Resources
Data Sources
Digital 210 King Project
Autodesk Research is developing a digital model of their offices in Toronto, Canada, using Building Information Modeling (BIM). A central motivation to this work is to foster change from sustainability as an abstract discourse to quantifiable codes and practices, as well as provide a valuable resource to the community of simulation and modeling researchers.
LibreArchi
This library is composed of interactive moels of chunks of architectural know-how represented in a multimodal way: through an interactive model including simulations, pictures, text, video, etc. The concept of distributed intelligence provides a methodological basis for LibreArchi in two ways: a precedent or a new project can be informed by or include several different chunks of know-how, thus allowing for higher complexity and flexibility; and being open for qualified input of interactive models of know-how, it is constructed by the community.
Software
DesignDEVS
DesignDEVS is a software application for developing and testing computer simulations. Its purpose is to help communities of researchers and practitioners collaborate effectively on simulation projects.
The “DEVS” in “DesignDEVS” stands for Discrete Event System Specification, a well-established set of conventions for describing any system that changes over time. DesignDEVS has a graphical user interface that helps users learn and adhere to these conventions. This allows simulation models to be developed independently by different domain experts, and later combined to form more complex models.
DesignDEVS users can implement models using the Lua Programming Language. Lua is known for its short learning curve as well as its fast execution relative to other scripting languages. Since all files saved by DesignDEVS are formatted as valid Lua code, the files may be accessed by other applications. The idea is to support communities of simulation users sharing code that can be executed by DesignDEVS or alternative simulation engines.
To try a beta version of the software, download DesignDEVS 0.5.1 for Windows or DesignDEVS 0.5.1 for MacOS. DesignDEVS was presented at SpringSim 2016 (see paper) and SpringSim 2017 (download tutorial). Please send questions and/or feedback to Rhys Goldstein (Autodesk Research).
Related Conferences
AAG - Advances in Architectural Geometry
Advances in Architectural Geometry is planned as the premier venue for disseminating new research ideas and cutting-edge results at the interface of geometry processing and architectural design. In this emerging area, concepts from applied mathematics, architectural design, computer science, and engineering are used to design efficient algorithms for design, manipulation, simulation of complex geometries for architecture and industrial design.
This conference is held bi-annually.
ACADIA - Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture
ACADIA has an annual conference which is hosted by a different University each year. The conference is usually in October and the contributions are published as a Conference Proceedings book.
ACADIA was formed in the early 1980's for the purpose of facilitating communication and critical thinking regarding the use of computers in architecture, planning and building science. A particular focus is education and the software, hardware and pedagogy involved in education. The organization is also committed to the research and development of computer aides that enhance design creativity, rather than simply production, and that aim at contributing to the construction of humane physical environments.
ASCAAD - Arab Society for Computer Aided Architectural Design
A society of those who teach and conduct research in computer-aided architectural design in schools of architecture in the Arab World Region. We accept members from all over the world. ASCAAD aims to facilitate communication and information exchange regarding the use of computers and information technology in architecture, planning and building science.
The society will have an annual conference that will be hosted by a different University each year. The conference will be in mid May and the contributions will be published as a Conference Proceedings book.
BuildSys - ACM Workshop On Embedded Sensing Systems For Energy-Efficiency In Buildings
The World is increasingly experiencing a strong need for energy use reduction and a need for efficient use of scarce natural resources. Official studies report that buildings account for the largest portion of World's energy expenditure and have the fastest growth rate. Clearly, energy saving strategies that target energy use in buildings and surroundings can have a major impact worldwide. This calls for effective techniques and methods that enable accurate carbon foot printing, generation of energy awareness, monitoring and control of appliance activity, energy auditing and management in buildings and surroundings.
CAAD Futures - Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures
The mission of the CAADFutures foundation can be stated as follows: (i) to promote research interactions and collaborations between researchers, including PhD students and their supervisors, and to provide a platform for communication among researchers in the of CAAD; (ii) to play an active role in the dissemination of such progress to the scientific architectural community and the architectural practice.
