This letter will show how ICT can be used to simulate and design sustainable buildings without any physical testing. My dissertation research fulfils an MSc structural engineering and mechanics degree, jointly awarded by the universities of Glasgow and of Edinburgh.

The use of computational fluid dynamics is very helpful to simulate indoor environments and assess thermal performance. Through powerful computers, one can simulate air temperatures, velocities and humidity in volumes, assessing the best performance of all, without altering any power to the heat or cooling source. These tools are very helpful in the optimisation of sustainable building performance.

A Linux-based open source was used, avoiding expensive commercial licences and finite volume analyses were performed as part of my main tool for such simulations.

These are operated at a very low-cost budget compared to any other form of testing, having all the possibilities used in the manufacturing and building industries.

This degree was carried out following the award of a STEPS scholarship part-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund (ESF) under Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, Empowering People For More Jobs And A Better Quality Of Life”.