In this class, we will present the use of Autodesk CFD for a new building project with a goal for net-zero energy compliance. The building and construction industries are responsible for about 40% of the global energy use and about 30% of the global carbon emissions, contributing to climate change. Energy-optimized building design is one of the green building principles that, by 2030, could reduce the carbon footprint and achieve reduction of building-related emissions by 50%—and deliver net-zero buildings by 2050. In an endeavor to design energy-efficient buildings, adoption of new technologies for enhancing indoor environment quality, thermal quality, and lighting quality are imperative. And implementation of such technologies needs validation for performance. Modeling and simulation software such as Autodesk CFD could be used to estimate the performance of the built environment and compare different design decisions in order to realize the opportunity to reduce energy consumption and, therefore, carbon emissions.

This hands-on lab covers Autodesk® software workflows to quickly create 3D building models and perform conceptual energy analysis using existing building geometry, operational characteristics, and local weather data. Resulting energy reports can indicate which buildings perform poorly compared to modeled energy use; managers can then prioritize retrofits and renovations by evaluating various energy conservation measures. We examine use cases and workflows for each solution and use Autodesk® Green Building Studio® to explore potential energy savings and sustainable design alternatives. We also cover best practices, benefits, limitations, and workarounds of various modeling methods. We use examples of real projects, including a U.S Department of Defense project. Attendees get hands-on experience building 3D models of existing structures, running energy reports, and exploring design alternatives to save energy and water and reduce carbon emissions and operating costs in this hands-on lab.

One of the most difficult aspects of performing energy analysis on existing building projects is calibrating the simulated results from the energy model to the building's actual energy use. Accurate calibration depends on utility billing data or trended performance data from the Building Energy Management System (BEMS) being properly integrated into the energy model. To the novice, this process can easily double the modeling effort, killing a project’s budget. In the first part of this session, you will learn how to build a simplified energy model in Autodesk® Vasari Beta 1.0 software and calibrate the model to monthly utility data in Autodesk® Green Building Studio® web-based software. The second half of the class will cover how to calibrate the simulated results of the DOE2 energy model to the actual building’s energy performance as captured by a properly configured BEMS system. Both of these strategies will be covered in a case study on the Autodesk headquarters building in San Rafael, CA.

New subscription-based features in Autodesk Revit software provide significant enhancements to integrated whole-building energy simulation powered by the Autodesk® Green Building Studio® cloud service. This demonstration will highlight the automatic creation of accurate energy model geometry from detailed Revit software elements, such as walls, floors, roofs, windows, etc. This eliminates the time and effort required to rebuild a separate energy model, leaving more time for design iteration and optimization. This class will also show how other energy analysis data, such as thermal properties of building materials and building/space function, can be defined in Revit for use in the energy simulation and how the Autodesk Green Building Studio cloud service supports a more collaborative energy analysis process between architects and engineers, leading to greater accuracy and better design optimization from the earliest stages in the process. Finally, the extensive validation work conducted on this new feature will also be presented. While knowledge of Revit will be beneficial for attendees, it is not a requirement.

One of the unrealized promises of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been integrated energy analysis. Autodesk Revit software brings us one step closer to modeling every building, every time. The Autodesk 360 Energy Analysis for Revit service, powered by Autodesk® Green Building Studio® software, is the perfect tool to optimize load and 8760 energy calculations in project workflow. Full energy analysis does not require recreating an architectural model’s project geometry. Your firm can deliver better performing buildings, faster.

In this class you will learn how to set up your Revit software model for energy analysis within Revit and export out for analysis within Green Building Studio web-based energy analysis service. Learn where to go and what to do in order to set up the Building Information Modeling (BIM) information you need to generate a complete energy analysis. If we have enough time, we will look at Energy Analysis for Revit software from within the cloud.

