DesignBuilder
DesignBuilder Software Ltd develops building performance simulation software that combines EnergyPlus, Radiance, and proprietary CFD engines in a graphical interface for engineers, architects, and energy assessors worldwide, distributed via direct sales and a global reseller network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersStroud, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What DesignBuilder does
DesignBuilder Software Ltd is a UK-based building performance simulation software company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The company develops a state-of-the-art simulation platform that enables engineers, architects, energy assessors, and educators to evaluate building energy use, carbon emissions, lighting performance, thermal comfort, and HVAC behavior. Its core product wraps open-source simulation engines—EnergyPlus for dynamic thermal modeling and Radiance for daylighting—within a proprietary graphical interface and adds a built-in CFD solver based on the SIMPLER algorithm with k-e turbulence modeling. Differentiated capabilities include multi-objective optimization using the NSGA2 evolutionary algorithm, EMS/Python/C# scripting for simulation customization, BIM interoperability through gbXML import from Revit/ArchiCAD/Microstation, and Climate Analytics covering 43,000+ weather stations. DesignBuilder is approved SBEM and DSM certification software for UK EPC and Part-L compliance, and v7.1.3.003 qualifies for US DOE 179D tax deductions.
The company operates a tiered annual subscription pricing model with four engineering packages (Fundamentals at $1,800/yr, Essentials at $2,250/yr, Plus at $3,075/yr, and Pro at $4,650/yr) plus standalone training courses for SBEM, DSM, and TM52/59 overheating certification. Revenue is generated primarily through software licensing, supplemented by training and certification services. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct e-commerce via the company website with a free 30-day evaluation funnel, combined with an international reseller network of approximately 20 regional partners covering Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
Notable customers include global engineering consultancies (Arup, Arcadis, Shell, chapmanbdsp, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture), major universities (MIT, Harvard GSD, Oxford Brookes, UCL, Virginia Tech, Berlin University of Technology), and a broad base of individual practitioners. The firm is privately held and founder-owned, with no disclosed external funding, and holds ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification.
DesignBuilder firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DesignBuilder
- Legal name
- DesignBuilder Software Ltd
- Website
- https://designbuilder.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DesignBuilder Software Ltd develops building performance simulation software that combines EnergyPlus, Radiance, and proprietary CFD engines in a graphical interface for engineers, architects, and energy assessors worldwide, distributed via direct sales and a global reseller network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DesignBuilder industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Building Performance Simulation Software
- NAICS
- Drafting Services (541340), Industrial Design Services (54142)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Construction Engineering & Constructability Consulting (BPAHAIAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Space Planning & Workplace Design (BPAHAKAI)
Keywords
Where DesignBuilder is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stroud
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
DesignBuilder business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel
Revenue model
- Software Licenses: Annual subscription-based software licenses sold in tiered packages (Engineering Fundamentals, Essentials, Plus, Pro) with varying module inclusions. Multi-year licenses available at discounted rates.
- Training and Certification: Revenue from online on-demand training courses (SBEM, DSM, Overheating), live training events, and certification exams for energy assessors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Engineering Fundamentals - Core simulation package including 3-D Modeller, Visualisation, Simulation, and Daylighting modules |
| Subscription | Annual | Engineering Essentials - Adds HVAC, Cost and Carbon modules to Fundamentals |
| Subscription | Annual | Engineering Plus - Adds Optimisation module with multi-criteria analysis capabilities |
| Subscription | Annual | Engineering Pro - Complete package including Visualisation, Simulation, Daylighting, HVAC, CFD, Cost and Carbon, ASHRAE 90.1 and LEED, Optimisation, and Scripting modules |
| Subscription | Annual | SBEM for UK Certification Training - Online on-demand with 12 months access |
| Subscription | Annual | DSM for UK Certification Training - Online on-demand with 12 months access |
| Subscription | Annual | Summer Overheating (TM52/59) Training - Online on-demand with 12 months access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
DesignBuilder product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DesignBuilder is a building performance simulation software platform that combines a state-of-the-art 3-D modeller with industry-standard simulation engines (EnergyPlus for dynamic thermal simulation and Radiance for daylighting analysis) to deliver integrated energy, comfort, HVAC, daylighting, CFD, cost, and carbon analysis from a single building model. The software is sold in tiered engineering packages and is used by engineers, architects, energy assessors, and universities worldwide for sustainable building design, regulatory compliance, and performance optimization.
