The American Institute of Architects is preparing a “Practitioner’s Guide for Integrating Energy Modeling in the Design Process (EMPG) for publication in June of 2012. The AIA is currently seeking input from architects, engineers, academics and other qualified industry experts and interested parties with a working knowledge of energy in the design process, energy modeling, and high performance and/or integrated project delivery, to participate in peer review of this document.
If you would like to be included in the AIA’s peer review of the AIA Energy Modeling Practice Guide , please email the AIA at energymodelingguide@aia.org and request to be added to the Peer ReviewList.
The EMPG peer review period will begin by the end of the week of March 5th , 2012 and continue for three weeks, ending on Friday, March 30th. An email notice will be sent to all parties registered with a draft of the guide, the comment submittal form and more detailed instructions regarding the peer review process when the peer review period is opened during the week of March 5th .
Peer reviewers will also be asked to complete a survey of energy modeling tools as part of peer review. The result of this survey will also be included in the EMPG when published.
The American Institute of Architects “Practice Guide to Integrating Energy Modeling into the Design Process” has been developed to help bridge the gap between what architects and most engineers call ‘Design’ and what energy modelers call ‘Geometry’. In many instances architects, engineers, energy modelers and our clients all speak different languages regarding the same subject. As the project design leader, who but the architect is best suited to manage the increasing complexity of high performance building design that includes energy as an equal design consideration? Architects need to feel empowered to know more on the subject of energy; what questions to ask, from initial project scope, through effective and ongoing team management, to communicate effectively on the subject and provide collaborative design leadership. To do this architects must take the time to gain a better understanding of assumptions and variables related to energy modeling, and a stronger knowledge of the appropriate tools and technology in the market that allow design teams to address energy through energy modeling early and throughout the design process.
The document being issued for peer review in March of 2012 represents the *AIA Energy Modeling Working Group’s* best efforts to communicate this subject matter to architects and all members of the AIA family. It is the intent of the working group that this guide serve as a seminal document for AIA members to better understand the value, complexity and fun of embracing energy as a design topic, no matter what type of work you do. We hope this document, when published will encourage and empower architects to better understand how to incorporate energy modeling early and often in the design process.
For more information about the EMPG go to: http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB090178