Use of BIM for Sustainable Buiding Design Questionaire Research Results

Utilizing BIM for Sustainable Architecture

The findings indicate four significant conclusions. First, the research suggests that inflated soft project costs (overhead, administration, and services) can be reduced if local city governments were to adopt BIM in conjunction with housing review and permitting processes. In addition, the city could use BIM data to quantify building impacts on energy and resources over time. Second, sustainability innovation can be easier to integrate within a BIM workflow due to the high-capacity of the software to exchange information with third-part analysis tools. One particular barrier that must be overcome, however, are financial barriers due to software and staff training costs associated with BIM technology. Third, BIM requires ‘front-loading’ projects with more information earlier in the design process, which encourages greater transparency and more direct collaboration between stakeholders. A fully leveraged BIM workflow may not be feasible beyond local small-scale architects and builders due to the relatively steep learning curve and higher software costs, but a hybrid approach might be possible depending on how residential construction practices and BIM software development evolves in the near future. And fourth, BIM can make project information centralized, accessible, and long-lasting – serving as a communication and learning tool across disciplines and between expert and non-expert participants to find out more... Passage via http://jdowhower.wordpress.com/abstract-2/

Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS)

"Local and International Consortium Development
SEAS provides facilitation for consortium based project development and execution ranging from locally based projects development to large scale international projects bids. The local consortiums can consist of MNC's together with SMEs to address the service and technology needs of larger entities. Whereby, international consortiums are formed comprising of companies able to satisfy the solutions required to satisfy targeted regional large scale projects. Companies participating in consortiums can benefit from SEAS extensive relations with local and regional governments, international financing institutions, and industry organisations. The aim of the SEAS Enterprise Development program is to assist Singapore based companies, in particular SME's, with consultancy services, project development scoping and commercialisation of technologies. In addition SME's can tap on funding for collaborative project development within their sector and/or through a MNC partnership."to find out more...
Passage via http://www.seas.org.sg/about-seas/what-we-do/63

CLEAR Comfortable Low Energy ARchitecture

"The unit was created in 1987 to bridge the gap between architecture and research in low energy design. That research focuses on the efficient use of energy and its conservation in building design. While the unit competes for international research contracts it also operates as an architectural practice and an educational resource for the London Metropolitan University. In that regard, the unit integrates its work with undergraduate and graduate programmes." to find out more...
Passage via http://new-learn.info/learn/about/index.shtml

Parametric design

"RvsR started as an attempt to highlight the difference between the processes of repetition and replication, with the last being the requested outcome. The workshop has therefore implemented Parametric Design Tools (PDT) to investigate the above notions. In addition, RvsR intended in demonstrating the function of PDT as platforms for creating new design tools and geometry control mechanisms, as well as handling digital fabrication." to find out more...

Sustainable Facade Design

Interesting reading here:
http://www.ykkapfacade.com/publications/index02.html

The Sustainable Energy Research Team (SERT)

"The Sustainable Energy Research Team (SERT) was set up to as a research unit that aims to promote sustainability through high quality research and publications. Leading the team is Professor Geoff Hammond, head of the Aerothermodynamics group and director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment (I-SEE), a multi-disciplinary centre that aims to promote leadership in environmental research and education." to find out more...

Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) - LEED

"GBCI’s professional credentialing program provides third party administration and verification of the LEED Professional Credentials (LEED Green Associate, LEED AP, and LEED Fellow).
LEED Professional Credentials demonstrate current knowledge of green building technologies, best practices, and the rapidly evolving LEED Rating Systems. They show differentiation in a growing and competitive industry, and they allow for varied levels of specialization. Show your industry expertise!" to find out more...

