# Building Information Modelling and Energy Simulation for Architecture Design
## 6 Application of the Methodology on an Existing Case Study
### Case Study Modelling
The delimitation required the modification of the perimeter walls of the housing: The walls that previously bordered other apartments, in solid bricks, were transformed into cavity walls bordering the external environment, as is already the case for the rest of the construction. The modelling process was conducted on the basis of two-dimensional graphic references (plans, sections, elevations) produced through the redesign of the project drawings and the verification of the relative congruence (between plan and section, for example); the modelling phase was conducted, as required by BIM, specifying the material and construction characteristics of the individual elements and also the parameters useful for the energy simulation. An accurate BIM model of the building, defined in its architectural-construction aspects, was developed. From the model, it is possible to extract plans and sections, or inspect the building in three-dimensional views. To export the model from the Building Information Model (Figure 9) and to import it into the Building Energy Model, it is necessary to create the thermal zones to which each room is assigned. This operation, easy and immediate from an operational point of view, requires particular attention from a conceptual point of view. For the Stirling building, 7 thermal blocks were identified (Figure 10), one for each of the 6 apartments, and one for the common areas. The thermal block referred to an apartment, contains within it as many thermal zones as there are rooms that compose it. Indeed, all the rooms are heated by the same system and therefore share the same internal temperature. Furthermore, since this is a residence, the occupancy will also be homogeneous throughout the apartment. Figure 9: Navigable virtual model, view of the main front. Common areas do not have any type of heating and have a different occupancy profile from that of the apartments. After verifying the correct definition of the Building Energy Model, it is possible to proceed to enrich its information content. The operations carried out within the three EcoDesigner STAR tabs are: Thermal Blocks, Structures, and Openings. Within the thermal block section, it is possible to modify the operation profiles of each thermal block with related heating and ventilation systems, to determine, during the calculation phase, the thermal inputs deriving from external and internal factors. The analysis on the operation profiles was calibrated on the basis of a typical English family. The schedules were set including the differentiation of the types of use over the different seasons and working and non-working days. To identify the period of operation of the heating system, the graphs on the climatic data generated by the software were examined. It is thus determined that the apartment is inhabited for a few hours a day during work and school days and that, consequently, systems, lights, and appliances will be active for a few hours. On the other hand, the occupation during non-working days is different, when the apartment is occupied for most of the day, generating a more intensive use of systems, lights, and appliances. A deep study made it possible to trace in detail the characteristics and technical data sheets of the elements that compose it (Figure 11). Similarly to the operation profiles setting, heating and ventilation systems must be assigned to each thermal block. Figure 11: Schedules of the operation profiles. Note how the occupation of the houses changes between working and school days (**left**) and non-working days (**right**) within the period of the year in which the heating is activated. Figure 10: Graphic visualization of the Building Energy Model (BEM) model with chromatic distinction of the thermal blocks. EcoDesigner STAR, as already specified above, does not provide for the insertion of the heating system terminals (radiators); therefore, only the parameters relating to the boiler (nominal power and flow and return temperatures) and the production of domestic hot water have been entered.