Virtual Environment (IESVE)

Integrated building performance analysis for energy, compliance, and sustainability

IESVE is a comprehensive suite of integrated analysis tools for whole-building design optimization. It provides energy modeling, thermal comfort, HVAC, lighting, airflow, and compliance analysis in a single platform using the Apache simulation engine.

Acquired by Apax Partners (Feb 2024); Prior: £19.1M annual revenue raised ⭐ Market Leader
Founded 1994 Thousands of professionals worldwide; Notable customers: AECOM, Skanska, Turner Construction, DPR, Gensler, major educational institutions (LSE, UC Davis, NYU Abu Dhabi)

Why This Tool Exists

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The Problem

Architects and engineers waste 5-10 hours weekly coordinating multiple specialized analysis tools (energy, lighting, thermal, CFD) for building design. Switching between platforms causes data loss, introduces calculation errors, and extends design cycles.

The Solution

IESVE unifies all building performance analysis within one integrated platform with Apache engine. Users model once and generate energy, compliance, thermal, lighting, and airflow results simultaneously, enabling rapid design optimization.

How You Use It

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Delivery Method

Desktop App Web Demo API
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Integrations

Revit Rhino Pollination SketchUp gbXML IFC
Disciplines
Architecture, MEP Engineering, Civil Engineering
Project Phases
Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation, Operations/FM
Project Types
Commercial, Residential, Healthcare, Education, Institutional, Mixed-Use

Data Transparency

Exactly what this tool uses and how

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Input

What it needs

Required: Building geometry (CAD/BIM model)
Optional: Project schedule, Material properties database, HVAC system specifications, Occupancy schedules, Renewable energy systems, Climate data
Formats: Revit (RVT), Rhino (3DM), gbXML, IFC, GEM (IESVE native)
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Output

What you get

Format: Multi-disciplinary performance reports with interactive visualizations
Fields: Annual energy consumption (kWh), Carbon emissions (kg CO2), Peak loads (kW), Thermal comfort metrics (PPD, PMV), Daylight penetration percentages, CFD flow patterns, Compliance status (LEED, BREEAM, Passivhaus), Cost analysis
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Algorithm

How it works

Model: Apache simulation engine (proprietary whole-building energy simulation)
Accuracy: Apache engine recognized as world-leading accuracy for whole-building simulation; Customer case study (SSE Smarter Council Offices) achieved 99.3% model accuracy versus actual data
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Privacy

How your data is protected

Retention: Project-based retention (user configuration available; specific duration not publicly specified)
Training: Not publicly specified (contact vendor regarding model training data usage)
Compliance: GDPR compliant, PECR compliant, Registered with UK Information Commissioner Office
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API

Integration

Endpoint: https://www.iesve.com/developer
Method: Python API (VE Python API running within IESVE); REST APIs for iCIM, iSCAN, and Apache cloud services

Use Cases

  • Early design exploration comparing passive strategies (natural ventilation, solar orientation, high-performance envelope) against baseline
  • Thermal comfort and overheating assessment for residential and office spaces to meet Passivhaus or WELL standards
  • HVAC load calculation and equipment sizing to optimize first-cost and operating costs
  • Daylighting analysis and electric lighting control design to reduce energy consumption 20-30%
  • Carbon footprint and embodied energy analysis for LEED, BREEAM, and net-zero certification
  • CFD analysis of air quality, stratification, and ventilation effectiveness in critical buildings (hospitals, labs)
  • Compliance verification against Title 24, Energy Building Code, and regional energy regulations

Pricing

Free
Free 30-day trial; Educational licenses available ($70/year student, $615 for full suite)
Pro
Contact IES for licensing; Training courses from $75/module; IES TaP compliance tools from $120/year
Enterprise
Custom enterprise licenses with on-premises options available through Apax Partners
Website →
📚 Research Sources & Data Quality Last verified: 2026-02-01
Verified Data (17)
problem, solution, deliveryMethod, integrations, disciplines, projectPhases, projectTypes, yearFounded, maturityStage, customerBase, license, input-formats, output-fields, algorithm-approach, useCases, privacy-location, privacy-compliance
Not Found (8)
fundingTotal-details, specific-api-rateLimit, specific-pricing-pro-tier, soc2-certification-report, data-retention-duration, algorithm-accuracy-percentage, data-training-practices, webhook-support
Our Commitment: We only include verified data from official sources. If information isn't publicly available, we mark it as "Not publicly specified" rather than guessing.

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