This session explores innovative approaches to transforming existing buildings into high-performance, sustainable spaces. The first presentation highlights the remarkable adaptive reuse of Building 48, a World War II munitions plant converted into an award-winning office space achieving LEED Gold and SITES Silver certifications. Attendees will learn about the net-zero strategies employed, the advanced MEP systems that elevate sustainability and performance, and the building envelope and lighting upgrades that enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort. The second presentation offers a broader framework for revitalizing historic structures, equipping attendees with practical methods to breathe new life into aging assets. Emphasizing a tailored, iterative cycle of assessments, audits, and maintenance, it underscores how existing buildings—often overlooked compared to new construction—hold immense potential for innovation and sustainability. Together, these talks provide inspiration and actionable insights for architects, designers, and building owners seeking to elevate the performance and future of historic structures.

This session showcases innovative computational approaches that enhance building energy analysis beyond conventional methods. Presentations cover integrating stack effect dynamics for accurate high-rise infiltration modeling, comparing centralized versus distributed ground source heat pump systems, developing modularized refrigeration databases for scalable modeling, and using computational fluid dynamics to optimize HVAC design for thermal comfort. These advanced techniques demonstrate the application of advanced physics-based modeling techniques that better captures real-world building performance.

This session explores cutting-edge AI applications in building portfolio management and design, demonstrating how new tools can address persistent challenges in the built environment. The first presentation introduces a machine learning metamodel that leverages few-shot and zero-shot learning to rapidly estimate life cycle metrics for large building portfolios, overcoming traditional data limitations. The second presentation showcases a custom conversational AI assistant that automates early-stage building energy benchmarking, offering accessible and streamlined data analysis for both experts and non-experts. The final presentation examines how AI and traditional methods compare in modeling airflow and exhaust dispersion in complex building designs, discussing AI’s potential to enhance laboratory air quality and system performance while acknowledging critical physics constraints. Together, these talks highlight how AI-driven strategies and metamodels are redefining design workflows, accelerating energy benchmarking, and addressing climate-related demands in the built environment.

This session presents innovative approaches to enhance building energy modeling workflows and tool integration. A BIM-BEM workflow integrates HVAC and lighting systems through shared occupancy sensor data for coordinated design. Research reveals how independently modeling energy efficiency measures leads to inaccurate savings predictions by neglecting synergies between measures. A Standard 232 case study explores standardized data exchange formats to improve interoperability between building performance software. These presentations highlight advancing methodologies for more accurate modeling and streamlined workflows.