Architectural Design Process | Form, Orientation and Sunlight

Learn how you can use sunlight to locate, orient, shape, and inspire the details for your architectural design. In this video, I walk you through the design process for a project whose form, orientation, and details were all developed by carefully analyzing the solar path on the building site.
In addition, I discuss:
- how to read a solar chart (and where to download one)
- what app I prefer to use for solar planning
- passive heating and cooling
- daylighting concepts
- alternate ways to use the sun
- solar aspect, solar noon, azimuth, and altitude
- how to design for competing site agendas
Resources mentioned:
**White pen I'm using (affiliate): thirtybyforty.com/signo
*Get it Right with Amelia Lee - The Undercover Architect* (podcast) undercoverarchitect.com/podcast/
*Solar charts* solardat.uoregon.edu/PolarSunC...
www.gaisma.com/
www.timeanddate.com/sun/@4957320
*Sunseeker app* itunes.apple.com/us/app/sun-s...
// GEAR I USE //
DRONE:
*Mavic Pro by DJI: amzn.to/2hW3dTA
DSLR CAMERA:
* Canon 80D: amzn.to/2fBWGMQ
LENSES:
* Canon 24mm f2.8 Lens: amzn.to/29l7ac5
* Canon 40mm f2.8 Lens: amzn.to/29x2QcI
* Canon 10 - 18mm f4.5 - 5.6 IS Lens: amzn.to/2vyErvS
AUDIO:
* Rode VideoMic Pro (hotshoe mtd.): amzn.to/29qlNM3
* ATR-2100 USB (dynamic mic): amzn.to/2dFDaKp
ARCHITECTURE GEAR:
* Prismacolor Markers: thirtybyforty.com/markers
* Timelapse Camera: thirtybyforty.com/brinno
* AutoCAD LT: amzn.to/2dxjMDH
* SketchUp PRO: amzn.to/2cRcojz
* HP T120 Plotter: amzn.to/2dBGf1O
* Adobe CC Photography (Photoshop/Lightroom) Plan: amzn.to/2dhq5ap
STARTUP TOOLKIT:
* Architect + Entrepreneur Startup Toolkit: thirtybyforty.com/SPL
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Please watch: "Making a Site Model - The Outpost Project"
• Making a Site Model - ...
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[@30by40]

Try the pen I'm using: thirtybyforty.com/signo

[@ben33584]

i love that white ink pen

[@30by40]

right? just discovered these...

[@pathan415]

I request u plz upload video with sub tittle.to understand the english.

[@vigneswarks1704]

Which app you're using for sunlight orientation

[@AmaalNKhan]

vigneswar k s Sun Seeker ozPDA is the app.

[@uppereastsidehoney4055]

May i just say, i learned more from you than my professors when i was in college. 😂

[@ceearc8529]

To be very honest me too😅👍

[@dalsha4012]

Yeah it's really true, now days education system's truth

[@arturtahiri3261]

😂😂 I guess your professor was forced to do his job

[@zanyarhoshyar736]

They told me the same as you said and I watched some videos but I don't know what to learn from him Can you guide me

[@csmart287]

As an old, retired, mechanical engineer, may I say that this is the most interesting architectural design video on KZbin. I'll look for more on this project.

[@123nyanna]

Thank you for the Great Tutorial! These are so fundamental principles which unfortunately are not thought well in school, or just they don't give us enough projects to develop like that. I found your channel a couple weeks ago and I am addicted! Please keep with your videos, they are so interesting, detailed and covering such important topics. Greetings, Eva

[@GarlandSuseberry]

I was taught from a structural standpoint and this helps me a lot and I’m going to use the info I get from you on future projects

[@rswc55]

Your ability to condense and convey this information is remarkable. Obviously there's a lot of work behind it all. I've learned more in this video than I did in almost my entire semester covering the same stuff (yikes!).

[@marctaylor402]

Invaluable advice to someone designing their own home. You've helped me consider things I hadn't and shown me tools I would never have found by myself. Thank you.

[@spartanwka]

As an amateur, these videos are so fun and insightful. You explain things so clearly that anyone can appreciate your process. Thank you!

[@wendyannh]

This is really helpful, Eric, thanks! I'm an interior designer who attempted to take on a class in environmental control systems in design school (interior architecture), but I couldn't hack the math, and I never really understood how to do this. You have made it *sooo* much more clear and simple than my instructor did!

