Computer-generated sun studies, on the other hand, utilize our in-house software to simulate the sun’s position in relation to the home at different times of day. This method is much faster and more accurate than manual observations, as the software takes into account the latitude, longitude, tree canopies, and time of year to produce a more detailed analysis. Additionally, computer-generated sun studies can simulate the sun’s position at different times of the day, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of a home’s sun exposure when considering the positioning of specific amenities.

Combining the traditional method of observing the sun’s position with computer-generated sun studies provides the best of both worlds. The manual observations provide Jesse with valuable data that he can use to validate the accuracy of the computer-generated results. This process also provides an opportunity to fine-tune the software to better match the observed sun behaviour, as you get to see a photorealistic confirmation of your earlier hypothesis. The result is that we are able to design with far more access to technical data.

By undertaking this process of creating sun models, our firm is also able to utilize these same exercises through the interior design and landscape design processes to provide even more granular feedback on the amount of natural light that can be harnessed into each space. Of course, high-quality visualization tools help the imagination greatly in a few other categories at this phase of the design process.

BENEFITS OF COMPLETING SUN STUDIES

1. Optimizing the Home to Harness Natural Light: Sun studies allow you to determine the sun’s location at different times of day. By understanding the locations of the sun on an hourly basis, we are able to place each room strategically to harness natural light based on the average time of highest use. The result is that this approach inevitably shapes the floor plans of the home, and it is for this reason that we believe that no two designs can be copied. Having this information available also helps to determine the best placement for windows and skylights. By knowing the direction and intensity of sunlight, Jesse can place windows and skylights in the most advantageous locations to maximize the amount of natural light entering the home at different times of day in its “in-between” phases of the day to draw natural light into hard-to-reach areas. This can reduce the reliance on artificial lighting, resulting in improved energy efficiency and a more comfortable and inviting living environment.

2. Views of the Home at Different Times of Day: By understanding the sun's position during the day, we are also able to utilize our computer-generated sun models to understand how shadows are created by surrounding trees, surrounding buildings, and exterior structural protrusions such as covered porches will impact the initial sun paths we designed around. Of course, for vanity’s sake, we can also use this software to see what the design will look like at different times of day. From there, we are able to plot our exterior garden lighting to highlight specific trees at night, as well as wall washers and spotlights on the structure to highlight specific architectural details, further accentuating the environment we create at night.

3. Improved Energy Efficiency: Sun studies can provide important information about the amount of sunlight that a home will receive throughout the day, which can help to determine the most energy-efficient orientation for the home. For example, by knowing where the sun will shine the brightest, designers can determine the best placement for windows and shading devices to reduce the amount of heat gain in the home, resulting in reduced energy costs for heating and cooling. The information from sun studies can also be used to design passive solar heating and cooling systems, which can help to further improve energy efficiency in the home.

4. Improved Comfort: Sun studies can help to improve the comfort of interior spaces by reducing overheating and glare from the sun. By knowing the direction and intensity of sunlight, designers can place shading devices or UV films in the most advantageous locations to reduce the amount of heat and glare entering the home. This can result in a more comfortable living environment, with reduced need for air conditioning and reduced eye strain from glare.

5. Better Planning Capabilities: Sun studies can help to optimize exterior amenity layouts, ensuring that tanning lounges and pools get full sun for example. The impact of shadows cast by surrounding trees, loggias, and pool houses is a significant benefit of this practice, as it avoids difficult realizations later in the process. The result is often that we are able to create outdoor spaces that are comfortable, functional, and attractive, providing an enjoyable living environment for homeowners.

However, the bonsai garden mentioned is a far more creative feature than one might realize at first glance. Indeed, it serves a far more important role in harnessing natural light from one area to another. One of our favorite examples of this is depicted in a photo of one of Jesse’s sketches above, where this bonsai garden was placed between the office and dining room. The result is that regardless of whether the sun is at the front, back, or side of the home, the windows reciprocate natural light into both spaces as well as the main floor hallway (as seen above in the photo to the right), as well as the second-floor hallway (not depicted here).

Of course, the garden offers a unique connection to nature in both spaces as well, improving the overall aesthetics of every space connected to this feature significantly. 3D models of this feature in the dining room of the home can be seen below.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUN STUDIES

The use of sun studies in design can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans, who utilized the sun’s path to align their homes and create optimal living conditions. The Greeks, for example, designed their homes to maximize the amount of light and warmth entering the structure during the winter months, and to minimize the amount of direct sunlight entering the structure during the summer months. In the 19th and 20th centuries, designers began to use sun studies more systematically to determine the best placement for windows, skylights, and shading devices in their homes. Some of the different methods of completing sun studies are listed here.

1. Sundials: This was one of the earliest methods used for completing sun studies, and involved observing the sun’s path over a period of time and marking its position at different times of the day and year. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Romans, used this method to align their buildings and create optimal living conditions. By observing the sun’s path, they were able to design homes that maximized the amount of light and warmth entering the building during the winter months and minimized the amount of direct sunlight entering the building during the summer months.

2. Heliodons: A heliodon is a device that simulates the sun’s path and allows designers to study the sun’s effect on their designs at different times of the day and year. This method was used by designers in the 19th and 20th centuries to design buildings that took full advantage of the sun’s energy and light. By using a heliodon, designers could see how their designs would be affected by the sun’s path at different times of the day and year, and make adjustments accordingly.