The atrium of the Engineering II building represents a unique space, with students passing through 24 hours a day for their studies and research projects.

With the goal of creating a “home-away-from-home” environment, University officials sought to renovate the building to be a place where students and faculty could feel comfortable and experience natural daylight, views and ventilation. Officials also wanted the atrium to be highly efficient, keeping carbon emissions and energy costs to a minimum.

With students and faculty occupying the building at all times of the day, officials were faced with a particularly difficult challenge: ventilating the atrium while maximizing the use of daylight to naturally light the space. A stringent temperature comfort range meant both daylighting and ventilation had to integrate flawlessly, as the minimum temperature could not drop below 66 degrees Fahrenheit and the maximum could not exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

University officials enlisted Ambient Energy, a consulting and engineering firm specializing in sustainable technologies and building, for the renovation. Using IESVE, Ambient Energy engineers were able to test and verify the architectural and passive strategy concepts for the atrium before implementing them. Initially, wind and climate analysis gave a better understanding of how natural factors would impact the building. Analyses showed that because of varied wind direction, natural ventilation would rely predominantly on buoyancy instead of wind driven data.

By providing tangible data early in the schematic redesign process, IESVE provided designers and their clients with a way to test and verify their building efficiency theories before putting them into practice. This led to the effective utilization of skylights and natural ventilation to improve daylighting, cooling and energy efficiency in the atrium. Ambient Energy has been using IES’ software for several years and utilized its capabilities on many projects to prove concepts and radically reduce building energy consumption.

“VE for Engineers is one of the only tools that can provide integrated daylight, thermal and mixed-mode ventilation analysis in great detail, which allowed us to test the integration of all components across the year.”

Linda Morrison, Building Performance Team Leader,  Ambient Energy

Colorado State University - Daylight, Thermal and Mixed-mode Ventilation Modelling

Over the last 30+ years, IES has built a solid reputation as the leading global innovator in integrated performance-based analysis for the built environment.

The IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) is a powerful, in-depth suite of building performance analysis tools. It enables the design and operation of low/zero carbon, healthy and comfortable buildings. Whether working on a new build or renovation project, IESVE allows designers to test different options, identify best passive solutions, compare low-carbon & renewable technologies, and draw conclusions on energy use, CO2 emissions, occupant comfort, and much more.
There are various applications in the suite; each designed to provide sustainable analysis at levels suitable for different design team members and design stages. All utilize our Apache dynamic thermal simulation engine, and an integrated central data model. 

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) with the IES Virtual Environment software is the perfect industry design tool for electrification and decarbonization of the built environment. Various design strategies are available with decarbonization as an end goal, such as: passive design, energy conservation, energy efficiency, electrification, incorporating renewable energy technology, or energy storage.

From optimizing room and zone loads to detailed HVAC system and equipment sizing, IESVE HVAC software offers the most practical, efficient, and accurate tools available. IESVE can quickly and easily undertake CIBSE & ASHRAE heating and cooling loads calculations, with efficient inputs for 3D geometry, envelope, internal gains, external design conditions and location. Minimum ventilation requirements can be included, or local code minimum ventilation can be utilized. Reports can be generated in either spreadsheet or PDF format, and can be shared to help gain insights from in-depth results analysis, or iterate on building design. These calculations transition seamlessly into detailed HVAC system sizing and optimization.

IESVE can also be utilized for quick and easy CFD airflow simulation. An existing IESVE model can be used for early stage CFD simulations, without needing to import further data or export into other tools. MicroFlo-CFD performs ‘snapshot’ CFD simulation by importing boundary conditions from APACHE’s dynamic simulation, or allows manual boundary conditions to be added. Ventilation from passive sources (e.g. operable windows) or mechanical devices (e.g. diffusers) can be included in these simulations. MicroFlo-CFD can be utilized for a range of CFD use cases, such as: passive natural ventilation design, passive atrium design, data center design, hospital operating room design, HVAC design for occupant thermal comfort, external wind studies, or normal use ventilation of car parks.

