O simulaciji karakteristika zgrade u promenljivoj zivotnoj sredini = On building performance simulation in a changing environment

[On building performance simulation in a changing environment] Computational simulation is one of the most powerful tools in our world today - it is used to simulate everything from war to economic growth. Modeling and simulation of building thermal performance using digital computers was first introduced in the 1970's when it became clear that it is much cheaper to simulate than to build wrong buildings. Building performance simulation draws its underlying theories from many different disciplines. The theoretical challenges are bountiful when one recognizes that the physical state of a building is the result of the complex interaction of a very large set of physical componentes. Nevertheless, the ability to deal with the resulting complexity of scale and diversity of component interactions has gained building simulation a uniquely recognized role in the prediction, assessment and verification of building performance. The building simulation discipline is continuously evolving and maturing and improvements are continuously taking place in model robustness and fidelity. As a result the discussion has shifted from the old agenda that focused on software features to a new agenda, which focuses on the effectiveness of building performance simulation in building life cycle processes, including quality assurance and multi-actor distributed tool developments. Of course this all takes place in a changing " environment" which inclules global climate change, depletion of fossil stocks, internationalization of the construction industry, increasing occupant demands for comfort, increasing awareness of relation between indoor environment and health, and increasing awareness of relation between indoor environment and productivity. This paper presents several notes and remarks on the current state of building performance simulation and the role of the International Building Performance Simulation Association - IBPSA. Within this context, the paper also summarizes some of the researchs by the author's research group. The main conclusions are that building performance simulation has the potential to deliver, direct or indirect, substantial benefits to many building stakeholders and to the environment; and that IBPSA and its regional organizations, such as a future IBPSA - Serbia, can/should play a major role in promoting correct application and further development of this technology.