Can you guarantee that the completed building will match the performance predicted by the analysis in its day-to-day operations?
- Why or why not?
No, we cannot guarantee the performances will match entirely, as the rates are based on averages and not daily fluxes. While this model does provide a great range and will near certainly be within the overall ranges, there are a myriad of factors that change and so while we can narrow our specs to get close to the ideal performance predictors, we cannot say for certain those will be the results. For example, markets shift, weather changes, people need spaces more/less frequently than anticipated (Covid, for example, shutting down many office spaces). Thus, we can just use these as good estimates but again, they are averages, not daily predictors.
When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, should you always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use?
No, there is a time and a place for making energy efficient decisions. Some decisions create large impacts and are worth the investment, such as PVs in the case of this assignment. While other decisions are costly and do not provide major benefits, such as increasing the thickness of windows does not provide as much benefit here in California as it may in say Minnesota. We need to think critically about when and what we are optimizing on and see the trade-offs and gains from these material choices.
How can you use Insight feedback to make design choices regarding materials, lighting, PV, etc.?
4D simulations are often used to show the construction sequence for an entire project, but shorter simulations that focus on a specific period of time are also useful.
- Can you provide examples of how a simulation that focuses on a 1 or 2 week period could be useful for planning?
What level of detail should be included in a 4D simulation?
- Should you include all of the elements in the building model?
How can the feedback shown in a 4D simulation help you to optimize the project schedule?
- What are the main benefits of linking model elements to the project schedule?
How can model-based quantity takeoff improve the design process?
How can designers improve their designs using the information provided by preliminary estimates of the cost of building their design ideas?
These preliminary estimates are a great way to see the ballpark cost a project is going to cost in just a few minutes. The client can then provide feedback on if that’s in the range they want to pay, and the designer can modify the materials and scale of the project accordingly. By getting these estimates, it will allow everyone to be on a similar idea of the costs of the project and allow for modifications before the final bill comes due.