"DesignBuilder has greatly improved my efficiency in completing LEED projects. It automates much of the work involved in setting up the baseline building and HVAC models. Simulations are easy to run, with averaged results displayed alongside the proposed building for straightforward comparison and design iterations. Additionally, DesignBuilder simplifies compliance reporting by exporting model inputs and results to the MEPC spreadsheet."

"Chapmanbdsp works closely with clients from the very outset of shaping a sustainable design solution. To successfully deliver this work we need a software which can give rapid and accurate optioneering to ensure that we take our clients down the right path. The ability of DB to provide a single platform to conduct preliminary and detailed HVAC modeling, daylight assessment, optimisation and CFD enables us to generate sufficient evidence quickly at the outset of design to guide principal design decisions. The material quantity export from DB to One Click LCA has also enabled estimations of embodied carbon at early design stages. DB has therefore been one of the most versatile dynamic simulation tools to enable rapid prototyping, optioneering, passive design assessments, and an agile platform for creating geometries from 2D drawings."

"Many thanks for all the help online, over the phone and in person. The software is very user friendly and is backed up by a great team who go out of their way to assist in any way they can."

"I am responsable for building the geometric model, simulate and determine the energy class of almost 100 supermarket stores from a big portuguese company. DesignBuilder is my "army knife", really a must! A great software from a great team! Thank you, great job! "

“We started using DesignBuilder last year as a more user-friendly and sophisticated alternative to OpenStudio. Following a conversation with DesignBuilder about training, we were given an opportunity to use the new online training content to help with our transition to the software. The content is very well organized and provides detailed explanations about the interface and functionality. The training is very clear and helpful. It runs at a pace we found we could easily follow. It has a comprehensive content structure that covers every critical step needed in the modelling process: from geometry setup, HVAC configuration, to results analysis. Overall we found the online training content super helpful, giving us a very fast and convenient way to learn DesignBuilder without the cost and hassle of travel, hotels, etc. It has really helped shorten our team’s learning curve and gives us confidence in using DesignBuilder for our upcoming projects. Over the course of using DesignBuilder, we have found that the software is straightforward to use and its interface is well designed to speed up the modelling workflow. The Design Builder support team has been supportive and responsive in answering our questions.“

"Just thought I'd drop you a line, I've been working with teams using modelling software for a number of years, and I would like to say how impressed I am with the responses and the development being achieved with design builder. The product is being developed with the design process in mind and this is fantastic from my perspective. Keep up the good work..." www.e3bw.co.nz

"I’ve just discovered how the shading from other buildings was written out with transmission schedules to the EnergyPlus idf of the building that I’m currently simulating. I love the way this whole thing hangs together and again just want to compliment you and your team on a cracking job. From a total design point of view, I absolutely love this program. I find it very well thought out and I enjoy using it."

“I continue to be impressed by Design Builder and your team. I agree with what your company stands for, how you do it, and that you put customer support and customer services first.""

"I have used DesignBuilder extensively both for certification modelling and for design work. Its template system, extensive libraries and custom certification tools – eg. for ASHRAE 90.1 or LEED daylighting – help to speed up time-consuming tasks. The software enables quick analyses of various design alternatives, helping to inform design decisions and find most cost-efficient solutions. What I find particularly useful though, is access to the EnergyPlus Energy Management System combined with custom DesignBuilder extension language. Using this scripting tool, models can be customized beyond standard software capabilities. This provides endless possibilities for creating sophisticated energy models and modelling virtually any real-world system or building element. Moreover, the Helpdesk staff provides professional and quick help – whenever I had become stuck with my models or encountered seemingly irresolvable issues the DesignBuilder team was always able to come up with right answers."

