SketchUp

Sefaira for SketchUp

Cloud-based energy efficiency developer Sefaira has launched a new, real-time analysis plug-in for SketchUp. AEC got a sneak peek before the official launch.

by martyn Day

Sefaira’s cloud-based Sefaira for The SketchUp plug-in performance analy- SketchUp With the new Sefaira sis service performs SketchUp plug-in, live eneriterative analysis on Price: Part of the annual gy analysis feedback is models created in or imported through SketchUp. $5,000 for an unlimited Sefaira service brought into a palette within the SketchUp interface. Aimed at the early concept sefaira.com/ sefaira-for-sketchup As the model is edited, design phase, it provides an and elements are attributed astounding amount of guid- as Sefaira objects (walls, ance to refine the performance of pro- floors, glazing etc.), the energy analysis posed models. updates, giving the architect a great

Using the cloud as its medium, Sefaira insight into the energy flows in and out of has a lot of processing power available to the building through a graphic design deliver quick results on these complex that clearly highlights bad energy design calculations. The solution excels at practices. analysing parallel strategies, allowing The ‘energy flows’ graph details end the creation of ‘bundles’ for variances in uses of energy such as heating, cooling, the design to guide the architect on per- lighting and appliances. Heat gains and formance and cost. Results are provided losses from the building are shown in documents that can be used when graphically, enabling the designer to applying for LEED, BREEAM and Part L make the right decisions and attain buildcompliance. ing performance targets typical for the

As with most building analysis tools, designated usage. prior knowledge of physics and the techni- Sefaira for SketchUp provides live feedcal aspects of performance strategies are back as the model is edited. Increase the required to get the most out of design vari- glazing and see the solar gain grow and ables. These include materials, structure, the corresponding increase in cooling orientation, U-values, brise soleil, photo- energy usage on the display. This really voltaics, solar shading and natural ventila- informs at the concept design stage and tion. This limits the appeal of Sefaira to does not require jumping out to another specialists within design teams and puts package to get that feedback. analysis at the back-end of modelling. The version we saw was limited in its ability to analyse models over 200 surface planes. We were told that after launch this would be increased but there will be a reasonable limit to keep the analysis as near instant as possible.

While it is only a fraction of the full product’s capabilities the company has managed to simplify the output into a display that anyone can understand. This is a considerable achievement, which should greatly broaden the appeal of analysis to designers. Conclusion Initially Sefaira offered per seat annual licensing but this has now changed to an annual $5,000 subscription that allows for unlimited seats with as many analysis passes as you want. This change has seen its use explode within its clients, which include the likes of Foster + Partners.

The new Sefaira for SketchUp application is now included in the subscription. This limits the appeal of this application to firms that can afford and want the complete Sefaira service. I suspect many small firms would appreciate having access to just the SketchUp capability to check their early designs. Hopefully, in the future, the company will offer this kind of functionality for a lower price, without the full analysis back-end.

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