[@joedaponte6123]

Light is the first thing I feel when entering a space. You explained it very well. Love the example you gave of directing the usual full attention from the water view to other more subtle yet important elements the site has to offer. Inspiring videos! Thank you

[@TheLowLandGardener]

Dude I'm in the mids of consuming all my energy designing meaning I came to a point where I couldn't draw inspiration to create new concept and rather doing cliche stuffs like copying from other previous projects. This video just rejuvenate my mind and fill my inspiration tank. Thanks for people like you man. I'm an architect like you. I just subscribed

[@coopa9822]

as an undergrad constantly bombarded with homework, planning to major in arch design, I can't thank you enough for how much this video inspired me to continue my education and pursue my dreams to be an architect. Thank you!

[@DDLeeroy]

This is the sole video that has made me want to change my career and my prospects to architecture and design here in France, after 15 years in hospitality management in Australia. Love this channel

[@adriannapierzycka9818]

Your video couldn't be more timely. I wasn't sure how to approach the sunlight analysis, so the fact you decided to post it just now is a miracle :D Thanks a lot!

[@30by40]

a disturbance in the force...I felt it too...

[@gravisan]

These videos are a master class in writing and media creation in themselves.

[@danielemtman3127]

New favorite KZbin channel. Really appreciate what you are doing!

[@jascielo21]

I appreciate all the resources you give for us students, potential architects! I really do. WOW. Thank YOU 🙏🏻

[@nancyspicer6046]

This is Exactly the information that I was searching for years ago when trying to move forward to my Designing. I think that I have found a good resource “You" while continuing to hone my skill at home. Thanks Nancy

[@30by40]

welcome Nancy...glad you're finding what you need here...

[@devyanikumavat8631]

You are the best Architect, learning from you is just an amazing journey. Even schools can't teach in this way. Thank you so much Sir for making me realise, that sketches are the best way for design process.

[@chaddonnelly9872]

I’m in my second year of Architecture at university and honestly would not be doing anywhere near as well without your videos so thank you! 😄

[@GuillaumeCendre]

Shout out from the south of France, your videos are a true inspiration, keep it up dude !

[@JohnICGomes]

I'm not an architect (but love design), but will be working with architects to design our home. These videos are really really really informative! Thanks!

[@thecreek1435]

Eric I really appreciate your input direction and your ability to communicate concepts and design. I am not an architect but I am a designer of timber structures. I find that you have a very similar thinking process to my design process. Just wanted to shout out that I think you’re work is brilliant. Thank you for your professionalism and sharing. I look forward to your book.

[@30by40]

always nice to hear confirmation of your own design process...much success to you...thanks for your kind words...

[@412miumiu]

I learned more about sun mapping from this video than I learned in 4 years at design school, thank you so much!

[@garyhughes5428]

Hi Eric, really enjoy your understanding of designing for the environment, taking into consideration sun elevation and major wind directions. I lived in the Middle East where it can be extremely hot in the summer months and I found that the old techniques really helped in the comfort of the living area. Some design aspects are narrow through areas with high walls to shade from the sun completely and the use of wind towers in the buildings to produce the stack effect you mention. Really enjoy your videos, and the ease of how you explain the reasoning behind what you are doing.

[@rapaerawaitai7483]

Loved the talk on sun orientation . And interesting in realation to working the buildings to capture a view. was the best so far that I seen on KZbin 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@ImageDesignLLC]

This one of my favorite videos you've made so far

[@30by40]

appreciate it my friend...

[@camillorighini1]

In 9 minutes this video taught me more than all architects I spoke to in a year. Many thanks for the cristal clear information and the enormous attention with the quality of the video quality. Edition, sound, photography, illustrations, photos and architecture. Congratulations! Liked and subscribed.

[@30by40]

Cheers and welcome! Appreciate the kind words + support.

[@farnazgbd3484]

Absolutely love the way you illustrate ideas👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@30by40]

kind words...many thanks my friend...

[@estherclifford4444]

Thank u so much for this video. As someone who works in the studio with students, I fee sharing a video like this with them, will give them a broader perspective on designing climate responsive buildings. Thanks.

[@AA-nf2pl]

I really envy your sketching skills Eric. Looks like a good project and real critical thinking has gone behind this project which is good to see.

