This article critically examines the main trends in attempting the integration of building thermal simulation tools throughout the whole building design process, focusing on studies related to building design only, not addressing studies related to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and servicing engineering design. It presents a review of the research literature on the issue showing that, so far, attempts have been concentrated in propositions to improve thermal simulation tools data interpretation as well as propositions to improve the role of tools in building design practice. Examples of the literature related to the two topics are critically examined by considering their effectiveness in addressing the interdisciplinary problem of integration. This critical examination leads to a thorough mapping of specific reasons about why integration is not happening, complementing the current information provided from empirical studies on the matter. Even though the author recognizes integrated design should account for HVAC and servicing, it is necessary to first have a discussion that addresses assimilating simulation tools into the design process if proper integrated design is to happen.

This paper focuses on understanding the place for regenerative building standards within the context of politically green Nordic social welfare states. To this end, it examines the particular case of adopting the Living Building Challenge (LBC), an iconic example of regenerative design standard, in Sweden. An extensive document analysis comparing the Swedish building and planning regulations as well as the Miljöbyggnad national certification system with the LBC, shows overlaps and barriers the standard can face when adopted in the country. Barriers are validated and further discussed in interviews with one of the few architects trying to achieve a certified LBC building in Sweden and Swedish public authorities from the Boverket (Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning). Results from the document analysis and interviews show barriers to implement the LBC in Sweden are a product of a conscious political and ideological decision from the welfare state which considers infrastructure, and all its potential sustainable versions, a public good to be provided to all and funded by all. This premise contrasts with the self-sufficient approach promoted by the LBC, which in this particular aspect, can be interpreted as a threat to the welfare state.

Building simulation outputs are inherently complex and numerous. Extracting meaningful information from them requires knowledge which mainly resides only in the hands of experts. Initiatives to address this problem tend either to provide very constrained output data interfaces or leave it to the user to customize data organisation and query. This work proposes a conceptual data model from which meaningful dynamic thermal simulation information for building design decision-making may be constructed and presented to the user. It describes how the model was generated and can become operational, with examples of its applications to practical problems. The paper therefore contains useful information for software developers to help in specifying and designing simulation outputs which better respond to building designers’ needs.