CONCEPT DESIGN | AUTOMATION analyses of the worst-case space to understand how the required airflows would be perceived by the occupants and to look at the predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) and predicted mean vote (PMV) in multiple locations within the space. This exercise was very useful, as it shows the tools that we have created are working, and how we can further integrate them to develop a seamless workflow. Even with all these new technological shortcuts and the production of some great outputs, we are not yet close to finalising a design in a single day Aidan Kelly, BDP Stage 2 is the time for exploration of design options to enable the best solution. For environmental engineering and design disciplines to respond and inform development to architecture, automation is the name of the game. As a multidisciplinary practice, we embraced the challenge as an opportunity to test and expand how we use digital tools on projects. To speed along the initial BIM set-up, a series of Dynamo scripts were used to import the architectural information and ensure all the deliverable sheets and schedules were set up instantly within the Revit model. We then produced a quick visualisation of the building using Lumion. Something like this is extremely useful for MEP engineers to understand the architectural concept before providing an engineering design, and allows us to find answers to key questions: n What is the architects vision? n Are there ceiling voids or are services going to be on display? n Is there an atrium? n Are there any changes in level? n Are service zones likely to be large enough? n Can an alternative riser arrangement minimise the service zone and, potentially, increase ceiling heights or reduce overall building height? our outputs, and allows quality assurance processes to be implemented earlier, as much of the information is available up front. This workflow does, however, rely on a set of agreed tools being available, and may not be appropriate at later stages of Stage 2 when the design has progressed in some ways. A review of Bsrias BG6 to reflect modern working methods, digital engineering advances, existing processes and automation may be another area worth exploring to help integrate these processes into the wider industry. Events like this are a great way of raising the profile of new ways of working, and we all feel like we greatly benefited from both the design day and an evening of presentations and discussion. Lets do it again. CJ F rom the feedback we have received, we will be running this event again, and will be inviting anyone who wishes to participate. More information about how the teams got these results will be available at Build2Perform 2019 in November at Olympia. C ARL COLLINS is digital engineering lead at CIBSE The architectural information was then sent through an automated Excel-based calculation tool categorise rooms instantly within the architectural scheme, applying a basis of design template and quickly producing initial calculation outputs. This basis of design template incorporated rule of thumb information across mechanical, electrical and public health disciplines, as well as acoustic and lighting design considerations. With a summary of room and building loads estimates available to hand within minutes, data was then pushed back into Revit to produce an immediate set of shaded strategy plans, while plant loads were passed into the space allowances tool. This tool generates plant solutions based on loads and user-guided parameters, and the results were immediately imported in 3D directly into Revit. While these initial calculation and sizing activities were carried out, a parallel study of daylight, building orientation and faade optimisation was initiated using Grasshopper. This produced some instant visualisations of the impact of a changing form or orientation on the daylighting design, and also allowed for shadow analysis and incident solar gain. Further analysis on the building can happen in parallel, without disruption to the design process, as this can be repeated for any new building form or arrangement. Lessons learned Even with all these new technological shortcuts and the production of some great outputs, we are not yet close to finalising a design in a single day. But, by speeding up the time taken to produce Stage 2 deliverables, it enables us as designers to spend a bit more time interrogating 56 September 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Sep19 pp53-54, 56 Concept design.indd 56 23/08/2019 16:52