Designers and architects are now relying more on software applications to identify optimizations that make designs more sustainable and resilient. Façade performance tools like FenestraPro provide users with the ability to understand façade performance and intuitively select the right solutions per project.
As passive design strategies and energy modelling become more advanced, designers need to continue their education and efforts to keep up with the rise in BIM technologies. We now offer four AIA courses to help designers learn more about passive design strategies, workflows for energy model analysis, and using the best glazing systems per design process.
Passive Considerations in Facade Design: How Energy Affects Building Performance
Optimal design decisions relating to the envelope are crucial to managing the energy performance of a building, particularly around passive design strategies of the façade. As the façade can affect more than 50% of the total end energy use of a building, understanding the implications of your design decisions helps mitigate project risk and cost.
This course will cover the effects of passive characteristics such as solar, thermal, and daylighting, and how these can be managed and optimized through decisions around geometry and materiality.
Users will learn the effects of solar, thermal, and daylighting considerations, including workflows to review and resolve Revit Energy Analysis model issues ahead of IES energy modeling. This course is only offered virtually for teams of architects, designers, and engineers.
Applying 2030 Palette Façade Design Strategies Within the Revit Environment
How we plan and design our built environment will determine whether climate change is manageable or catastrophic. The 2030 Palette is a database of sustainable design strategies used to achieve net-zero carbon and combat climate change. Aligned with Architecture 2030, the 2030 Palette provides designers with the necessary tools to create adaptive and resilient designs for the built environment.
In collaboration with the 2030 Palette, this course outlines how principles and strategies from the 2030 Palette are applied to the façade in both new and existing buildings at different design stages. This session covers the effects of passive characteristics such as solar, thermal, and daylighting on facade performance and how the facade can be optimized through design decisions around geometry and materiality.
Designers will learn how to apply passive design strategies to new and existing buildings to design more sustainable and resilient projects.
Effective Workflows for Dynamic Energy Modelling in Revit
Energy Analysis Models in Revit can be inflexible and not create space adequately. Performance can be slow and large models make analysis even more difficult to navigate.
However, we have created new workflows that can improve and resolve issues relating to the envelope, giving modellers dynamic feedback on their façade design decisions. These workflows will be discussed and demonstrated throughout the course.
Attendees will learn about common issues with the Revit Energy Analysis Model, calculate rapid envelope analysis, analyze the energy performance of a façade in real-time, and receive workflows for more resilient design decisions.
How Glass and Glazing Systems Affect Building Energy Performance
Glass has been one of the most important architectural materials for centuries. It is essential in delivering beautiful aesthetics, visibility, and light transmission to our buildings.
This course provides an overview of the considerations and implications of different types of glass and glazing systems, how these decisions have demonstratable impacts on the energy performance of a building, and how designers can optimize their selection in design and specification processes.
Designers will learn firsthand how software can intuitively select the right glazing system per building design and calculate thermal, solar, and daylighting considerations.
How To Register
Our courses can be found under AIA’s Continuing Education catalog online or under our Resources section on our website. We offer on-demand and live courses publicly and as Lunch and Learns for entire teams.
