Building Design Advisor
Software environment that supports the integration of multiple building models and databases used by analysis and visualization tools, through a single, object-based representation of building components and systems. BDA (Building Design Advisor) acts as a data manager and process controller, allowing building designers to benefit from the capabilities of multiple analysis and visualization tools throughout the building design process. BDA is implemented as a Windows-based application. The current version includes links to a simplified Daylighting Computation Module (DCM), a simplified Electric lighting Computation Module (ECM), and the DOE-2.1E Building Energy Simulation software. Screen Shots
Keywords
design, daylighting, energy performance, prototypes, case studies, commercial buildings
Validation/Testing
N/A
Expertise Required
Knowledge of Windows applications.
Users
More than 800.
Audience
Architects and engineers, in early design phases.
Input
Graphic entry of basic building geometry and space arrangements. Default descriptive and operational characteristics can be edited by user.
Output
User-selected output parameters displayed in graphic form, including 2-D and 3-D distributions.
Computer Platform
PC-compatible, Windows 95/98/NT/2000, 120 megabytes of hard disk space.
Programming Language
C++
Strengths
Allows comparison of multiple design solutions with respect to multiple descriptive and performance parameters. Allows use of sophisticated analysis tools from the early, schematic phases of building design. Does not require user to have in-depth knowledge to use linked tools for energy, daylighting and other analyses.
Weaknesses
Cannot model sloping roofs and complex 3-D geometry. The current version provides a limited database of options for building components and systems but a separate tool is available upon request to define custom components.
Contact
Company: |
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |
Address: |
Mail Stop 90-3111 |
Telephone: |
(510) 486-6854 |
Facsimile: |
(510) 486-4089 |
E-mail: |
|
Website: |
Availability
Version 3.0 Beta 1 available for download from the web site.