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?
The analysis can never perfectly predict building performance, because this algorithm relies on existing understandings of occupant patterns that vary too drastically. External factors such as weather conditions and system performances can also produce variation in actual system performance, thus resulting in the compounding difficulty of day-to-day operations predictions. With more data on existing buildings and the ability to predict changing environmental factors, these models will improve. However, collecting this much data would be an impractically lengthy process (reliant on data which might ultimately become outdated).
Unforeseen factors will ultimately arise and affect actual building performance, but improved understanding of average/typical performance behaviors can ensure fairly accurate models.
When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, should you always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use?
A building’s “success” is ultimately determined as an aggregate measure of unique stakeholder considerations. One of these measure’s is the quality of life for occupants residing in the building.
Energy sustainability is not the sole consideration of building design. Because these spaces are intended to be comfortable if not enjoyable, energy reduction efforts that compromise the comfort of occupants can negatively affect many involved stakeholders.
Additionally, it is irresponsible to present a lowest predicted energy use without accounting for aforementioned performance variations, for budgeting with this number can lead to higher expenditures and uninformed management practices.
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?
Throughout a construction project, there are periods when numerous subcontractors need to perform work at the same time. Whether there are commitments with other clients, limited personnel, or an expedited timeline, having multiple parties on a site requires that they have some idea of what the other is doing. This can be essential for safety and for effective work completion.
A 4D simulation that depicts a shorter timeframe can be beneficial be offering greater detail to subs who are only on site for a short period. The whole project scope may not be relevant to them, but having an idea of which work areas might be off-limits or which vehicles might be coming on site during any given day can help illustrate an effective workflow. This detail might not otherwise be usable for the entire project due to increased variability in schedule as well as the remarkably high cost associated with providing this much detail over such a long time.
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?