Product overview
DesignBuilder is a building performance simulation software platform offering integrated modules for energy analysis, HVAC design, daylighting, CFD, certification, and optimization. The platform is sold as multiple engineering packages (Engineering Fundamentals, Essentials, Plus, and Pro) with different module inclusions, plus specialized packages for architects, energy assessors, and education. The core product combines a 3-D building modeller with EnergyPlus and Radiance simulation engines, supporting BIM import via gbXML. Additional tools include Climate Analytics for weather data and integrations with One Click LCA for life-cycle assessment. The platform also offers comprehensive training programs including SBEM, DSM, and overheating certification courses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DesignBuilder Software Building performance simulation software platform combining a 3-D modeller with EnergyPlus and Radiance engines for integrated energy, comfort, HVAC, daylighting, and CFD analysis, sold in tiered engineering packages (Fundamentals, Essentials, Plus, Pro) for engineers, architects, and energy assessors.
- Climate Analytics Comprehensive global weather data and analysis tool providing Typical Year, Design Year, and Actual Year weather files from over 43,000 weather stations and satellite measurements for use in building performance simulations.
- SBEM Training 1-day live online or on-demand training course for UK/Ireland Certification using DesignBuilder SBEM interface, providing accredited training for energy assessors at $196.80 with 12-month access.
- DSM Training and Exams Training for UK Certification using DesignBuilder DSM interface for Level 3, 4, and 5 buildings, including certification exams for energy assessors at $246.00 with 12-month access.
- Overheating Training Training for CIBSE TM52 and TM59 summer overheating assessment tools and Part O compliance, priced at $295.20 with 12-month online access.
- On-Demand Online Training Comprehensive online training content covering core simulation tools with 12-month access, available through website accounts for ongoing professional development.
Quantifiable outcome
- DesignBuilder SBEM users can be at least twice as productive compared to using free iSBEM software
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use DesignBuilder
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DesignBuilder technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability1 record
Feature8 records
DesignBuilder partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered regional, integration and core technology.
- AltensisregionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Turkey
- Aurea (Spain)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Spain
- b.i.g Gruppe (Germany/Austria)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Germany and Austria
- Batisim (France)regionalFrench sales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in France
- Dekprojekt (Czech Republic)regionalSales, support and consultancy for DesignBuilder products in the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Poland and Hungary
- NaturalWorks (Portugal)regionalSales and support for DesignBuilder products in Portugal
- SGM (Italy)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Italy
- Symbion (Greece)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Greece
- EA Buildings (Chile)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Chile and Peru
- OTEC (Brazil)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Brazil
- Sol-Arq (Latin America)regionalSpanish language sales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Central/South America
- DesignBuilder Software AustraliaregionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Australia
- DesignBuilder Software IndiaregionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka
- Ecoda (South Korea)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in South Korea
- Forum8 (Japan)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Japan
- Neapoli (Malaysia/SE Asia)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Malaysia and SE Asia
- Shanghai Feiyi Software Technology Ltd (China)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in China
- Vilandco (Vietnam)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Vietnam
- DesignBuilder IsraelregionalSales, support, training and consulting for DesignBuilder products in Israel
- Bio Consulting (Morocco)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in Morocco
- Greenplan (South Africa)regionalSales, support and training for DesignBuilder products in South Africa
- One Click LCAintegrationIntegration partnership for Building Life-Cycle Assessment functionality. DesignBuilder offers One Click LCA as a tool integration for lifecycle carbon assessment.
- CIBSEintegrationPartnership for CIBSE Weather Data Sets distribution. DesignBuilder provides access to CIBSE weather data for building performance simulations.
- RevitintegrationDesignBuilder Revit Plugin allows users to access DesignBuilder while working in their BIM models. Supports gbXML data exchange for model transfer.
- ArchiCADintegrationBIM interoperability through gbXML import from Graphisoft's ArchiCAD for architectural model transfer into DesignBuilder
- EnergyPluscore technologyDesignBuilder uses EnergyPlus as its core simulation engine for dynamic thermal simulations. DesignBuilder provides GUI interface for the open-source EnergyPlus engine.
- Radiancecore technologyDesignBuilder uses Radiance for daylighting analysis and simulations. DesignBuilder provides integrated GUI for the open-source Radiance engine.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DesignBuilder competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES): UK-based direct competitor offering the Integrated Environmental Solutions Virtual Environment (IESVE) platform for building performance simulation. Competes head-to-head with DesignBuilder on energy, daylighting, HVAC, and CFD analysis using proprietary engines, serving the same UK and international engineer/architect segments.
