Did You Know? AME’s Building Performance Team Created Their Own Software Tool, The AME Compass
At AME Group, we always strive to be at the forefront of innovation in the engineering and construction industry. That’s why our in-house Building Performance Team developed a unique software catered to designing sustainable buildings, the AME Compass. In this blog, we will delve into the specifics of what the AME Compass is, how it works, and why it’s an indispensable tool for teams looking to design the best building.
What Is The AME Compass?
The AME Compass is a software tool that allows multiple energy modelling options to be visualized. It comes in handy when design teams need to understand the impact of specific design options, such as wall, window, roof thermal performance, and HVAC and lighting system efficiencies.
Our team first identifies the measures of interest, then each is simulated iteratively in the energy model. This allows the design team to explore a number of different combinations of ECMs (Energy Conservation Measures). These model results are displayed in the Compass tool, helping to scientifically point teams in the right direction.
How The AME Compass Works
The AME Compass is arranged with the studied option “inputs” on the left and the energy model results as “outputs” on the right.
For instance, a proposed building design would have specific wall, window, roof, and HRV efficiency inputs. This proposed design would also have associated outputs of energy and GHG use. In the AME Compass, this proposed design of a single building option is represented as a single line.
Why Use The AME Compass?
Why is the AME Compass helpful for design projects? Firstly, it’s an excellent way to collaborate with team members, allowing people to interactively compare the benefits of multiple options. Instead of reviewing energy model results one option at a time or in a large table, the AME Compass allows team members to dynamically view the results together in a visual and interactive way.
Secondly, the AME Compass assists in making sound design decisions to meet a project’s energy goals. With the impacts of multiple options clearly identified and compared, you can easily see the relative benefit of each choice, helping to identify the options with the largest impact on cost and performance.
Thirdly, it’s useful during each and every stage of the building’s life. The AME Compass can be used as an early phase energy-savings analysis tool, as an integrated design process tool in a workshop, or even as a tool to review retrofit options later in the building’s operations. It helps teams to visually see the impacts of design choices, ultimately allowing better choices to be made.
Let The AME Compass Point You in The Right Direction
The AME Compass is an important tool designed for architects, engineering, and construction clients to effortlessly create energy-efficient designs. The tool is developed by our Building Performance Team, who are well-versed with designing innovative and sustainable buildings.
We’ve seen firsthand how the AME Compass’ ability to show visual representations of various energy modelling options can make good design decisions.
