A new method for reusing building information models of past projects to optimize the default configuration for performance simulations

•A method to generate default configurations for simulation tools was proposed.•The value is based on the existing building datasets accumulated by BIM.•The datasets reflect the optimization experiences gained during previous design projects.•This method facilitates performance evaluations using simulations during early design phases.•Use of the method helps prevent design backsliding in subsequent design phases. The purpose of this study is to develop a new system that automatically generates default configurations for simulations during early phases of building design. The system is expected to facilitate front loading, which can contribute to making the building design process more efficient and consistent. The default configuration is generated based on an existing building database created by an architectural firm for each architectural program. The increase in the use of building information modeling (BIM) will allow for the compilation of a sufficient amount of data to utilize this system. The optimal default configuration changes its features automatically to match the objective functions employed by each architectural firm. Moreover, it can be used to create a generic building type, such as green buildings, based on a green building database. In this paper, a basic concept that can be used to produce a default configuration from existing building datasets was proposed. Using a case study, the similarity between the default configuration design and optimal design is illustrated. The study demonstrates the potential ability of this method to prevent designers from making careless mistakes with initial condition inputs and to eliminate the need to rework the simulation process, which facilitates front loading.