[@hayatahmed7869]

i watch ur videos since year one at college and rly ty for making it free and simple

[@blerimleskovica5505]

Probably the best architectural video on KZbin!

[@tristanselwynwhite8298]

Amazing videos! As an architecture student, these videos have guided me through so many design projects! Thumbs up!

[@SuperDvco]

ohhhh man.... I have enrolled at uni this year... and your videos have been so helpfull. i really enjoy your approach. i am confident to say that i've been learning more from your videos than from some of my teachers. i really really really appreciate. god bless you bro!

[@christianmacasa8647]

Orientation of the sun... Now i know. As 2nd year student of Architecture your vlog helps me to find and design better.

[@ermiasdejene2879]

i wish i had known this all while i was at grad school but the best is yet to come so i will keep on looking such an inspiring and motivating and something that push toward the righteous path and by the way ur an amazing architect who are disciplined and knows what to do keep up the good work!!!

[@ApprenticeGM]

Thank you so much for your fantastic videos. Your video creative quality is terrific with superb production values - clearly you spend a lot of time to get it so right - and the content is excellent.

[@jaybutera5069]

Perfect blend of information and inspiration. Thanks for this great video!

[@me30176]

i"am a civil engineer from Algeria and i enjoy watching your videos, i learn a lot from you, thank you for sharing with us.

[@patrickleclercq6128]

Respect, man! Would like to thank you for this enlighting considerations about architectural layout you figured out. Despite this topics seems to be so fundamental to me, they’re too often forgotten,when discussing the house building. So, hopefully, one or the other teacher in our country ’ll rediscover those aspects & transmit the knowledge again. Greatings from the 4 border region ( Belgium). the Akita Man :)

[@aboilcrawl1279]

what the actual . . . . Man the knowledge imparted is simple and deeply resounding. much thanks for sharing, and creation of these insightful videos. From a landscape-r perspective

[@manurincon5471]

Very good video, it explains very well how to use and manipulate the sun, very informative. I also wanted to say I loved the design you for that house, it works super well with its surrounding, and how you worked with shades, gives it a great touch. Keep up the good videos, love your channel.

[@samcrosswords8979]

Today, I learnt SOMETHING ! Thanks a lot, much appreciated

[@Andylolize]

Dude, you're amazing! I asked for this a while ago, and you really did! Really love your work. Would be cool to see a full project video also. Keep the nice work!

[@30by40]

glad to deliver for you...thanks for supporting the channel...none of this works without viewers!

[@CrazyNapalmGuy]

Just discovered this channel, and I love it. I have been needing a channel that makes videos just like these for years, subscribed!

[@30by40]

welcome...thanks for subscribing...! new vids every thursday...

[@rickhall517930]

Exactly what I was looking for and easy to follow as someone who is not an architect. Thanks!

[@hendrik3076]

You make me want to go to my architect classes even more. such inspiring words you tell. thanks.

[@mmabathogracemokalapa686]

First year architecture student here! Thank you so much for this

[@morty_dk]

This was amazing, very nice knowledge to have, and an app like that is gold... Thanks maestro! 😎🤘

[@danaalzayer1060]

I just wanted to thank you so very much for this video! I’m a freshman architecture student and my project for this semester is to design a shelter. My location is in the sea site and this video really helps with understanding site analysis. Love the way you present your ideas! Thanks a lot!

[@aspirant8780]

What are you doing now? Still architect?

[@mirrfan8844]

Still surviving 😜

[@naleendemalaporuwa7967]

I love you sketching ( white pen too). Architectural handwriting. Even the font style you have used is really pleasing.

[@nohafo2ad]

As an architecture student, I find your videos extremely helpful and inspiring. Your videos helped me improve the ways I approach design, so thank you for that! Cheers from Egypt!

[@30by40]

thanks for checking in...a very different set of concerns from a climate perspective for your work...