“Our firm has been using DesignBuilder for a number of years now, and have found it reliable and highly productive. It allows us to quickly assess early-stage alternatives whilst its advanced modeling tools mean we can develop the model through detailed design. The flexibility of DesignBuilder’s drawing tools helps us to quickly create new geometry or edit geometry we import from other BIM tools. The data management tools and pre-configured templates help us to create early-stage models very quickly and then easily make changes and update the model as the design evolves. Capabilities such as multi-state electrochromic glass, ventilated and unventilated double skin facades, natural ventilation etc. enable us to assess passive design alternatives with great confidence. Being able to use a single model to do the loads, energy and comfort, daylighting and CFD modeling all in one place saves us lots of time and give us the functionality we need for ASHRAE 90.1 and LEED modeling and reporting. Simulations are quick, either through the software or the cloud simulation service for more complex models. In summary, DesignBuilder makes modeling faster and easier from early-stage through detailed design; the software buys us more valuable time to analyze alternatives so that we can confidently predict the performance of our designs and get the best results for our clients.”

"I have watched the steady progression of DesignBuilder for the last 10 years or so, and having seen recent improvements in DesignBuilder’s HVAC and LEED modeling I decided to attend their training. I was both surprised and pleased to find how easy to use DesignBuilder is compared to the other similar tools I’ve tried, especially given the power and flexibility offered by the underlying EnergyPlus, Radiance and CFD engines. I’m really pleased that after a week’s training I feel ready to produce accurate results and outputs for loads and sizing calculations and energy analysis. The ability to also undertake fully-integrated daylighting and CFD analysis from the same model you use for loads and thermal simulations is also a very big plus point."

“DesignBuilder’s Energy Management System (EMS) functionality was used to optimize the performance of a low-temperature chilled water plant serving a suite of operating rooms (ORs). As a result of this study, the client was able to identify a potential controls adjustment that would result in an annual cost savings of up to $20,000.”

“DesignBuilder have just delivered two days of first-class bespoke simulation training for me. The training was based on my own priorities to help improve my knowledge in specific and more advanced modelling areas, and has undoubtedly fast-tracked me to become a more advanced user of the software. I would have no hesitation in recommending this form of training for those who are already using the software but who want to progress more quickly on advanced topics such as Parametric Analysis, Optimisation & EMS. Thanks to the DesignBuilder trainers and admin team for making this such a great experience!"

"We decided to go out and measure some natural light levels in buildings that we have access to.... One building was our own office, and the other was a green building we worked on which will be tenanted in 2 weeks so we had a chance to take readings in the same environment for which we simulated. I am happy to say that the DesignBuilder results are very close to what we measured... What impresses me is that if we measure a value of 250 lux at 3m from the facade, DB returns similar values. This means that if we say that 40% of a building's usable area will have lux levels of 250 or above, then the measured results correlate with that. ... It certainly makes us confident in the results we give to clients."

"We utilised DesignBuilder software to carry out detailed natural ventilation assessments on buildings at our UK gas plants in order to demonstrate compliance with hazardous area regulations. First of all I would like to praise the initial support received from DesignBuilder staff, who were extremely knowledgeable and provided a welcoming point of contact for support and advice. Having used the majority of the alternative building simulation software packages on the market, I found without a doubt DesignBuilder the most user friendly and enjoyable to use. The modelling program itself is fantastically simple allowing even complex buildings to be developed quickly and easily. The user interface of the calculation part of the software is well thought out and the results outputs are graphical and concise. Within a few hours I had got to grips with the software and obtained the results I desired. It has allowed Shell to present compliance to regulating authorities, who were also impressed with the visualisation displays and graphical outputs. I fully endorse DesignBuilder, and in particular how easy it was to learn and use compared to similar building simulation software on the market."

"I have used DesignBuilder for a number of years because I believe it is the best software package available for designing high performance buildings. It is easy to set up a model in early design. The model provides both an estimate of energy consumption and a 3-D visualization of the project that can be shared with clients. The same model can be continuously updated with more detail as the project evolves.
I recently attended the DesignBuilder training in Denver which reinforced just how quick to learn and easy to use DesignBuilder is compared to the other similar tools I’ve tried. I would be happy to recommend DesignBuilder software (and their training) as a way of helping modelers produce accurate results and outputs for loads/sizing and energy analysis. With the ability to also undertake daylighting and CFD analysis from the same model you use for loads and thermal simulations it seems DesignBuilder have all the capabilities most architectural and engineering firms would need in one efficient package."