The marketing material shows natural light flooding through floor-to-ceiling windows. But in real life, neighbors can easily see inside the apartment; the view outside includes a parking lot; and the oversized windows mean costlier energy bills. ViewScore.io , a new software tool created by researchers in the Environmental Systems Lab and Housing Innovation Lab in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP), can simulate and score such scenarios, helping building designers optimize window views along with energy efficiency. The technology could also be used to inform green building standards, and to help consumers decide which home to rent or hotel room to reserve.
Safety design experts say that preventative techniques work best. Threat mitigation should begin with the building design process, says Peggy Phillips, who leads engineering consulting firm Thornton Tomasetti's Protective Design and Security practice.
In tropical climates, high humidity presents a significant challenge, prompting designers to develop building strategies that embrace natural airflow and mitigate heat gain.
