| 2002 Design Guide | 2003 BAPP | 2005 NWA | 2005-2007 IBECS | 2008 China |

2005 Energy Modeling Tools Assessment for Early Design Phase Northwest Alliance for Energy Efficiency Principal Investigator : Prof. Khee Poh Lam In this project sponsored by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, we developed a matrix of evaluation applicable to early design conditions and tested 5 modeling tools. The selected tools were Ecotect, Energy Scheming, eQuest, Green Building Studio and TAS. An experiment encapulating the typical design conditions, complexities and informational needs was developed and used to test the 5 tools. There was also participation from practioners to better solicit industry concerns and needs. The findings in this project is expected to help in the development of practical, useful modeling tools that assist architects in achieving quality, value-adding design.    Level of detail (LOD) typical of early conceptual design   Negotiation between different geometric semantics   Abstractions/Additions required for thermal model Spatial Complexity   Varying volume heights, atriums, halls, foyers   Varying floor levels, sloped floors/roofs   Self-shading Thermal Zone Complexity   Contiguous spaces   Varying construction, schedules & gains   Combinations of sun and wind exposure eQuest Green Building Studio Ecotect TAS Energy Scheming Updated 18 November 2008, YC Huang.