High Quality Solar Architecture: Do Architects Have Tools Supporting Early Design Phase Decisions?
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a “State-of-the-art” review of 56 computer tools (CAAD, visualisation and simulation software) that architects currently use at early design phase (EDP) or other phases of building projects. This work was carried out as part of Subtask B of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Task 41: Solar Energy and Architecture. The results reveal a lack of advanced solar tools for EDP work, systemic specialization of available software, a lack of clear numerical feedback yielding informed decisions at EDP, a lack of clear information about physically-based rendering, and a lack of tools for architectural integration of active solar systems.