Rooms with a 'view score': Software aids building designers | Cornell Chronicle

"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."

""Architects and developers often want to make panoramic views because people like to see out, but from a sustainability perspective, windows are a weakness in buildings," said , a doctoral student in the field of systems engineering and lead developer of ViewScore.io. "With a score that captures how good window views are, or how valuable, we think we can help architectural designers improve building facades and floor layouts for human-centered design.""

ViewScore.io simulates and scores window-view scenarios to help optimize visual quality, privacy, and energy performance. The software generates view scores from 23 factors such as window size and glazing, perceived privacy, and the presence and proximity of ground, trees, sky, buildings, people, and infrastructure. The tool leverages surveys, interviews, and machine learning and has been validated using New York City case studies. ViewScore.io supports designers in balancing panoramic views with sustainability, can inform green building standards, and can assist consumers choosing rentals or hotel rooms by quantifying view-related trade-offs and potential energy costs.

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