Sky Illuminance Level

"Design Sky values are derived from a statistical analysis of dynamic outdoor sky illuminance levels. They represent the horizontal illuminance value that is exceeded 85% of the time between the hours of 9am and 5pm throughout the working year. Thus they also represent a worst-case scenario that you can design to and be sure your building will meet the desired light levels at least 85% of the time. Design sky values vary from around 12-15,000 lux at the equator down to around 3-4000 lux at a latitude of ±60°, as shown in Figure 1 below." to find out more...
This is important to generate real time rendering too. Some basic settings for different position for sky illuminance.
Passage and Image via http://wiki.naturalfrequency.com/wiki/Design_Sky

Useful Ecotect Links and reference software

http://wiki.naturalfrequency.com/wiki/Model_A_Simple_House
http://wiki.naturalfrequency.com/wiki/Import_Simple_3D_Geometry
http://wiki.naturalfrequency.com/wiki/Importing_From_SketchUp_Tutorial
http://wiki.naturalfrequency.com/wiki/SolarTool_Fundamentals
Reference software
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studentservices/supportforyourstudies/academicsupport/studyresources/referencingandbibliographies.aspx
http://unow.nottingham.ac.uk/resources/resource.aspx?hid=9ba73656-1729-2453-d9eb-6fd932a12753
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/csc/academic-integrity/references/Links-and-References.pdf
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/quality-manual/assessment/offences.htm

Mechanical Vent with Heat Recovery

Jimmy Lim Design

"Energy Tower
More content coming soon.Tropical high rise buildings ought to be “energy towers” producing their own energy to operate its systems and be self-sustainable. It should be able to:


* produce energy from solar panels;
* direct wind cooling at higher levels;
* direct and indirect lighting to the interiors;
* rainwater collection for generating energy;
* wind rotaries at high levels to produce energy;
* reduce use of conventional lifts;
* alternative mechanical movements to produce energy;
* new thoughts and approach to designing high-rise buildings
B. Lower Energy Tropical Building
More content coming soon.
“Architecture without walls”Natural ventilation and dehumidification


* light movable walls/panels, preferably no walls
* layered roofing over
* openings and apertures at apex for free flow
* direct light penetration
* slatted floors and platforms
* air vents and openings at ground level
* light weight operable windows
* operable roof panels
* use non-solid sidings
* raised floor


Designing for larger tropical buildings


* take advantage of the site
* understand the environment
* check wind direction
* creating of cool and hot zones
* layered roofs for wind flow
* high ceilings for convection air flow
* provide apertures at high level for heat escape
* provide heat source to induce circulation"

to find out more...
Passage via http://www.jimmylimdesign.com/what-do-we-do/we-also-try-to-explore-the-architectural-frontier-investigate-new-directions-and-energy-efficient-architecture/

Cavity Wall

Some basic reference here:
http://www.philbratt.co.uk/Cavity_wall_fact_sheet.pdf
http://www.maconline.org/tech/design/cavity2web.pdf
http://www.diywallties.co.uk/

Latitude & Longtitude

I have problem remembering this basic facts. If  you are having same problem with me, remember Latitude is like a ladder, how high it climbs is latitude.
Longitude can be reference to telephone poles, because it runs from north pole to south pole. Got it? To find out more... 

Image from
http://homepage.mac.com/kvmagruder/bcp/sphere/terreslat.htm
http://geographyworldonline.com/tutorial/lesson1.html

pplication of Biomass-energy Technologies

A useful library of books regarding sustainability from World Environmental Library. to find out more...
A topic found for bio-climate design strategies via psychrometric chart analysis. to find out more...

Climate Consultant 5

Download Climate Consultant 5 [For Windows](32 MB)

Download Climate Consultant 5 [For Mac](9 MB)

"This Version uses all the features from prior versions of Climate Consultant including new graphic screens such as a Monthly Diurnal Averages plot. It calculates a set of the top 20 Design Guidelines based on your unique climate and the passive design strategies you selected on the Psychrometric Chart. Each Guideline has a sketch illustrating how it applies when you click on the guideline number. The Guidelines and their accompanying sketches were based in part on Watson and Labs Climatic Building Design, and on Loftness,.et.al, Regional Guidelines for Building Passive Energy Conserving Homes.

