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, you cannot guarantee this. There are multiple reasons why this is the case. For example, the materials used in the building may change during the construction process which will greatly impact the perfoarmance of the building. Additionally, in a day-to-day situation there is a lot of human interference in the performance of the building. Individuals may change the lighting of areao of the building that they occupy or the plug loads and their corresponding efficiency. There are also climactic changes that may not be accounted for in the analysis. Finally, the analysis that is performed is based on an idealised situation. However, sometimes construction is not up to the same standards as the analysis which would result in discrepancies in the performance of the building.
When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, should you always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use?
How can you use Insight feedback to make design choices regarding materials, lighting, PV, etc.?
Insight allows you to make modifications to the building without remodeling it to increase the efficiency of the building, saving effort and time. It also allows you to understand which factors have the greatest influence on the efficiency of the building. You can gain a better understanding of how factors interact with one another and how they can impact the performance of the building. This allows one to have a better understanding of how the building will behave as an entire unit, allowing one to make the best design decisions for the performance of the building as a whole.
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?
Preliminary estimates allow designers to see if they are within their client’s budget, allowing them to understand if their design is realistic or not. This initial cost estimate allows the designers to make changes to the building such as modifying its program, facade, size or even shape. It also indicates to the designers if they need to modify any of the materials that they have chosen to work with. For the structural engineers, this initial cost estimate helps them to see if they can be more efficient with their structural design while still adhering to the code.