Engineering

During the preliminary design phase, the engineer considers the most general combinations of comfort requirements and climate characteristics. The schedule of activities that will take place in the space is listed, along with the conditions required for comfort during performance. The engineer analyzes the site’s energy resources and lists strategies to design with the climate. Building form alternatives are considered and discussed with the architect. Available systems are reviewed, including both passive (nonmechanical) and active alternatives. Then the engineer figures out the size of one or more alternative systems using general design guidelines.