Case Study: Payette Improves Building Design and Energy Modeling with MSC Software scSTREAM

The Accurate CFD Software that Throttles Up Building Design and Energy Modeling Processes

Payette, a Boston architectural design firm with 165 employees, uses CFD and energy modeling to support high technology building design for science institutions, healthcare, and research facilities. The firm needed a CFD tool that could accurately model room-scale convective and radiative heat transfer, external airflow, and naturally ventilated spaces while fitting its budget and workflow.

Payette selected MSC Software’s scSTREAM after validation tests showed it matched experimental results more closely than other packages the team had tested. Dr. Alejandra Menchaca said the software saved time with easy import of Rhino and SketchUp geometry, simple meshing, short simulation times, and strong post-processing, while MSC Software’s technical support resolved issues in hours; in-house CFD also reduced study turnaround from about one month to a week or so and saved money and valuable time.

Payette

Alejandra Menchaca

Building Scientist