What is EcoDesigner Star?

You can read a little more by clicking on this link, but here are the basics:

“EcoDesigner Star enables architects to use ArchiCAD’s building information model (BIM) directly as a building energy model (BEM). This ensures streamlined collaboration between designers and energy consultants. Furthermore, EcoDesigner Star offers standard-compliant energy analyses on the BEM and produces a detailed building performance report, all within the familiar ArchiCAD design environment.”

Want MORE Details?

Sure. Read this thread on the ArchiCAD-Talk Forum

There’s a lot of info, so I suggest you just skip around and read what Miklos Sved has to say. Who’s Miklos? He’s the product manager at Graphisoft for EcoDesigner since day 1. He shares some VERY interesting tidbits about the upcoming EcoDesigner Star (including what codes EcoDesigner Star is being validated for). I also really like what he has to say about Energy Analysis and building design:

“(I)n high school at gym class there are two kind of kids: Most only do the push-ups when the teacher’s watching. They’re only doing the exercise to pass the class. Then there are some kids who do the push-ups for themselves – to get fitter, stronger. They don’t care if the teacher’s watching or not. It’s the same with energy calculation. Most designers only do it to produce the required papers, but there are some who do it to actually design better buildings. Earlier versions of EcoDesigner and the Energy Evaluation feature in AC16 targets this (unfortunately smaller) group.

We have never found a case where EcoDesigner fails it’s original purpose: comparative evaluation. Every time you improve the building, the result gets better. It’s not for calculating the actual energy consumption – but yet again, none of the presently available high end simulation tools can do that for every building in every situation, either. There are simply too many variables (usage patterns, unexpected local climate patterns, natural currents, unforeseen HVAC behavior etc). Therefore, all standards execute some sort of performance rating after the energy consumption calculation – to put the result in perspective (compare it with a baseline case, local average, minimum required etc).”

What are your plans for 2013?

First, Sign up for the webinar. Then ask yourself: is 2013 the year you finally start incorporating energy usage into your design process? It should be. It’s time to accept the challenge.