- Sefaira (Trimble): Building performance analysis SaaS tool acquired by Trimble, focused on early-stage energy and daylighting analysis for architects. Competes with DesignBuilder's daylighting and energy modules, particularly in the US architecture market.
Broad incumbents
- Autodesk (Insight / Revit / Forma): Global BIM-platform incumbent with embedded energy analysis capabilities in Revit (Insight) and cloud-based Forma. Represents the platform-level threat that could absorb standalone building simulation workflows into the broader AEC design suite.
- Trimble (SketchUp, Sefaira): Large AEC technology platform offering SketchUp and Sefaira, with overlapping building performance and design capabilities. Represents both a partner (BIM import) and potential competitive threat at the platform level.
- Bentley Systems (OpenBuildings, Hevacomp): AEC software platform offering building performance and HVAC analysis tools including Hevacomp (legacy UK tool) and OpenBuildings. Competes with DesignBuilder in engineering consultancy environments, especially in infrastructure and large commercial projects.
Emerging players
- Ladybug Tools / Pollination: Open-source tools (Ladybug/Honeybee) for parametric building performance simulation within Rhino/Grasshopper, plus Pollination cloud platform. Competes in the same simulation space as DesignBuilder, with strong architectural and academic adoption and an open-source ethos that mirrors DesignBuilder's underlying engines.
- cove.tool: Cloud-native building performance analysis platform with focus on early-stage design optimization for architects and developers. Competes with DesignBuilder's optimization module via a more accessible web-based workflow.
- OpenStudio (NREL): Open-source building energy modeling platform from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, built on EnergyPlus. Provides a free alternative to DesignBuilder's GUI layer and is increasingly used by DOE-affiliated projects and academic research.
Regional players
- EQUA Simulation AB: Sweden-based building performance simulation software (IDA Indoor Climate and Energy) with strong presence in Nordic and European markets. Competes in HVAC and energy analysis with DesignBuilder, particularly for detailed HVAC modeling in Northern Europe.
Others
- One Click LCA: Partner and adjacent platform for building life-cycle assessment and embodied carbon calculation. While not a direct energy simulation competitor, it integrates with DesignBuilder and competes for the same architect/sustainability consultant wallet on carbon analytics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DesignBuilder social profiles
Digital presenceDesignBuilder compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
DesignBuilder financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DesignBuilder leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
DesignBuilder funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DesignBuilder M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DesignBuilder
What does DesignBuilder do?
DesignBuilder is a building performance simulation software platform that combines a state-of-the-art 3-D modeller with industry-standard simulation engines (EnergyPlus for dynamic thermal simulation and Radiance for daylighting analysis) to deliver integrated energy, comfort, HVAC, daylighting, CFD, cost, and carbon analysis from a single building model. The software is sold in tiered engineering packages and is used by engineers, architects, energy assessors, and universities worldwide for sustainable building design, regulatory compliance, and performance optimization.
Is DesignBuilder a public or private company?
DesignBuilder is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DesignBuilder founded?
DesignBuilder was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DesignBuilder based?
DesignBuilder is headquartered in Stroud, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does DesignBuilder make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are training and Certification.
Who are DesignBuilder's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) and Sefaira (Trimble). Broad incumbents are Autodesk (Insight / Revit / Forma), Trimble (SketchUp, Sefaira) and Bentley Systems (OpenBuildings, Hevacomp). Emerging players are Ladybug Tools / Pollination, cove.tool and OpenStudio (NREL). EQUA Simulation AB is listed as a regional player. One Click LCA is listed as an others.
Does DesignBuilder have an API?
Yes. DesignBuilder provides Python and C# scripting APIs that enable users to pre-process and post-process models and simulation results at key points in program execution. The C# API provides deep access to program and model data similar to what DesignBuilder developers have. The Python API allows standard Python code to process and modify models, simulation inputs and results. Scripts can access extensive model data for creating custom reports, advanced analysis, optimization studies, sensitivity and parametric analysis, and modifying EnergyPlus IDF input files.
What industry is DesignBuilder in?
DesignBuilder's product category is Building Performance Simulation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAN, Construction Engineering & Constructability Consulting, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAI, Space Planning & Workplace Design. Its NAICS code is 541340 and its SIC code is 7372.