A distributed simulation between control systems and building performance applications is becoming more and more an invaluable tool in the analysis of Automated Buildings (ABs) for better operation and design. In order to simultaneously fulfill the occupants' needs while reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions -instead of costly and time-consuming experiments -distributed simulations are required to investigate the impact of advanced control systems on building performance

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... cations. This paper describes the development and implementation of a framework for distributed simulations involving different software tools at the same time over a network. The main role of this framework is to run-time couple one or more building performance simulation tool(s) with a control systems environment over a network, as organized and sorted by similarity to Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) architecture. Finally, the paper ends with some conclusions and perspectives for future work. Keywords-systems engineering; distributed dynamic simulation; building performance applications; control systems; automated building; building automation and control systems I. focus on fuzzy, neural network, optimal and predictive control systems of thermal conditions in buildings. In addition, Sharples et al. [32] , Kamphuis et al. [18], Jelsma et al. [17], and Kamphuis et al. [19] introduced the use of Multi-Agent Systems (MASs) for managing energy and thermal comfort in buildings. However, most studies are often devoted to the particular control application and specific use of a given building. Moreover, the studies related to the application of MASs were only introduced with a field experiments that were set up in several offices. For this reason, the present paper introduces the concepts and core issues of a structured and rigorous approach, based on SE practice, to integrate advanced control systems in building performance applications. This approach distributes one or more building performance simulation software tools and control systems modeling environment over a network. The overall goal of this approach is to provide practical solutions for enabling the application of multi-variable control systems to building HVAC&R equipment and lighting components, and particularly to improve distributed control applications such as MASs in ABs. ABs are a class of buildings, which are able to accrue economic and environmental benefits by the use of computer-based monitoring to coordinate, organize, manage, adapt and optimize building HVAC&R equipment, lighting components, and facilities related to the maintenance of fire safety and elevator function, among other functions [37], [40] . Among the many other names used to refer to ABs, the most common are building automation (BA), smart buildings (SBs), and intelligent buildings (IBs). The term ABs is used in this paper because it best describes the importance of integrating automatic control systems and intelligent control technologies into a building's environmental performance. Specifically, ABs are composed of numerous sensors, actuators, and control systems interconnected in such a way to facilitate and adapt a suitable control strategy and/or optimum control reference (or set-point) from the central computer-based monitor system. These basic activities of ABs have been the subject of BACS since the last century. Generally, modern comprehensive BACS use the all-encompassing term building automation systems (BAS) when referring specifically to their control designs, although the terms energy management systems (EMS), building energy management systems (BEMS), building management systems (BMS), and intelligent building management systems (IBMS) are still used, sometimes intentionally to refer to specific functional aspects, but more often by habit [19] . All these names refer to BACS, which greatly increase the interaction of plants systems within buildings, improve occupant comfort, reduce energy use, and allow for distribution of building operations over a network. The relevant international standard uses the term BACS as an umbrella term [13] .