2-Day Beginner

IES VE Foundations: Build, Simulate, Analyse

A focused two-day programme that introduces professionals to the full early-stage design workflow inside IES Virtual Environment. Starting with thermal geometry building and building orientation strategies, participants learn how design decisions made at concept stage have the greatest impact on performance outcomes.

The course progressively covers facade optimisation, shading and insolation analysis, and daylight and artificial lighting analysis — giving participants the tools to evaluate and refine a building's environmental response before detailed design is locked in. Core modelling concepts including thermal constructions, building templates, internal gains, and occupancy profiles are introduced in a structured, practical sequence, leading up to a full dynamic thermal simulation run. The programme concludes with a hands-on project exercise aligned with tools covered so participants immediately understand how simulation outputs translate into deliverables. Every participant receives a 30-day IES VE software trial licence and certificate, allowing them to continue practising independently after the course. Ideal for architects, sustainability consultants, MEP engineers, and fresh graduates looking to build a strong simulation foundation with immediate real-world application.

2-Day Intermediate

IES VE Pro Skills: Energy, Light, Airflow, Heat & Beyond

A rigorous two-day intermediate programme designed for professionals who have completed the VE Foundations course and are ready to tackle more complex, real-world simulation challenges. Building directly on foundational skills, this course pushes participants into advanced territory across multiple performance domains.

The programme opens with advanced thermal geometry modelling techniques, including large-scale building modelling strategies for complex multi-zone and multi-block developments — the kind of projects that demand precision and efficiency in equal measure. Participants then work through a combined lighting and glare analysis workflow, learning how to evaluate visual comfort alongside daylight availability for occupant-centric design decisions.

Natural ventilation analysis using MacroFlo is covered in depth, enabling participants to model and assess cross-ventilation, stack-driven airflow strategies. This is complemented by an introduction to External CFD analysis — a powerful tool for understanding wind environment, pressure distribution around buildings at an urban or campus scale.

The course culminates in a comprehensive Apache dynamic thermal simulation session with detailed results analysis, teaching participants how to interpret, validate, and communicate energy performance outputs with confidence. A structured project exercise ties all tools together, giving participants hands-on experience applying the full intermediate workflow to a project scenario.

Prerequisites: Completion of VE Foundations (or equivalent IES VE working knowledge). Ideal for practising sustainability consultants, energy analysts, and design professionals actively working on IGBC, GRIHA, LEED, GEM or ECBC compliance projects.