Simulation Models in Architecture Education

Abstract

Increased emphasis on promoting resource efficiency and improved occupant well-being in buildings requires the importance for design practitioners to be trained in the use of building performance simulation. The use of stimulation tools, nowadays, has a huge impact not only in building construction, but also in engineering and architecture education. Since the technology of computer technologies and stimulation tools as increased, they provided addition choices for designers and trainers. This is recognized by higher education where building simulation is now regularly taught in numerous programs in architecture and construction [Kumaraswamy, et al., 2015].Programs in areas like high-performance buildings, sustainable design, and building information management are using building simulation, computational modeling, and simulation for optimizing design and operation of buildings in terms of energy use and indoor environmental quality. Building performance has always been a matter of discussion between all levels of architects when it comes to energy performance and visual optimization.

Architectural schools, as the one of the most important steps of professional education in construction industry, have been now days reestablishing their curricula guidelines towards the direction of energy efficient design approach. Since the architectural industry has performed an enormous progress, the integration of sustainability and green energy into architecture education is needed in order to train the future generation of students. In order to reduce global warning the crucial step which should be taken is to educate future architects for a sustainable environment for the future. The stimulation tools provide an early evaluation of building performances in the early design stage. The most important issues in order to achieve high performance buildings are architecture practice and education. This paper attempts to indicate how the principles of the sustainable design and energy efficiency, play in the architectural education based on the actual technological developments. Exploring the simulation software in the analysis and optimization of the high performance building and systems plays a prominent role in architecture and design [Attia, 2010]. It adequately allows architects and engineers to evaluate, test, and respond to a variety of strategies. Using such software, design professionals have the potential to continuously study and predict how decisions will impact the performance of the building from the early phases of design, without significant investment in mockups or manual calculations. The aim is to scrutinize how to incorporate new simulation and modeling techniques at the design strategies in design studio education, thereby this can serve as a factor to perfect as a unified body of knowledge all the creation process, from very preliminary studies to the final product. The main focus of the study is the development of the building performance simulation delivery within an undergraduate program in Architectural Technology at Epoka University, AL. It reviews the lesson learnt from the Environmental Control Studio over the second year of the bachelor studies and the use of building performance simulation tools for energy efficiency and daylightingin, as well some approaches pointing to a better and more efficient use of this important but non implemented technology. How simulation applications are currently being embedded to influence architectural thinking is being

discussed. This paper provides insight into the challenges faced at an undergraduate level while using simulation in the context of teaching design. The goal is to provide future architects with, tools, knowledge, and procedures for integrated design and operation processes which lead to innovative design, a better energy use, a better indoor environmental quality, and enhanced critical thinking in terms of building performance. The current work is an essential step towards an integrated design and operation environment. The objective of the research is to analyze the role of computational models in architectural education and to with ways of introducing simulation through negotiated understandings that balance qualitative understandings with more experiential and conceptual design.