Glenn KatzProject Location: Sao Paolo, Brazil
Analysis: daylight potential, solar energy, sun hours, total gross area
Images of Your 3 Design Proposals
Proposal 1:
Total floor area: 2797 square meters, 4 stories
Proposal 2:
Total floor area: 2853 square meters, 5 stories
Proposal 3:
Total floor area: 3186 square meters, 5 stories
Side-By-Side Comparisons of Your Analysis Results
Daylight potential
Proposal 1:
Proposal 2:
Proposal 3:
Side-by-side comparison:
Solar energy
Proposal 1:
Proposal 2:
Proposal 3:
Side-by-side comparison:
Sun hours:
June 21:
December 21:
Your Recommendation for the “Best” Design Option
Tradeoffs:
Square footage: Proposal 3 has the largest square footage and five stories, while Proposal 1 has similar square footage to Proposal 2 with only four stories. Considering the largest square footage as preferable for this project, Proposal 3 is the most beneficial. Daylight potential: Since one of the sides of the building is close to the high-rise buildings, it does not get enough sunlight for any of the proposed designs. Proposal 1 is the least beneficial since ground-level has a low VSC index, and the north side of the building is completely shaded from high-rises. Proposals 2 and 3 have similar VSC results for both of the analyzed sides. Due to the shape of the building for Proposal 2, the north face area where providing adequate daylight is difficult or impossible is less than for Proposal 3. Solar energy: The average solar energy calculated considering the whole roof surface is similar for all the proposals. Proposal 3 has the highest average value and, considering the shape of the roof is the most beneficial. Sun hours: All the proposed buildings put a similar shading on the nearby buildings. During June, proposed buildings have the highest sun hours on the roof, while in December Proposal 3 gets the most hours on the highest area of the facade compared to other proposals.
“Best” design proposal: Proposal 3
Proposal 3 is considered as the best design option while tighing closely with Proposal 2. However, Proposal 3 has the largest total square footage, the highest solar energy average, and the longest sun-hours on most of the facade. Having a high daylight potential (except the side that is shaded by highrise buildings), we can achieve enough natural lighting without the need for big windows, which might cause extra heat in the building in a hot climate. Proposal 2 has a more catchy appearance, but Proposal 3 will have a less complicated frame system compared to the circular shape of Proposal 2. Finally, a large leveled roof area will allow placing solar panels and green roofs/gardens on different levels.