There is also the option within IESVE to utilize Parametric Simulation. This feature empowers users to compare a large range of design possibilities, be it for a single-variant design study or a multi-parameter whole-building design perspective. The Parametric Simulation feature has access to a large number of model variables and is integrated into the full range of APACHE’s links (Solar, Daylight, Airflow, Loads/Sizing and HVAC Systems). Over a thousand permutations are possible with one model. 

With the IESVE software, you can undertake daylighting for LEED and BREEAM, electric lighting design, glare prediction, daylight harvesting, daylight autonomy, user-specified visualizations. IESVE can ensure good natural daylight and visual comfort, reduce lighting gains, and test how your lighting designs will look and perform. Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing analysis can be carried out, with results generated for climate-based daylight modeling and daylight autonomy. For lighting design, daylight harvesting and dimming control assessments can also be undertaken. All of this combined can help you meet the requirements of local codes and best practice guides. 

Complex solar shading calculations can also be undertaken within IESVE, to determine how solar rays pass through both external and internal openings.  The path of the sun is tracked across rooms and atriums into internal space allowing the exact location and impact of solar gain to be understood. Internal and external solar shading devices can be tested, along with assessing the shading or right to light impact of surrounding buildings and terrain. Any solar shading calculations can then inform Loads Calculations and Energy Simulations. 

IES also offers unrivalled interoperability with other CAD design and analysis tools. The smooth and robust two-way information exchange between IESVE and BIM platforms speeds up the design process and facilitates digital design. 

Virtual Environment (IESVE)

Higher education institution in Northern California

Zero Envy used IESVE to achieve 46% less Time Dependant Valuation (TDV) energy than Title 24, equating to $400,000 cost savings per year for this 95,000 sf new construction project. The project was also awarded $150,000 utility incentive which is the maximum available via the statewide incentive program for energy efficiency ‘Savings by Design’. This incentive helped to cover modeling and other design costs.

Using IESVE, the Zero Envy team modeled and advised on the implementation of the following energy efficiency measures:

Unique 4-pipe VAV terminal units: Adds a chilled water coil to terminal unit with a changeover valve & piping arrangement. This allows the AHU supply air temperature (SAT) to “float” in a wider range without jeopardizing zonal temperature and significantly reducing wasteful sub-cooling and reheat energy.
 
VAV lab exhaust was applied to all laboratory zones, regardless of minimum air change requirements. This allows zones to use reduced minimum airflow rates during the majority of hours as it can increase as needed based on increased ventilation demand (e.g. fume hood sashes being raised) or heating/ cooling demand.
This project is also pursuing LEED certification, and is on track to achieve a Gold rating.

Medical Research Facility in Southern California:

Using IESVE, the Zero Envy team were able to achieve 38% less Time Dependant Valuation (TDV) energy than Title 24, equating to $170,000 cost savings per year for this 60,000 sf existing building. The project was also awarded $500,000 utility incentive which is the maximum available for exceptional projects via the statewide incentive program for energy efficiency ‘Savings by Design’. This incentive helped to cover modeling and other design costs.

Using IESVE, the Zero Envy team modeled and advised on the implementation of the following energy efficiency measures:

VAV lab exhaust (very similar to higher education institution project, except that it utilized the centralized DCV system as described below)
 
Centralized DCV system - This system provides a centralized air quality monitoring station and pneumatic tubing that extracts air from each individual room, tests it for various contaminants, and can raise alarms and controls the building automation system (BAS). The BAS uses concentrations to increase airflow rates to zones that need it - either from CO2 rise from occupants or more harmful contaminants.

“California’s prescribed software and simulation engine does not accommodate the modeling of many features used in advanced building designs, including the major efficiency measures used in both of these case study projects. For this reason, our team chose to use the VE for its ability to handle custom systems and detailed tuning of HVAC sequences. In general, the VE allows us to model and inform most buildings and systems without constraint.”
Greg Collins Principal Engineer, Zero Envy

“Design innovations are becoming increasingly more challenging to model and quantify benefits for our clients. Utilizing VE helped quantify the performance benefits that our clients received from these novel designs.”
Nathan Ho Associate Principal, P2S Engineering*

* Zero Envy worked in partnership with P2S Engineering, the design engineer for both projects



Zero Envy - Title 24 Energy Code Compliance

Learn how SmartViz is helping Cardiff Metropolitan University maximise space use, energy efficiency, air quality and its impact on the learning environment. 

