For years we have heard about buildings that use half the energy of conventional buildings, provide a superior indoor environment, and cost no more to build. These include offices, schools, mental health facilities, post offices, banks, churches, and houses. Detailed monitoring of several of these buildings confirms their excellent performance. Post-occupancy evaluations clearly indicate that occupants love these buildings.
People often comment on the delightful nature of their bright, daylit interior.
One answer is that they used to cost more to design. In addition, many architects lack the analysis tools required to accurately predict a building's comfort and performance before construction. The program uses a process called simulation, which means calculating in advance how the building will operate hour by hour throughout an entire year, using weather data recorded near the building site. For years, NASA has used simulation routinely to plan all of its space missions. Now building designers can use similar techniques to plan their buildings.