We'll discuss using Revit energy modeling and Green Building Studio cloud-based service to improve sustainability and produce better buildings. This will include a demonstration of a custom Dynamo mass-making tool that translates a design intent spreadsheet into Revit masses. We'll introduce beginners to conceptual energy modeling and provide a step-by-step process guide, including useful hints and potential pitfalls. We'll use real-world examples to demonstrate our energy modeling process, and we'll include comparisons with other common energy modeling software to demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of Revit energy modeling.

The process of building detailed energy models with results that attain the levels of accuracy required by utility incentive and green certification programs is typically tedious and convoluted. In response, Autodesk has implemented new energy analysis features for Autodesk® Revit® MEP 2013 and Autodesk® Green Building Studio® software that alleviate some of the difficult and time-consuming aspects of energy modeling for both existing buildings and new construction projects. Using an energy model created to simulate the energy performance of the Autodesk San Rafael, California, headquarters, this class will walk you through the detailed energy modeling process and show you how to use these new features to save time and increase your productivity.

We tend to focus on designing and constructing new buildings, yet they represent only 2% of United States commercial buildings. Greening operations and maintenance (O&M) of existing facilities is critical, and more architecture, engineering, and construction professionals should be involved in the entire building lifecycle. The Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes and tools that we use for design and construction are essential to an O&M assessment and ongoing facility management. Revit®, Autodesk® Vasari, and Autodesk® Green Building Studio® all help with planning facility changes, in identifying heat islands, and for designing solutions. Whether a building model exists for a facility or not, point cloud data can be brought into Navisworks® to verify existing conditions. Cloud solutions from Autodesk, such as BIM 360™ Field help tremendously for verification, BIM viewing, and retro-commissioning. Come and learn how DPR Construction has approached BIM for the lifecycle.

Revit software and Insight software are getting popular among architects due to the rapid feedbacks on energy/daylight analysis when updating the design at the early stage. But how can we ensure the best results? How can we apply the methodology in detailed design phases and integrate the engagement from engineers? This class will present how Revit and Insight were used in designing a net-zero project in New York from concept development to construction document. See the rules and tips that the design/energy team concluded in building up the graphical model with proper system settings in Revit for promising analysis results from Insight and Green Building Studio. Learn why the team determined to use Insight for future high-performance projects after comparing the accuracy (reliable results), efficiency (time saved), versatility (controllable variables/outputs), and accessibility (quicker learning times) between Insight and the competing tools (that is to say, IES VE and Ladybug) in multiple design stages.

In this workshop, attendees will learn about the advantages of using and preparing BIM (Building Information Modeling) models (Revit software, ArchiCAD, Bentley), and then we’ll import the models into BPS (Building Performance Simulation) software (BIM 360 Insight software, Ecotect, Green Building Studio, Radiance, Design Builder, and so on) in an interesting and exciting practical session.

This session will provide an overview of 2 new Stormwater Modeling Solutions—Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) and AutoCASE software—that will help civil engineers and landscape architects design for the future. For decades cities drained stormwater with sewers, but these systems are fraught with pollution and flooding issues. In response cities have embraced a new “green infrastructure” approach to managing stormwater—partnering with developers to install absorptive rain gardens and green roofs to harvest water, filter pollutants, and provide a host of other social and environmental benefits. Autodesk, Inc., and its partner Impact Infrastructure have introduced these solutions to support this revolution. As green infrastructure is still a relatively new concept, GSI and AutoCASE software eliminate the learning curve by providing an easy way to design these techniques and analyze their benefits. This session features a case study on using GSI and AutoCASE software for the San Francisco Civic Center Historic District.

Discover decarbonization design strategies for building design, as well as a data-informed workflow for implementing these strategies to decarbonize the training Revit House. We’ll use Revit software, the Revit One Click plug-in, and One Click LCA to show you how to extract and manage quantitative and material data to measure the embodied carbon emissions associated with the design of the Revit House. After examining the results, and discovering the carbon hotspots, we’ll decide on appropriate decarbonization strategies, aiming for a 40% reduction in line with the World Green Building Council goal. We’ll then apply those strategies to the Revit House. Integration between Revit and One Click LCA has streamlined the data-informed workflow and provides carbon data when the designer needs it. The designer can use this data to make design decisions and subsequently deliver measurably lower carbon buildings.

