Shading patterns throughout the year are calculated for the surrounding field. Similarly, a physical model is built and subjected to wind tunnel tests. Selected points in the field are evaluated for every potentially comfortable hour in the year. For each hour, resultant wind and sun intensities are calculated, based on real hourly weather data and modified by the adjacent building configuration. The final computer printout gives a score for each point analyzed indicating the percentage of time that the point, by virtue of its orientation around the building, is thermally comfortable.
Results are also available for each month separately so that seasonal variations can be detected.
Modifying the Sun and Wind to Create Favorable Microclimates. G.Z. Brown and Barbara-Jo Novitski, 1983. An analysis of a freestanding cube in three U.S. climate zones is presented and applications to larger scale projects are discussed. Using natural energy to produce thermal comfort extends the usefulness of these spaces, decreasing the pressure to build enclosed space to accommodate all activities at all times of the day and year. Designing for sun and wind access results in the need for less built area per inhabitant and therefore less non-renewable energy consumption.