The Useful Lie: QA in Building Performance Simulation and the Quest for Code Compliance

At Building Simulation 2025, Michael will continue to develop the theme of QA in building performance simulation. His talk will explore the issue of appropriate use of building performance simulation across a range of fields. Informed by nearly 3 decades of using simulation in the teaching of architecture and building science students, the topic might best be phrased as: “have we progressed beyond Seattle in 1985? (Classes of over 300 students now use Radiance and EnergyPlus to explore design ideas dynamically).

He suggests we need to ask: is our modelling focus of use in design? Have our legitimate concerns about modelling users informatively, confused accuracy and precision? Have we provided yet a means for designers to understand and sketch quickly the interactions between the city, their site, and their design ideas? In optioneering, what difference in performance can we suggest to the design team is significant?