> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/workflows/get-started/what-is-strata.md).

# What is Project Strata?

Understand Project Strata's purpose, users, workflows, and current scope.

Project Strata is a building intelligence platform built for building systems engineers. It structures engineering knowledge, historical project data, applicable codes, and system decision logic into connected workflows — so the information you need is available when you need it, encoded and consistent across projects.

> 📸 **Screenshot — Project Strata at a glance** The design environment with a floor plan loaded, a few zones colored on the canvas, and the right-hand detail panel open. This is the "hero" image for the help center — it should convey what working in Project Strata looks like.

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## Who it's for

Building systems engineers and designers. Project Strata assumes domain fluency — it does not explain building codes, guidelines, building system engineering concepts, or what equipment like an AHU is. It applies that knowledge systematically.

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## What it does

Project Strata connects three things that typically live in different places:

1. **Building data** — location, building type, size, applicable codes, space program, etc.
2. **Engineering knowledge** — Henderson baselines, code requirements, historical project statistics
3. **System decisions** — equipment selections, zone assignments, source configurations

Instead of reconstructing this from scratch per project, Project Strata gives you a structured starting point informed by what has been built before and what the codes require.

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## Current scope

The near-term focus is on schematic design level workflows. Three disciplines are live today, each at its own stage of development:

* **Mechanical** — full workflow: System → Source → Zone → Space hierarchy, airflow budgets, cooling and heating load estimates, and an equipment schedule.
* **Electrical** — full schematic-design workflow: System → Source → Distribution → Branch → Space hierarchy, load estimates, and an equipment schedule.
* **Plumbing** — space and fixture entry with Supply Fixture Unit (SFU) accumulation against the IPC 2024 or UPC 2024 catalog, and a Service → Group → Space supply hierarchy. The Topology view and a formatted equipment schedule aren't available yet — see [Plumbing Planning Overview](/workflows/plumbing-planning/plumbing-planning-overview.md) for current limitations.

Other disciplines — fire, lighting, controls — have no workflow yet.

Current scope covers:

* Schematic-phase mechanical system sizing (cooling/heating capacity estimates, electrical and gas service estimates)
* Schematic-phase electrical load budgeting (lighting/receptacle/miscellaneous densities, panel and service sizing)
* Schematic-phase plumbing fixture-unit accumulation (Hot/Cold/Combined SFU from the project's assigned plumbing code)
* Space program entry and zone/source (Mechanical), branch/distribution (Electrical), or group/service and fixture (Plumbing) configuration
* Equipment schedule generation for Mechanical and Electrical; Plumbing exports structured Grid Data instead of a formatted schedule

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## Where it fits in your workflow

Project Strata is designed for early-phase work — schematic design. It is not a load calculation tool and does not replace energy modeling or detailed equipment selection in later phases. It handles the structured, repetitive work of establishing a credible basis of design so your judgment can focus on the decisions that actually require it.

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## The design environment

**The design environment** — Upload a floor plan, draw and define spaces, and build out your system hierarchy. Switch disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing) via the top nav — each loads its own hierarchy and equipment on the canvas. Mechanical and Electrical output a discipline-specific equipment schedule; Plumbing outputs structured Grid Data.

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## Related

* [Logging In](/workflows/get-started/sign-in.md)
* [Create your first project](/workflows/get-started/create-your-first-project.md)
* [Navigating Project Strata](/workflows/get-started/navigate-strata.md)
* [Collaboration](/workflows/get-started/collaborate.md)
* [System Hierarchy](/reference/reference/system-hierarchy.md)
* [Mechanical Planning Overview](/workflows/mechanical-planning/mechanical-planning-overview.md)
* [Electrical Planning Overview](/workflows/electrical-planning/electrical-planning-overview.md)
* [Plumbing Planning Overview](/workflows/plumbing-planning/plumbing-planning-overview.md)