Center for Integrated Building Design Research Jan 2009 | Page 55

QuickTime™ and a
Photo - JPEG decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

Sunrise
7:11 a.m.

QuickTime™ and a
Photo - JPEG decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a
Photo - JPEG decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a
Photo - JPEG decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

E Q U I N O X

QuickTime™ and a
Photo - JPEG decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

Sunset
7:22 p.m.

Heliodon Analysis
A digital camera, mounted to view the physical model
in plan, records the movement of simulated sunlight
and corresponding shadows throughout the course
of a day. Still images (above and upper right) were
extracted from the video sequence to illustrate direct
exposure during key moments in the day, beginning
with sunrise and ending with sunset. This analysis
provides information relevant to passive strategies
and energy use by documenting the duration that
particular surfaces will be exposed to direct sunlight.
It also illustrates the effect of the surrounding
objects’ shadows on surfaces, and at what time of
day and year these instances occur, which provides
necessary information regarding potential solar heat
gain and glare. The solstice is the longest day of the
year, and the winter solstice is the shortest . Because
the days are longer in the summer months, and the
sun’s altitude is much lower during winter months,
the heliodon simulation is quickly reveals problematic
scenarios regionally, as well as seasonally, that may
require re-design.

53