# Building Information Modelling and Energy Simulation for Architecture Design
## 1 Introduction  
The large-scale diffusion of building information modelling (BIM) tools for architecture has led to an enormous evolution of these digital means [1]. Today, it includes multiple functions capable of carrying out numerous analyses (e.g., structural, energy, metric-estimative, etc.) on a single virtual model of the building. In particular, some aspects, e.g., energy ones can be implemented by using a monitoring system connected to the BIM. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [2] proposed an application of Building Information Modelling in establishing the 'BIM based Energy Management Support System' (BIM-EMS) to assist individual departments within universities in their energy management tasks. They installed sensors for occupants and other equipment such as electricity sub-meters that constantly logging consumption, and developing BIM models of all rooms within individual departments' facilities, data warehouse, building energy management system that provides energy managers with various energy management functions, and energy simulation tools (such as eQuest). In addition, [PERSON] et al. [3] integrated BIM with a Real Time Power Monitoring (RTPM) System, and [PERSON] et al. [4] presented a prototype of BIM-based Baseline Building Model (B3M) for ageing commercial buildings. When the aim is not the real-time monitoring and there is not an existing building or the possibility to install sensors and other devices, it is necessary to use energy simulation tools and connect them with the BIM. Although BIM software is technologically advanced and able to best meet the needs of professionals in various applications, the energy simulation function needs many improvements. Some researches started to investigate the topic of the \"green dimension\" [5]. Indeed, to optimize the design in terms of energy efficiency, it could be useful that the energy simulation phase be carried out in meantime with the development of the project [6]and to make choices based on intermediate calculations, and therefore constantly modify the project until the objectives are achieved [7]. To do this, it is often necessary to build another digital model, called BEM (Building Energy Model), or implement the BIM model with all the information needed for energy simulation (occupation of the rooms, calculation of thermal bridges, analysis based on hourly climate data, etc.) [8]. The main issue is the lack of bidirectional interaction between the two models. Furthermore, one of the main issues is data transmission. For this reason, BIM for energy simulation is often used only for early design step [9]. The aim should be to work with a unique model [10]. In last decade, many researchers presented studies on BIM's application in energy analysis and simulation [11] and proposed solutions for the interoperability between BIM and energy simulation tools [12]. Some of them developed tools to integrate BIMs. [PERSON] et al. [13] evaluated the possibility of integrating a thermal load prediction metamodel to building information models to facilitate the data exchange process. To do this, they developed a tool to validate the viability of this integration using gbXML, and it was submitted to validation tests. [PERSON] et al. developed an extension for OpenStudio able to transform building information models represented in Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) files into building energy analysis models in the OpenStudio data format. [PERSON] et al. [14] developed and presented a new tool called ABEMAT (Automated Building Energy Modelling and Assessment Tool), able to make the building energy simulation using BIM automatic and to give fine-grained outputs. It receives a gbXML file and provides users with the amount of heat transfer through each building envelope element. [PERSON] et al. [15] developed and validated a library for BIM for the building energy simulation (ModelicaBIM library) using an Object-Oriented Physical Modeling (OOPM) in the scope of the building envelope.