The mission of the Zero+ Campus Design Project is to develop campus solutions that can eliminate or have a net-positive effect on emissions, pollutants, and energy and water resource use in order to reduce long-term costs and also to align campus operations with the content of related teaching and research. The project includes the development of the zero+ curriculum, an online "expert" resource, and design tools referred to as the "Z+ Toolkit" to foster net-zero energy, balanced building and site water flows and zero-emission campus design, planning and performance. This presentation reviews and demonstrates the approach, architecture and application of the Z+ Toolkit, in terms of what is completed and what is future development The goal of developing the “Zero+ Toolkit” is to provide a means to easily conduct performance analysis for energy and water in the early phase of design, to determine the performance potential of strategic sets or “bundles” of strategies, and to quickly measure the related performance metrics. The desired outcome of the toolkit is to empower the designer (student, CPPM staff, and design teams) by providing user-friendly tools in the earliest stages of design. The Zero+ Toolkit includes three tool resources that are under development. 1. The Z+ Shoebox Model Maker is a Google SketchUp™ plug-in intended for early stages of project planning and design when basic building parameters and characteristics are known, yet design has not yet begun. The plugin is intended to be used in conjunction with IES <virtual> (IES VE) software including the IES Plug-in for Sketchup. Later versions may be developed to work with the Department of Energy's EnergyPlus. The Zero+ Shoebox Model Maker allows the user to quickly create a"shoebox" model of the proposed building and to quickly model and evaluate a variety of strategies, glazing area ratios, and building configurations. 2. The "Zero+ Calculator” is an Excel spreadsheet calculator developed for use by students, staff researchers, facilities managers and designers. The Z+ Calculator can be used to assess early design planning for new and existing building alterations on the University of Minnesota Campus. The tool can easily be adapted to any campus or group of buildings where current energy and water usage data are available. It is intended for early stages of project planning and design; however, it is also useful for a variety of cost-benefit and feasibility evaluations relating to future or hypothetical upgrades. The tool is designed so that is can be used as a stand alone tool or in concert with the Zero+ Shoebox Model Maker and IES VE software. 3. The "Zero+ Campus Modeler Prototype” demonstrates an innovative concept for an integrated SketchUp/Excel/IES VE analysis tool that can model and compare the performance of a simple “baseline model” to “bundles of strategies” for multiple design proposals for a single building, multiple buildings or on a campus-wide scale.

1. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Zero+ Campus Design Project Energy/Water Nexus
Z+ Toolkit Development
Presented by Loren Abraham, Salovich Research Fellow
Beta Version Developed:
1. Zero+ Shoebox Model Maker
Beta Version Developed:
2. Zero+ Calculator
Video Prototype Proposed:
3. Zero+ Campus Modeler

2. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Zero+ Campus Design Project Energy/Water Nexus
Presented by Loren Abraham, Salovich Research Fellow
with Mary Guzowski, Principal Investigator
Zero+ Campus Mission
How can we create net-positive buildings, landscapes, and communities?
Can we use the campus buildings and landscapes to:
• Generate energy, preserve and restore water, eliminate emissions, reduce climate
impact, and regenerate the environment?
• Explore, test, and pilot a new generation of integrated design strategies and tools across
disciplines, ecological issues, and scales?
• Integrate the education, research, and campus planning missions to actively engage
students, faculty, and staff to explore these integrated design questions?

3. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Zero+ Research and Decision Tools:
Assess existing design tools and develop the “Zero+ Toolkit” to
support early design and decision-making processes. Pilot-test tools
in the classroom and for integration into the early design phases for
capital planning.
Z+ Toolkit and Website
Stakeholder Process:
Evaluate campus design and decision-making
processes to more effectively integrate energy
and water strategies. Select key capital projects
for research and course investigation in early
design phases.
Pilot Projects and Tools
Zero+ Curriculum
Develop courses
to investigate
early design
strategies,
metrics, and tools
that can be
brought back into
the early phases
of the capital
planning and
predesign.
5 Courses
Demonstration Projects:
Design and construct demonstration
projects to engage students, promote
sustainability, and test energy and water
strategies on campus.
Bike Pasture
Zero+ Project Goals & Outcomes Energy/Water Nexus

4. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Campus Projects and Courses: Energy/Water Strategies & Recommendations
http://zeropluscampus.umn.edu/courses/
Course Title Projects
• Zero+ Campus Design
Studio: 7 weeks
• Residence hall
• Generic lab
• Video Catalyst
Workshop: 1 week
• Church Street
• West Bank landscape
• Integrating Architecture &
Landscape
M-term: 3 weeks
• Tate Lab Renovation and
Church Street
• Whole Building Analysis
Seminar: 15 weeks
• Tate Lab Renovation and
Church Street
• Rapson Hall Renovation
• Theory & Practice of
Sustainable Design
Seminar: 3 weeks
• Tate Lab Renovation and
Church Street
• Eddy Hall Renovation and
Historic Knoll
v

5. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Zero+ Website: Online Resources: Energy/Water Strategies & Recommendations
www.zeropluscampus.umn.edu
ZERO+ WEBSITE DESIGN RESOURCES
1. Course Materials: syllabi, project
statements, student works, design
and research proposals
2. Campus Projects: course outcomes
as strategies, recommendations,
performance criteria
3. Demonstration: bike pasture
process and outcomes
4. Case Studies: precedents of energy
and water integration across scales
5. Tools: under development

6. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Zero+ Design Tools & Design Phases
Zero+ Toolkit: Bridging Early Design and Design Development
SCHEMATIC
(Architects with Energy
Expertise)
Ecotect
Building Design Advisor
HEED; Energy10, etc.
IES VE-Ware/Toolkits/Pro
PREDESIGN
(Architects)
Best Practices
Rules-of-Thumb
Case Studies
Simple Calculators
& Decision Tools
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT+
(Architect with Energy Consultants)
Energy Plus, DOE2, Radiance
eQUEST
Integrated Environmental Solutions VE-Gaia
Integrated Environmental Solutions VE-Pro
Others
Energy/Water Nexus
BRIDGING THE EARLY DESIGN TOOL GAP: Z+ Tool Development
Beta Versions: 1) Z+ SketchUp Plug-in+IES-VE and 2) Z+ Calculator Prototype: 3) Z+ Campus Modeler
• Limits of Existing Tools: scale and strategy limitations, accuracy, time, lack of design integration
• Z+ Tool Response: 3-D interface with robust analysis tool (IES-VE) which can be combined with
zero+ calculator to compare baseline and strategies using campus building and performance data
• User Options: Either a 3-D or menu-based interface (for students/architects and planners)
Integrative Design Process

7. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Zero+ Tool Evaluation and Development: Energy/Water Nexus
Beta Version Developed:
1. Zero+ Shoebox Model Maker
Z+ SketchUp Plugin + IES-VE Pro
Concept:
• Remain within design tool while
interfacing with an accurate
analytical tool
• Quickly compare baseline building
with alternative design strategies
• 3-D interface to evaluate ecological
and economic benefits
Beta Version Developed:
2. Zero+ Calculator
Excel Spreadsheet Analysis Tool
Concept:
• Use performance data from
UMN buildings to compare
baseline with design strategies
• Menu interface to quickly and
accurately evaluate ecological
and economic benefits
Video Prototype (proposed):
3. Zero+ Campus Model Maker
Integrating Z+ Shoebox SketchUp Plug-in, IES-
VE, and Z+ Calculator
Concept:
• Integrate outcomes from separate
building and landscape scale
analyses (Shoebox + Calculator)
• Optimize integrated campus
strategies across scales
• Easily compare ecological and
economic benefits at campus scale

8. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Google Sketchup
Shoebox
Modeler
Campus
Modeler
Building
optimizer
Rank/Apply
Strategies
Input Project
Data
Input IES
Data
LCCA
Results
Z+
Summary
Results
Parametric
Data
Manager
Carbon
Calculator
Building
Water
Calculator
Rainwater
Capture
Calculator
Evapotrans
Calculator
Occupancy
Calculator
Climate
data
Consumption
Data
Site
Data/GIS
Links
Stormwater
Data
Cost Data
“Z+ Toolkit” Architecture
Z+ Shoebox
Plugin
<VE> Pro IES
ModelIT
Sunpath
Apache
Vista
MacroFlo
FlucsDL
Radiance
MicroFlo
CFD
IES VE GAIA
ASHRAE 62
Daylighting
IES VE TOOLKITS
Design Reports
Climate
Materials
Bioclimatic
Integration
Analysis
Energy
Water
Solar
Daylight
Carbon/RE
LEED Review
Energy
Carbon/RE
Water
Daylight
Thermal Comfort
Z+ Calculator Share SKD
RUBY

9. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Z+ Shoebox Plugin Demo

10. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Zero+ Shoebox Plugin Demo
To create a shoebox model in Sketchup the Zero+
Shoebox plugin is selected.

11. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Basic Building parameters are entered including floor area, height, aspect ratio,
window type and window-to-floor area ratio, skylight type and skylight-to-floor-
area ratio, etc.

12. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
The surrounding buildings are specified.

13. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
The shoebox model is now created in only seconds, complete with all
windows, interior partitions and as defined in the dialog box queries.

14. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Using the IES VE Plugin we
can set location, building
occupancy type and make
construction assignments.

15. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
After identifying rooms the
model appears in X-ray
view. Now the model is
ready for export to IES VE
for analysis.

16. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Rooms are represented in blue, active zone is red and all objects
assigned as shade are yellow.

17. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
After clicking on the IES tool in Sketchup, a model is created in IES with all
the walls, windows, external buildings, shading and settings made in the
Sketchup model. Building Occupancy may be adjusted as well.

18. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Shoebox Model can now be viewed for
accuracy using the IES VE Model Viewer.

19. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
First the
shoebox
model is
evaluated for
overall
performance
including
energy use
and carbon
emissions
using the free
tool, IES
VEWare

20. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Shoebox Model can now be evaluated for climate, energy, daylighting,
renewable energy potential, and various LEED Credits using IES VE
Toolkits.

21. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Heating and Cooling
Loads analysis of
Shoebox Model using
IES VE Toolkits.

22. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Solar shading analysis of Shoebox Model using IES VE Toolkits.

23. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Detailed model can be modified in IES VE for further analysis.

24. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Z+ Shoebox Plugin Future Development
Note: If the video in the next slide does not appear, you may view the video demonstration
by clicking on the link below. After watching return to the slide presentation and continue.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHCKVzce-ts

25. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Z+ Calculator Demo

26. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator

27. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator

28. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator

29. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Z+ Toolkit Development: Energy/Water Nexus
Beta Version Developed:
1. Zero+ Shoebox Model Maker
Z+ SketchUp Plugin + IES-VE Pro
Further Research & Pedagogy
• Tate Lab/Church St. Studio:
tool enhancement – predesign
• Expansion of massing and
strategies for model maker
Beta Version Developed:
2. Zero+ Calculator
Excel Spreadsheet Analysis Tool
Further Research & Pedagogy
• Develop online interface
decision tool
• Develop additional decision-
based strategies and
processes for early design on
campus
• Expand 30+ buildings
Video Prototype Proposed:
3. Zero+ Campus Modeler
Z+ Shoebox Plug-in, IES-VE, and Z+
Calculator
Further Research & Pedagogy
• Integration of shoebox model
maker and zero+ calculator into
campus scale tool
• Development of analyzer tools
for ranking and optimizing

30. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
“Z+ Toolkit” Prototype
Note: If the video in the next slide does not appear, you may view the video demonstration by
clicking on the link below. After watching return to the slide presentation and continue.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fWDGAUsQjw

31. Lance Neckar, Principal Investigator Mary Guzowski, Co-Principal Investigator Loren Abraham, Project Coordinator
Zero+ Campus Design Project Energy/Water Nexus
Z+ Toolkit Development
Presented by Loren Abraham, Salovich Research Fellow
Beta Version Developed:
1. Zero+ Shoebox Model Maker
Beta Version Developed:
2. Zero+ Calculator
Video Prototype Proposed:
3. Zero+ Campus Modeler