Abstract
Architects may evaluate building models to see how a building will shadow itself and its neighbors at various times. A heliodon, a tilt-table which is a machine that imitates the rotation and orbit of the Earth, helps architects wanting to analyze patterns of shadow patch, passive solar heating options, site solar panels, or control solar heat gain. The heliodon swivels in three directions for setting latitude, season, and time of day. Using the device, an architect first clamps a model to the tabletop, then turns the table to the coordinates of interest. Usually, the winter and summer solstices receive strong attention, for they represent extreme cases, A more recent installation at a university adds to its heliodon a set of lamps to recreate the illumination level and more accurate patterns of shadow patch. The table holds the building model at various angles to a spotlight, which mounts in the pole. The set of scale model measurement describes the validity of various electric lamps as an artificial sun to approximate the sun's parallel rays, helping designers to distinguish between illuminated areas in and around a building and those regions falling in the shadows.
