CONCEPTUAL (PRE-SCHEMATIC DESIGN)

The techniques we bring to this phase are relatively quick and indicative of ballpark sizes, performance trends and design directions for each of many design ideas. They can be completed together by designers and consultants quickly while the team is working. These can include as appropriate:

• sun and shade studies of cardboard models with sun dials or on the heliodon

• rules of thumb calculations for cross ventilation and thermal chimney ventilation schemes

• potential locations, materials and sizes of thermal mass

• photovoltaic sizing relative to roof areas

• daylighting rules of thumb for window and skylight size, location, and orientation

• thermal zoning of outdoor rooms, rooms that open to the outdoors and rooms that remain as a zone of refuge

• identify water and waste strategies for site and buildings

• characterize potential biophilia and biomimicry strategies