A Direct Generative CAD Tool for the Site Layout of Communities with Solar Access to Each Building

A method for the design of communities with solar access to each building is presented. The method allows the determination of the minimum possible distance between the buildings that enables insolation, the maximum height allowed for a given building without violating the “Solar Rightsi of its neighbors, and how low the window or the passive solar collector can be placed on the wall and still be insolated in winter. The fundamental idea is to use a computer and CRT to generate the entire envelope of the families of design solutions. These solutions provide the required open space between buildings to sustain the “Solar Rights” of the building under consideration. This envelope of solutions serves as a nomogram on the basis of which the location of each building in the solar communities is determined. The method creates an unlimited space of solutions, leaving the final design to the architect's imagination