[@docflint_]

This is such a helpful video not least because we'll be building on a plot that similarly has views to the East, and have been trying to figure out how to simultaneously take advantage of the southerly aspect. We're not architects but have had a stab at what the house might look like, but this info takes it up a notch and has definitely given food for thought and fresh ideas to bring our architect when we start working with them. Can't wait to delve deeper and work out the sun angles for our location and have a play about with shapes and have a good discussion

[@awishka9848]

Thank you for sharing ur knowledge with us sir..A big salute from SriLanka 🙌

[@ricardoperaza4811]

Love what you do man. You are truly an inspiration

[@UndercoverArchitect]

Such a great illustrative explanation of designing for the movement of the sun. As I always say, "designing for the movement of the sun is the single biggest thing you can do to make a home feel great, and you feel great in it". A massive thank you for sharing my podcast too, very grateful. You did get one thing wrong though ... it's you who has things flipped around LOL. Such admiration for your work Eric - Cheers, Amelia

[@30by40]

Hi Amelia...much respect for the work you're doing...thankful to have your voice and contributions to our profession... talk soon...(I owe you a video response on loom!)

[@maxalvarado8951]

Undercover Architect : How and where can I find your podcasts please?

[@charlpretorius8105]

One of your best yet! Brilliant, simple, informative!

[@30by40]

kind words...much respect...

[@albertdeng8652]

Thank you for making this channel. It's been very insightful and helpful for students like me. I really enjoy watching your videos.

[@30by40]

cheers mate...

[@diganthadeepa228]

How good these videos are! :) found everything what I'm searching for.. :) thank you

[@gargithakur7885]

Something I could never understand since 4 years.... Thank you soooo much... Your video made me clear a lot of things... I mean I need to send this video to my college professors... They need more help than anybody.

[@unfmdlanul]

Thank you for this short description video Very helpful!

[@olajideomolayo9314]

GOT IT! I just understood the solar charts and how it affects architecture. After spending five years in architecture school and I just understood solar studies with one video. Great video ERIC! please continue these type of video

[@30by40]

+JD OMOLAYO great my friend...glad to help!

[@ElrondBurrell]

Always happy to “smash the like button” for you my friend. 😀 Beautiful house & great job on the video - as always.

[@hadeelghazwan4290]

I didn't just like the video I loved it so much 👌 Thank you Eric for these refreshing materials that you give us.

[@30by40]

you're quite welcome...cheers...

[@pawanchabukswar6707]

I must say the presentation of sketching skills are on point, no need of high quality costly prints.Hand Sketching with overlays conveys so much.

[@30by40]

100% agree...clients love this approach when you're working together too...

[@ryancyr845]

This is so fascinating! Thank you for making a video like this, light study is one of the things that has attracted me to architecture. You are a fantastic resource for a prospective architecture student, thank you!

[@30by40]

appreciate your support my friend...

[@andybird8515]

dont do it. arch pays little these days. do it as ahobby only. DYOR before embarking on a 10+ hard exploration

[@jademansilita237]

I was really inspired by your videos and all the contents you share, it truly inspired my soul leading me to take the course architecture, I am now a 2nd year college and due to the pandemic learning is very hard (like, atleast for me) and even the smallest knowledge regarding with architecture such as symbols and lines that is needed to give an emphasis on the drawings, like I don't know them, for reals, I hope you'd make a video of it though, but everytime I make plates I always listen and watch to your videos, its much more helpful than what I learn from my school, thank you.

[@JsRf13]

amazing work, both in subject matter and conveying that information. thank you! :)

[@michelegambini]

Another of Erick's brilliant tutorials!

[@30by40]

kind of you my friend...cheers...

[@matthysjohannes3792]

I'm designing a sustainable cabin and found it very informative. Thanks for videos.

[@jamesmason2206]

Really good video Eric. Very useful and lots of information I've never come across before. Can't wait for the next one!

[@30by40]

cheers mate...

[@SovngardeStudio]

Perfect just when I need to write about sunlight and do entire project about it, a real life saver love your vids XD

[@30by40]

what timing...cheers my friend...

[@lukarados5491]

Hey Eric love your videos, i find them really helpful and informative. So glad that i found your channel. Keep up the good work :)

[@30by40]

glad to have you here...cheers...

[@richardluu1528]

My favorite topic. Great video! Glad you covered this! Keep up the great work!!

[@30by40]

thanks my friend...

[@Themodmin]

Hey Eric great video as usual, being a designer in a tropical area I have less parameters to consider 😁 but also less options to work with the sun as is extremely hot 😅

[@30by40]

thanks my friend...i'd take a little 'hot' right about now...snowing here today...

