A comprehensive computational environment for performance based reasoning in building design and evaluation

This paper introduces a comprehensive computational implementation effort toward the incorporation of simulation-based performance evaluation in building design. Specifically, the computational design support system `SEMPER' will be described. SEMPER's main objectives are: (i) a methodologically consistent (first-principles-based) and flexible performance modeling approach through the entire building design and engineering process; (ii) provision of comprehensive, i.e., multi-domain building performance evaluation support; (iii) seamless and dynamic communication between the simulation model and the general building representation in an object-oriented space-based design environment; and (iv) active convergence support via a bi-directional inference mechanism that provides not only the conventional design-to-performance mapping option but also a `preference-based' performance-to-design mapping technology.