GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner

EcoDesigner is an addon to ArchiCAD. Integrated in the familiar ArchiCAD design environment, architects can use it to evaluate the energy performance of the ArchiCAD Virtual Building. No specific sustainable design expertise is necessary to utilize the easy-to-use and fast workflow in order to generate reliable building energy evaluation results on projects of any size.

New In EcoDesigner for ArchiCAD 15

• New Building Energy Evaluation Report PDF
  40% percent more information compared to the result sheet of the previous EcoDesigner versions
• Energy Balance Report XLS
  Detailed breakdown of energy quantities in spreadsheet format
• Building model data export to Passivhaus energy calculator
  BIM geometry and material property export to PHPP spreadsheet
• Enhanced Weather Data Content
  ASHRAE-compliant IWEC climate data included for default cities
• Enhanced U/R-value override functionality
  Fast yet accurate definition of building materials’ thermal properties in the preliminary design phase
• Energy Source Factors editable on the user interface
  Easy application of local primary energy and carbon emission settings

"...as contractor and in terms of quantity surveying, program and delivery, in combination with Passivhaus integration of services, ArchiCAD really met my needs..."
James Anvyl architect, EcoDesigner for AC15 beta tester

	EcoDesigner Download		EcoDesigner User Guide Download
	EcoDesigner Trial & Educational Download		EcoDesigner Brochure Download
	Low Energy Building Design with EcoDesigner - Presentation Recording		Sustainable Design with ArchiCAD

Building Energy Information Modeling

"Sustainable architecture" is the practice of designing, constructing and maintaining buildings in a way that their environmental impact is minimized. Many architectural firms worldwide have embraced this “green” design trend openly. They appreciate the ecological value and financial sense of developing a truly sustainable design. Architects who actively take 'green' decisions early on are saving their clients real money, now and in the future.

"The Green Buildings concept is no longer earth-berm houses and grass roofs, but an intelligent business decision."
Brian Malarkey, AIA, LEED-accredited, Kirksey, U.S.

One of the most important aspects of sustainable design is energy efficiency - a drive to reduce the amount of energy a building consumes during its operation.

Using GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner, architects can easily analyze their design for energy efficiency. Providing invaluable feedback on the building's energy performance means the architect can make better decisions on how to conform to regulations and satisfy the interests of the client and the operator of the building. Ultimately, with energy efficiency, we all win!

Early Design Phase

The architect makes 80% of the design decisions that influence a building’s energy performance in the early design phase. Therefore, it is critical for architects to be able to utilize a quick and reliable energy performance evaluation at the earliest stage of the building design process.

"Energy efficiency is becoming a key factor. ArchiCAD allows the Architect to positively affect the design at the earliest and most convenient phase."
Teemu Kurkela, CEO, JKMM Architects, Finland

EcoDesigner helps architects optimize their buildings by evaluating the energy performance implications of architectural decisions from the early design phase, bringing sustainability to the core of Virtual Building / Building Information Modeling.

Informed Decisions

The relationship between building volumes, proposed area, and orientation of glazed surfaces, as well as the properties of the external shading all influence the future energy consumption and determine the overall look of the design. Selecting the right alternative that delivers better energy performance is becoming vital for client presentations.

"We were determined to create a new, livable and efficient home. Being able to model your design, site, environment and green strategies all within a single BIM model made attaining this goal much easier."
Carol Richard, Richard Wittschiebe Hand (RWH) Architects, WI, USA on Wisconsin's first LEED Platinum Home

Quick, comprehensive, and easy to use: compare energy consumptions, monthly energy balances, operation costs, carbon emissions and other indicators to inform the design process and make the best design choices – regardless of the climate where the building is built.

Quick Energy Evaluation for Architects

Now architects can evaluate energy performance from within ArchiCAD. GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner is available from ArchiCAD and the best news is that all architects can use it right away!

"As environmentally conscious architects, the ability to quickly and effectively perform energy analyses on our building models is beneficial to us and it adds tremendous value to our clients."
Russ Sanders, AIA, Orcutt | Winslow, US

With EcoDesigner, the ArchiCAD Virtual Building becomes an even more intelligent "BIM" model, right from the very first concept design.