NOTE: Vista installation. Change the target directory to C:\CC5 in order to bypass the C:\Program Files security restriction." to find out more...

Passage via http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/

Shading Mask Tutorial

http://people.bath.ac.uk/absmaw/Lighting/C_9.pdf
http://www.arch.hku.hk/~kpcheung/teaching/lecture/65156-8.htm
http://www.usc.edu/dept/architecture/mbs/papers/ecs/96_asemask/ases96mask.html
Image via http://wiki.naturalfrequency.com/files/wiki/shading/shading-mask-sill.gif

Minimalist Living

"Even some of the most ardent capitalists find the never-ending mantra touting possessions as the ultimate sign of one's value tiresome. After a time, too much stuff starts meaning too many headaches. It probably comes as little shock to anyone that the minimalist movement has picked up a multitude of followers within the past couple of years. Individuals and families eventually come to realize that they can find happiness insmaller homes, cleaner desks, fewer "things" and other hallmarks of simplicity. But the transition from a cluttered lifestyle to something more manageable cannot happen overnight. Fortunately, the internet provides a fantastic opportunity for those whose minimalistic urges have begun blossoming to seek the advice of those who came before. These blogs, listed in no particular order, serve as an excellent primer for anyone needing to scale back. They cover a broad range of topics in order to showcase how minimalism can permeate almost any facet of life, though the contributions of resources not listed here should not go ignored, either." to find out more...

Super Sustainablecity

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kjellgren_kaminsky_architecture/4364619927/in/set-72157623910681671/lightbox/

Single Issue Tools - Simple - Sun Charts

"Design tools are required to assess site and building layouts for passive solar design. The resolution of such issues can be achieved from consideration of the angular relationship between the sun, the building and any shading devices and obstructing bodies. Such design tools are often manual methods. In the heating season the aim is to avoid overshadowing so that beneficial solar gain can be harnessed to offset the heating load. Sun charts can be used to assess the degree of shading on the building facades due to terrain features, surrounding buildings, facade projections and local landscape features. Dirrerent approaches exist to analyse the direct solar beam:
1.graphical plots;
2.manual trigonometric methods (rarely used);
3.computer based trigonometric methods, often with graphical output;
4.scale models examined using a sundial device, and natural sunlight or an artificial light source; and
5.scale models using a heliodon, a device that mechanically reproduces the geometric movement of the sun." to find out more...
Passage via http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/Courseware/Design_tools/Sun_chart/sun-chart.htm

Climate of the Nordic countries

"The climate of the Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe, consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norwayand Sweden and their associated territories which include the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. Stockholm, Sweden has on average the warmest summer of the Nordic countries with high temperatures of 23 °C (73 °F) in July, Copenhagen and Oslohave 22 °C (72 °F)."to find out more...
Passage via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_Nordic_countries

Eco Build

Humid subtropical climate

"A humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa or Cwa) is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and cool winters. This climate type covers a broad category of climates, and the term "subtropical" may be a misnomer for the winter climate." [1] to find out more...

Passage [1] via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humid_subtropical_climate

"Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) and experiences four distinct seasons. In winter, cold northerly winds from Siberia can cause nighttime temperatures to drop below freezing, although most years there are only one or two days of snowfall. Summer in Shanghai is hot and humid, with usually 8.7 days of the year exceeding 35 °C (95 °F). with occasional downpours or freak thunderstorms. The city is also susceptible to typhoons in summer and the beginning of autumn, none of which in recent years has caused considerable damage.[24] The most pleasant seasons are Spring, although changeable and often rainy, and Autumn, which is generally sunny and dry. The city averages 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) in January and 27.9 °C (82.2 °F) in July, for an annual mean of 16.1 °C (61.0 °F). Shanghai experiences on average 1,878 hours of sunshine per year, with the hottest temperature ever recorded at 40.2 °C (104 °F), and the lowest at −12.1 °C (10 °F).[25] The average number of rainy days is 112 per year, with the wettest month being June.[25] The average frost-free period is 276 days.[20]"[2]to find out more...

