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Our Daylight, Sunlight and Overshadowing Expertise
Contact brian@solearth.ie 087 2357530
We carry out Daylight and Sunlight analysis for both proposed housing projects and neighbour impact assessment across Ireland (and the UK).
Our simulation studies are personally carried out by director Brian T O Brien MRIAI. With a Masters in sustainable architecture (2009) from the University California at Berkeley, experience with UCDs Energy Research Group, 20 years lecturing on sustainable design at TU Dublin School of Architecture and two decades leading research /analysis and design projects at prestigious Irish sustainable design practice Solearth Architecture, I am more than qualified to provide best in class daylight modelling and assessment, sunlight analysis and overshadowing simulation for your projects.
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Our methodologies follow BRE protocols and use daylight analysis software developed for practice in Ireland and Britain.
Our Approach
We take your proposal (in CAD or 3D form), and set out a scope of tests appropriate to the situation: own project (self) tests, neighbour impact tests or both, and whether for daylight, sunlight/ overshadowing or both. From there we develop the analysis regime to cover daylight (spatial daylight autonomy/ daylight availability for self tests and VSC for neighbours), sunlight exposure (1.5 hours on March 21 for self and APSH for neighbour tests) and and amenity sunlight (to outdoor areas) for both self and neighbour impacts. We can also help you achieve daylight credits in LEED and HPI
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Analysis results are then set out in an authoritative report, with individual and project wide results across the different metrics. Potential impacts are presented clearly, but as importantly, contextualised and presented in a housing centred way-balancing daylight and sunlight performance against often competing goals (density, mixed use, scale, heritage). Mitigation actions, where taken, are presented convincingly also.
Our modelling and analysis are of course grounded in the methodologies set out in the recently updated BRE 209 2022-Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight, BS EN 17037, the stricter EN 17037, and other local and national standards, all presented in a professional report suitable for submission to planning authorities.
We also offer a design stage service where we combine our architectural and analytical expertise to provide you with ways to optimise a design from a daylight and sunlight perspective before the layouts get locked in -so as to avoid later more costly changes becoming necessary. All our analysis utilises proprietary analytical software applied to 3D BIM models of the scheme. The models may be provided by you (in Revit only) or can be generated by ourselves.
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Solearth Design Analysis offers daylight modelling and simulation services in Cork, Dublin and all over Ireland. Being a small practice we can offer our daylight and sunlight modelling services more competitively but to the same high standard of other consultant firms like IES daylight simulation, 3D Design Bureau, ARC Consultants, Ethos or IN2 Engineering. Other firms such as Passive Dynamics, METEC, h3d.ie, RME Digital and DKAD also offer services. We pride ourselves on being able to respond more quickly than many other firms also.
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Value and Speed
We respond quickly to your needs and will always give you a competitive fee.
Knowledge
Get Started
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Get a fee quote for your project. brian@solearth.ie 087 2357530