Energy Performance Modelling: Introducing the Building Early-stage Design Optimization Tool (BeDOT)

Aiming to aid the design process of buildings, their mechanical systems and materials from the perspective of building performance this paper presents the Building Early-stage Design Optimization Tool (BeDOT), a new set of tools for building early-stage design analysis, currently focused on energy performance modelling. The tool, programmed in Python and built upon ISO 13790:2008, has been implemented within Rhino/Grasshopper interface, which opens many possibilities for result visualization and optimization, besides easy geometry editing.BeDOT has been developed focusing on modularity, flexibility, fast processing and on the constant and unlimited cooperation of professionals. BeDOT has been tested against IDA-ICE for over 800 cases. Energy results lie within a range of 15% accuracy, with a slight tendency towards underestimation. Also, BeDOT has shown a better efficacy in the process of modelling buildings from geometry to results. The tool shows faster processing as well as a clearer path to build the geometry and attach information to every zone of the building(s). BeDOT’s process and accuracy are suitable for early design stages. Further development is needed to improve the handling of data and the program’s user-friendliness