Launching of the Heliodon-Integrated Design Studio

 

Department of Architecture
Chu Hai College of Higher Education

Date: 7 June 2005, Tuesday
Venue: Architectural Studio, Chu Hai College of Higher Education,
G/F, Phase 1, Waterside Plaza, No.38 Wing Shun Street, Tsuen Wan

6:00pm Refreshment & Introduction
6:30pm Seminar (part 1)
6:50pm Seminar (part 2)
7:10pm Seminar (part 3 - the closing speech)
(All interested are welcomed)

Overview
In collaboration with teams of researcher led by staff members of HKU's Department of Architecture, IVE- Tuen Mun Campus Department of Engineering and Chu Hai College of Higher Education has developed a design studio which is integrated with a set of physical heliodons for solar design of architecture, ready for use by students and practicing architects.

Incorporated with the launch of the heliodon-integrated design studio, Chu Hai College of Higher Education is going to host a seminar which is composed of three parts:

  1. "Courtyard is the Key" by Mr. Patrick Luk, lecturer, Chu Hai College of Higher Education
  2. "An Interactive Tool for Solar Energy Analysis", Dr. Thomas Li, research fellow, Department of Architecture, University of Hong Kong
  3. "Heliodons", Mr K P Cheung, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, University of Hong Kong

Courtyard is the Key
The motif of the Chinese courtyard house has been practised with numerous variations for centuries in China and probably wherever Chinese settlement was implanted. After examining a partly abandoned Hakka village in Luk Keng, Hong Kong with a digital interactive tool for solar energy analysis, the old wisdom of climate responsiveness inherited in the courtyard house design has been revealed quantitatively.

An Interactive Tool for Solar Energy Analysis
The Interactive Tool for Solar Energy Analysis is a comprehensive program for analyzing solar radiation striking onto building facades. Both direct radiation and diffuse light are predicted from local meteorological data and a three-dimensional digital model. The result of an analysis can be interactively investigated with a graphical user interface. The Tool has exhibited its usefulness in photovoltaic installation and passive design coping with wanted and unwanted solar energy. It is also a strong foundation for other applications, such as shadow analysis and hot water generation.

What are Heliodons?
Heliodons are physical tools to help architects enhance solar design for buildings by simulating the direct sunlight impinging onto physical building models, offering multi-dimensional visualization and gradable comparison of building design options on solar design. Optimum benefits are obtained if the heliodons are used from the building conception stage through working model stage, till the design confirmation stage. In these heliodon-design processes, designers and clients, and project managers can easily and quickly understand the grading of solar design achieved. Detailed analysis will be performed by software.