case study 2

BIM and Analysis for Sustainable Design

After reading Rick Rundell’s two part series on how Revit can conduct and analysis for sustainable design, we not only understand the potential that Revit has for green designing, but also understand how to begin the process. He introduces IES (Integrated Environmental Solutions) as a program that can assist Revit, to create a Virtual Environment or VE to analyze the sustainability of a building. Rundell reviews two case studies in the second article that have successfully used this process.

VE introduces a sustainability toolkit which allows designers to conduct a variety of analyses including ASHRAE load calculations, dynamic thermal analysis and day lighting assessment -- and produce a LEED day lighting credit report. All of the analyses are based on the Revit Building model. Each of these tests is explained further in the first article.

Part 2 reviews new heating and cooling analysis tools and two case studies. Revit MEP allows designers to conduct heating and cooling analysis based on the IES data. Rundell explains, “With the native heating and cooling load-analysis capability in Revit MEP, you simply define analysis parameters for rooms in the building model and click on the Heating & Cooling loads tool. A visual representation of the analysis model is presented, along with additional analysis inputs that can be used to refine the data that's automatically assigned to the building and rooms for the analysis. Data such as occupancy, internal loads, room type and construction and even building location that are defined in the Revit model can be adjusted and overridden for the analysis if desired.”

He reviews a project done by Stanec, a well recognized firm that focuses on sustainability. They used a similar process that Rundell explains with Revit MEP and IES VE allowing them to conduct air flow and natural ventilation analyses, helping them cut back on time. He also reviews a study on projects done by Burt Hill. This firm has used IES VE in many projects to perfect building performance. A major advantage that the IES/Revit partnership is that it, “accommodates a fully integrated design approach and facilitates interdisciplinary decision making” It allows designers to make the right decisions to support a green environment.

This will help in our attempt to make a sustainable house. IES VE is a great option to help us conduct a thorough analysis of the houses airflow, thermal dynamic, natural ventilation, and daylight assessment.

case study 1

Independence Energy Homes

"For help producing zero energy homes that generate more energy than they consume, Independence Energy Homes standardized on Revit® Architecture design and documentation software".

In summary, this article talks about how Revit can be used as a tool to help design a zero-emmissions house. Independent Energy Homes (IEH) tested this out on a 362-acre Shenandoah Springs Development in Rancho Mirage, California. Revit helped facilitate communication, improved client relationship by allwing them to jump into this 3D model, work faster and more efficently to optimize the design, complete the project ahead of schedule, and within budget. All models were LEED platinum certified.

“We’re committed to using Revit Architecture on all of our future projects. It’s definitely given us a strategic advantage.”

objective

• learn how BIM can help design a sustainable home
• follow Revit tutorials
• transform an existing unsustainable house in a sustainable house
• research and use various case studies
• use BIM to conduct analytical sun studies, understand the use of resources, and create computer energy simulations to assess energy consumption