This decision-making framework addresses the critical pre-design stage of building design using a proactive approach to building performance simulation, allowing architects and design teams to quickly identify basic designs optimized for energy demand, carbon footprint, and cost at the beginning of the design process. When furnished with initial inputs such as climate data, building usage, square footage, and structure, the framework displays multiple possible energy conservation measures and building configurations optimized for energy performance, carbon footprint, and/or cost.

Most building performance simulation software can only evaluate refined designs, are difficult to modify quickly if the design changes, and are not user-friendly for architects. However, architects and design teams usually make critical design decisions on building massing, orientation, and structure that greatly impact the energy and carbon footprint of the building before much if any simulations are conducted. This framework hopes to flip this workflow by empowering architects to make informed design decisions based on simulations throughout the pre-design and early design phases of a project, saving time and cost while producing higher performance buildings that address the climate crisis.