Our practice is rooted in problem-solving. There are some challenges that arise in the design process that require deeper inquiry. We believe it’s important to take time outside of the project process to delve deeper into such issues to explore solutions that enable future projects to benefit from these in-depth explorations. Because of this, we have formed an analytical Research and Development Initiative, led by our Building Science Group. However, these research endeavors do not live solely in the Building Science Group, and in the last five years, 69 different staff members have participated in our research efforts.
TAYLOR C. WALKER, AIA, 2018 PRESIDENT AIA WISCONSINThe firm has successfully integrated research into practice that highlights the critical role that architects play in high performing, comfortable, high tech buildings. They have openly shared their findings through white papers and interactive tools. The Glazing and Winter Comfort Tool is one that has made us better designers.
Tools
Glazing anD Winter Comfort Tool
Cold glass surfaces can cause radiant discomfort and downdraft in the winter, negatively impacting occupant comfort in a space. This tool displays the impact of glazing geometry and U-value on occupant thermal comfort during winter months. It shows when it is possible to eliminate perimeter heat in cases when there is high performance glazing and the percentage glazing is controlled. Try the Glazing and Winter Comfort Tool.
Kaleidoscope: Embodied Carbon Design Tool
The embodied carbon of materials is important for designers to consider to meet climate change carbon reduction goals. This tool assists with simple comparison of embodied carbon data of typical industry envelope building systems in an apples-to-apples manner. It shows a series of bar charts, wall details, and other data graphics which facilitate in direct comparisons between different systems. Try Kaleidoscope: Embodied Carbon Design Tool.
Skin designer
Often when architects evaluate façade systems during the early stages of design, the primary drivers of the exploration are aesthetics and the form’s architectural language. Additional tools are needed to understand performance and other design priorities. This tool offers designers an opportunity to interactively design and preview façade panels by specifying a range of window and shading properties.
LadyBUG Plug-in
Ladybug Tools is a collection of free, open-source computer applications that support environmental design and education that plugs into Rhino. Payette is proud to be one of the contributors to this community.
