MES Building Solutions: Comfort and Compliance for Joshua Tree Charity Building

The IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) software was used in delivering a new specialist support centre for The Joshua Tree, a charity supporting families across England and North Wales, living with the impact of childhood cancer.

Key Facts

Two-storey new-build extension to an existing charity support centre
Level 4 SBEM assessment for Part L compliance
Delivered under accelerated design and construction timescales

For energy modelling and SBEM compliance, MES utilised the IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) as its primary simulation and compliance platform. Despite rapid programme pressures, frequent design iterations, and the sensitive nature of the building’s purpose, MES were able to optimise both energy performance and occupant comfort.

Supporting a Sensitive, People-Centred Building with Reliable Performance Modelling

The project involved a substantial two-storey extension to The Joshua Tree’s existing support centre, where maintaining year-round comfort and ensuring energy efficiency were non-negotiable. To achieve these outcomes under intense time constraints, MES Building Solutions relied on IESVE’s industry-leading dynamic simulation capabilities, which bring energy modelling, HVAC analysis, and SBEM compliance into one consistent, accurate platform.

IESVE was used by MES as the modelling environment to develop building geometry, apply construction and systems data, and generate SBEM outputs in line with the requirements of Approved Document L. MES could then input the results collected from on-site testing seamlessly to create an accurate building model.

Using IESVE to Respond Quickly and Confidently

IESVE provided a single, integrated modelling environment in which the team could test scenarios, react to change, and maintain full confidence in every result.

ModelIT enabled fast and reliable development of the building geometry, with zoning aligned to the building’s wide variety of space types.
VE Compliance allowed construction elements, HVAC systems, glazing, and SBEM inputs to be updated efficiently as designs evolved.
Tabular space data functionality ensured rapid, consistent updates across multiple zones - minimising rework and avoiding data inconsistencies.

The building’s angular form and complex roof geometry created additional modelling challenges. Here, IESVE’s industry-leading interoperability became a major advantage:

Importing geometry from SketchUp maintained accuracy while reducing modelling time.
Flexible window placement at both plan and surface levels allowed the team to reflect the architectural design faithfully.

These capabilities directly reflect IESVE’s value proposition: faster iteration, reduced consultant time on non-revenue modelling tasks, enhanced accuracy, and a workflow designed for fast-paced, real-world project pressures.

Why IESVE?

A major advantage of IESVE on this project was its ability to deliver time efficiency without compromising quality. By operating within a single flexible platform for geometry, systems, and compliance workflows, the team avoided fragmented tools and reduced the risk of errors. This was enabled by:

A holistic whole-building model with energy, HVAC, and compliance models to remain unified and consistent.
An integrated system supporting different HVAC solutions across varied space types, crucial for balancing sensitive therapy rooms with more active gym areas.
A productive solution using fewer tools, simplified updates, and faster workflows.

For a building designed to support families in some of the most challenging moments of their lives, the ability to confidently balance technical performance with human comfort was essential.

Although assessed under Level 4 SBEM, where reportable performance metrics are limited, IESVE enabled a complete, robust BRUKL submission demonstrating full Part L compliance.

“This project showed how valuable IESVE can be on fast-paced, non-traditional builds. It gave us the flexibility to adapt quickly, while still being confident in the accuracy of the results, which was essential given the nature and purpose of the building.”

Tommy Jackson, Sustainable Buildings Consultant, MES Building Solutions