FRIENDLY INTERFACE AND DATA TRANSFER FOR ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING DESIGN OPTIONS AT SKETCH DESIGN STAGE “ENERGYSAVE” A.Bennadji 1 , N.M.Bouchlaghem 1 , D. Loveday 1 , M.Holmes 2 , J. Shaffery 2 and R.Van Zyl 3 A.Bennadji@lboro.ac.uk , N.M.Bouchlaghem@lboro.ac.uk , D.L.Loveday@lboro.ac.uk , michael.holmes@arup.com , Joseph.Shaffery@arup.com , robert.vanzyl@amec.com 1 Department of Civil and Building Engineering Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK 2 Arup Research & Development, 13 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 4BQ, UK 3 Amec Capital Projects, Warwickshire, CV37 9NJ, UK ABSTRACT: At present, during the early design stage of a building, different options are assessed using simple tools (tables, graphs and software) that contain a large number of assumptions the very nature of which can bias choice or possibly lead to an inappropriate solution. It can be argued that the only way to provide a rational assessment of options is to use calculation methods that represent in detail the physical processes involved; this usually involves the use of dynamic thermal models. Furthermore if this tool is also used during detailed design it would introduce a consistency that is normally absent from the analytical design process. Many designers are of the opinion that, because not all details are known, then such tools are not suitable for application at early stages in the design. This view can be challenged because, even at the concept stage, a great deal is known about a building. This project aims to show that a general description of the building can be used to generate sufficient data to drive a valid analysis using a detailed thermal model at the early sketch stage of the design process. The paper describes the philosophy, methodology and the interface developed to achieve this aim. The interface guides the user through the input process using a series of screens giving options for keywords used to describe the building; comprehensive default data built into the software are then attached to these keywords. The resulting data file is a building description that is the best possible interpretation of the design intent. This can then be used to assess options and guide towards a final design. Whilst naturally ventilated buildings are currently considered to be the ideal solution to low energy design there remain a large proportion of buildings for which air conditioning offers the only practical solution. This project is intended to provide a means to assess design options for such buildings at a very early stage in the design and in particular address the selection of the most appropriate system. The form of the interface is still developing and while it has been demonstrated to designers no third party tests have yet been carried out. KEYWORDS Architecture, Engineering, Energy, Assessment, Sketch stage, Design process, Data transfer and XML.