The society will have bi-annual conference which rotates world-wide. The conference will be in mid June and the contributions will be published as a Conference Proceedings book.
CAADRIA - The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia
The Association has been created with the following objectives: (a) to facilitate dissemination of information about CAAD amongst Asian Schools of Architecture, Planning, Engineering, & Building Sciences; (b) to encourage the exchange of software, courseware, experiences and staff/students amongst schools; (c) to identify research and development needs specific to CAAD education and initiate collaboration to satisfy them; (d) to promote research and teaching in CAAD which enhances creativity rather than simply production technologies.
eCAADe - Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe
eCAADe has an annual conference which is hosted by a different University each year. The conference is usually in September and the contributions are published as a Conference Proceedings book and recently also on CD-ROM. eCAADe is a non-profit making association of institutions and individuals with a common interest in promoting good practice and sharing information in relation to the use of computers in research and education in architecture and related professions. eCAADe was founded in 1983.
The focus of the eCAADe 2010 conference is that of tools, methods, and theories that support the design of new cities and the transformation of existing cities. Authors are encouraged to submit their most recent results in research, teaching, practice and experience reports, or novel applications relating to topics of the eCAADe 2010 conference.
IBPSA - The International Building Performance Simulation Association
The building industry, without a doubt, is one of the most important industrial and economical sectors influencing the quality of life and the environment. And yet, planners and property developers pay very little attention during the design process to the life-cycle cost of owning and operating buildings.
Building Simulation offers the potential to cope adequately with building performance related concerns, as well as with the construction process. Increasingly, computer based models (programs) are being employed to aid in the design, operation, or management decision making process. The DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION, USE IN PRACTICE, and STANDARDIZATION, of the models and programs in therefore of growing importance. For building Design, Construction, Operation, Maintenance and Management activities, there is also an urgent need for the INTEGRATION of "generally applicable" and "generally accepted" methods and tools, for various applications, each having various levels of complexity and/or various types of end-users. Also important is the TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER issue within the building modeling field.
To take a leading role in the promotion and development of building simulation technology, IBPSA aims to provide a forum for researchers, developers and practitioners to review building model developments, Facilitate evaluation, encourage the use of software programs, address standardization, accelerate integration and technology transfer.
SIGraDi - Sociedad Iberoamericana de Grafica Digital
Iberoamerican Society of Digital Graphics offers a rare opportunity for an international debate about the challenges that emerge when digital technologies are applied in architecture, engineering, urban design, industrial design and arts in general.
Rob|Arch
Industrial robots are the ultimate flexible manufacturing tools. Designers are taking this to heart; contemporary research and production via robotic fabrication borrows from more mature manufacturing industries in order to accelerate the translation from "design to production". Whereas task-specific machine tools support the efficiencies of mass-production, robotic workcells can be reconfigured, allowing a generic machine to perform a wide range of tasks. What robots may lack in extreme precision, they rapidly recover in "intelligence"...cooperative, closed-loop production cells now learn and adjust their technique in real-time. At the other end of the scale, robots are emerging as in-situ construction tools, achieving the dexterity to perform an active role in direct, on site fabrication challenges.
SmartGeometry
Computation and the use of computer as an intelligent design aid provide the focus for the SmartGeometry Group. It was formed in 2001 as a partnership between Practice, Research and Academia. Some of the world's leading architectural and engineering practices ( Foster+Partners, KPF, Arup, Buro Happold) and educational institutions (Architectural Association, MIT, Delft Technical University, University of Bath) are represented in its core organisation.
Geometry is one of many systems which are amenable to modeling. Architectural design as a process should, we maintain, exploit the new potential available in computing. To the new generations of architects mathematics and algorithms are becoming as natural as pen and pencil.
The activities of the SmartGeometry Group promote the emergence of a new generation of digital designers and craftsmen, who are able to expolit the combination of digital and physical media. The group’s interests range from parametric design and scripting to digital manufacturing.