[@nguyenquocdoan3665]

I love your channels guys! As for @Themodmin if you can make a video (or a series) showing your techniques, processes in dealing with tropical climate, that would be great! From Vietnam with love!

[@meilynapoh6770]

Yes please. Would love a video on what you would consider in a tropical climate

[@pawanchabukswar6707]

Yes please one for the tropics

[@martov4330]

How about a video on rain / snow / wind ?

[@cristobaljavier]

non architect here, I have to say this video content and presentation are amazing

[@Waters-fo6rn]

absolutely brilliant & informative information in expressing the design elements

[@emanalmutawa8564]

You just summed up an entire Solar Energy in Architecture course I took in college Thank you so much!

[@30by40]

cheers...saving time and energy!

[@arunbadalkar6936]

Very simply and good explanation how to deal with fearful sun. Thanks.!

[@matthewricarte7554]

Another amazing video! I love how you would explain concepts and ideas. :)

[@30by40]

appreciate it my friend...

[@CodySexyful]

"smashed" that like button! thank you for such rich videos!

[@joshguntercreative194]

This is amazing I am an architectural photographer this gives me key points to look forward to shooting soon.....Love it......

[@itsyaboy8276]

This video had so much great information in it, thank you!!

[@thiagode.9984]

Hi! I just began watching you and as an architect student you have been amazing to learn from. You went over a lot of sun studies, could you go over some of the other environmental effects in the same depth you did for light? [ Ex. wind, rain]

[@AmaalNKhan]

Passive designed spaces have unique calm ambience...I have start learning more about passive designing techniques...thanks for uploading this video.

[@30by40]

of course...always a student...

[@HS-nx3uk]

u are doing a great job at explaining in depth details for aspiring architects. well done

[@30by40]

appreciate the affirmation...

[@lungula100]

I JUST LOVE ALL OF YOUR CONTENT!!

[@missaelflores7868]

Great video!! I´m actually taking a class on my college about it, and you video help me to get it really easy, I didn´t know that App but I think it's great, Cheers from Mexico. Sorry if I have a problem with the writting Excelente video, de hecho estoy tomando una clase acerca de esto, y gracias a tu video ya lo comprendo mejor, no conocia la App que mencionaste pero realmente creo que es genial, Saludos desde México

[@aybigetek]

Thank you my dear, loved this, appreciated!

[@christophermattson206]

I love your videos. They are very well done and inspirational even to people outside of architecture (I'm a design engineer). Keep it up!

[@30by40]

thanks +Christopher Mattson appreciate your kind words...lots of different disciplines sub'd here...great hearing from you...

[@Monsterpala]

came back after watching on my mobile to give you a thumbs up. Following you for over one year now and you definitely influenced my building project (though budget wouldn't allow too much). This video will be useful when sunsha is needed, not sure yet. But any way congratulations on over 3.5 million hits and over 80 thousand subscribers. Not many architects have such large audience I imagine :)

[@30by40]

appreciate your kind words...i've been working hard to make the channel a substantial resource in this field and along the way have fallen in love with the idea of creating something visually compelling each week. the timeline of architecture is so long from client acquisition to finished product that shipping a new video each week is a welcome and immediate pattern break from the long time horizons of building. cheers...!

[@shivkalyanibhor2912]

this helped a lot man! thankyou please do more videos explaining about climative responses to architecture

[@KRISTAPSSVEISBERGS]

Elegant project! Looking forward to see more​ of your work!

[@30by40]

appreciate it...thanks!

[@rhyshodgson6358]

Great video, very thorough yet simple

[@hudajuma1672]

Thank you for the simple well explained tutorial

[@dralexi]

Indeed, Very useful educational videos, please keep making them! Thanks much!

[@kimbrierecharest]

This video and the solar app is aaawesome! Thanks for the useful tips 🙌

[@DerekBlais]

I had no idea we were neighbors. I'm just across the border in New Brunswick, Canada. Thanks for another fantastic, informative video.

[@darriusadams2945]

Thanks again for posting this video! It really makes it clear on how the solar path works within each step. A little improvement would be to go in depth with how to use the sunseeker app you use in your video. Other than that, you've done a fine job on this topic and keep up with the videos they're really valuable every week! Jolly good show!

[@30by40]

great feedback...thanks...always looking to make things more useful...sunseeker is such a great (and intuitive) tool... cheers...