The number of design projects, gross square footage, and net-zero energy projects has increased as part of the American Institute of Architects 2030 Commitment. Reaching carbon neutral buildings by the year 2030 is countered, however, by a small percentage of projects that met the 60% carbon reduction target for 2014.
It was determined in this report that nearly half of energy-modeled projects met or came close to meeting 2014 carbon reduction targets. Energy modeling allows architects to be more ambitious with energy-saving in their design projects.
“As an architect, the only way that you have options to make major changes to your design projects is by using energy modeling early in the design process,” said AIA 2030 Working Group member, Nathan Kipnis, FAIA. “Otherwise, your decisions are locked and limited to making equipment and materials choices in hopes of lowering a building’s energy consumption. Energy modeling gives you the best bang for your design buck.”
“Energy modeling has the potential to be a game changer that can help architects reach carbon reduction targets—but only if there is a move away from using it as a compliance confirmation tool,” said Kim E Shinn, PE, LEED Fellow. “Instead, the key is to start using it as a simulation tool completely interwoven into the design/test/refine cycles from the very beginning, and during the conceptual phase of a project. This helps ensure that architects stay on track to achieve their projects’ energy goals rather than realizing some course correction is needed well into design, perhaps after making some nearly irreversible decisions."
To increase the energy-efficient design literacy among the profession, AIA has partnered with Architecture 2030 to launch an educational program that addresses energy modeling throughout the online continuing education series. Participants can learn what comprises a living energy model that can ultimately lead to a more efficiently designed finished project.
Related Stories
| Jun 20, 2013
Virtual meetings enhance design of University at Buffalo Medical School
HOK designers in New York, St. Louis and Atlanta are using virtual meetings with their University at Buffalo (UB) client team to improve the design process for UB’s new School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
| Jun 12, 2013
‘Talking’ Braille maps help the visual impaired
Talking pen technology, combined with tactile maps, allows blind people to more easily make their way around BART stations in the Bay Area.
| May 30, 2013
5 tips for running a successful BIM coordination meeting
BIM modeling tools are great, but if you can't run efficient, productive coordination meetings, the Building Team will never realize the benefits of true BIM coordination. Here are some helpful tips for making the most of coordination meetings.
| May 6, 2013
SAFTI FIRST announces 3D Autodesk Revit models for fire rated wall, window, and door systems
SAFTI FIRST, leading USA-manufacturer of fire rated glass and faming systems, is proud to announce that Autodesk Revit models are now available for its fire rated walls, window and door systems via www.safti.com and Autodesk Seek.
| May 1, 2013
A LEGO lover's dream: Guide to building the world's iconic structures with LEGO
A new book from LEGO master builder Warren Elsmore offers instructions for creating scale models of buildings and landmarks with LEGO.
| Apr 18, 2013
Bluebeam Software releases Revu 11 for organizing project data and collaborating anytime, anywhere, even offline
Bluebeam® Software, leading developer of PDF-based collaboration solutions, announced the release of Revu® 11. This new version of Bluebeam’s flagship solution makes it easier than ever for users in document-intensive industries including architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) and oil and gas to collaborate on project documents and digitize technical reviews.
| Apr 15, 2013
Using software and the power of the cloud to connect your back office to your field operations [webinar]
This webinar will focus on a new software subscription service that will help construction companies, general and specialty contractors connect their back office infrastructure with all of their field operations. The service will help capture, manage and report on the progress of existing construction jobs and help in the planning of new ones.
| Apr 6, 2013
Bentley’s inaugural Chief Donald J. Burns Memorial Research Grant awarded to University of Texas Group
Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the leading company dedicated to providing comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure, today announced that the Chief Donald J. Burns Research Grant for 2012 has been awarded on its behalf to Dr. Ofodike Ezekoye and Austin Anderson, of the University of Texas Fire Research Group (UTFRG), by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Scientific and Educational Foundation.
| Mar 27, 2013
Small but mighty: Berkeley public library’s net-zero gem
The Building Team for Berkeley, Calif.’s new 9,500-sf West Branch library aims to achieve net-zero—and possibly net-positive—energy performance with the help of clever passive design techniques.
