"We really liked your structure and communication from the outset, and felt confident that you had the resources and team in place."
FenestaPro: Design and Developing a Cloud-based Java Tool for Architects
Enhancing green building design for your architectural team.
ABOUT THE CLIENT:
Project:Cloud Based Tool for Architects
Industry:Technology Services
Client since:2013
Headquarters:Dublin, Ireland
SERVICES USED:
SERVICES USED:
The Challenge
When FenestaPro contacted us, their idea was to create a platform for designing environmentally friendly buildings, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing the time necessary to design new buildings.
The Solution
Following the specs of the project, Softjourn’s task was to design and develop a software design tool that would not only inform architects in the design of building facades at an early stage, the stage in the design process but also provide technical guidance based on the building’s geometry - overall size, number of stories, energy, and natural daylight performance, shading strategies and more.
The Benefits
- Enhanced Decision-Making
- More Efficient Design Process
- Optimized Daylight Analysis and Calculation
- Project Cost-Effectiveness
The Challenge
Softjourn has completed many Java software development projects for the music, retail, television, social media, financial industries…and more. Every client has widely disparate needs, security issues, and varied user interface requirements, yet we are consistently able to design and develop solutions that exceed our customers’ goals.
With the world getting faster, smarter, more efficient and better equipped, now is the time to use technology to tackle some of the toughest challenges we face today: energy, communications, traffic, architecture.
Simon Whelan, COO at FenestraPro
The World Economic Forum has developed an Energy Architecture Performance Index that ranks 105 countries globally on how well their energy systems deliver economic growth and development, environmental sustainability, energy security and access. In a changing global energy landscape, countries are looking for ways to manage the transition to new energy systems, to construct new environmentally friendly and energy efficient buildings in order not only to save money on bills but to support innovation in architecture.
Innovation in designing environmentally friendly buildings, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing time, while maintaining an aesthetic concept was the task facing Softjourn developers when we were approached by FenestraPro, a technology company based in Dublin, Ireland.
The Solution
FenestraPro had already developed a prototype, of their new service for architects, which served as a basis for the final solution.
Following the projects specs, Softjourn’s task was to design and develop a software design tool that would not only inform architects, in the design of building facades at an early stage, on the stage in the design process, but also provide technical guidance based on the building’s geometry - overall size, number of stories, energy and natural daylight performance, shading strategies and more.
The solution is expected to help architects make the right decisions for the design of non-residential building façades based on the site location, the building orientation, and thermal performance levels. FenestraPro informs the designer on implications, such as:
- the maximum amount of glazing allowed
- distribution of glazing
- daylight analysis and calculation
- solar shading aspects
- cost indication
The Benefits
1. Enhanced Decision-Making
The cloud-based platform empowers architects to make informed decisions during the early stages of building facade design.
Architects receive real-time information about the design process, enabling them to consider factors such as building orientation, thermal performance, and site location.
2. More Efficient Design Process
The software design tool streamlines the design process by providing technical guidance based on the building's geometry, including overall size, number of stories, and energy performance. Application users can efficiently navigate through design considerations, reducing the time and effort required for manual analysis.
3. Optimized Daylight Analysis and Calculation
The platform assists architects in optimizing non-residential building facades by considering various factors such as solar shading strategies, daylight performance, and energy efficiency. Designers can ensure that the facade aligns with specified parameters, adheres to regulations, and meets optimal standards for glazing distribution.
4. Project Cost-Effectiveness
FenestaPro's cloud-based solution provides cost indications, enabling architects to assess the financial implications of design choices.
Designers can make cost-effective decisions while maintaining high-quality standards in building facade design.
5. Improved Collaboration and Accessibility
The cloud-based nature of the platform enhances collaboration among design teams by providing a centralized and accessible platform.
Architects and stakeholders can collaborate seamlessly, share real-time updates, and access the design tool from anywhere, fostering a more collaborative and efficient workflow.
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Conclusion
The new FenestraPro software is ready for use by architectural teams, enabling them to see the implications that design decisions, made at an early stage, will have on how the building performs and uses energy.
It is programmed specifically to eliminate the need for redesigning after standard and elemental requirements have been applied. In addition, it provides the option for several people to work on the same project and to modify building settings. It ensures real-time compliance checking and effective technical support. Finally, all the data can be generated as a PDF document for e-mailing, printing, and other forms of sharing.
If you have an idea and you want to talk about it with a team of software development experts - contact us.
Partnership & Recognition
