Sustainable design
About EcoDesigner, Energy Evaluation, Life Cycle Assessment, etc.

ArchiCAD PHPP output via energy evaluation and/or BIM2PH

JamesLEDA2
Newcomer
firstly, please don't banish this threat to the Sustainable Architecture section to be ignored with the tumbleweeds.

I am trying to get some meaningful output from ArchiCAD 23 (Solo) to PHPP (Passive House Planning Papckage, an energy evaluation spreadsheet for which Graphisoft claims it support and export for).

With ArchiCAD there are 2 claimed methods, using the Energy Evaluation export, or using the BIM2PH software as an intermediate piece of software.

My attempts with each of these approaches results in the following....

Energy Evalaution - the energy evaluation method does populate the PHPP spreadsheet with data from your project quite nicely, however, the data is incorrect for several reasons, the ones I have identified include, I get no area information for the roof or floor, only walls, the walls already have the window areas subtracted which results in a secondary subtraction in the PHPP, the reference planes are internal and the Passive House methodology uses internal measuremnets, making the data completeluy useless.

BIM2PH - this software supports IFC from several BIM packagaes, from my tests, it works fine with Revis IFC files, however, with ArchiCAD IFC files, the software closes when attempting to open the IFC file for conversion.

I've had little to no help from wither Graphisoft and/or the Passive House Institute with either to the software, despite the fact that the methods almost work.

Any information and/or experience on the above would be greatly appreciated,

Kind regards
using ArchiCAD 24 on a Mac usually
Passive House Designer & Architectural Technician
Leeds Environmental Design Associates
https://www.leda.coop/
https://www.facebook.com/leda.coop/
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30 REPLIES 30
DGSketcher
Legend
Just chipping in to support your concerns. I work with a passivhaus consultant but at present the lack of support or encouragement on this aspect of AC's design capabilities from GS results in the consultant doing his own manual take off for the PHPP spreadsheet. Your findings on something as fundamental as making double area subtraction and volume errors aren't encouraging.
Apple iMac Intel i9 / macOS Sonoma / AC27UKI (most recent builds.. if they work)
JamesLEDA2
Newcomer
It has clearly been put together by someone with no understanding of PHPP, resulting in, given PH uses a particular methodology, the feature is completely pointless, and actually outputs erroneous information.
using ArchiCAD 24 on a Mac usually
Passive House Designer & Architectural Technician
Leeds Environmental Design Associates
https://www.leda.coop/
https://www.facebook.com/leda.coop/
https://twitter.com/leda_coop
Minh Nguyen
Graphisoft Alumni
Graphisoft Alumni
Hi James,

Thank you for raising the issue here and I am sorry about the experience!

I believe this would need a closer look by our Technical Support team, but in order to help with the investigation, we will need a .PLA project file from you, where the error is present. It is highly preferred to provide a .PLA file so that the same Library Parts are within the file when we open it.

This way we are certain that the settings and other factors are the same for us as they are for you.

Additionally, could you please provide the information regarding which ARCHICAD are you using specifically? Also, which PHPP sheet version are you using?

If you are willing to share the file with us, please reply either here within the post directly or through a PM and I will provide you a secure GRAPHISOFT link where you can upload your file to.

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Best regards,
Minh

Minh Nguyen
Technical Support Engineer
GRAPHISOFT

Laszlo Nagy
Community Admin
Community Admin
JamesLEDA2 wrote:
firstly, please don't banish this threat to the Sustainable Architecture section to be ignored with the tumbleweeds.

That's where it belongs, so I put it there. But look, you got a response from GS HQ, so no worries.
Loving Archicad since 1995 - Find Archicad Tips at x.com/laszlonagy
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JamesLEDA2
Newcomer
IMO, this is more a technical issue than a request for help with sustainable architecture. This part of the forum is infrequently visited hence my request. But you are right and I will be following up with GS HQ.
using ArchiCAD 24 on a Mac usually
Passive House Designer & Architectural Technician
Leeds Environmental Design Associates
https://www.leda.coop/
https://www.facebook.com/leda.coop/
https://twitter.com/leda_coop
Anonymous
Not applicable
JamesLEDA2 wrote:
IMO, this is more a technical issue than a request for help with sustainable architecture. This part of the forum is infrequently visited hence my request. But you are right and I will be following up with GS HQ.
Hi James, did you solve your issue? I'm also interested in the exportation workflow from Archidad to PHPP, If yes would you be so kind to share your experience?
JamesLEDA2
Newcomer
No, Graphisoft requested I send them a model, however this is unnecessary as you can build a simple 10mx10mx10m cube with walls and a flat roof and a door in the north (1mx2m) and a window (1mx1m) in the south and see that the export to PHPP is incorrect.

It outputs odd areas that don't correspond to what they should be and what would be entered into the PHPP if it was being manually measured by a Passivhaus Designer (or anyone knowledgable about PH)
using ArchiCAD 24 on a Mac usually
Passive House Designer & Architectural Technician
Leeds Environmental Design Associates
https://www.leda.coop/
https://www.facebook.com/leda.coop/
https://twitter.com/leda_coop
Minh Nguyen
Graphisoft Alumni
Graphisoft Alumni
stetuv wrote:
Hi James, did you solve your issue? I'm also interested in the exportation workflow from Archidad to PHPP, If yes would you be so kind to share your experience?
Hi,

Thank you for your interest in the issue!

May I ask what can I help you with? We have some articles about Energy Evaluation workflow in our HelpCenter. You can always have a look here, or if you have any specific questions, feel free to let me know!

Have a nice weekend, and stay safe!

Best regards,
Minh

Minh Nguyen
Technical Support Engineer
GRAPHISOFT

Minh Nguyen
Graphisoft Alumni
Graphisoft Alumni
JamesLEDA2 wrote:
No, Graphisoft requested I send them a model, however this is unnecessary as you can build a simple 10mx10mx10m cube with walls and a flat roof and a door in the north (1mx2m) and a window (1mx1m) in the south and see that the export to PHPP is incorrect.

It outputs odd areas that don't correspond to what they should be and what would be entered into the PHPP if it was being manually measured by a Passivhaus Designer (or anyone knowledgable about PH)
Hi James,

I hope you and your loved ones are doing well during these trying times!

The reason we asked for a test file is because, it is crucial to set up the Building Energy Model correctly in order to have a good result with Energy Evaluation. Furthermore, PHPP template usually contains many intricate information. Therefore, we would like have a look at your PLA file and XLS(X) result in order to pinpoint what the exact issue is. We are still waiting for your answer in Private Message!

Thank you very much for your understanding! Have a nice weekend, and stay safe!

Best regards,
Minh

Minh Nguyen
Technical Support Engineer
GRAPHISOFT