Energy simulation and integration at the early stage of architectural design

Abstract

This paper mainly focuses on the architectural design method of integrating energy simulation into the early design stage. This is a topic of great importance since there exist a series of deficiencies in current workflow, which is often referred to as the “retrospective checking calculation”. The paper first examines the characteristics of the early stage of design, which incorporates phasing feature, iterative nature, decisive impact, and uncertainties in the literature review. The significance of the integration is discussed in the following section that expresses the purpose and objective of the study. Then, this paper goes on to talk about the methodology and workflow of the integrative design method. Finally, the early design process of the Student Recreation Center of Tongji University in Jiading Campus in Shanghai is provided with a simulation tool EPC (Energy Performance Calculator) and its derivative features in order to show how the integrative method is applied.

Keywords

• energy simulation
• integration
• early stage of architectural design
• integrative design method