Design analysis integration: supporting the selection of energy saving building components

This article motivates the need for more research into the interaction between building design and building analysis in a process context. To provide a context for this discussion, the text focusses on a specific problem: the selection of energy saving building components. A strategy to provide (computational) support for their selection is presented; this strategy is then used to discuss the design support provided by current building analysis tools and to assess probable outcomes of current developments. Finally, a new research project revisiting fundamental issues of design analysis integration is presented.