Contrasting paradigms of design thinking: The building thermal simulation tool user vs. the building designer

This paper contrasts two different paradigms of design thinking: the one of the dynamic thermal simulation tool users with the one of the building designer. It shows that, in theory, the two paradigms seem to be incommensurable but complementary due to differences in knowledge and praxis between the two professions. The author discusses these differences side-by-side based on a review of the design science literature together with an analysis of the basic structure and knowledge involved in existing thermal simulation tools. This discussion aims to unfold a set of insights into the type of approach needed to move this research area further. It highlights the modus operandi of the building designer rather than focusing on collaborative efforts and sets up the backgrounds for designers to learn relevant concepts of building physics in an environment in which they can experiment with these concepts as ‘craftsmen’.