Design Optimisation Making Rigorous Cost Benefit Simulations a Reality

This webinar first describes an innovative approach to aid the design process, using optimisation in a simulation tool to undertake rigorous cost-benefit analysis. Optimisation uses a genetic algorithm in a “survival of the fittest” process that mimics natural evolution. It can automatically find the strongest solutions that provide the best “trade-off” between cost, energy consumption and comfort for a given set of design criteria. Optimisation achieves this in a fraction of the time that traditional parametric or manual iterative simulation methods would take. This removes the time-related barriers associated with running large numbers of potential solutions ensuring that “no stone is left unturned” to improve confidence for both the designer and client in the final design. Fully informed decisions can then be made. After introducing optimisation fundamentals, we show you how DesignBuilder has been used for advanced cost-benefit analysis of building envelopes and other carbon, energy and cost savings in example projects.