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338 | ChApter 9 ConCeptual Design anD Design analysis

the severity of the curved edge will be affected. This exercise was just one example of the
almost limitless number of ways you can use parameters and components to drive conceptual
geometry. We’re going to use this mass family to explore conceptual energy analysis in the next
section.

energy Modeling

Understanding a building’s energy needs is paramount to helping the project become more
sustainable. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (www.eia.doe.gov),
buildings in the United States account for 30 percent of the world’s energy consumption and 60
percent of the world’s electricity use, making the United States the primary consumer of energy
in the world (Figure 9.23). This reality should inspire you to build responsibly and to think
about your design choices before you implement them.

Figure 9.23 Transportation
energy use in the 1%
united states
Industry
23%

Buildings
76%

U.S. Electrical Energy Consumption

The energy needs of a building depend on a number of issues that are not simply related
to leaving the lights on in a room that you are no longer using, turning down the heat, or
increasing the air-conditioning. Many of the components and systems within a building affect
its energy use. For instance, if you increase the size of the windows on the south façade, you
allow in more natural light and lower your need for electric lighting. However, without proper
sunshading, you are also letting in additional solar heat gain, so those larger windows are
increasing your need for air-conditioning and potentially negating the energy savings from
reduced lighting.
In exploring the use of energy in a building, you must consider all energy-related issues,
which is a good reason to use energy-simulation tools. These computer-based models use
climate data coupled with building loads, such as the following:
◆ ◆ The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system
◆ ◆ Solar heat gain
◆ ◆ The number of occupants and their activity levels

◆ ◆ Sunshading devices
◆ ◆ Daylight dimming
◆ ◆ Lighting levels

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