Besides savings over £5.1m by increasing the usage of existing buildings in favour of building new, the solution has enabled a data-driven and people-centred masterplan for the university, providing data for space needs versus perceived shortages, environmental and behaviour data to help boost student retention and campus stickiness.



Transforming Campus Space Management with IoT Sensors, Occupancy Analytics and Digital Twins 

SmartViz (www.smart-viz.com) is an AI-powered building analytics software that empowers leaders to increase financial performance from their estate, while enhancing occupant wellbeing, productivity and the journey towards net zero.

With SmartViz you can:
	Aggregate data from multiple sources into a visual, interactive “digital twin”
	Visualise space utilisation, air quality and energy performance
	Integrate low-cost occupancy monitoring sensors to make buildings people-centred
	Scenario plan and optimise buildings to reduce space & energy costs and improve wellbeing
	Establish a data-driven, people-centred estate planning strategy

SmartViz is a result of 20 years of experience in optimising buildings – including workplaces, universities, schools, museums, airports and more. We have saved Vodafone $40m per annum across its global portfolio of buildings, and saved Cardiff Met University £5.1m through optimum space management, timetabling and energy management.


SmartViz Ltd

Development of all necessary documentation for a 2,000-bed university undergraduate housing project, which serves as a major public gateway to the University of California, San Diego campus. One of the main challenges was tackling complex construction details while meeting our client's standards. Also, the highly-complex coordination between all consultants and different design studios working simultaneously on the project.

UC San Diego

AVAIL’s content management system (CMS) platform and Revit application tools help AEC teams take control of their intricate network of files in one visual, streamlined solution.

*Set Up*
With AVAIL, your BIM management team can customize the content management system (CMS) that works best for your firm. The following features will help you set up your firm’s CMS:

Network Storage Options
-Host files where you want them: your local server or the cloud. Both can be indexed in AVAIL. Additionally, firms can push locally-hosted files to the cloud for easy access with AVAIL Host in Cloud. 
-Discover the best hosting option for your firm.

Broad File-Type Support
-Index all file types in AVAIL including Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, as well as Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, and photo files.
-Thumbnails for 30 of the most common file types are now automatically generated in AVAIL—no additional setup required!

Time-Saving BIM Manager Tools
-Bulk tag content so your team can find what they need faster with the AVAIL Desktop’s Tag IO lens plugin. 
-Connect different pieces of content to enhance navigation and build relationships across Channels with AVAIL Desktop feature Related Content. 

Visual Customization 
-Customize the look and feel of your interface using tools like Channel Cards and Key Cards.

*Maintain*
AVAIL makes BIM management maintenance easy with these features:

Robust Revit Integrations
-Create libraries of often complicated-to-reuse Revit elements such as drafting views, sheets, schedules, view templates, system families, and more with AVAIL Harvest for Revit.
-Batch upgrade Revit files to new versions with AVAIL Desktop feature Revit Application Version Management

Time-Saving BIM Manager Tools
-In addition to managing user roles, Admins can also now create custom groups and map Active Directory groups for simpler sharing and enhanced analytics. 
-Monitor selected folders for changes and automatically publish these changes in a shareable, searchable CMS platform with software solution AVAIL Stream. 

Reporting Capabilities
-Monitor and analyze library usage and search activity across the firm with the AVAIL Analytics online dashboard. 

*Engage*
Increase your firm’s user engagement with AVAIL’s workflow integrations, collaboration features, and training tools. 

Robust Revit Integrations
-Access your dedicated library and search the active project in Revit with AVAIL Project Navigator For Revit. 

Collaboration Features
-All users can curate unique lists of content to streamline your workflow from project to project with AVAIL Desktop feature Palettes, designed to help drive workflows such as redlining.
-Flag and comment on files in AVAIL.

AI Advancements
-Introducing AVAIL’s first (but certainly not the last) chatbot, AVAIL’s AI Help Chatbot is here to answer your AVAIL questions in real time.

