Every high-performance building begins with a question: how will this design actually perform? Building energy simulation answers that question before construction begins and it sits at the heart of GRIHA’s performance-based approach to energy optimisation. Yet for most students of architecture and engineering, simulation remains a black box: frequently discussed in the classroom, rarely practised hands-on.
This two-day programme opens that box. Day 1 shall build the foundations i.e., the physics, the logic and the anatomy of a whole-building energy model and then walking, step by step, through how a model is actually constructed in EnergyPlus™, the open-source simulation engine developed by the U.S. Department of Energy that powers professional compliance workflows worldwide: envelope and shading, internal gains from occupancy, lighting and equipment, exterior loads, infiltration, HVAC zoning and systems, and the interpretation of results.
Day 2 shall move from engine to application. Participants will experience a live demonstration of the Building Investment Grader (B.I.G) i.e., a guided, browser-based application that converts design inputs into a complete EnergyPlus model and evaluates the design against GRIHA benchmarks followed by a mentored hands-on studio in which every participant shall models and evaluate a building design on their own laptop. In two days, participants shall go from first principles to a benchmarked building which is an experience that otherwise takes weeks of self-learning.
• The physics behind the model - heat transfer, climate and weather data, and thermal comfort, and how they come together in a whole-building energy simulation.
• The complete EnergyPlus workflow - building envelope and shading; internal gains from occupancy, lighting and equipment; exterior lighting and equipment; infiltration; and HVAC zones and systems.
• Result interpretation - reading EPI, end-use breakdowns and system performance the way an evaluator does.
• The GRIHA connection - where simulation feeds the rating’s energy criteria and what appraisal-ready analysis looks like.
• Hands-on capability - using the Building Investment Grader (B.I.G) to take a design from inputs to a GRIHA benchmark evaluation in a single sitting.
• An industry-relevant skill: energy modelling is among the most sought-after capabilities in India’s green building consulting and design practice which is central to GRIHA compliance.
• Learn from practitioners: sessions are led by practising simulation experts and GRIHA evaluators who work on real certification projects.
• Do, don’t just watch: a dedicated hands-on studio ensuring every participant personally models and evaluates a building which is a rarity in two-day formats.
• Certificate of Participation from GRIHA Council.
• Studio-scale batch: seats are limited to keep the participant-to-mentor ratio conducive to individual attention.
What to bring: a laptop with an up-to-date web browser is essential for the Day 2 hands-on studio. Pre-read material and the sample design brief will be shared with registered participants ahead of the programme.
Exemplary Performance Award
Call for nominations under following Category:
GRIHA Council is pleased to announce the upcoming GRIHA Regional Conclave in Gandhinagar on 11th May 2026 at The Leela Gandhinagar, Gujarat, centered on the theme “Innovate to Act for a Climate Resilient World”.
The Green Building tour is being organized subsequent to the conclave on 21 May 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IIT Gandhinagar).
IIT Gandhinagar has achieved a 5-Star GRIHA for Large Developments (GRIHA LD) rating. Key highlights of the project include:
The buildings are designed to be about 36% more energy efficient than GRIHA LD base case.
The tour would demonstrate the various sustainable strategies being incorporated in the campus design to make it an energy efficient and sustainable campus. It is an exciting opportunity to explore green buildings and help create awareness about the importance of going green and can also serve as a case study reference for the delegates. The site visit will help to disseminate knowledge and create awareness on sustainable habitats.
