| Abstract: | Tools for design and evaluation of bio-climatic and passive solar buildings are presented. The paper discusses different kinds of tools for the various design stages. Accordingly, existing tools can be classified as either generative or evaluative tools. Generative design tools aid in the definition of the proper geometry and solution. Therefore, they are the best tools for the early design stages. Evaluative tools study in detail the performance of a given design. Hence, they fit advanced design stages. Moreover, evaluative tools may be used to derive design guidelines that are required for the early design stages. These guidelines can be embedded in expert systems as a knowledge base. Examples of such tools are presented. Emphasis is put on the early design stages. |
