H&K have heavily invested in developing our own simulation and dynamic modelling division, HulleySIM, using building energy and environmental modelling (BEEM) software.
Currently we use two simulation packages, Environmental Systems Performance – research (ESP-r), a package developed by the University of Strathclyde and Thermal Analysis Software (TAS), an independent software title. Modelling and Simulation Procedures were established to ensure that these tools are fully integrated within the design process in the future. Alongside these measures, management procedures were established based on how to best illustrate simulation-based advice and communicate results more concisely to Clients and other parties.
In the past our simulation studies have been focused on hospitals, universities, schools and offices, investigating the impacts of control and materials on internal conditions. As the use of computer modelling increases it is expected to see more improvements in the energy and environmental performance of our buildings – as we strive to maintain our 'holistic' and 'sustainable’ approach to design.
HulleySIM has comprises of a team of engineers equipped to use a range of BEEM software. The ethos behind this was to help facilitate our search for the most effective and efficient design solution, to bring about real improvements in the overall performance of our designs. To help initiate this venture we participated in a Teaching Company Scheme (TCS), now Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) focused on ‘driving’ building energy and environmental modelling across all of our offices. This two year project, working in conjunction with the Energy Systems Research Unit (ESRU) at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, helped build on a relationship that has been in place for over ten years.
Having a simulation capability on a company wide level allows regional offices to offer simulation based design advice within the design process. Such a move was made to eliminate the need to source external modelling specialists who were frequently the cause of delays in the delivery of the simulation results because they were detached from the design process, slowing the progress of the design as a whole. This enables us to use a range of simulation facilities and offer numerous services directly as an aid to any design.
