Ameera Azeez
In architecture, the hours of sunlight a building receives is one of the major driving factors that impact design decisions. The orientation of the building in relation to the sun and the ability to effectively control it can make or break the success of a project. In fact, a study from New Zealand, found that each additional hour of direct sunlight exposure for a house per day, averaged across the year, added 2.4% to its market value. More importantly, research also shows how sunlight exposure can contribute to improving mood, reducing stress and enhancing mental well-being amongst other benefits.
There is also a lack of standardized requirements. Cold countries chase the sun for warmth, positioning outdoor areas and windows at the most optimal pockets, whereas warmer countries design to maximize shade and evade the scorching heat of the high sun. While augmenting the sun hours of a building can allow for free heat and natural light, it also presents drawbacks such as glare and discomfort when excess heat is not needed, leading to an increased demand for cooling.
Autodesk Forma’s sun hours analysis supports you in addressing these complexities by swiftly computing data-informed results within minutes. The wealth of data from Forma helps guide your choices, empowering you to strike the ideal balance between comfort and efficiency. The sun hours analysis function works by measuring the number of sunlight hours at different points on the ground and on the building’s façade, on any given date.
How to run sun hours analysis in Forma
To access the analysis in Autodesk Forma, navigate to the Sun hours option in the Analyze menu on the right panel. Open the Analysis Area Selection menu at the top of the right panel and continue to select one or more site limits or zones. This will define the area where the sun hours analysis will be computed. You can run this analysis either for your project site area or you can define a larger zone to see the impact of your design on the neighboring buildings.
It is recommended to run the sun hours analysis for multiple dates throughout the year to develop a more holistic understanding – for example, through the summer and winter solstices and the spring and autumnal equinoxes. Input the dates of your choice for when you want to analyze sun conditions using the date pickers on the right panel.
Interpreting the results of the analysis
The results of the analysis will show the number of sun hours for the date selected. You can then use inspection points to see the exact number of sun hours for specific points of interest. To enable the Inspect Tool, navigate to the icon on the top right corner of the 3D scene.
Optimize both building facades and outdoor spaces
Autodesk Forma runs two types of direct sun analyses: analyses of sun hours received by buildings and by the adjacent grounds.
Sun hours analysis on the building facade
This analysis considers the buildings that are within the analysis selection area. These results are vital in understanding future living conditions for the building’s residents. For instance, sun hours on balconies can be a key deciding factor in the pricing of an apartment. Additionally, understanding how your building’s design can potentially hinder sun access to neighboring buildings can help you make modifications earlier in the workstream.
Sun hours analysis on the ground
Computing the sun hours received by the ground allows you to optimize the quality of the outdoor areas and create more enjoyable spaces. You can also leverage this capability of Forma to ensure that you meet the regulatory requirements specific to your project location.
Autodesk Forma’s sun hours analysis is yet another feature that uses data-driven insights in real-time to help you make faster and smarter design decisions that enhance outcomes and reduce risk. Forma’s cloud-based work stream also improves collaboration and secures buy-in by using data and visuals that effectively convey a compelling design story tailored to win you more bids.