Modeling building physics: a tool for integrated design

Dramatic changes in the environmental balance on planetary scale call for a new energetic consciousness. Various studies have indicated the importance of the building sector in general and architecture in specific in climate action. Now stronger than ever, high (legal) performance standards, for both comfort and energy demand, stimulate fully integrated architectural and engineering design. Computational modeling can be one of the strategic means to further promote this integrating reflex in architectural practice and education. Simple static 2D models are easy to use and even to build in a spreadsheet. Nevertheless, they provide quick and crucial information on feasibility of design options and architectural detailing, bringing more cohesion to the architectural concept. On a different level, advanced dynamic modeling can have an even greater impact on the design process since it will provide detailed information on the viability of the whole integrated concept of the building. By introducing modeling early in architectural courses, students have the opportunity to develop skills that enable them to create and interpret these powerful tools. To achieve fully integrated buildings, attention must also be paid to the execution phase of the building project. A 4 of 5 dimensional approach of modeling, which incorporates planning and technical data, provides robustness to the concept. These models (BIM) are still highly experimental. Not only will applying them in architectural courses facilitate their introduction in common practice, it is a powerful review mechanism to further improve them. By reviewing a ‘Low Energy Building’-seminar and a design project in Masters classes, the advantages and pitfalls of these approaches will be discussed.