Design parameters
Under development
This page is under development and some information may be missing or inaccurate.
📐 Design Parameters and the Automodel
The Design Parameters (or Shapes) module is your primary tool for rapidly defining and calculating your building's environmental impact during the early project phase. It uses simplified geometry and a set of standardized assumptions to generate a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
🤖 The Role of the Automodel
The Automodel allows you to configure a building by selecting a typology (e.g., residential, office) and key geometric parameters (like gross floor area and number of floors).
Quick Estimates: Its core purpose is to calculate a rough geometry and generate standard material assumptions based on the chosen building type, giving you an immediate early-phase carbon footprint.
Default Energy Data: When you use the Automodel, it includes standard assumptions for operational energy (B6).
⚠️ Always Verify Energy Assumptions
The generated energy values (e.g., 40 kWh/m² for a residential block) are for early-phase estimation only. You should always check and adjust these against your project's specific energy report.
📏 Design and Geometry Limitations
While the tool is powerful for early-stage analysis, it has specific rules for how shapes and building elements are interpreted:
Stacked Geometry Only: Currently, the Automodel only calculates simple geometric forms that are stacked vertically; it is not possible to place forms side-by-side.
Overlapping Areas are Not Double-Counted: The Automodel correctly identifies and prevents the double-counting of overlapping floor/roof areas. If a smaller shape is placed on a larger one, the roof area is calculated only for the exposed part of the larger shape below.
Foundation Dependency: To correctly calculate elements like foundations, the system relies on having at least one shape defined above ground, as these calculations are based on the weight of the structure. For detailed calculations of elements like piles, it is recommended to add quantities manually.
✏️ Editing and Customization
Once a version has been created using the Automodel, your ability to make fundamental changes is limited.
- Parameter Editing Only: After assigning a shape via the Automodel, you can edit its numerical parameters but cannot change the underlying building typology.
🚀 Feature Under Development
The functionality to allow users to easily edit or change the chosen typology after the initial selection is currently under development.