Course · Energy modeling and tools · Designers and consultants

Modeling Multiple Building Designs in a Single PHPP

A 1.5-hour demonstration of designPH and the PHPP’s Variants tab for modeling several buildings, or several design options, in one PHPP file: setting it up, managing the variants, and comparing the results side by side.

Key points

• Setting up a designPH file for import into the PHPP.
• How the Variants tab holds several buildings or design scenarios in one file.
• Defining variants for components such as windows, insulation, and systems.
• Comparing and reporting the results within the PHPP.
• Managing variants on complex projects: massing and orientation studies, and multi-building sites.

Learning objectives

• Describe the role of the variants function in PHPP in allowing the energy analysis of multiple building options.
• Outline strategies to manage different variants to reflect each building or scenario.
• Describe how to interpret the results in comparing different design options.
• Outline best practices for managing variants with large complex buildings.

Topics: Design optimization