Autodesk Eduction Community

This Lesson will focus on the façades of the main building of the campus using solar analysis tools as well as specifying conceptual materials, program, and usage. It will concentrate on the exterior envelope mainly in order to decrease solar gain, shade spaces, and learn more about how to lower energy usage.

Goals of Analysis

Energy analyses are a great way to get energy data and projections from a conceptual design before entering detailed design. The overall process is straightforward; set up global energy settings and test large scale schemes before fine-tuning forms or settling on major decisions. For example, create a solar radiation test of a tower’s shadow impact on the site while developing massing schemes and program placement. Then change or adapt the overall design based on the analysis before continuing into detailed design. 

Although energy analysis can be used on specific details further on in the design, it proves more valuable at early stages in the project that govern large scale decisions. Throughout the project keep a set of goals for energy use and design to maintain focus from conceptual design to the end.

Types of Analysis

This project will focus on two main types of analysis: program and energy use. These analyses should be done in whichever order or method is best for the project. Be specific to the goals of the project and focus on those results first. 

Space/Program

• Mass Floors / Schedules
• Measuring square footage and program size
• Create individual program zones
• Test different configurations

Energy Use

• Solar Radiation, Shadows, CEA
• Set Energy Settings and baselines for Conceptual Energy Analysis
• Use Sun Path and Solar Radiation analysis
• Explore Wind Rose  and Weather file overlays in Google Maps™
• Export Results and Animations
• Compare initial construction to life cycle costs

Why Use Conceptual Energy Analysis?

Conceptual Energy Analysis is a high-level analysis tool to deliver preliminary feedback and understanding of how the model created responds to site and climatic environment. This process can and should be used multiple times at different stages during the design process. It works for different scales but generates a set of data most relevant to comparing multiple design options of the same building. 

Enable Energy Modeling

In the Energy Analysis toolbar, click Enable Energy Model. This associates exterior walls with an energy envelope and glazing system to use for analysis. Once energy modeling is enabled, use the four different Energy Model Display modes to visualize and test different aspects of the model.

Energy Model Display Modes

Modeling, analysis, and model management all become easier when using the right display mode. The Energy Model Display Modes are different view and selection settings for working with the model. Under Analysis > Energy Display there are four different options: By View, Form, Surfaces, and Zones.

Show Mass Form

This option displays all mass instances and forms in all views, even if the mass category is turned off in Visibility Graphics. 

Show Mass Surfaces

Use this mode for changing conceptual constructions and other energy settings for individual mass surfaces (floors, slabs, walls, roofs, glazing, and skylights). Use Tab to cycle through and select different surfaces and objects individually. 

Show Mass Zones

For Conceptual Energy Analysis this displays individual mass zones. This allows selecting individual zones and editing unique settings.

Appropriate Level of Detail

During the modeling process, make sure not to be too detailed. Energy modeling for many of the quick analysis tools Autodesk® Project Vasari has to offer is best done at a very basic level first. Adding lots of detail takes more time for testing options that may not be used. Energy analyses are processor-heavy operations that are often rough results of many variables. Simple models simply work better.