At the buzzing Greenbuild 2014 event in New Orleans, Autodesk has unveiled some exciting new tools and apps designed to support sustainable design practices. These innovations aim to strengthen the business case for environmentally friendly architecture by offering building and infrastructure project teams advanced tools to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of green initiatives.
Autodesk's latest offerings on Autodesk Labs include:
- Three groundbreaking apps that assist project teams in justifying sustainability strategies through cost analysis.
- Two new apps enhancing the seamless integration of Building Performance Analysis (BPA) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows for both Autodesk Revit and Autodesk FormIt users.
"Our goal is to equip architects and engineers with the best tools possible, enabling them to design structures that perform at their peak," said Emile Kfouri, Director of Building Performance Analysis at Autodesk. "By integrating performance analysis into the design process, teams can make smarter choices early on, aligning with our mission to make sustainability straightforward, insightful, and budget-friendly."
For more information on accessing these capabilities, check out the "Availability" section below.
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### Empowering Sustainable Design Through Cost Analysis
Autodesk is launching three applications to help building and infrastructure teams assess the financial impact of eco-friendly design:
#### Energy Cost Range (ECR)
The Energy Cost Range tool, accessible via Autodesk Labs, provides a straightforward indicator of a project's potential energy usage, comparing it against the Architecture 2030 benchmark. This tool also highlights key influencing factors like insulation levels and glazing types. Within Revit, a customizable dashboard named Project Solon offers deeper insights into how various design elements interact to affect building performance. While default configurations based on ASHRAE standards are available, users can tailor simulations for more precise outcomes. ECR has evolved significantly, now leveraging DOE2 simulations from both the building model and pre-computed simulations for enhanced accuracy.
"Designers can feel confident in their analyses thanks to this range-based approach," remarked Emma Stewart, Head of Sustainability Solutions at Autodesk. "It fosters meaningful discussions between teams and stakeholders while minimizing risks tied to operational variances."
#### Project ECMFin
This technology preview, also found on Autodesk Labs, lets users run detailed financial analyses on energy-saving measures. By comparing different scenarios based on metrics like Net Present Value, payback period, and ROI, Project ECMFin helps create compelling business cases for retrofits or new builds.
#### AutoCASE
Coming soon to Autodesk Labs, AutoCASE automates triple-bottom-line cost-benefit assessments for low-impact stormwater management within AutoCAD Civil 3D and InfraWorks 360.
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### Bridging BPA and BIM Workflows
Two additional apps enhance collaboration between BPA and BIM workflows:
#### Solar Analysis Plugin for Revit
Revit users now have access to a Solar Analysis plugin that calculates solar exposure using annual hourly climate data from Autodesk's Climate Server. This tool aids in optimizing building envelopes and maximizing solar panel efficiency.
#### EnergyPlus Cloud Service
Leveraging EnergyPlus’s advanced energy modeling capabilities, Autodesk is introducing a cloud-based service that processes models up to 10 times faster than traditional desktop methods.
To learn more about these tools, visit [www.autodesk.com/sustainabilitysolutions](http://www.autodesk.com/sustainabilitysolutions), stop by Autodesk’s booth (#939) at Greenbuild, or explore our training sessions at [autode.sk/greenbuild2014](http://autode.sk/greenbuild2014). Additionally, try our free online courses on high-performance building design, approved for USGBC and AIA credits.
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### Availability
Access to the new features in Energy Analysis for Revit and Green Building Studio requires an active Desktop or Maintenance Subscription to relevant Autodesk suites. Features like Energy Cost Range and Project Solon will automatically download upon clicking the "results and compare" button in Revit. Project Solon is currently available only in English, and Energy Cost Range outputs costs in US dollars.
For those eager to dive into the latest apps from Autodesk Labs:
- Energy Cost Range (ECR): [Link]
- Project Solon Dashboards for Revit: [Link]
- ECM Finance Calculator (ECMFin): [Link]
- AutoCASE: Coming Soon [Link]
- Solar Analysis Plugin for Revit: [Link]
- EnergyPlus Cloud: [Link]
Please note that these apps are currently intended for non-commercial preview and evaluation, subject to the applicable End User License Agreements (EULA).
This suite of tools represents just one step forward in Autodesk’s commitment to making sustainable design both practical and impactful.
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