My first week interning in SBE was filled with hands-on learning of Better Building (previously known as ‘Speckel’) software operations, and using this application, I have to be able to produce a J1V3 and daylight factor simulation. Both of these parameters are simulated so I can input them for a Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) Assessment. For this week’s hands-on, I was given an art school assessment project. This is an exciting opportunity for me to be able to assess class 9b building’s sustainability principle from the start of the project.
The process of building 3D geometry in BB felt different to the other 3D drawings or CAD tools I have previously used. In the way that in BB, I need to draw every geometry according to their use in the model from the start and there are no features to directly draw into the 3D model, meaning everything has to be done in 2D and then projected into 3D using other features. In my opinion, this feature minimises geometry or node error (which is mostly caused by human) by far compared to other modelling software, albeit, difficult to pick up in the start for me.
The simulations that BB produced looked intuitive, as can be seen below:
It really streamlined the whole simulation-to-compliance workflow that has been a tedious process. Judging from this project alone, I am excited to explore more about BB capability.
Finally, after these simulation results came out, I inputted them to BESS. Here, the sustainability aspect of the building will be scored. Another thing to mention is, we also need to assess the stormwater management. I learnt Blue Factor tool to produce this result:
A Few things that became my lesson learnt for this first week:
1. For building fabric, always start with simple model, assign typical U or R-value first (for each building element) for different scenarios. Then later iterate using real world product catalogue after the result show compliance
2. The same principle goes for the HVAC system, set up simple connections, and as the project goes, adjust the COP or other variables
I will continue to assess the building using the BESS tool (and perhaps explore ways to further optimise its performance and then learning to operate the bluefactor tool for stormwater management. Excited to learn more at SBE.
muhammadrayhan.faturrahman@student.unimelb.edu.au