Design Computation Symposium

AU had a great start with the symposium that addressed several direction in development of computational design. Informative sessions by the leaders in the advanced use of computation tools shed some light on the future of digital media its role within anthropocentric reality.

Notable lecture were given by prof. Dr. Kristina Shea on integration of knowledge management and generative design and fabrication, Jos Stam on Unified Dynamic Solver used in CG apps to simulate physical effects in a dynamic systems and Prof. Joe Clark of University of Strathclyde on Building Performance Simulation and the need for a unified model approach required for the whole building energy analysis.

AU Building Performance Analysis

This year's AU attention to sustainable design with the aid of Autodesk's BIM enabled applications is just another confirmation that ADSK means green business. I am particularly interested to see how far down the road we can push the information gathered through sustainability analysis during the design process into the construction activities. Some courses look very promising in that regard.
Along the same lines they just ‘up the ante’ by conducting the survey of their existing facilities from the energy footprint point of view. These results are published and posted on Autodesk’s website (Link).

Post Occupany Energy Use Analysis

Case study in usability of Ecotect Analysis for the adaptive reuse projects. More information on this project is available upon a request.

Cool Revit add-on for a hot summer

After living through the negative effect of the thermal lag in a non-insulated masonry building during my vacation on one of the Adriatic islands, I wished that the architect designing this, in all other aspects beautiful family residence, had the access to this latest add-on for Revit platform.

Great job Autodesk for this technology transfer between Revit and Ecotect Analysis!

Revit - Ecotect Surface subdivision improvements

Thanks to Jon, and his post on the improved curtain wall workflow in Revit Architecture 2010, we can see how one can significantly improve geometry translation process when analyzing building's skin within Ecotect Analysis.
Keep burning that Midnight Oil Jon!

Sun Power Calculator

This is a link to a SunPower solar calculator that will tell you:
• How much a SunPower solar system will cost for your house
• What tax credits, rebates and other incentives are available to you
• Potential financing costs and energy savings

Virtual Design and Construction Survey

This is a link to a survey on the role of Virtual Design and Construction / BIM in construction industry with an emphasis on the use of this methodology by both General Contractors and Design-Build firms.