Integrated model supporting environmental performance simulations in the early stages of building design

Recent researches propose the integration of performance analysis to early stages of the design process in order to obtain the building´s best final performance (Kolarevric; Malkawi, 2005; Holzer, 2010; Oxman, 2007). Thus, choosing the appropriate set of solutions and digital tools to develop this task is of high complexity and responsibility. The main objective of this paper is to identify and characterize the evaluation of different performances in social housing design stage, through the development of a model containing appropriate abstractions, for the representation of valid and accurate analytical data as inputs and outputs to specific simulations. This study was developed as field study involving experts in the area of thermal comfort, acoustic comfort, lighting comfort, materials conservation, water conservation and accessibility. The results show strengths and difficulties for integrating performance analysis focusing the information modelling and interoperability between computational simulations. A sequence for performing simulations considering inter-influences is proposed. This paper contributes with the characterization of the ideal information model to be use in different simulation tools, during the design stage of social housing solutions; promoting quality improvement related to social housing and the use of BIM (Building Information Modeling). Therefore instigating the increased use of simulation tools and information technology in construction during the design process.