As an IBPSA-USA member, your VOTE can shape the future of building simulation, making it easier, better, and more impactful for all.
Read about the six finalists below and vote for your two most preferred proposals.
Proposal 1: Scaling Deep Retrofits: A Platform to Automate Cost-Performance Analysis
Optimizing retrofit strategies for cost-effectiveness and energy performance is currently a manual and time intensive process, significantly limiting the scope and depth of analysis. To address this, we propose automating this process by integrating reliable construction cost data (e.g., RSMeans API), rapid energy modeling, and advanced recursive algorithms. By systematically analyzing individual and bundled ECMs, this method/tool identifies optimal trade-offs between capital investment and energy savings. This empowers consultants and building owners across the U.S. to confidently select cost-effective retrofit measures, significantly reduce analysis time, improve decision-making quality, enhance workflow efficiency, and cut carbon emissions by enabling retrofit at scale.
Proposal 2: Review and Analysis of the Application of Prototype Models for Determining Compliance Requirements in ASHRAE 90.1
This project aims to evaluate how well current prototype models used in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 reflect real building designs for energy code compliance. The main concern is that “unregulated” factors like space distribution and operational parameters in actual buildings are not adequately represented in the simplified prototype models, leading to inaccurate compliance targets. The project seeks to quantify this “error” and understand if the benefits of the current stable baseline approach outweigh its drawbacks. The findings will help inform future code development.
Proposal 3: A Gamified Learning Platform for Daylighting, Thermal Comfort & Energy Simulation
Imagine a future where every architecture and engineering student graduates with an innate understanding of how their designs impact daylighting, thermal comfort, and energy use. SimPlay Studio is a web-based gamified learning platform that enables architecture students to master daylighting, energy, and thermal comfort design metrics through real-time interactive challenges. Built on EnergyPlus and Radiance and aligned with LEED v4.l and ASHRAE 55, it integrates core BEM concepts into engaging, intuitive design scenarios to address performance gaps in architectural education and practice.
Proposal 4: Auto BIM2BEM: One-Click Revit API for Topologically Validated Space Solids in Environmental Performance Simulation
Manually translating BIM-to-BEM is time consuming and error-prone. Using more than forty CD/CA phase BIM models, our firm has developed an internal two-click Revit export process that creates a .GEM file for importing into IES VE. This process creates solids with topologically valid interior matching manifold surfaces and naming and template properties pulled from their Revit Room/Space Element properties. To enable wider adoption across the AEC industry, it is crucial to further develop our BIM to BEM (Revit to IES VE) into a user-friendly, single-click solution using a web-based API for broader deployment and external accessibility.
Proposal 5: lndySim: A Simulation Toolkit for Responsive Adaptive Façades & Outdoor Spaces
IndySim is an open-source design and simulation workflow enabling architects to test, optimize, and visualize kinetic, parametric, or smart-material façades against real-world climate impacts. Designers upload 3D models, define facade behaviours, and receive performance outputs including energy use, daylight autonomy, glare risk, thermal comfort, and cooling loads. Powered by EnergyPlus, Radiance, and a wind-pressure surrogate model, an AI optimizer generates responsive control schedules and design recommendations. A physical facade prototype will validate model accuracy and promote real-world application-bridging creativity, responsiveness, and performance outcomes in dynamic facade design.
Proposal 6: New and localized EcoZoning of climates in cooling dominated regions
It is crucial to have thermal performance evaluation methods that are customized and localized (e.g., EcoZoning) since microclimates can be significantly different from the data in representative meteorological weather files.. Since climate zone data is the basis for current building design standards and guidelines, EcoZoning thermal performance evaluation methods would inform thresholds to define microclimate zones based on temperature and humidity levels. The proposed project will focus on developing localized, detailed climate zones in cooling dominated cities that would benefit the most from microclimatic data based on the differences between actual and projected energy use and other factors such as impact on thermal comfort.
