Autodesk and IES Partnership offers mainstream tools which enable true sustainable design

Revit BIM platform now linked directly to IES’s building analysis software

World-leading building performance analysis software provider, Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), has been chosen by Autodesk to provide robust building performance analysis capabilities to the Revit platform for building information modelling (BIM). This significant partnership will greatly facilitate the sustainable design process by allowing Revit users easy access to IES’s <Virtual Environment> analysis tool.
For decades simulation software tools have been available to assist the design of energy efficient buildings, but these have been difficult to use and sat separately to CAD models, thus limiting their usability. The tight integration of the Revit building information model and IES’s suite of building performance analysis tools, the <Virtual Environment> targets these challenges. It provides an easy way for architects and engineers to seamlessly assess a building’s performance straight from the building information model without having to recreate the building geometry.
This direct link means the user can run a variety of analyses, without needing specialised skills, separate analysis packages or separate models for each analysis. Greatly increasing the quality and speed of the technical feedback, this development enables building designers to examine the implications of alternative design strategies at the touch of a button and use the tools for sustainable design rather than just plant sizing.
Such data empowers architects and engineers by allowing them to make more informed design decisions through a greater understanding of the complex thermal, light and airflow interrelationships within their design. Physical, climatic and environmental factors can all be taken into account, as can energy use, lighting and materials. These comprehensive analysis capabilities minimise risk, ensure higher operational efficiency and optimise building performance.
“The Industry has been waiting years for this development,” stated Dr Don McLean, Founder and Managing Director of IES Limited. “Good sustainable design requires an understanding of how a building will perform and this partnership brings architects and engineers the tools they need to truly embrace this concept. As Government’s around the globe implement new building regulations that mandate sustainable design the widespread adoption of these types of new design practices must take place.”
“The design of more sustainable and energy efficient buildings is key to mitigating the impact of global warming and to decreasing building operation costs. A critical part of Autodesk’s further development of building information modeling is to expand the ability for our customers to conduct multiple types of analyses on their building information model,” said Jim Lynch Vice President of Marketing, Autodesk AEC Solutions. “Building performance analysis will help architects and engineers design more sustainable buildings and we’re excited to partner with Integrated Environmental Solutions to bring these capabilities to the Revit platform.”

Email: edwinac@thinktank.org.uk