← Back to ECHO

BYLD ECHO – solar & shade study

Madrid · latitude 40.4°N · real sun position, physically-based sky & lighting. Drag to orbit · adjust the overhang and glazing to see the trade-offs.

Location
Day
Time
Width
Length
Overhang
Glazing
Loading 3D model…
Sun altitude
–
Azimuth (from S)
–
Core glass
–
Annual gain
–

What this shows

A physically accurate sun for the selected location, lit by a physically-based sky. The round roof casts a real shadow onto the deck and the central glass core. Choose a location, drag Day, Time and Overhang, switch the glazing, or press Play – the heat table below recomputes live.

  • The overhang is the main solar control. Drag it wider and the glass stays shaded down to lower sun angles; pull it in and more direct beam reaches the core. Watch the annual figure respond.
  • Only low sunrise/sunset light reaches under the eaves. Set Time to ~6:00 or ~19:00 to see the rays rake across the deck and into the core.
  • The winter trade-off: a deep overhang blocks summer heat beautifully – but also shades the low December sun you might want to welcome in. The slider lets you find the balance.
  • Stretch to a courtyard. Push the interior past ~2× its original size (Width × Length) and a central courtyard opens through the roof — bringing light and air into the deep plan.

Solar time, true-south assumed. Core is the as-built ECHO glazed pod (≈4.5 m). A study model – not a substitute for full energy simulation.

Heat reaching the interior – indicative solar gain

Clear-sky solar energy entering the glazed core through the east / south / west glass, after the roof overhang's shading. Recomputes live with the overhang and glazing controls. A radiant solar-gain estimate only – conduction and ventilation are separate.

MonthPeak (kW)Daily (kWh)Monthly (kWh)Direct %

Assumptions: ≈34 m² glazing (E/S/W; north face solid), selectable SHGC, ASHRAE clear-sky model at 40.7°N, isotropic diffuse with overhang sky-blocking, ground albedo 0.20, overhang shades direct beam above the angle set by its depth. Clear-sky upper bound – real gains are lower on cloudy days. Indicative, not a full energy simulation.

Cost, carbon & comfort verdict

The solar gain above translated into cooling energy, running cost and CO₂ – and the free winter heat the overhang gives up. Recomputes with the overhang and glazing.

Monthly solar gain – cooling burden vs useful winter heat
Cooling season (burden)Heating season (useful)Shoulder