This class will showcase new high-performance building design workflows from Autodesk, Inc., and their applications in the early design stages. We will explain and explore through the case study application current technology and new features in FormIt 360 software and Revit software. This class will cover processes and best practices for using conceptual analysis tools as integrated, iterative, and collaborative parts of the design process from a Design Team’s point of view. It is critical to use performance analysis tools early when aiming for high-performance design goals. New high-performance building design workflows are making analysis tools more accessible and easier to use earlier in the design process than ever before. Analysis tools can go a long way toward informing design decisions, saving time, and improving the usefulness and validity of your design.

Are you responsible for training your CAD users but feel overwhelmed by the task? Are you stymied by the problems associated with enforcing CAD standards? Does your management expect you to make your users more productive? In this class, we cover some strategies for combining standards development and enforcement with an in-house training program to solve all 3 problems at once while keeping your budget under control. We start by building your company training program via efficiency analysis, move into creating effective training materials, and then we give you some ideas for becoming a better instructor. Next, we talk about turning your training program into your standards program by using your own written and video files to build a virtual resource library. If you're responsible for creating a standards or training program, you can't afford to miss this class.

Many CAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) managers have little to no direct managerial authority over the staffers they support, yet they're still expected to get results. To make things worse, many times these managers are also engineers, architects, or designers working under severe time constraints while expected to remain billable. This discussion will focus on strategies for peer-to-peer interaction with users and project managers that can help you persuade people to comply with key CAD/BIM management directives like standards, file storage, training, and interdepartmental coordination. If you fit the peer-to-peer CAD/BIM-manager profile you're sure to pick up some solid ideas you can use immediately. And even if you do have full managerial authority, you can still benefit from using some of these collaborative and persuasive strategies. This class is designed for managers of multiple disciplines.

This course starts with the assumption that many CAD / Building Information Modeling (BIM) managers have little to no direct managerial authority over the staffers they support, yet they're still expected to get results. To make things worse, many times these managers are also engineers, architects, or designers working under severe time constraints while expected to remain billable. This course will present strategies for peer-to-peer interaction with users and project managers that can help you persuade people to comply with key CAD/BIM management directives such as standards, file storage, training, and interdepartmental coordination. If you fit the peer-to-peer CAD/BIM manager profile, you're sure to pick up some solid ideas you can use immediately. And even if you do have full managerial authority, you can still benefit from using some of these collaborative and persuasive strategies. This class is designed for managers of numerous disciplines.

You may have at times said to yourself, “We pay for modern software tools, hardware, implementation, and training, but I can’t help feeling that we aren’t getting all the productivity we should have.” In this session we’ll ponder why some companies succeed with new software while others flounder, and we’ll explore the key role the CAD/Building Information Modeling (BIM) manager can play in achieving the success that leads to high productivity. We’ll cover defining your CAD tools and finding technology accelerators, and we’ll also look at test piloting, training ladder methodologies, project management-based tool analysis, and the profound impact of mission management when implementing software. If you are responsible for CAD/BIM management, training, or project execution using CAD tools, you won’t want to miss this session.

CAD/Building Information Modeling (BIM) management requires a diverse set of management skills, but you already knew that. In this roundtable discussion we’ll examine proven strategies that successful CAD managers are using in a diverse range of industries. We’ll discuss problem identification, problem solving, user motivation, standards, senior-management support, budgeting, training-program justification, objection handling, and more as we move around the room to get perspectives from everyone. As the discussion progresses we will encourage all attendees to create their own inventory and prioritization lists so that they can create action plans they can use as soon as they get back from Autodesk University. This class is product agnostic, so don't worry about what discipline you support as a CAD manager. If you want to pick up some great tips from your peers and gain a fresh perspective on your CAD management duties, this class is for you.