Revit + Rhino/Grasshopper + Tas EDSL

SAM connects BIM models to Tas-ready analytical workflows

SAM (Sustainable Analytical Model) helps engineers turn Revit and Rhino/Grasshopper geometry into reusable analytical building models for validation, attribution, Tas simulation, and repeatable HVAC decisions.

Download installer View source Read publications
SAM BIM emblem
Analytical model as the shared engineering layer
Overview

What SAM Is

SAM is a modular .NET/C# toolkit for creating, cleaning, enriching, exchanging, and simulating analytical building models. Its primary workflow links Revit and Rhino/Grasshopper with Tas EDSL so project information can be reused instead of rebuilt for every study.

BIM to BEM

Generate analytical panels, spaces, shells, and adjacency clusters from Revit, Rhino, and Grasshopper workflows.

Simulation Ready

Attribute constructions, profiles, internal conditions, openings, and systems before connecting to Tas EDSL and results workflows.

Reusable Research Platform

Use JSON-based analytical objects, validation routines, and extension modules to test repeatable methods across projects and papers.

1shared analytical model layer
5roadmap stages from geometry to digital twin
30+repositories across the SAM ecosystem
LGPLopen-source core and modules
Workflow

How SAM Works

Project inputs become a SAM analytical model, then move into validation, attribution, simulation, and HVAC comparison through one repeatable workflow.

01 Inputs Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, IFC, gbXML, and project geometry.
->
02 SAM Analytical Model Panels, spaces, apertures, adjacency clusters, location, profiles, and libraries.
->
03 Validation + Attribution Watertight shells, cleaned geometry, constructions, loads, schedules, and system intent.
->
04 Simulation + Results Tas EDSL, HVAC scenarios, result extraction, and post-processing.
Why SAM

Value In Practice

  • Single source of truth: geometry, loads, profiles, materials, systems, and results can travel together.
  • Less manual rebuilding: BIM data can be converted, repaired, and reused for performance studies.
  • Interoperable by design: exchange with BIM tools and simulation engines, with Tas EDSL as the main engine focus.
  • Transparent and extensible: open repositories support review, adaptation, and repeatable research.
Use Cases

From Concept To Systems

  • Early-stage massing to analytical model generation.
  • Revit and Grasshopper workflows for BIM-to-BEM studies.
  • Tas simulation setup, load sizing, HVAC scenarios, and result comparison.
  • Psychrometric HVAC design and reusable HVAC system scenarios.

SAM supports engineering workflows that contribute to assessment methods. Compliance still depends on the complete project methodology and toolchain.

Basics

Core Analytical Concepts

Geometry

Planar geometry, faces, shells, apertures, and boundary representations used to derive simulation-ready spaces.

Panels

Walls, floors, roofs, apertures, constructions, and thermal properties represented as analytical objects.

Adjacency Cluster

The relationship layer for spaces, zones, panels, and their spatial/topological connections.

Analytical Model

The project container for geometry, location, profiles, materials, internal conditions, systems, and results.

Research Proof

What The Papers Demonstrate

Watertight BIM-to-BEM generation

SAM converts imperfect project geometry into cleaner analytical models using component-based correction, shells, and adjacency workflows.

Revit workflow reuse

Revit elements such as walls, floors, roofs, rooms, and spaces can be transformed into SAM panels and spaces through Rhino.Inside workflows.

Tas EDSL integration

SAM's main simulation pathway uses Tas EDSL for load, energy, HVAC scenario, and result workflows, with other connectors supporting wider exchange.

Psychrometric HVAC analysis

SAM_Mollier links moist-air calculations, Mollier charts, process loads, and HVAC concept design in Grasshopper and SAM UI.

Reusable HVAC scenarios

SAM 3.0 introduces JSON system-type references and EnergyCentre templates for repeatable Tas HVAC simulation comparisons.

Digital twin direction

The roadmap extends from geometry and simulation into systems, controls, and updatable building representations.

Roadmap

Research-Backed Maturity

SAM 1.0

Geometry creation, multi-method model generation, adjacency clusters, shell creation, and watertight boundary preparation.

SAM 2.0

Loads, attribution, material/profile/internal-condition libraries, dynamic simulation connectors, and BIM-to-BEM research validation.

SAM_Mollier

Psychrometric points, Mollier and psychrometric charts, air processes, HVAC loads, and concept-stage system exploration.

SAM 3.0

Reusable HVAC system generation, JSON system references, Tas EnergyCentre templates, automated scenario execution, and result extraction.

