Sustainability Community

Autodesk have this pretty cool web site/community on Sustainability where you can access free online resources that teach the principles and practises of sustainability in design and engineering. It not only can teach you the principles of sustainability  and design but also the tools available from Autodesk.

"At Autodesk, we think of designers as anyone who intentionally shapes our world. Whether you are an engineer or educator, an entrepreneur, designer, or maker, you have a place in the design-led revolution. This revolution is driven by new ways to work, create, and respond to today’s most pressing challenges. Autodesk offers tools, insights, and resources to help all designers create more sustainable designs for a better world."

I think these tools are being underutilised in the Architectural design community. As part of the design process we can now incorporate such things as:

• Energy Literacy and Building loads
• Climate Analysis
• Sun and Shadow Study
• Solar Radiation
• Whole Building Energy Analysis
• Wind and Airflow Analysis
• Daylighting

Check out the Autodesk Sustainability Community and see what is available to make your designs sustainable. We all need to do our part for the environment and by using these tools you can also set yourself apart from your competition and show your clients that Architecture can truly become a part of the environment.  

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Building Performance Analysis Certification

I just completed the online Building Performance Analysis Certificate through the Building Sustainability Workshop offered by Autodesk online.

"The Autodesk Building Performance Analysis (BPA) Certificate Program is a free online, self paced education program for Students, educators and professionals that will help improve your knowledge of building science fundamentals and Autodesk building performance analysis tools."

As part of the BPS course you not only learn about  building science but also hands on exercised using the Autodesk sustainability tools such as Revit, Green Building Studio and Vasari. I even used Project Falcon to analyze the affects of the prevailing winds on a building.

The program walks you through a tutorial on a specific subject followed by a short quiz and/or a exercise using one of the above mentioned software. This is a great introduction to these tools if your not already familiar with the tools or the subject. 

If you are already knowledgeable on the subject and are using the tools go ahead and get certified and add your name to the Certified BPA database.

Items covered in the BPA are:

• Introduction to Building Performance Analysis
• Energy Literacy & Building Loads
• Climate Analysis
• Sun & Shadow Studies
• Solar Radiation Analysis
• Whole Building Energy Analysis
• Wind & Airflow Analysis
• Daylighting

So now I'm BPA Certified!

Check it out, especially if your a student or a Revit Tech wanting ti improve your skill set.

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