Ubicomp - International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing
Ubicomp is the premier outlet for novel research contributions that advance the state of the art in the design, development, deployment, evaluation and understanding of ubiquitous computing systems. Ubicomp is an interdisciplinary field of research and development that utilizes and integrates pervasive, wireless, embedded, wearable and/or mobile technologies to bridge the gaps between the digital and physical worlds.
Related Journals
Advances in Building Energy Research (ABER)
Energy and Buildings is an international journal publishing articles with explicit links to energy use in buildings. The aim is to present new research results, and new proven practice aimed at reducing energy needs of a building and improving indoor environment quality.
It is published with the editorial support of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB)
Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing (AIEDAM)
Special Issue: Representing and Reasoning About 3D Space
This issue will survey the range of approaches to representing and reasoning about 3D space. It seeks practice-based contributions in spatial design domains such as architecture, urban planning and mechanical design; theoretical contributions from, for example, cognitive modelling; and technical approaches to the representation of space from CAD/CAM, CAAD and CAE. The intent is to provide common ground across this variety of disciplines and focus the discussion on specific factors that support a wide variety of design and engineering problem domains, so that representations and approaches can be usefully compared.
Building Simulation
An International Journal publishes original, high quality, peer-reviewed research papers and review articles dealing with modeling and simulation of buildings including their systems. The goal is to promote the field of building science and technology to such a level that modeling will eventually be used in every aspect of building construction as a routine instead of an exception. Of particular interest are papers that reflect recent developments and applications of modeling tools and their impact on advances of building science and technology.
Paper submission is solicited for the following five fixed sections:
A: Building thermal, lighting, and acoustics modeling
B: Building systems and components
C: Indoor/outdoor airflow and air quality
D: Architecture and human behavior
E: Advances in modeling and simulation tools
The above scope will develop as the field of building simulation evolves. Authors are encouraged to contribute papers from different angles of interest, making Building Simulation: An International Journal a dynamic channel and valuable resource for new scientific findings and engineering applications.
Archive: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1996-3599
Energy and Buildings
This annual volume brings together invited contributions from the foremost international experts on energy efficiency and environmental quality of buildings. Offering state-of-the-art information on the environmental science and performance of buildings, the journal also links new technologies and methodologies with the latest research on systems, simulations and standards.
Intelligent Buildings International (INBI)
Going beyond traditional engineering and architecture solutions, the Intelligent Buildings International (INBI) journal examines new methodologies and tools for intelligent buildings, smart materials and systems, and explores the wider context beyond theoretical foundations, linking practical solutions with philosophical or sociological considerations.
International Journal of Architectural Computing (IJAC)
Published quarterly.
The International Journal of Architectural Computing (IJAC) is a peer-reviewed publication created by ACADIA and its international sister organizations. This print and online journal is committed to deepening the understanding of digital systems for architectural design and technologies enabling their development.
Journal of Building Performance Simulation (JBPS)
JBPS is the official journal of the International Building Performance Simulation Association which is a non-profit international society of computational building performance simulation researchers, developers, practitioners and users, dedicated to improving the design, construction, operation and maintenance of new and existing buildings worldwide.
JBPS is an international refereed journal, publishing only articles of the highest quality that are original, cutting-edge, well-researched and of significance to the international community. The journal also publishes original review papers and researched case studies of international significance.
Journal of Industrial Ecology (JIE)
The Journal of Industrial Ecology is a peer-reviewed international journal owned by Yale University, published by Wiley-Blackwell and headquartered at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Industrial ecology is an emerging field that examines the flow of materials and energy at various scales as part of the study and pursuit of sustainable production and consumption.
Related Standards
CityGML
CityGML is a common information model for the representation of 3D urban objects. It defines the classes and relations for the most relevant topographic objects in cities and regional models with respect to their geometrical, topological, semantical and appearance properties.