Passage [2] via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai

STEREOGRAPHIC SUNPATH ANALYSIS

Task List:-
1. Select a city representative of the climate zone that you have chosen for your essay and present a stereographic sunpath diagram for it [ Shanghai, China ]
climate zones:-
http://ks.cn.yahoo.com/question/1406092213700.html [Chinese]
http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/shifts.htm#abstract [English]
http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/koppen.htm [English]


"Shanghai, located on the Yangtze River Delta on China's east coast is one of the most populous cities in both China and the world (map). Its 2009 population was estimated at 19,210,000. With its large population, Shanghai is very dense with an area of just 2,717 square miles (7,037 sq km). Because of its location on China's coast, Shanghai grew as a fishing center and port city, today however it is a center of global commerce, finance and research as well as culture and art. The city is considered one of the world's fastest growing economies. Shanghai, like both Beijing and Chongqing also has numerous historical sites. The climate of Shanghai is humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and and very cold winters." to find out more...
Passage above via http://geography.about.com/od/chinamaps/tp/china-municipalities.htm

A for Tropical Humid
B for Dry
C for Mild Mid-Latitude
D for Severe Mid-Latitude
E for Polar
H for Highland (this classification was added after Köppen created his system)

低纬度气候：
热带地区的主要气候类型有：
（1）赤道多雨气候（也称赤道雨林气候）
（2）热带干湿季气候（也称热带草原气候）
（3）热带干旱与半干旱气候（也称热带荒漠气候）
（4）热带季风气候
（5）热带海洋性气候

中纬度气候：

温带是冷暖气流相互角逐的地区:
（1）温带海洋性气候
（2）亚热带夏干气候（也称地中海式气候 )
（3）温带季风气候
（4）亚热带季风气候
（5）温带大陆性湿润气候
（6）亚热带湿润气候
（7）温带和亚热带大陆性干旱与半干旱气候
（8）亚寒带大陆性气候（也称亚寒带针叶林气候）

高纬度气候：

（1）极地长寒气候（苔原所候）
（2）极地冰原气候


高地(山地）气候

2. Azimuth and Altitude angles on the Solstices and Equinoxes 3h intervals analysis
3. positional characteristics compared to the reference meridian
4. common/diverse range of altitude angles and azimuth angles
5. comparisons between morning, afternoon sun position and angles
6. seasonal/diurnal variation of solar position
7. critical orientations
8. seasonal requirements pertaining solar geometry
Reference link:-
http://www.timeanddate.com/
http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/shanghai.html

American Society of Civil Engineering Library

"The ASCE Library is a comprehensive online tool for locating articles of interest across all disciplines of civil engineering. The Library provides you with unprecedented access to more than 73,000 full-text papers from ASCE Journals and Proceedings published - that's over 630,000 pages! Approximately 4,000 new papers will be added each year. " to find out more...

Meta Library

Examples to look for the resources:-
After logging into http://metalib.library.nottingham.ac.uk/
Engineering>Civil Engineering > click on Go.
Select Construction Information Services, click to access the products and then click on Construction Information Services.
search for Introduction to Architectural Science

The New Zealand Digital Library

"The New Zealand Digital Library project is a research programme at The University of Waikato whose aim is to develop the underlying technology for digital libraries and make it available publicly so that others can use it to create their own collections.
Our web site provides several document collections, including historical documents, humanitarian and development information, computer science technical reports and bibliographies, literary works, and magazines. All are available over the Web, and can be accessed through searching and browsing interfaces provided by the Greenstone digital library software. Behind the query interface lies a huge collection providing gigabytes of information. We hope you find what you want, or at least something intriguing!" to find out more...