SAM 4.0

Controls and control-strategy testing for HVAC system operation and scenario analysis.

SAM 5.0

Digital twin direction: an updatable building representation with geometry, systems, assumptions, results, and project data.

Integrations

Main Workflow And Wider Connectors

  • Revit / Rhino.Inside.Revit: extract BIM elements and spaces into SAM analytical workflows.
  • Rhino / Grasshopper: primary visual workflow layer for model generation, inspection, and parametric studies.
  • Tas EDSL: main simulation engine focus for dynamic simulation and automated HVAC scenarios.
  • IFC / gbXML / GEM: exchange analytical model information with common industry formats.
  • OpenStudio / Honeybee: secondary EnergyPlus-oriented model exchange and simulation workflows.
  • Topologic / BHoM: topology and open AEC object-model interoperability.
Modules

SAM Ecosystem

The toolkit is easier to understand when modules are grouped by their role in the analytical workflow.

Core model

SAMCore analytical model objects and workflows.
SAM_SolverGeometry and topology preparation utilities.
SAM_ValidationRegression and numerical validation suite.

BIM and exchange

SAM_RevitRevit and Rhino.Inside workflows.
SAM_IFCIndustry Foundation Classes exchange.
SAM_gbXMLgbXML import, export, and model transfer.
SAM_GEMIES VE GEM export workflows.
SAM_BHoMBHoM object model interoperability.
SAM_TopologicTopological space and building representations.

Simulation and HVAC

SAM_TasMain Tas EDSL simulation integration.
SAM_OpenStudioSecondary OpenStudio model generation and exchange.
SAM_LadybugToolsSecondary Ladybug Tools and Honeybee interoperability.
SAM_SystemsBuilding systems and HVAC system concepts.
SAM_MultitaskerScenario orchestration and task execution.

Engineering physics

SAM_MollierMollier charts and psychrometric HVAC processes.
SAM_PsychrometricsMoist-air thermodynamic property calculations.
SAM_SolarCalculatorSolar position and irradiance utilities.
SAM_IAPWSWater and steam properties using IAPWS-IF97.
SAM_AcousticBuilding acoustic analysis utilities.

User layers and scripting

SAM_Rhino_UIRhino plugin and command-based access.
SAM_Revit_UIUser-facing Revit add-in layer.
SAM_UIWindows desktop interface for SAM workflows.
SAM_ExcelSpreadsheet exchange and post-processing.
SAM_PythonPython integration for custom workflows.
Get Started

Install

  1. Download the latest SAM installer.
  2. Run the installer and follow the prompts.
  3. Use SAM from Rhino, Grasshopper, or Grasshopper inside Revit via Rhino.Inside.Revit.
  4. Build from source in Visual Studio when developing or extending modules.

Current installer releases are managed through the SAM_Deploy repository.

Typical Steps

Run A Study

  1. Import or generate geometry.
  2. Create panels, spaces, apertures, and adjacency clusters.
  3. Attribute constructions, profiles, internal conditions, and systems.
  4. Validate the analytical model and export or simulate.
  5. Compare scenarios, extract results, and document assumptions.
Docs And Community

Documentation, Support, Contribution

Commercial services, training, and bespoke workflows are available through SAM-BIM.

Team

Meet The SAM-BIM Team

Company: SAM-BIM on LinkedIn

Publications

Selected Publications

ResearchGate is the canonical publication destination for SAM. New papers are listed here and linked once their ResearchGate pages are available.

Sustainable Analytical Model (SAM 3.0): A New Approach to Automated HVAC Simulation

M. Dengusiak, J. Ziolkowski, M. Dengusiak. BSA 2026 review paper.

SAM 3.0HVAC automationTas

ResearchGate page to be added.

Bridging BIM and BEM: Efficient Generation of Building Energy Models Using the Sustainable Analytical Model (SAM)

M. Dengusiak, J. Ziolkowski. CESBP 2025.

BIM to BEMRevitWatertight models

ResearchGate page to be added.

Introducing SAM_Mollier: An Open-Source Tool for Psychrometric HVAC Analysis

M. Dengusiak, J. Ziolkowski. CESBP 2025.

SAM_MollierPsychrometricsHVAC

ResearchGate page to be added.

Analytical Model (SAM 2.0): A New Frontier in Open-Source Building Energy Simulation

M. Dengusiak, J. Ziolkowski, M. Dengusiak. BSA 2024.

SAM 2.0SimulationOpen source

ResearchGate page to be added.

Full and up-to-date list: ResearchGate - Michal Dengusiak.