eQUEST energy modeling overview

A major goal of this project is to explore methods that can be used to create beautiful and functional energy-efficient buildings. With this goal in mind, we have used eQUEST (DOE2) to quantify the energy performance characteristics of all design alternatives. This means that energy modeling has been used from the beginning of the design process to inform critical design decisions. ProjectX explores the integration of cutting-edge quantitative energy modeling tools into the traditional architectural design process, however the information gained from this approach is not the only factor guiding our design decisions.

Energy modeling has been used in three distinct phases as part of our design process:

1. Preliminary building Shape Study

2. Discrete parametric modeling of design alternatives

3. Cascaded parametric modeling of design alternatives

Preliminary building shape study

A beginning building form grew, in part, out of the information gained from the preliminary building shape study (see 2/15/09 and 2/20/09 posts). The building was refined and set to comply with the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G to form the "Base Case" eQUEST energy model.

Discrete parametric modeling

A series of design alternatives were parametrically modeled and evaluated against the base case model. These discrete parametric runs have been used to steer numerous design decisions.

Cascaded parametric modeling

A final eQUEST model has been created that is based on information gained from the discrete parametric modeling process. The design alternatives that have been selected and incorporated into the final schematic design are cascaded over the base case in order to estimate whole building performance.