Today, architectural design process is influenced by emerging generative/parametric design tools and advanced manufacturing technologies. Powerful computational tools can be used to produce variations in design while maintaining the dependencies and relations between iterations. Generative technologies, such as genetic evolution (GE) and performance driven form seeking, are used by architects to analyze and optimize early design solutions through parameter control.

Developments in information technology are providing methods to improve current design practices, where uncertainties about various design elements can be simulated and studied from the design inception. Energy and thermal simulations, improved design representations and enhanced collaboration using digital media are increasingly being used. This paper discusses research on the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for building performance simulations, integrated with the design process. Interoperability between BIM-based design and energy simulation tools can improve the workflow between design deliverables and analysis applications since the information contained in the BIM models can also be reused for analysis. However, it is essential to track what type of information is needed for a specific analysis and the appropriate modeling procedures. We demonstrate differences between BIM “design” and “analysis” models, and levels of detail that need to be incorporated during different design stages to streamline the integrated design and analysis process. We also review methods for data exchange between BIM and environmental analysis software. A case study from an architectural practice setting is discussed in order to illustrate types of questions, data exchange between design and analysis applications, analysis processes, and results that are obtained using BIMbased building performance simulation tools.

It is well known that occupant behaviour is a factor that affects a building’s energy performance. While a good deal of study and research has been done on residential energy use, less research has focused on the behaviour of commercial office occupants. This paper explores how occupant engagement, coupled with a web-based energy challenge, can help identify opportunities for energy consumption reduction in buildings and lead to changes in building operations. In a two-week energy competition using energy management software from PulseTM, more than 600 employees in seven offices were engaged in energy-conserving behavior that was aimed at reducing office energy use by ten percent per office. The primary theory tested within the study was whether an energy competition (focused on an electric car race) would be more compelling than simply displaying real-time information to building occupants. There were thousands of visits to the PulseTM competition webpage, with most visits occurring during the final week of competition. The competition resulted in some office locations achieving daily reductions of energy consumption of up to 40 percent. Overall, the competition saved more than two Megawatt hours of electricity. The study revealed that harnessing rivalries using an electric car race resulted in greater than anticipated energy savings. The observations and lessons learned may inform upgrades to existing buildings and also potentially inform energy systems design.

This paper discusses relationships between research, architectural design and technology with particular focus on the descriptions and activities of a practice-oriented architectural research program. The objectives of the program are to advance the performance of project designs, improve the decision-making process and to inspire innovation through systematic investigations of building performance and emerging building technologies. First, descriptions of the research program are discussed, such as research objectives and methodologies. Then, two case studies are reviewed that show relationships between architectural design and conducted research, illustrating how research results inform design decisions. The first case study focuses on the investigation of thermal comfort and exterior design elements for courtyard design. The second case study investigates energy consumption studies in relation to facade design.