Design Energy Simulation for Architects: Guide to 3D Graphics

270 Pages·2014·23.31 MB·English

by  Kjell Anderson

6046T DESIGN ENERGY-PT_276x219 mm 19/12/2013 15:09 Page i
Design Energy Simulation
for Architects
Leading architectural firms are now using in-house design simulation to help make more sustainable
design decisions. Taking advantage of these new tools requires understanding of what can be done
with simulation, how to do it, and how to interpret the results.
This software-agnostic book, which is intended for you to use as a professional architect, shows
you how to reduce the energy use of all buildings using simulation for shading, daylighting, airflow,
and energy modeling. Written by a practicing architect who specializes in design simulation, the book
includes 30 case studies of net-zero buildings, as well as of projects with less lofty goals, to demonstrate
how energy simulation has helped designers make early decisions.
Within each case study, author Kjell Anderson mentions the software used, how the simulation
was set up, and how the project team used the simulation to make design decisions. Chapters and
case studies are written so that you learn general concepts without being tied to particular software.
Each chapter builds on the theory from previous chapters, includes a summary of concept-level hand
calculations (if applicable), and gives comprehensive explanations with graphic examples. Additional topics
include simulation basics, comfort, climate analysis, a discussion on how simulation is integrated into
some firms, and an overview of some popular design simulation software.
Kjell Anderson practices at LMN Architects in Seattle, Washington, USA.
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“Kjell’s writing manages to blend high-level overview with detailed specifics in a way that is both engaging
and illuminating. His significant practical experience, as well as that of his interviewees, makes this book
a unique and valuable contribution to the world of energy modeling and simulation.”
Andrew Marsh, creator of Ecotect
“Anderson has curated the best examples of how architects can engage with building performance
simulation tools early and often throughout the design process.”
Heather Gayle Holdridge, Sustainability Manager at Lake Flato Architects
“By an architect for architects, this book is accessible, clear and visually informative—the modeling
roadmap we’ve been waiting for!”
Margaret Montgomery, Sustainable Design Leader at NBBJ
“Anderson offers a compelling overview of energy modeling for architects, encouraging incorporation
of natural energy strategies leading to a significant reduction of carbon emissions.”
Edward Mazria, Founder and CEO of Architecture 2030
“An essential desktop reference for any architect hoping to incorporate simulation into their arsenal,
this book highlights how to use evidence-based approaches to achieve high-performance and design
excellence.”
Blake Jackson, Sustainability Practice Leader at Tsoi Kobus and Associates
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Design Energy
Simulation for
Architects
Guide to 3D graphics
Kjell Anderson
R
Routledge
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NEW YORK AND LONDON
6046T DESIGN ENERGY-PT_276x219 mm 19/12/2013 15:09 Page iv
First published 2014
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2014 Taylor & Francis
The right of Kjell Anderson to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted by him/her in accordance with sections 77 and
78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be
trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for
identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Every effort has been made to contact and acknowledge
copyright owners. The publishers would be grateful to hear from
any copyright holder who is not acknowledged here and will
undertake to rectify any errors or omissions in future printings or
editions of the book.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Anderson, Kjell.
Design energy simulation for architects: guide to 3D graphics/
Kjell Anderson.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Sustainable buildings–Design and construction–
Data processing. 2. Architecture and energy conservation.
3. Buildings–Energy conservation–Computer simulation.
4. Three-dimensional display systems.
I. Title. H880.A53 2014
720′.472028566—dc23 2013025925
ISBN: 978-0-415-84065-1 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-84066-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-85143-3 (ebk)
Acquisition Editor: Wendy Fuller
Editorial Assistant: Laura Williamson
Production Editor: Siobhán Greaney
Typeset in Syntax
by Florence Production Ltd, Stoodleigh, Devon, UK
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Contents
List of figures ix
Acknowledgments xviii
Conversions of Common Energy Modeling Units from Inch-Pound (IP)
to the International System (SI) xix
1 Introduction 1
Design for Nega-Watts 2
The 2030 Challenge 3
Architects + Energy Modeling? 3
Early Design Simulation 4
The Structure of the Book 5
Conclusion 6
2 Design Simulation Basics 8
Asking the Right Questions 8
Play Leads to Understanding 9
Terminology and Concepts 10
Scale and Complexity 12
Conclusion 14
3 Comfort and Controls 15
Human Thermal Balance 16
What Affects Thermal Comfort? 16
Defining Thermal Comfort Ranges 17
Cool Head, Warm Feet: Asymmetrical Discomfort 20
Other Indoor Comfort Factors 21
Controls: Automated, Manual, and Interactive 21
Conclusion 23
4 Climate Analysis 24
The Interactions That Create Weather 24
Climate Data 25
Annual Data Sets 25
Peak Data Sets 28
Temperature 28
Humidity 30
Solar Radiation and Cloud Cover 32
Wind 33
Precipitation and Storms 35
v
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CONTENTS
Conclusion 36
Additional Resources 37
Case Study 4.1 Climate Analysis 38
5 Planning and Goal-Setting 40
