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The modeling of convective flows based on a 3D lattice Boltzmann approach for low Mach number flows with variable density combined with a large eddy turbulence model is presented. The ability to handle non-Boussinesq density variation problems is depicted for two-dimensional Rayleigh–Be´nard convection at a Rayleigh number Ra=800,000.A complex three-dimensional example shows the status of our work with respect to turbulent flow in and around a building, so far without consideration of the energy equation in the full scale 3D case. Integrated within a CAD environment, the spatial geometric model, based on an IFC building product data model, is discretized using a hierarchic data structure. Results are presented for a Reynolds number Re=75,000 computed on a high-performance parallel vector computer.State-of-the-art visualization techniques integrate the simulation results and the CAD model into a virtual reality environment. The VR environment allows also for an interactive analysis of thermal comfort criteria, being demonstrated for an indoor air flow simulation of an open-plan office. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]