Who is this event for?
HackSimBuild is for anyone with an interest in improving the practice of building performance simulation, especially SimBuild 2026 participants. The event is of particular interest for students, post docs, early career researchers, scientists, practitioners, and subject matter experts. We welcome all skill levels to participate.

Do I need to know how to code?
No. We encourage participants with all levels of coding experience. If you’re not a programmer, we’re sure you can bring other skills to share with a team.

How long is the event?
This year’s event begins with introductions and tutorials at 10 AM on May 20, followed by a 4-hour intensive working session. Presentations to a panel of jurors will take place the following day, May 21 at 1:30 PM.

Do I need to be present for the entire event?
It’s okay to come in and out of the event, and we know some participants will want to see some of the other SimBuild sessions taking place simultaneously. Please be a courteous team member so that your team can continue to be productive even when you’re not there.

What should I prepare before the event?
Think of a few project ideas you would like to work on. Take inspiration from your day-to-day operation, and think about what tools you wish existed in the industry. If you like, take some time to try out vibe coding tools.

What is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is an AI-assisted method of coding that makes app building more accessible to people with limited programming experience. It uses an AI assistant to create, improve, and debug code according to conversational instructions while leaving the user free to think about the big picture.

Do I need to register?
Registration on ConfTool helps us to gage interest and provide space for the right number of teams. However, anyone at SimBuild can participate.

What is the cost of attending HackSimBuild?
Registration is free when you sign up to attend SimBuild.

If I’ve already registered for SimBuild, can I add HackSimBuild to my registration?
Yes! Just email events@ibpsa.us and let us know you’d like to add HackSimBuild to your existing registration.

Who won HackSimBuild ‘24?
Team HackYeah won the grand prize in 2024 for their Energy Locker project that predicts the annual energy cost for thermal energy storage systems. Read about all of the 2024 projects and see their presentations and source code.

What is it like to attend an IBPSA hackathon?
Ken Takahashi wrote about his experience at a previous HackSimBuild. You can read about it in his Ask a Modeler column.

Where can I get more information?
Reach out to us at hackathon@ibpsa.us with your questions.