De nos jours, les projets d’architecture font participer de nombreux acteurs différents de plus en plus éloignées géographiquement et cependant regroupées dans le cadre de l’élaboration d’un seul et même projet. Intégrer les points de vue de tous ces acteurs de la conception en prenant en compte le cycle de vie du bâtiment suggère une certaine « transversalité » de la conception et est rendu possible par une prise en compte très tôt dans les processus, de contraintes ou de paramètres gérés beaucoup plus tard dans les organisations traditionnelles. Cette étude souligne l’exigence forte d’une conduite de la conception pour améliorer la qualité de cette dernière et réduire ainsi l’apparition des dysfonctionnements. En ce sens, nous mettons en exergue les caractéristiques multidisciplinaires et les aspects prédictifs et réactifs de la conduite de la conception en architecture. Ensuite sur la base des modèles cognitifs existants, nous proposons un modèle combinant de façon simple trois activités primitives (analyse, proposition, évaluation). Ensuite nous enrichissons ce modèle pour couvrir les aspects prédictifs et réactifs de la conduite de la conception. Cela se fait sur la base de notre analyse de la conduite de la conception qui a permis de révéler deux entités, généralement implicites mais omniprésentes dans les projets de conception : la situation problématique et la situation visée. Enfin, nous spécifions et présentons une maquette d’un outil d’un niveau supérieur par rapport aux outils existants et qui peut être qualifié d’outil réactif. Cela signifie qu’il ne permet pas de définir une solution, mais de déterminer quand l’intervention de l’acteur pilote est souhaitable / Nowadays, numerous architecture projects require different actors who are more and more remotely located to work together on the elaboration of a common project. The inputs of these actors of design need to be integrated by taking into account the life cycle of the buildings, which requires that design have a "transversal" dimension. This can be achieved by including, in the early stages of process, constraints and parameters that are usually managed much later in traditional organizations. This study highlights the strong demand for design steering aiming at improving the quality of design and thus reducing the appearance of dysfunctions. With regard to this, we highlight the multidisciplinary characteristics as well as the predictive and reactive aspects of design steering in architecture. Then, based on existing cognitive models, we propose a model combining - in a simple way - three primary activities (analysis, proposition, evaluation). Then we enrich the model so that it covers the predictive and reactive aspects of design steering. This is done on the basis of our analysis of design steering, which allowed to uncover two narrowly linked entities. These two entities, which are generally implicit but are actually present in design projects, are: the problematic situation and the aimed situation. Finally, we specify and present the mock-up of a tool that is superior to the existing drawing, CAD, calculation or simulation tools. The tool that we present doesn't belong to the same "family". In fact, it can be called "reactive", which means that instead of allowing to define a solution, it allows to determine when the intervention pilot actor is needed

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The Energy Monitoring Framework, designed and developed by IAC, IUPUI, aims to provide a cloud-based solution that combines business analytics with sensors for real-time energy management at the plant level using wireless sensor network technology. The project provides a platform where users can analyze the functioning of a plant using sensor data. The data would also help users to explore the energy usage trends and identify any energy leaks due to malfunctions or other environmental factors in their plant. Additionally, the users could check the machinery status in their plant and have the capability to control the equipment remotely. The main objectives of the project include the following: • Set up a wireless network using sensors and smart implants with a base station/ controller. • Deploy and connect the smart implants and sensors with the equipment in the plant that needs to be analyzed or controlled to improve their energy efficiency. • Set up a generalized interface to collect and process the sensor data values and store the data in a database. • Design and develop a generic database compatible with various companies irrespective of the type and size. • Design and develop a web application with a generalized structure. Hence the database can be deployed at multiple companies with minimum customization. The web app should provide the users with a platform to interact with the data to analyze the sensor data and initiate commands to control the equipment. The General Structure of the project constitutes the following components: • A wireless sensor network with a base station. • An Edge PC, that interfaces with the sensor network to collect the sensor data and sends it out to the cloud server. The system also interfaces with the sensor network to send out command signals to control the switches/ actuators. • A cloud that hosts a database and an API to collect and store information. • A web application hosted in the cloud to provide an interactive platform for users to analyze the data. The project was demonstrated in: • Lecture Hall (https://iac-lecture-hall.engr.iupui.edu/LectureHallFlask/). • Test Bed (https://iac-testbed.engr.iupui.edu/testbedflask/). • A company in Indiana. The above examples used sensors such as current sensors, temperature sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, and pressure sensors to set up the sensor network. The equipment was controlled using compactable switch nodes with the chosen sensor network protocol. The energy consumption details of each piece of equipment were measured over a few days. The data was validated, and the system worked as expected and helped the user to monitor, analyze and control the connected equipment remotely.

This thesis presents work on a holistic approach for improving the overall design of solar cooling systems driven by solar thermal collectors. Newly developed methods for thermodynamic optimization of hydraulics and control were used to redesign an existing pilot plant. Measurements taken from the newly developed system show an 81% increase of the Solar Cooling Efficiency (SCEth) factor compared to the original pilot system. In addition to the improvements in system design, new efficiency factors for benchmarking solar cooling systems are presented. The Solar Supply Efficiency (SSEth) factor provides a means of quantifying the quality of solar thermal charging systems relative to the usable heat to drive the sorption process. The product of the SSEth with the already established COPth of the chiller, leads to the SCEth factor which, for the first time, provides a clear and concise benchmarking method for the overall design of solar cooling systems. Furthermore, the definition of a coefficient of performance, including irreversibilities from energy conversion (COPcon), enables a direct comparison of compression and sorption chiller technology. This new performance metric is applicable to all low-temperature heat-supply machines for direct comparison of different types or technologies. The achieved findings of this work led to an optimized generic design for solar cooling systems, which was successfully transferred to the market.