Building
performance analysis software
Autodesk and IES Partnership offers mainstream tools which enable true sustainable design
Revit BIM platform now linked directly to IES’s building analysis software
World-leading building performance analysis
software provider, Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), has
been chosen by Autodesk to provide robust building performance
analysis capabilities to the Revit platform for building
information modelling (BIM). This significant partnership will
greatly facilitate the sustainable design process by allowing
Revit users easy access to IES’s <Virtual Environment> analysis
tool.
For decades simulation software tools have been available to
assist the design of energy efficient buildings, but these have
been difficult to use and sat separately to CAD models, thus
limiting their usability. The tight integration of the Revit
building information model and IES’s suite of building
performance analysis tools, the <Virtual Environment> targets
these challenges. It provides an easy way for architects and
engineers to seamlessly assess a building’s performance straight
from the building information model without having to recreate
the building geometry.
This direct link means the user can run a variety of analyses,
without needing specialised skills, separate analysis packages
or separate models for each analysis. Greatly increasing the
quality and speed of the technical feedback, this development
enables building designers to examine the implications of
alternative design strategies at the touch of a button and use
the tools for sustainable design rather than just plant sizing.
Such data empowers architects and engineers by allowing them to
make more informed design decisions through a greater
understanding of the complex thermal, light and airflow
interrelationships within their design. Physical, climatic and
environmental factors can all be taken into account, as can
energy use, lighting and materials. These comprehensive analysis
capabilities minimise risk, ensure higher operational efficiency
and optimise building performance.
“The Industry has been waiting years for this development,”
stated Dr Don McLean, Founder and Managing Director of IES
Limited. “Good sustainable design requires an understanding of
how a building will perform and this partnership brings
architects and engineers the tools they need to truly embrace
this concept. As Government’s around the globe implement new
building regulations that mandate sustainable design the
widespread adoption of these types of new design practices must
take place.”
“The design of more sustainable and energy efficient
buildings is key to mitigating the impact of global warming and
to decreasing building operation costs. A critical part of
Autodesk’s further development of building information modeling
is to expand the ability for our customers to conduct multiple
types of analyses on their building information model,” said Jim
Lynch Vice President of Marketing, Autodesk AEC Solutions.
“Building performance analysis will help architects and
engineers design more sustainable buildings and we’re excited to
partner with Integrated Environmental Solutions to bring these
capabilities to the Revit platform.”
Email:
edwinac@thinktank.org.uk