Urban SOLar Visual Explorer
A decision-support prototype for early-phase solar performance-driven neighborhood design
Developed by: Dr. Emilie Nault
Project advisor: Prof. Marilyne Andersen
Programming support: Mélanie Huck
UrbanSOLve in brief
Initiated in 2015, the development of the Urban SOLar Visual Explorer (UrbanSOLve) prototype is motivated by an observed need for adequate methods and tools for supporting practitioners, e.g. architects and urban designers, in making informed performance-based decisions during the conceptual stages of an urban project.
UrbanSOLve allows comparing the solar performance – passive, daylight, and active solar potential – of a series of neighborhood design variations, automatically generated from user-defined inputs. Results enable users to investigate the changes in performance caused by morphological differences between the designs.
UrbanSOLve workshops
A first version of UrbanSOLve was tested among professionals in October 2015. Outcomes led to a second development phase, which was concluded in May 2017 and followed by two workshop sessions with engineers, architects, and urban designer. Outcomes highlighted a strong potential of the prototype as a supporting instrument and allowed identifying further development avenues.
Contact
Emilie Nault, postdoctoral researcher