LandXML
A specialized XML data file format containing civil engineering and survey measurement data commonly used in the Land Development and Transportation Industries.
gbXML - Green Building XML
gbXML was developed to facilitate the transfer of building information stored in CAD building information models, enabling integrated interoperability between building design models and a wide variety of engineering analysis tools and models available today.
IFC - Industry Foundation Classes
IFC can be used to exchange and share BIM data between different software applications used for design, construction, procurement, maintenance and operations. The data schema comprises interdisciplinary building information as used throughout its' lifecycle.
More information can be found at the IFC Wiki
Research Centers
CanmetENERGY
Natural Resources Canada's CanmetENERGY is the Canadian leader in clean energy research and technology development. With over 450 scientists, engineers and technicians and more than 100 years of experience, they are Canada's knowledge centre for scientific expertise on clean energy technologies.
As the largest energy science and technology organization working on clean energy research, development, demonstration and deployment, their goal is to ensure that Canada is at the leading edge of clean energy technologies to reduce air and greenhouse gas emissions and improve the health of Canadians. We are a leader in science and technology delivery within the federal government, serving as a provider and catalyst for a sustainable energy future for Canada.
Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) is dedicated to research, collaboration and outreach that lead us to workable solutions for the challenges of urban sustainability. When it opens in 2011, CIRS will be among the most innovative and high performance sustainable buildings in North America, demonstrating leading edge research and partnerships on sustainable design practices, products, systems and policies.
U.S Department of Energy
DOE's national laboratories offer extensive scientific and technical R&D expertise for new building technologies and improved building practices. DOE labs work to enhance energy efficiency nationwide by conducting advanced research, technology development and demonstration, market transformation, energy codes and standards modeling, and industry and consumer education.
Energy Systems Research Unit
The Energy Systems Research Unit (ESRU) was established in 1987 as a cross-discipline team concerned with new approaches to built environment energy demand reduction and the introduction of sustainable means of energy supply.
The team's belief is that options for energy demand and supply must be considered together if society is to attain significant levels of energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment.
The work of the team is divided between research, consultancy services, education & training and software distribution. Research activities cover a wide range of topics from global/local energy systems performance to indoor/outdoor health & comfort. Consultancy services include the laboratory testing of new products, the performance appraisal of proposed new designs or retrofits, and the field monitoring of energy systems in use. Education & training offerings include courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and training in modelling and simulation for practitioners.
Finally, the team supports a number of open source programs that may be used to examine the performance of traditional or new energy systems at all scales – from a large wind farm to a building-integrated photovoltaic component. ESRU is located within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
Simulation Research Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
The Simulation Research Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in Berkeley, California specializes in creating building energy simulation software such as EnergyPlus. EnergyPlus is a new-generation building energy simulation program based on DOE-2 and BLAST, with numerous added capabilities. Released in April 2001, the program was developed jointly by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Illinois, the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, GARD Analytics, Inc., Oklahoma State University and others, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs.
Associations
Zero Energy Commercial Buildings Consortium
A public/private consortium, working with DOE to develop and deliver technology, policies, and practices to achieve a market transition to Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings by 2030
Tutorials
DEVS Tutorial
This tutorial, first presented at SimAUD 2010, introduces DEVS (Discrete Event System Specification) for collaborative building simulation development.
Introducing DEVS - Presentation Slides (PDF) | (PPTX)
Introducing DEVS - Paper (PDF)
Illustrating System Entity Structure For Building Simulation
This SimAUD 2011 invited talk by DEVS inventor Bernard Zeigler describes how numerous simulation models, each contributed to a shared repository by the building simulation community, could be combined and used.
Illustrating SES - Presentation Slides (PDF) | (PPTX)
DEVS Standardization
Gabriel Wainer's presentation at SimAUD 2011 about collaborative modeling and simulation in practice using DEVS and modern network and computing technology.
DEVS Standardization - Presentation Slides (PDF) | (PPTX)
Last updated: Monday, December 21, 2015