Norbert Lechner provided a workshop for Oxford Brookes University students and demonstrated his Heliodon Sun Emulator and its practical techniques for applied site analysis. The aim of a responsible and contemporary architecture is to inform an architectural programme that fosters a performance of sustainable efficacy. One objective being to achieve a 'solar responsive design'.
The rapid technique was demonstrated using physical models in an iterative manner that enabled the physical to be represented in context with 'the sun'.
Iterations were applied such as adding and repositioning solar shading for any given time of day, time of year, with architectural models that could be simulated in any latitudinal context.
Students could quickly appreciate the benefits of applying the Heliodon Sun Emulator if juxtaposed with their models. Such methods can glean a more informed design rationale as a part of the typically rigorous urban and architectural design process.
The value of analysis was elucidated by Norbert and the advantages of his techniques became apparent in terms of development from 3-D sketching phase to final architectural presentation models and photography.
Students and professionals can, through the use of this device produce conceivably more sustainable buildings and test for the best orientation for a given building typology with which to compose urban design layouts and overarching design strategies for sustainability and ecological equilibrium.
"Complexities of the shading devices, the building design, or the site are no problem when using the Heliodon to create a shading system that is fully effective for any required time of day, time of year, or latitude."
Norbert Lechner
Advances in digital daylight simulation provided by programmes such as 3DS MAX in particular with its startlingly well-balanced Mental Ray daylight system (composed of mr sun and mr sky) achieve photo-realistic visualisation. 2008 saw the introduction of Autodesk's Green Building Studio for web based energy analysis aimed at achieving energy efficiency and carbon neutrality.
Such is the progress of digital design techniques that they undoubtedly enrich and stretch our design thinking in terms of development, mapping and analysis, however, it is refreshing to gain an understanding of a tangible analysis tool such as the Heliodon Sun Emulator that can be used throughout the iterations of architectural and urban design. This technique of evaluating the solar geometry involved with the trajectories of the sun's potential for energy efficient and stable environments is extremely valuable.
Other programmes such as Sketchup ensure that the explorative design process will be a marriage of digital and physical modeling for spatial analysis techniques. These design and analysis tools can help inform our progressive design decisions to produce more equitable and sustainable environments.
The 3rd edition of Norbert Lechner's book, Heating, cooling, lighting : design methods for architects
(Published by Wiley 2009) is available now
Includes instructions for building your own sun machine
