SIMGIS : GIS FOR THERMAL SIMULATIONS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AUTHORS
Building simulation programs perform thermal simulations in a stand-alone scenario and, therefore, the resulting building automation is unable to handle a broad scenario of environmental changes. Due to the time needed for a building to react properly to short-term sudden weather changes, standard building automation is not enough to control energy consumption and thermal comfort efficiently: the sensors placed on the external envelop of a building provide information about weather changes too short in advance about weather changes. A meteorological station can inform in advance a group of buildings in an area about weather changes, but is unable, unlike a GIS, to identify the buildings which are really interested in the phenomenon and to send the weather changes information only to those buildings. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) has developed a new methodology to optimize building thermal performances by utilizing GIS, simulation, on line meteorological data and building automation.
Demonstration intelligent building—a methodology for the promotion of total sustainability in the built environment
The idea to relate intelligent building projects and demonstrations to total sustainability in the built environment is presented in this paper. By considering intelligent buildings in the spirit of built heritage conservation, future architectural and construction efforts can contribute toward emergence of durable buildings that are meant to enhance sustainability in the built environment. The promotion of intelligent and green technologies should be educational in nature, reaching out to a wide range of parties and allowing them to participate in the progress of the technologies. We propose an initiative to promote this process. We also examine two case studies of existing demonstration projects.
Beyond CAD: The Application of Computer Modelling and Visualization to Architectural Conservation
AbstractWithin this paper the author addresses the use of computer-aided design (CAD) in architectural conservation, and examines some of the factors that have hampered its more widespread adoption. After suggesting that such systems have little to offer if they are only considered as electronic equivalents to the drawing-board, consideration is given to newer CAD-based tools facilitating more effective communication. A description of the process of digital modelling using industry-standard software is followed by examples of such projects. The paper concludes with the assertion that professionals should now consider CAD as a means to achieving more broadly acceptable communication techniques.