Hello Dynamo and forma enthusiasts! I am Ewelina Wesolowska from Grupa 5 Architekci. Recently I’ve had the chance to combine Dynamo’s automation power with Autodesk Forma’s sun hours analysis, and the results have been quite impressive. Here’s a quick look at the workflow and the Dynamo script.
Problem: Advanced Sunlight Analysis for Concept Buildings
Forma’s built-in sun-hours analysis is a powerful tool, but early-stage models often lack crucial details, such as windows. When it comes to evaluating an apartment’s insolation , and its compliance with local building codes, it is essential to have accurate results. A common issue is that even though the exterior face of a building receives plenty of sunlight, it often fails to reach the interior of apartments due to shadow cast by window reveals and wall edges. Placing windows manually across entire facades is way too time-consuming for conceptual design phase, yet it's necessary to identify any blind-spot. This is where the magic of Dynamo and Forma comes in.
Solution: Automatic Window Placement with Dynamo
To bridge this gap, I created a custom Dynamo script that integrates seamlessly with Forma. Here’s what it does:
- Automatic Placement: Windows are generated across entire facades of selected buildings in a few clicks.
- Custom Configurations: You can define the exact dimensions, glazing factor and sill height.
- Inset Depth Control: The script allows to adjust window inset depths, ensuring accurate results in daylight analysis.
With this script you can leverage Forma's robust analysis capabilities and Dynamo's automation power to achieve fast, yet informed design, even at an early conceptual stage.
Precise Time Control & Local law requirements
The Forma team recently introduced a custom time interval option for sun hours analysis, and it’s a game-changer for any project that has strict local building code regarding insolation. This feature allows users to verify both solar time and local time, ensuring the best accuracy in assessing sunlight exposure throughout the day.
I live in Warsaw, Poland, where apartments need minimum 3 hours of insolation during both days of solar equinox. Precisely, this condition needs to be met at both solar and local time. For example, in Warsaw the difference between solar local time at autumn's equinox day equals 28 minutes. This means "to be, or not to be" for plenty of design options - and thanks to Forma we can now quickly identify facades or their fragments that need more attention.
Looking ahead
We can now produce realistic, data-driven sunlight analyses while staying agile and efficient – exactly what we need to make better design decisions early in the design process. We've been testing this workflow in several projects, and the reception has been truly enthusiastic. The time has come to fully utilize the potential of current technologies, and no one desires a return to outdates methods. Easiest to say is my workmates decided they want more options - the next step would include automated design for balconies and loggias.
If you’re curious about the script or have questions about implementing this workflow, feel free to reach out.
A Huge Thank You to the Forma Team
This workflow wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work of the Forma team. A special shout-out goes to Håvard Høiby, whose support and guidance have been instrumental in this process. Your dedication to improving Forma inspires us all!
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