Goal-Setting 40
Menu-Based Goals 44
Energy Goals 44
Site Planning and Massing 48
Conclusion 52
Additional Resource 53
Case Study 5.1 Site Location Optimization 53
Case Study 5.2 Sunlight Access 55
Case Study 5.3 Baseline Energy Analysis 59
Case Study 5.4 Massing Energy Analysis 63
6 Glazing Properties 65
The Greenhouse Effect 65
Glazing Properties 66
Translucency and Specialty Products 69
Single, Double, and Triple Glazing 70
Frames and Operability 70
Conclusion 71
7 Solar Irradiation and Thermal Storage 72
Solar Design Strategies 72
When Is Solar Gain Desired? 74
Solar Irradiation Measurement 76
Shading Types 78
Thermal Storage 80
Conclusion 83
Additional Resources 84
Case Study 7.1 Peak Shading Design 84
Case Study 7.2 Self-Shading 89
Case Study 7.3 Solar Irradiation Targets 91
Case Study 7.4 Fixed Shading Optimization 95
Case Study 7.5 Renewable Energy Location + Sizing 99
Case Study 7.6 Existing Building Shading Studies 103
vi
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CONTENTS
8 Daylighting and Glare 105
The Sun and Sky as Light Source 106
Daylighting Design 107
Daylight Harvesting Methods 108
Measuring Daylight 110
Work Plane Analyses 111
3D-View Analyses 114
Glare Analyses 115
Physical and Computerized Daylight Simulations 117
Computer Daylight Simulation Terminology and Concepts 118
Conclusion 120
Additional Resources 120
Case Study 8.1 Daylight Factor/Daylight Availability 121
Case Study 8.2 Daylight Autonomy: Top-Lighting 125
Case Study 8.3 Daylight Autonomy/Useful Daylight Illuminance 129
Case Study 8.4 Physical Daylighting: Luminance 133
Case Study 8.5 3D Illuminance Analysis 137
Case Study 8.6 Sky Condition from HDR Photography 141
Case Study 8.7 Daylight Glare Probability 146
Case Study 8.8 Annual Daylight Glare Probability 149
9 Airflow Analysis 152
Natural Ventilation and Mixed-Mode Operation 153
Terminology and Concepts 154
Methods of Analyzing Airflow 155
Conclusion 156
Case Study 9.1 Natural Ventilation Analysis with CFD 157
Case Study 9.2 Natural Ventilation Using the Stack Effect 162
Case Study 9.3 Bulk Airflow Analysis 166
Case Study 9.4 Exterior CFD Analysis 170
10 Energy Modeling 172
Energy Modeling Basics 172
Thermal Calculations 173
Geometry and Thermal Zones 175
Shoebox Models 175
Energy Modeling Loads 176
Climate-Based Loads 176
Internal Loads 183
vii
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CONTENTS
Schedules 186
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems 187
Energy Modeling Teamwork 189
Working with Energy Analysts 190
Whole-Building Energy Simulations (WBES) 192
Conclusion 193
Additional Resources 193
Case Study 10.1 Trade-off Analysis 194
Case Study 10.2 Early Concept Trade-off Analysis 200
Case Study 10.3 Optimization Analysis 203
Case Study 10.4 Passivhaus PHPP 205
Case Study 10.5 Existing Building Energy Analysis 1 209
Case Study 10.6 Existing Building Energy Analysis 2 216
Case Study 10.7 Net Zero Energy Triage 221
11 Software and Accuracy 230
The Development of Graphical Simulation Software 230
Design Simulation Software Elements 231
Software Packages 232
Choosing Software 235
Accuracy 235
Research, Standards, and Practice 236
Conclusion 238
12 Design Simulation in Practice 239
The Design Simulation Process 239
Firm Profiles 240
A Design Simulation Group 241
Callison’s Story 241
Design Simulation at Your Firm 242
Resources 243
Conclusion 243
Bibliography 244
Index 247
viii
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Figures
1.1 The Rice Fergus Miller offices in Bremerton, WA 2
1.2 The 2030 Challenge sets decreasing energy use targets for new buildings, with a
goal of Net Zero Energy (NZE) by the year 2030 3
1.3 A solar photovoltaic array extent required to meet the annual energy needs of a
typical office building the same size as the Bullitt Center in Seattle 4
1.4 Offices renovated to achieve net-zero energy use involved simulating every aspect
of energy performance 5
1.5 Daylight simulations were used to compare and evaluate several skylight
geometries for this retail atrium in Wuxi, China 6
1.6 Early design section through the reading room of the Net Zero Energy-designed
West Berkeley Library 7
2.1 and2.2 Models for two-day design charette on daylighting and lighting design for
the Austin Central Library 8
2.3 and2.4 Real-time, on-line daylighting simulation tool 9
2.5 Connection between physical and virtual models using tags 10
2.6 A point-in-time analysis and an annual daylight autonomy analysis 11
2.7 Energy modeling, shoebox model, and single-aspect modeling scales 13
3.1 Human comfort is the measure of building performance 16
3.2 Thermal images showing surface temperatures of four people 16
3.3 A real-time, interactive comfort tool for indoor conditions based on
ASHRAE-55–2010 from the University of California, Berkeley 18
3.4 Human comfort levels within a highly glazed corridor 19
3.5 The Berkeley Comfort Tool is used in a variety of industries to simulate
asymmetrical discomfort 20
3.6 A diagram rates four window options for user controllability, daylight
availability, visual comfort, and heat gain 22
3.7 and3.8 An online, real-time energy use tracker is a way of engaging occupants
in building operation 23
4.1 and4.2 The angle at which the sun’s rays strike the Earth determines the overall
heat absorbed 25
4.3 A weather station installed to inform the design of the Net-Zero-Energy
designed Bullitt Center 26
4.4 A weather data layer for Google Earth on the US EERE weather file site shows
EnergyPlus weather file locations 27
4.5 A 24-hour period set of data from a weather file shows the interaction of the dry
bulb temperature, the relative humidity, the direct solar, diffuse solar, wind speed
and cloud cover 28
4.6 Comparison of annual average temperature profiles from Los Angeles International
Airport (LAX) weather station, 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and Fullerton
Municipal Airport, 11 miles inland 29
ix