Geometry - Commercial

This 68-minute course offers a comprehensive understanding of 'Commercial Building Geometry Modelling,' an advanced skill set for creating complex multi-storey building models in Better Building's simulation platform. Through detailed hands-on instruction using a complete four-storey commercial building example, participants will learn sophisticated modelling techniques essential for carbon analysis, daylighting studies, HVAC design, and regulatory compliance assessments.

Key Course Content:

Advanced Project Setup and Multi-Level Configuration

The course begins by introducing advanced project configuration for commercial applications, including multi-storey building setup with variable floor-to-floor heights (3,400mm standard), National Construction Code workflow selection, and the strategic use of drawing duplication for efficient level creation. Participants explore the fundamental principles of thermal zone independence and the relationship between geometric accuracy and simulation reliability across complex building forms.

Sophisticated Zone Creation and Void Management

A key part of the course delves into advanced zone creation methodologies specific to commercial buildings, including the creation of double-height voids, atrium spaces, and inter-level connectivity. The session demonstrates the critical technique of combining multiple levels into single thermal zones using air boundary applications, void space management for unconditioned areas, and the strategic use of internal floors to separate conditioned from unconditioned spaces. Advanced node manipulation, zone splitting, and geometric precision techniques are emphasised throughout.

Comprehensive Tagging System Mastery

Critical attention is given to the sophisticated tagging system that enables efficient specification distribution across large commercial models. Participants learn to create and manage multiple tag categories (punch windows, curtain walls, window walls, brick veneer systems, rain screen assemblies), apply tags to multiple elements simultaneously using various selection methods, and understand the relationship between geometric tags and performance specifications. The course demonstrates how proper tagging dramatically reduces specification time whilst ensuring consistency across complex building systems.

Advanced Shading and Facade Systems

The session extensively covers multi-level shading strategies including window-level distributed shading using tagging systems, site-level external shading for adjacent buildings and landscape elements, level-specific shading for canopies and architectural features, and complex geometric shading devices with variable projections, gaps, and opacity settings. Advanced techniques include horizontal repetitive shading systems, pergola structures, and sophisticated tree modelling with tapered geometries.

Complex Roof Systems and Building Envelope Integration

Participants gain extensive experience with commercial roof system modelling including multi-pitch roof configurations, ridge offset techniques, and eaves distribution across complex building forms. The course addresses challenging roof-to-wall intersections, projected ceiling systems for double-height spaces, and troubleshooting geometric conflicts in complex roof arrangements. Advanced topics include skylight integration and the relationship between roof geometry and thermal boundary definition.

Building Systems Integration and Specification Workflows

Advanced topics include renewable energy system placement with detailed photovoltaic array configuration, HVAC system templates and zone connectivity for commercial applications, envelope performance specification using template libraries and custom assemblies, space type definition and distribution for varied commercial functions, and quality assurance techniques for complex multi-system integration. The course emphasises the critical relationship between geometric accuracy and downstream simulation reliability.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, participants will be thoroughly equipped to create sophisticated commercial building geometry models suitable for advanced energy simulation, daylighting analysis, carbon assessment, and regulatory compliance using Better Building's comprehensive commercial modelling capabilities.

Course Completion:

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon achieving an 80% pass mark on the final quiz.

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