Let’s face it: nobody likes an energy hog. For building owners, energy performance isn’t just a checkbox on a form; it's a crucial factor that can make or break a budget. An inefficient building doesn’t just hurt the planet; it also drains your operational budget faster than a vampire at a blood bank. It’s all about making smart, informed decisions at every stage of the architectural process (IDEALLY EARLY).
Energy modeling isn’t something we slap on at the end for a bit of greenwashing cred. At Entropica, we believe in integrating high-quality energy modeling from the get-go. It’s like having a GPS for your building design—it helps guide every decision, from the big ones like the shape and orientation of the building, to the nitty-gritty details like window placements and mechanical systems.
Concept Design
A.K.A. the ideal moment to start talking about energy
Right from the start, energy modeling helps us test big design ideas with what we call "shoebox models." These simplified versions of the building help us figure out the most efficient shape and size for your project. It’s not just about how the building looks, but how it sits on the site, how it faces the sun, and how it plays nice with the environment.
The earlier, the better. Seriously.
Schematic Design
As we move into Schematic Design, we dive deeper. This is where we start testing detailed elements like window placements and thermal zoning strategies—basically, how to keep the storage rooms from feeling like saunas while keeping the offices nice and cool. We also take a hard look at different mechanical systems—geothermal, VRF, rooftop systems—you name it, we model it. By analyzing these systems in conjunction with life cycle cost analyses, we find solutions that hit the sweet spot between performance and budget.
Design Development
By Design Development, we’re fine-tuning. This is when we refine all those great ideas from Schematic Design and start making concrete decisions about products and systems. From window treatments to HVAC choices, we use energy modeling to ensure every element of the design maximizes efficiency without sacrificing comfort or breaking the bank.
Contract Documents
When we hit the Contract Documents phase, we’ve already put in the work to make sure the design is top-notch. But energy modeling doesn’t stop there. It’s used to validate every choice we’ve made to ensure that, once built, your building performs exactly as promised. And to keep things running smoothly, we might bring in a commissioning agent early on to double-check everything and prevent any post-opening surprises.
Now, let’s tie this back to what we do at Entropica. We’re all about making sustainable design practical and accessible for architecture firms. Whether you need us for a specific simulation or want a retainer to handle all your energy modeling needs—from thermal comfort and daylight analysis to radiation studies—we’ve got you covered.
By partnering with us, you get all the expertise without the overhead of an in-house specialist.
We’ll help you optimize your building designs to be energy-efficient and comfortable, cutting down on waste and making sure your projects stand out for all the right reasons.
Comments