Experience of using building simulation within the design process of an architectural practice

This paper documents work that follows on from a previous study [Morbitzer et al 2001] on the implementation of a simulation-tool into an architectural practice at outline design stage. The use of simulation is now pervasively and routinely undertaken by designers within the company to evaluate energy and environmental performance of their design concepts. The paper documents the changes to the interface, based on the feedback from designers. It includes a case study of how these improvements have impacted on the degree-of-use of  the  simulation- tool by designers, the impact of the tool on  the design process and the design  outcome,  a discussion on the development of the  simulation- tool, and the issues facing the architectural practice with use of simulation.