## Design construction and civil engineering

## Environmental Sciences

## An environment design tool integrating thermal environment simulations and 3D-CAD

Utilized a CAD software as an environment-design tool, Realized an ideal industry-university cooperation project, Marketed the

Keyword: tool as a product

## Organizations Involved

Akira Hoyano, Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

☐ Muneaki Shinjo, CEO, A&A CO., LTD.

## 【Abstract】

Hoyano Lab, at the graduate school of Tokyo Institute of Technology, has studied thermal environment simulations for many years. Under a joint research, Hoyano Lab and A&A CO., LTD. successfully developed a visible thermal environment simulation software. This software works with VectorWorks, a 3D-CAD software used for general building designs, and also on general-purpose PCs. As a result of this research, A&A CO. LTD. released the "ThermoRender", a useful software that will assist general designers in 2006.

## [Summary of the technology transfer]

## Technological Impact

•Developed a system incorporating general-purpose CAD models used by building designers.

•Developed a user interface operable for building designers.

•Mounted slimed algorithm for high-resolution radiation analysis.

•Improved heat transmission model database

• Produced heat-transmission models required when computing the forms of various buildings and urban designs.

• Visualization technology works on 3D-CADs.

## Awards

- 2007 Tejima Invention Award, Tejima Seiichi Commemorative Foundation

- 2007 AIJ Prize, Building Engineering Division, Architectural Institute of Japan

## ● Social Impact

Creating environmentally-friendly and decreasing the heat-island effect of buildings and urban designs are the demands in society. The technology of this software has made this possible, enabling building designers to make predictive assessment of the outside thermal environment on general-purpose PCs. Building designers can now take thermal environments into consideration while planning and communicating with their clients, and can ideally create urban areas and buildings with reduced environmental load. Simultaneously, the emerging of new business opportunities in environment designing is also anticipated.

Professor Hoyano

## Project Background

Hoyano Lab, which have been researching the development of a design tool that will assist building designers, and A&A CO., LTD., which have been seeking for a solution, started a joint project to explore future possibilities for CAD models.

CEO, Mr. Shinjo

## Funding History

-Tokyo Tech TLO applies for a basic patent.

-Hoyano Lab and A&A CO., LTD. starts their joint research.

-Financed by the 2003-2004 NEDO, Grant for Practical Application of Industrial Technology for Innovation

## I ntellectual property protection

Thermal Environment Prediction Method and Program, Patent: No. 386931

Thermal Environment Prediction Method for the Indoor & Outdoor of Buildings, Patent under examination: No.2005-301487

-One patent applied for, No. 2006-040095

## Designs urban areas with 3D-CAD “VectorWorks”

Analyze heat budget on general-purpose PCs.

## Turning point in the Project

OPartners constantly discussed the concept of the tool and its product image after marketing. Throughout the whole project, they deepened their understanding mutually and clarified various issues that needed to be solved.

OTokyo Tech TLO, an expert in rights and contracts, contributed greatly to their expertise to this project.

For more information, contact: Akira Hoyano, Hoyano Lab., Tokyo Institute of Technology, +81-45-924-5501, hoyano@hy.depe.titech.ac.jp