Heliodon Demonstration Models

While many believe that physical modeling is not needed for solar responsive design, physical models are still used in Architecture to study the form of a building design.  This situation is partly due to the false belief that solar responsive design is simple and does not require understanding the problem in 3 dimensions.  Although, there are many clever ways to represent 3 dimensions in 2 dimensional formats (e.g. computer monitors), a physical model is always the best way to understand complex 3 dimensional problems.  After all, working in 2 dimensions is a recent development in the history of humankind.  Because we evolved to understand physical reality in 3 dimensions, we will always find physical models the easiest and best way to visualize a complex 3 dimensional problem.

Build-it-yourself

Click on the image on the right for a manual that explains how to make and use models for the heliodon.