Manufacturer Content 
-Easily find and utilize trusted Revit content from manufacturers such as Wenger and Daikin with AVAIL Select Architectural and MEP Commercial Channels in the AVAIL Marketplace.



AVAIL

Per User // Unlimited Channels 50,000 items per Channel

We seek the finest solutions for all your architectural challenges. By developing a highly complex BIM model, we deliver outstanding Design, Construction Documents, assets for Fabrication and 3D printing systems, so you build the extraordinary! 

Got a project in mind? Reach out! 👉 slantis.com/contact

/slantis

Your architecture projects developed. You unplug.

Buehler Engineering is a renowned structural engineering firm based on the West coast. Buehler delivers thoughtfully considered solutions across a spectrum of services.

Streamlining Design Practice Standards 

Construction design firms create millions of details a year. Architects and engineers spend countless hours redesigning details that have already been constructed. Pirros enables a company to easily find their details and accompanying data, reducing the time spent on design and drafting.

Pirros is a detail management system for structural engineering and architecture firms. Pirros provides a web based platform that makes it effortless to reference any information you need to help you detail. By utilizing Pirros, architects and engineers save time searching for details, standardizing designs across their firms, and reducing the amount of effort required to build and maintain their detail libraries.

Pirros

This project included energy efficiency improvements for a community property in a city in Ontario. The focus was on optimizing energy use in the existing building and exploring energy-saving measures for potential new multi-family housing on the site. The objective was to assist in future capital management decisions, aligning with CMHC MLI Select energy efficiency criteria.

First, a baseline energy model was created using available data and suggesting various Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) for potential savings. The aim was to present scenarios achieving up to a 40% reduction in energy use from the existing building baseline, meeting CMHC criteria. The first scenario proposes around a 47% improvement with upgraded HVAC systems and enhanced window performance. The second scenario, focusing on a specific section built in 1920, achieved a 40% energy reduction with HVAC enhancements, window improvements, and increased roof insulation. The report also explores options for new construction, targeting compliance with NECB 2017 standards. These options demonstrate energy savings of up to 50%. 

An interactive dashboard provided by Adaptis's solution summarized existing conditions, design options, material breakdowns, waste, carbon, and cost benchmarks. Users could explore optimized options based on their priorities using this decision-support platform.


Optimized Retrofit, Adaptive Reuse and Extension

We are on a mission to make decarbonization management intuitive, scalable, and affordable. Our tools help building owners and AEC professionals reduce energy needs and emissions, minimize the embodied carbon of construction, divert waste from landfills and extend building life. We use proprietary, patent-pending methodologies and AI-powered technology to do this 20X faster and at one-tenth the cost of traditional consultants, delivering 20%+ lower whole lifecycle costs and immediate payback. 

Team 
Adaptis is a diverse and highly technical team of architects, engineers, and sustainability experts, devoted to creating a decarbonized, resilient and circular built world. We draw on our extensive collective experience at industry-leading firms and advanced research experience (95%+ of team with PhDs/MScs in Engineering and Sustainability). 


Challenges
The construction industry is responsible for massive consumption and GHG emissions: 
-Consumes 50% of all raw materials.
-Produces over 40% of all GHG emissions.

Large degree of unnecessary demolition and not enough salvage and reuse: 
-60% of building demolitions could have been avoided with timely renovations, retrofits, and adaptive reuse.
-85%+ of demolished materials end up in landfills, making up 25% of landfills.

Mandates for decarbonization are expanding globally: 
-45%+ emission reduction by 2030 (Canada, US, EU).
-Net-zero carbon by 2050, which requires retrofitting 80%+ of today’s buildings (Ontario, US, EU).

The current linear model of decarbonization is slow, complex, and expensive.
-It takes a multi-disciplinary team of 5+ consultants, 6+ months to develop recommendations for one building.
-These consultants charge $100K+ per building.
-Even with the best-laid plans, 20% of projects end up over budget. 


