Since some people seemed interested about this information in my last post, I thought I would post a more full list of tools and where to get them:

software for environmental engagement research and analysis:

sun path diagrams-wind roses-other climatic info:
http://squ1.com/weathertool

Thorough and easy to use design and energy analysis software:
http://squ1.com/ecotect
ALL it can do: http://squ1.com/ecotect/features

Specific analysis of solar strategies (it tells you if your overhang is big enough, etc...)
http://squ1.com/solartool

EPA Target Finder (gives you a target for energy reduction based on building program and region)
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_bldg_design.bus_target_finder

embodied energy (although I have to admit I am confused on how to use it)
http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees.html

a graph showing average temperature, relative humidity, direct solar radiation, and diffuse solar radiation as a function of the time of day:


These tools may not be applicable to every project, everytime (specially in studio), but are probably good to know.

doing some environmental research on the site and, as always, I am captivated with the pragmatic beauty of some of these tools. take the wind-rose for example: and the solar path diagram: also, I have created an experiential material palette of the surrounding site: from the vernacular to the... View full entry

the bad news: this is how i spent my weekend... the good news: I think i got it i ♥ parametric variations in closed solid models... View full entry

Studio 8 credits Goals: I am open for anything. There are some issues I always try to engage: the politics of building (who do you build for and why, what about the "others"?), environment, etc. Right now I am also studying issues of architecture and national/cultural identity, and the... View full entry

??-Line begins 5:15 got into the line with at least 200 people in front of me, lecture starts in 45 minutes. 5:30 They start letting students in, by now the line snakes through a big portion of the second tray 5:35 I get into Piper Hall (GSD's auditorium), it is almost full, I find a nice little... View full entry

Design project: 146,000 sqft Science and Art Building in Allston. Site:Harvard Allston Initiative studio critic: Amale Andraos. Some info on Amale Andraos:GSD ProfileWorkACarchrecord2 Seems like a good semester, now let's get into it... P.S. More on the Schedule later. View full entry

This is the first on what I can only imagine will be a series of rants/thoughts/questions/requests. In this first such post I have a request.I would love to see all the words that archinecters (and others) use to describe design that innovatively engages natural, environmental, and climatic... View full entry

gsd 3rd semester fall '06 schedule-possibilities gsd 3rd semester fall '06 schedule-preferred gsd 3rd semester fall '06 schedule-reality looking to take: 1 Studio, 3rd from the Core series 1 CAD/CAM digital fabrication class 2 History/Theory classes Next week I will be going to all the classes in... View full entry

CHECK OUT THE UPDATED AND EXPANDED PORTFOLIO, also includes larger images... A last review of the design work that I included in my application portfolio before my new design studio series begins:NY1: Manhattan Youth Community Center Main idea: I used the imaginary circulation patterns of a UN... View full entry

So... Orientation and registration started and I have found myself, along with the other AP's, busy trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I am now digging up records, books, notes, and syllabi for classes from yesteryear to see if they will help me avoid taking 'Materials and Methods'... View full entry

A Collage of pictures from the 2,200 mile (3,600 km) Santa Fe to Cambridge trip. View full entry

Hello Archinecters, This is my first entry and I am excited to start school and document it for everyone to see. First though, I had to give props to the many school bloggers (Oana, Hasselhoff, AP, Marlin, others...) that so eloquently document their school lives. Some more stuff about... View full entry