ABSTRACT
Architects should be wary of those who exaggerate the impact of passive solar design. Passive solar design is the use of architecture and climate to provide heating, cooling, and ventilation without mechanical (active) systems. Another way of describing passive solar design is the use of free resources provided by the sun, wind, and earth. Geometric properties are sensitive not only individually, but when evaluated together. Combining orientation, aspect ratio, and stacking defines the shape effect. There are several metrics used to measure a building's geometric form and relate it to energy performance. Geometric sensitivity of a building's form varies due to many complicating factors, primarily climate and building type. A specific geometry that might work for a building in Boise, Idaho is not going to perform the same in Athens, Georgia. Site evaluations using building energy modeling (BEM) will depend in large part on how accurately model represents the building's context, whether it be rural, suburban, or urban.