Solution
Adaptis is pioneering a circular model of decarbonization that is fast, affordable, and lives in real-time. At Adaptis, we:
-Design: Simulate design options and generate recommendations that meet carbon, cost, waste diversion and compliance requirements;
-Validate: Assess actual carbon impact during construction and occupancy; and
-Optimize: Track and continuously optimize maintenance, capital flow, and plans for future adaptation or deconstruction.

We use proprietary, patent-pending methodologies for whole life cycle decarbonization assessment, optimization, and capital planning. In addition, our engines augment compliant methodologies and datasets for energy modelling, embodied carbon, and cost-benefit analysis.
Our methodologies adhere to industry standards, including ISO 14044:06, ISO 14064:2019, and the GHG Protocol. We fulfill all compliance criteria for mandatory reporting, such as ASHRAE, NECB, CAGBC, FCM, CIB and CMHC.

Adaptis

A new higher education facility is to be constructed in the Rocky Mountain Region, which will encompass a variety of spaces including learning, office, and lab areas. This new build on campus is set to push the boundaries of both the State and campus sustainability goals.

The project has established ambitious carbon targets focused towards minimising both operating and embodied carbon, reflecting a broad commitment to sustainable and low-carbon building practices.

The final decision to implement a mass timber system for the non-lab portions of the building stands as a defining moment for this project, marking a significant departure from conventional construction practices. The ability to precisely measure the environmental advantage over concrete was not just beneficial but essential. With Preoptima's advanced capability to calculate the carbon reduction potential of timber versus concrete, the evidence was clear and compelling, decisively guiding the choice for the final structural design. This strategic, data-driven decision underscores Preoptima's pivotal role in pioneering sustainable building practices.

Higher Education Facility in the Rocky Mountain Region - Group14 Engineering

Our flagship tool, Preoptima CONCEPT, has garnered the trust of industry giants and small firms alike for its ability to empower users to accurately perform conceptual design options appraisals and make critical carbon-informed decisions earlier, faster, and smarter. Preoptima helps stakeholders achieve the most stringent of carbon targets whilst significantly avoiding embodied carbon emissions. Born from over a decade of academic research, Preoptima is transforming how the industry approaches sustainable building design.

Preoptima CONCEPT

BIMWERX

We provide a wide range of comprehensive and integrated BIM services to meet our Client’s needs.

BIMWERX currently have 25 projects utilising ReviCheck to improve their services to their clients.

At BIMWERX, are committed to providing clients with the best possible services. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the key to improving the construction industry, and they are constantly looking for new ways to use BIM to deliver better results for clients. One of the ways that have been able to improve our services is by using ReviCheck. ReviCheck is a cloud-based software solution that helps construction teams ensure that they are always working with the latest versions of their drawings. This is essential for avoiding costly mistakes and delays. ReviCheck works by using QR codes to identify each drawing uniquely. 

BIMWERX: How ReviCheck Helps Us Provide Better Services to Our Clients

ReviCheck is a game-changer in construction document management. It seamlessly integrates QR code technology with Autodesk Revit, ensuring all stakeholders access the latest data. The problem of outdated drawings, which plagues construction sites with 25% of drawings being out of date, is solved through real-time document status checks using the ReviCheck mobile app.

ReviCheck Tutorial 02 - Web Portal Settings

ReviCheck Tutorial 03 - Revit Plugin Tutorial

Revit Plug-in that Saves Money - ReviCheck Revit Plug-in Tutorial

ReviCheck

Autodesk Revit is a building information modeling (BIM) software used by architects, landscape architects, structural engineers, NEP engineers, designers, and contractors. 

Explore Latest “Educational” Case Studies

Explore all the best “Educational” case studies.

Colorado State University - Daylight, Thermal and Mixed-mode Ventilation Modelling

Zero Envy - Title 24 Energy Code Compliance

Transforming Campus Space Management with IoT Sensors, Occupancy Analytics and Digital Twins

UC San Diego

Streamlining Design Practice Standards

Optimized Retrofit, Adaptive Reuse and Extension

Higher Education Facility in the Rocky Mountain Region - Group14 Engineering

BIMWERX: How ReviCheck Helps Us Provide Better Services to Our Clients

BIMWERX

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