and multimodal ways of representing results as well as possibilities of undertaking design changes when building thermal physics was embedded in their design decisions. The experiment generated a series of design journals with all the steps these designers undertook in solving a design problem which included thermal comfort, energy efficiency targets and the testing of passive design strategies. A qualitative research method, borrowed from social sciences, was used to analyze these design journals. Examples extracted from the analysis are useful information to thermal simulation tool software researchers who are rarely provided with adequate examples about how to connect time-series graphs and tables containing temperatures and loads with building elements designers manipulate

Design problem-solving: A theme for critically debating the integration of building thermal physics and architecture design

This thesis proposes to theoretically and critically examine how building thermal simulation tools might be integrated throughout the whole building design process considering the knowledge and thinking involved in building thermal physics as well as the knowledge and thinking involved in architecture. It focuses in understanding both worlds to discuss how they can potentially interface with each other. In order to fully acknowledge the interdisciplinary character of this type of research, a critical and theoretical discussion is undertaken in opposition to the dominance of empirical studies and practical propositions that have been currently used to deal with the issue of integration. The proposed critical and theoretical reflection is based on a critically constructed structured methodology centred on the theme of design problem-solving. Design problem-solving is initially discussed in a domain independent basis setting up the premises for commonalities and differences between the two professions to be debated. Individual discussions in design problem-solving are presented for building thermal physics as well as building design, analysing the different paradigms they subscribe to when designing. Paradigms are contextualised within specific worldviews and related to representation systems, practices and computer tools used by each group of practitioner in their everyday activities. Contrasts between these two debates are outlined and potential scenarios to critically reflect on integration are proposed. The outcomes of the research suggest that there is no single solution for building thermal simulation tools to be better integrated throughout the whole design process. The best solution needs to be critically constructed every time a new problem arises. In order for that to happen, building physicists and architects education needs to be improved for the two professionals to be able to properly communicate and effectively construct a joint practice. Additionally, simulation tools need to be designed with configurable interfaces that can address the idiosyncrasies of each practice together with the peculiarities involved in dealing with each specific problem at hand

Rapid configurational analysis using OSM data: towards the use of Space Syntax to orient post-disaster decision making

This paper addresses the problem of the growing exposure of contemporary cities to natural hazards by discussing the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of using the configurational approach as a framework to perform a variety of spatial analyses to better orient disaster management. It claims that enabling a quick assessment of the evolving spatial functioning of the urban grid would effectively contribute to support strategic decision-making and to make post-disaster planning decisions more explicit among stakeholders, thus boosting wider understanding and participation among the public. The paper starts with a brief review of some relevant work done by the research community to date, which highlights emergent opportunities for urban morphology studies and Space Syntax theory to trigger effective innovations in disaster management practice. Next, the paper proposes to adopt a fit-for-purpose analysis approach with the aim to achieve a higher procedural flexibility in the analysis workflow. This issue is treated with a special focus on the necessities of relief organisations which need to integrate and overlap numerous layers of information and consider the feasibility of the analysis by evaluating time and costs. The proposal considers the economy of the construction of the map to be fundamental for ensuring the feasibility of a quantitative spatial assessment in data scarce contexts such as cities affected by disasters. Moreover, it recognises that the unicity of the map is likely to enable a better communication among different stakeholders following a BIM-oriented model of cooperation, while allowing a faster response in multi-hazards scenarios. Consequently, the proposal challenges the idea of the existence of a uniquely correct way to translate reality into a model, but rather suggests using a set of simplification techniques, such as filtering, generalisation and re-modelling, on a single crowdsourced map of the urban street network to generate suitably customised graphs for subsequent analysis. This brings together two themes: the first concerns the modelling activity per se and how certain technicalities that seem minor facts can influence the final analysis output to a greater extent; the second regards the crowdsourcing of spatial data and the challenges that the use of collaborative datasets poses to the modelling tasks. In line with the most recent research trends, this paper suggests exploiting the readiness of the Open Street Map (OSM) geo-dataset and the improving computational capacities of open GIS tools such as QGIS, which has recently achieved a wider acceptance worldwide. To further speed up the analysis and increase the likeness of the configurational analysis method to be successfully deployed by a larger pool of professionals it also proposes to make use of a state-of-the-art Python library named OSMnx. In the end, the consequences of using Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), open source GIS platforms and Python scripting to perform the analysis are illustrated in a set of suitable case studies

Architect–BPS consultant collaborations: Harmony or hardship?

Multi-disciplinary collaboration is considered necessary for solving complex designs, and belief in its merits is unequivocal in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) literature. However, this paper argues that collaboration is a challenging endeavour that entails creating a unified platform for professionals to converge. Challenges are compounded when the collaboration is for building performance assessments, as architects’ and Building Performance Simulation (BPS) consultants’ worldviews are divergent. This paper presents part of a mixed-methods study investigating collaborative relationships between architects and BPS consultants. Questionnaires are designed to re-test non-technical barriers in collaboration, described during preceding interviews. Six salient factors representing barriers impeding fruitful collaborations are extracted, and inter-relationships are explored using inferential statistics. Barriers include perceptions about architects’ attitudes toward BPS, using BPS for compliance, trust and communication between architects and consultants. Finally, this research illustrates how recourse to methodologies from outside the traditional BPS realm may open new research avenues in this field