What is cove.tool?

Why is using this software a smart choice? Where is this going?

Patrick Chopson avatar
Written by Patrick Chopson
Updated over a week ago

cove.tool is an automated design platform for intelligent building performance. Build smarter, more accurate models in a tenth of the time to win work and reduce design cycles. Using automation, cove.tool allows anyone on a design team to make better decisions. With its intuitive workflow and plugins for Revit, SketchUp, Rhinoceros, and more, cove.tool enables all architects, engineers, and developers to let data drive the design process.

The cove.tool web app allows for a parametric cost vs energy optimization, automated inputs for all energy codes, easy geometry imports, quick façade guidance, strategy comparison, and more.

  • 3D Visualization for Daylight, Glare, Shadow, Radiation, View Quality, COVID Occupancy Assessment Score, and Site-Context Studies

  • Automated Energy Modeling with pre-loaded Templates, Energy Codes, and Engineering Inputs

  • Indoor, Outdoor, Stormwater Management, and Cooling Tower Water Use Calculator

  • Carbon Emissions and Embodied Carbon Calculator

  • Parametric Cost vs Energy Optimization

  • Manufacturer-Provided Cost Database

  • Team Integration

  • Automated Reporting

  • Earn LEED Points for preliminary energy, water use, daylight, and site analysis

  • Architecture 2030 Integration

  • geometry plugins for Revit, Rhino/Grasshopper, SketchUp, and more

  • Façade Optimization

  • Massing Optimization

  • Energy Conservation Measure Study

Why is using this workflow a smart choice?

Across the world building energy codes have been becoming more and more stringent over the last 30 years. The efficiency requirements have tightened even more aggressively over the last 3 years with multiple countries, states and cities adopting a net zero energy code to combat climate change. The building design industry has not modified its workflows to match the new requirements, and have gone from needing expensive sustainability consultants on only 10% of all projects to 50%. The consulting industry has grown immensely, while still being overwhelmed with work and the architects, engineers, contractors and developers are looking towards technology to help tackle this growing need.

What is the vision?

cove.tool’s premise is that buildings should be designed by a single intelligent machine in a symbiotic relationship with the design team. Today, buildings are designed mostly by intuition with dozens of different standalone, desktop-based, software applications.

Designing a building of any size requires multiple professions working together and coordinating vast amounts of information. Every step is a data transfer layer that slows down the process, introduces uncertainty, and increases cost.

Amazingly, this process uses little automation or rigorous data workflow to maintain continuity. Architects, engineers, contractors, and owners rely upon email and in person meetings to coordinate the execution of the building. The current software market is highly fragmented with standalone specialized desktop “hero” applications that do not communicate through a functional data structure.

Specialist consultants fill the gaps by running simulations in difficult to use software. Others possess specialized knowledge of standards. Everyone has siloed data but no easy way to share it. Each professional does their task sequentially leading to a design and documentation process that can take months to years to complete.

Increasingly, stringent building performance regulation standards are forcing the industry to seek out data-driven design methods and tools. What is needed is an intelligent architecture machine to coordinate, optimize, and work as a partner to the team. That is the future we are building.

What do we offer?

analysis.tool:

analysis.tool provides you paths to optimize daylighting, energy, embodied carbon, and cost efficiency to transform your architectural designs. Harness the power of advanced simulations for daylight, water use, and full carbon profiles, ensuring sustainable, high-performance buildings. Make smarter, data-driven decisions and stay ahead in the competitive architecture industry with our cutting-edge, user-friendly solution.

Get a more detailed look at the analysis.tool here.

loadmodeling.tool:

Revolutionize your HVAC design process with Cove Tool's Load Modeling Tool, a state-of-the-art, web-based platform for precise sizing and optimization. Streamline your mechanical systems design with automated calculations, integration with BIM, and powerful EnergyPlus engine support. Elevate your engineering projects with our user-friendly tool, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and collaboration in modern building design.

Get a more detailed look at the loadmodeling.tool here.

drawing.tool:

Elevate your architectural design with Cove Tool's Drawing Tool, a versatile and free 3D modeling software. It allows for easy import and export of geometries, supports a variety of formats, and integrates seamlessly with other design tools. Enhance collaboration and design efficiency with features like rapid prototyping, extensive building product catalogs, and intuitive design interfaces, suitable for projects of any scale.

Get a more detailed look at the drawing.tool here.

project.assist:

Experience streamlined success in building design with Cove Tool's Project Assist. This tool offers expert, on-demand assistance, simplifying geometry uploads, 2030 DDx reporting, LEED reporting, and more. It's perfect for any firm size, ensuring efficient, high-quality design process with fast model integration and insightful, custom-tailored reporting.

Get a more detailed look at project.assist service here.

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