Conference Paper

Proceedings of SimBuild Conference 2024

Streamlining Sustainable Design in Japan: Case Study on Developing ZEBIA - a Tailored ZEB Simulation Tool

Yasin Mohamed Ibrahim Idris ¹, Susan Ubbelohde ², Hiroaki Nakagawa ¹, Nathan Brown ², Hajime Iseda ¹, Santosh Philip ², Yuuki Sakai ¹, Ibone Santiago ^2
1 Sustainable Design & Consulting Group - TAKENAKA Corporation, Japan
² LOISOS + UBBELOHDE

Abstract: This paper details the three-year development journey of ZEBIA (Zero Energy Building Integrated Analysis), a tool for Zero Energy Building (ZEB) projects. Developed collaboratively between a major Japanese Architecture & Construction company and American sustainable architecture partners, ZEBIA streamlines the evaluation of environmental qualities, integrating ZEB targets, user comfort, and design preferences. The paper delves into ZEBIA's wireframes, prototyping, user testing, and a comprehensive road-test. It emphasizes lessons learned and the importance of user-centric tools and systematic guidelines in achieving zero-energy building objectives. The discussion underscores ZEBIA's capacity to empower architects and engineers, support ZEB goals, and facilitate effective collaboration.
Keywords: ZEB (Zero Energy Building), Design Tools, Energy consumption, Environmental performance, Simulation, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Architecture, Innovation, Green Building, Japanese Architecture
Pages: 168 - 177
Paper: