DesignBuilder
DesignBuilder is a Windows-based building performance simulation suite that wraps EnergyPlus, Radiance, and CFD engines in a modular GUI for energy, HVAC, daylighting, and certification workflows.
Energy modelers often bounce between a geometry tool, a simulation front end, and separate daylight or CFD packages. DesignBuilder bundles those workflows around a core 3D modeller with optional modules for EnergyPlus simulation, HVAC sizing, Radiance daylighting, cost and carbon, and ASHRAE 90.1 or LEED reporting (DesignBuilder software page, 2026).
Architects can start with early-stage packages that cover simulation, visualisation, and daylighting, then hand the same model to engineers who add HVAC templates, optimisation, and certification modules later. The vendor highlights gbXML import from Revit, ArchiCAD, and Microstation, plus a dedicated Revit add-in, so BIM geometry can feed analysis without rebuilding from scratch (DesignBuilder interoperability docs, 2026).
Under the hood, EnergyPlus handles thermal simulation while Radiance and Daysim power daylight metrics such as spatial daylight autonomy and annual sunlight exposure. Engineering packages also integrate CFD comfort studies from the same base model, which helps teams compare facade options against loads and glare in one place (DesignBuilder for Engineers page, 2026).
Licenses are sold in modular packages with a 30-day free trial. Published U.S. pricing starts at $1,800 per year for Engineering Fundamentals and $2,250 per year for Engineering Essentials, while U.K. Architectural Essentials starts at £1,050 per year on the vendor shop pages (DesignBuilder package pages, 2026).
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- Integrates EnergyPlus, Radiance, and CFD from one base model
- Fast 3D modeller with strong gbXML and Revit interoperability
- Modular licensing lets teams buy only the analysis modules they need
- 30-day free trial available without a sales call
- Widely used in universities and by major engineering firms
Cons
- Officially supports Windows 10 and 11 only; Mac users need remote Windows or virtualization
- Requires capable NVIDIA OpenGL graphics hardware for reliable performance
- Higher-tier engineering packages can be expensive for small firms
- Does not natively import IFC; geometry typically arrives via gbXML or IDF
- Large optimisation runs may need multi-core servers or online compute services
Key features
Modular packages: Core 3D modeller plus 11 optional modules for simulation, HVAC, daylighting, CFD, cost, carbon, and certification workflows.
EnergyPlus simulation: Full building energy analysis with access to underlying EnergyPlus input files for advanced users.
Radiance daylighting: Dynamic daylight studies including spatial daylight autonomy and annual sunlight exposure metrics.
HVAC design tools: Template-based sizing and detailed simulation of conventional and mixed-mode systems with custom controls.
BIM import: gbXML import from Revit, ArchiCAD, Microstation, and Grasshopper, plus EnergyPlus IDF import from tools such as OpenStudio.
Revit add-in: Check and analyse models from inside Revit before exporting gbXML to DesignBuilder.
Optimisation and cost-benefit: Parametric optimisation tools to compare design alternatives against client objectives.
Certification support: ASHRAE 90.1, LEED, BREEAM, Part L, and EPC reporting modules for assessors and engineers.
Pricing
30-day trial
30-day trial
Free
Free evaluation period. Confirm module access on vendor site.
Architectural Essentials (1 year, single user)
per year (12 mo)
£1,050.00
U.K. list price in GBP. Includes Simulation, Visualisation, and Daylighting. Verify on vendor site.
Engineering Fundamentals (1 year, single user)
per year (12 mo)
$1,800.00
Includes Simulation, Visualisation, Daylighting, and HVAC modules. Verify on vendor site.
Engineering Essentials (1 year, single user)
per year (12 mo)
$2,250.00
Adds Cost and Carbon and ASHRAE 90.1 and LEED modules. Verify on vendor site.
Engineering Plus (1 year, single user)
per year (12 mo)
$3,075.00
Mid-tier engineering package. Verify on vendor site.
Frequently asked questions
How much does DesignBuilder cost per year?
Published U.S. engineering packages start at $1,800 per year for Engineering Fundamentals and $2,250 per year for Engineering Essentials on the vendor site (DesignBuilder for Engineers, 2026). U.K. Architectural Essentials is listed at £1,050 per year. Prices vary by package, currency, and license term; confirm current numbers on designbuilder.co.uk before purchase.
Does DesignBuilder run on Mac?
DesignBuilder officially supports Windows 10 and 11 only (DesignBuilder support, 2024). Mac users can access it through a native Windows PC, remote desktop to a Windows machine, or virtualization on Intel Macs, but local Windows ARM installs on Apple Silicon are not considered reliable.
Can DesignBuilder import Revit or gbXML models?
Yes. DesignBuilder imports 3D BIM geometry through gbXML from Revit, ArchiCAD, Microstation, and Grasshopper, and ships a Revit add-in to streamline export and model checks (DesignBuilder gbXML import page, 2026). It also imports EnergyPlus IDF files from tools such as OpenStudio.
Which simulation engines power DesignBuilder?
DesignBuilder uses EnergyPlus for thermal simulation and Radiance (with Daysim) for daylight analysis according to the vendor engineering pages (DesignBuilder for Engineers, 2026). CFD comfort modules extend the same model for airflow and thermal comfort studies.
DesignBuilder vs OpenStudio: which is easier for EnergyPlus modeling?
Both target EnergyPlus, but DesignBuilder is a commercial Windows GUI focused on productivity, integrated HVAC, daylighting, and certification modules. OpenStudio is free, open source, and scriptable with Measures across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Teams wanting a polished desktop workflow often pick DesignBuilder; researchers needing open scripting pick OpenStudio (vendor pages, 2026).
Is there a free trial for DesignBuilder?
Yes. DesignBuilder offers a free 30-day trial across its website and package pages (DesignBuilder homepage, 2026). You can evaluate the modeller and licensed modules before buying an annual or multi-year subscription.
Who typically uses DesignBuilder?
The vendor markets separate packages for architects, building services engineers, and energy assessors. Case studies and testimonials cite firms such as Arup, Shell, Solid Green Consulting, and universities including Oxford Brookes and Birmingham City University using it for compliance, LEED, and research projects (DesignBuilder homepage, 2026).