Welcome
We have never blindly complied with rules – for almost 35 years, we have been challenging standard practises and going beyond compliance to design for performance and achieving better building performance by considering a wide range of issues such as thermal mass, natural ventilation regimes, air tightness, hybrid plant configurations, renewable energy sources etc. Building Simulation has a proven track record supporting designers, contractors and building managers successfully achieve comfortable, affordable and energy efficient buildings that deliver the required internal and environmental performance.
Where simulation and reality coincide
What We Offer
Evidence Based Design
We integrate a wide range of physical and computer based techniques to develop a holistic design solution with a high level of confidence. Building Simulation has extensive knowledge of using fundamental calculation methods to complement advanced analytical tools validated by practical onsite testing in innovative and resourceful ways. We have adopted innovative integrated modelling to challenge Building Regulations to enable the large multi-storey carparks at Bluewater shopping centre to be naturally ventilated reducing capital expenditure, operational energy and carbon emissions. Building Simulation excels at supporting design teams to fully understand how new and existing buildings and MEP systems work within their environments and develop appropriate evidence based designs.
Expert Witness
An expert witness in the field of energy and performance modelling and simulation. Catherine Simpson, founder of Building Simulation also acts as an expert witness in the field of CFD, compliance and performance simulation. A recent tribunal award where Catherine was instructed by a respondent in LCIA proceedings in relation to the design, installation, operation and maintenance of a gas power plant stated “… where uncertainty exists as to which experts’ views are to be preferred or where each experts’ views appear equally plausible, the Tribunal is inclined to prefer Mrs Simpson’s evidence.”
Wide-ranging Experience
Building Simulation is highly respected within a diverse client base. Building Simulation has a wide client base comprising architects, building services consultants, contractors and property managers and benefits from a uniquely wide-ranging experience within commercial, education, hotels, museums, theatres, industrial, leisure and entertainment, residential, shopping centres, mixed use developments, military hangars … even autopsy laboratories and beryllium machine rooms!
Company
Catherine is a Chartered Engineer with almost 40 years’ experience of building performance analysis, 34 years of which have been as an independent consultant. Catherine has been modelling MEP systems for almost 40 years and is well placed to support organisations seeking zero carbon performance in line with NABERS, BREEAM and LEED, for example. Quality and personal service are very important to her customers and much of her business is from existing clients and referrals.
Catherine’s skill base has expanded over the years to include supplementing building investigations using thermography (Level II), air tightness testing, environmental monitoring as well as supporting the technology and construction courts as an expert witness where compliance, design and performance modelling contribute to legal disputes. She also provides strategic quality assurance and modelling advice to organisations wishing to ensure that their in-house computer modelling is undertaken with minimum risk and to the highest standards.
Our Work
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Tate St. Ives, Cornwall
Hexham Hospital PFI
MOD Procurement HQ, Filton
Urbis Centre Manchester
Bluewater Shopping Centre
Central Veterinary Laboratory
LRC, University of Derby
National Memorial Arboretum
White City Retail Complex
Westminster Central Hall
MOD Benson, MOD Sandhurst
Harrow Vale, Senior Living
Oxford University, Trials & Epidemiology Building
Strand Palace Hotel Redevelopment
Russel Hotel
Cairo Auditorium
Suffolk New College
Elephant Road, Residential Apartments
Cambridge Grand Arcade
Studio One, London Weekend Television
What clients say
"Working with Cathie was a joy"
"Working with Cathie was a joy. Her knowledge and drive kept everything clear. I thank her for her time and patience."
Nicholas Peak, Head of Knowledge at CIBSE
"Excelled in the field of building performance analysis"
"I have known Cathie from when as a very young engineer in the late 1980’s she excelled in the field of building performance analysis and was one of the very first industry experts to emerge in the use of software tools to model building systems and their impact on the built environment. Her focus now is the same as it always has been, to help create buildings which perform as intended using pragmatic and sensible engineering assessments to predict how they and their environmental control systems will respond to the external climate and internal use patterns. Throughout her career Cathie has continued to develop her skills and her preeminence in the areas in which she practices has seen her employed on many occasions as an expert witness to help resolve construction and technology disputes involving design and performance modelling. It is great to see her skills are in greater demand than ever before, as we all strive to improve the performance of our buildings to meet a net zero carbon future."
Neil Pennell, Head of Deign Innovation and Property Solutions, Landsec
"One of the UK's leading building physics professionals"
"I first met Catherine through a colleague who had worked for her whilst studying for his MSc and was immediately impressed by her knowledge of building physics and intuitive approach to problem solving. Catherine is in my view one of the UK's leading building physics professionals who combines the highest level of professionalism with a personable and approachable manner. Her ability to collaborate constructively with clients and add real value to their own views and aspirations to achieve the optimum outcomes is second to none."
Brian Spires, Sustainability and Low Carbon Consultant
"Excellent service and high quality work"
"We worked with Building Simulation on the Westfield Shopping Centre in London. Excellent service and high quality work."
Les Smith, Managing Director, Cudd Bentley
"A true professional"
"Over the years that I have worked with Cathy I have never failed to be impressed by the focus she brings to her projects and her ability and innovative approach to finding the right solution to any issues which arise. A true professional and a pleasure to work with."
Keith Vance, Operations Director (M&E) at Mace
"Great results, Good value"
"Great results, Expert, Good value, On time. With her long and wide ranging experience, Cathie quickly understands the task in hand. Her engineering background enables her to discuss projects and present results in meaningful engineering terms and to identify both those cases which should be investigated and equally those which do not need to be explored. During a period of high demand for Building Simulations' services, Cathie provided a mutually beneficial and very successful in-house team at WSP."
Phil Searle-Barnes, Retired from WSP
"High level of professional integrity"
"Catherine is an expert in her field and can be relied on to provide accurate and timely information. She is very personable to deal with and has a high level of professional integrity. I would not hesitate to recommend her and her company and I have done so to several of my contacts already."
Barry Gore, Chairman, MMTT Limited.
"Expert in her field"
"We partnered with Cathie as we believe that she is an expert within her field of CFD analysis and wind tunnel testing with good practical experience of real situations."
Neal Simmonds, Managing Partner at Scotch Partners
Customer Base
