SAM BIM emblem

SAM — analytical modelling for energy‑efficient buildings

SAM helps engineers create, validate, exchange, and simulate analytical building models across BIM and performance tools. Geometry, assumptions, and results live together for transparent QA and repeatable decisions.

Download installer View source Read the SAM 2.0 paper
Overview

What is SAM?

SAM (Sustainable Analytical Model) is an open‑source toolkit to build analytical models and run energy & environmental studies. Import or generate geometry, attribute constructions and internal conditions, configure systems, run simulations, then review and export results.

Model creation

Create models from Revit / IFC / gbXML, or generate within Rhino/Grasshopper. SAM aims for watertight, tolerance‑controlled space boundaries.

Simulation & analysis

Use SAM’s engines and connectors to size loads and run dynamic simulations; compare scenarios; document assumptions & results.

Extensible

Extend with plugins (Solar, Psychrometrics/Mollier, Tas, OpenStudio/Honeybee, Topologic). Build custom components and workflows.

Why SAM

Value in practice

  • Single source of truth: geometry, loads, profiles, materials, and results stored together for auditable decisions.
  • Speed & repeatability: automated attribution and libraries accelerate early studies and design iterations.
  • Interoperable by design: move between BIM and simulation without re‑work; export to common formats.
  • Open & verifiable: LGPL‑licensed core, issue tracking and validation suites to keep calculations trustworthy.
Use cases

From early-stage to detailed studies

  • Early-stage massing → thermal model (concept to loads in minutes).
  • Detailed assessment workflows including CIBSE TM54 (operational energy) and CIBSE TM59 (overheating in homes).
  • Dynamic simulations for heating/cooling/ventilation strategies; façade & solar; comfort/psychrometrics; system sizing.

Note: SAM supports workflows that contribute to these assessments; compliance depends on the full study methodology and toolchain used.

Basics

Core concepts

  • Two object families: Analytical (Panels, Spaces, Adjacency Cluster, Analytical Model) and Geometry (Face3D, edges, shells).
  • SI units: temperature in °C and SI conventions throughout.
  • Interoperability: Revit, Rhino/Grasshopper, IFC, gbXML, Excel; connectors to Honeybee, Tas, Topologic.
Objects

Analytical structure

Geometry
Stored primarily as Face2D with external/internal edges; 3D Geometry can be queried from Face2D and plane.
Panel
Wall / Floor / Roof incl. panel type, apertures, construction.
Adjacency Cluster
Holds Panels, Spaces, Zones and relationships between them.
Analytical Model
Holds Adjacency Cluster, Location, Materials and Profile libraries and other assumptions.
Roadmap

SAM milestones

See the peer‑reviewed SAM 2.0 paper in the Publications section for details and examples.

Integrations

Connect SAM to your stack

Modules

Key repositories

SAM_Mollier

Psychrometric properties & Mollier charts for HVAC analysis.

SAM_SolarCalculator

Solar position & irradiance utilities for façade/PV studies.

SAM_Psychrometrics

Thermo‑physical helpers for comfort and air‑side calculations.

SAM_IFC

IFC toolkit for BIM interoperability.

SAM_Revit

Revit connector & workflows for analytical modelling.

SAM_Rhino_UI

UI components for Rhino/Grasshopper.

Get started

Install

  1. Download the latest SAM installer.
  2. Run the installer and follow prompts.
  3. Optionally build from source in Visual Studio from the SAM core repository.

Tested with Rhino 8/9; Revit 2025+ support follows current release notes.

Workflow

Typical steps

  1. Import or create project geometry.
  2. Attribute constructions, internal conditions, profiles, and (optionally) systems.
  3. Build the Adjacency Cluster and validate the Analytical Model.
  4. Run simulations; compare options; document inputs & results.
  5. Exchange via IFC/gbXML or sync to Revit.
Docs & Community

Documentation, support & contribution

Commercial services, training and bespoke workflows are available via SAM‑BIM.

Team

Meet the SAM‑BIM Team

Company: SAM‑BIM on LinkedIn
Publications

Selected publications & talks

Full and up‑to‑date list: ResearchGate — Michal Dengusiak .