Monday, November 2
12:30-2PM ROOM 1-190
PLEASE NOTE ROOM LOCATION ABOVE

Erik Olsen, PE
Managing Director, Transsolar Inc.

Inside the Shoebox:
Using physics-rich performance simulations to provide meaningful design guidance

Contemporary high-performance design practice often focuses on detailed simulation of whole-building performance and mechanical systems.  This talk by MIT Architecture alumnus Erik Olsen will illustrate how more detailed building physics simulation and study of individual, representative spaces often provides more useful architectural design guidance at the earliest design phases.  The architectural response can be tailored to provide the best indoor environment in individual spaces, and the aggregation of these responses simultaneously informs the overall building design and provides a high-performance building.

Case studies will explore the application and influence of this approach on both built and in-progress work by Transsolar.  The use of shoebox simulation as a tool of discovery, validation, and demonstration will be discussed, together will the challenge of shaping useful lines of inquiry and understanding complex, multidimensional results.

Erik is a mechanical engineer and expert in integration of architectural and low-energy indoor comfort solutions.  As a Director of Transsolar Climate Engineering’s New York office he works collaboratively with clients, architects, and other engineers worldwide to develop and validate low-energy, architecturally integrated indoor climate and energy concepts.  In addition to his specialist work at Transsolar, he has worked as a consulting mechanical engineer on a wide variety of building types and launched and directed the City of Chicago’s Green Permit Program.

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Light refreshments will be served.
Please contact amulcahy@mit.edu with questions.

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Upcoming dates in the Fall 2009 BTLS:

Mon Nov 16
AVT 7-431, 12:30-2PM
Simon Greenwold, MathWorks
Structural Sketches: From ActiveStatics to StaticsPad

Mon Nov 23
AVT 7-431, 12:30-2PM
Roger Chang, Westlake Reed Leskosky
Sustainable Design: A Collaborative Approach

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