Visualization Techniques in a Building Potential Simulator Using Sunlíght Access Con

Abstract

This paper presents the use of a technique known as solar envelope in the simulation of building potential of urban plots as well as the improvement of 2D and 3D visualization techniques of simulation results. The consideration of sunlight access in urban planning fulfills basic requirements for improving the quality of buildings regarding thermal comfort. The work has improved an existing decision support system, CityZoom, which provides an environment where severa[ performance models çan be used in an integrated way for urban planning. One of these models is BlockMagic, where insolation can be simulated along with Master Plans rules, seeking to maximize both building potential and sunlight access. Resides the adoption of the solar envelope concept in the simulation, 2D and 3D visualization techniques were developed in order to show sun-path diagram, sky vault obstruction due to neighboring buildings, and 3D view with shadows obtained from the buildings simulation.