by Rasmus Brønnum, Arkitektens Forlag.

Software does not really need to be sexy and inspirational in itself, but the projects do. Maybe that is why until recently I have kept away from the free VELUX Daylight Visualizer programme. Even if you have developed a stable, well produced and process oriented tool, it is hard to get if off to a good start when it is only demonstrating projects without vision, looking like standard houses and prefabricated spaces.

We introduce it with Corbusier.

Recently, Daniel Nielsen, architect and KADK teacher, shot 4 short video tutorials on how to get started quickly with the VELUX Daylight Visualizer and how to import your own 3D model geometry from SketchUp, Revit and Vasari without faults. It cannot be done simpler and they are a fine addition to the video tutorials by VELUX.

To pep up the inspirational factor just a little, I fetched a 3D model of Corbusier’s ‘Villa Savoye’ [link to source]. And it really suits the programme! In my case, it really made me feel like playing with the tool for hours. And you need that as a minimum. Because it looks great, but you need to ask constructive and critical questions about how to use and control the new knowledge about the quality of light.

IT IS AT THE GOLDEN INTERSECTION POINT BETWEEN THE QUALITY OF LIGHT AND THE THERMAL INDOOR CLIMATE THAT YOU WILL FIND THE BALANCE

An experienced colleague explained to me that where the 1+1=3 factor of the project really rises is at the moment where you combine your investigation of the project’s quality of light with simulations of the thermal indoor climate – ‘good Sun vs. “bad” Sun’. There are several tools that may help you somewhat along during the earlier phases, but I find that the greatest challenge is to choose the one which is [just a little!] user friendly and won’t weigh on the draft process.

See the original article on Arkitektens Forlag’s website

Download VELUX Daylight visualizer

Download Corbusier’s Villa Savoye 3D model for Daylight Visualizser