FACILITIES

Software Platforms

At the Urban Lab, we use a wide range of advanced software platforms to support our research in sustainability, resiliency, and livability. These tools empower our team to model complex systems, perform simulations, evaluate life cycle impacts, and visualize data for scientific analysis and decision-making. Our software ecosystem spans fields including building information modeling (BIM), life cycle assessment (LCA), computational fluid dynamics, environmental simulation, and urban planning. Below is a list of our software resources:

Rhinoceros 3D

3D modeling tool integrated with environmental plugins like Ladybug and Honeybee for environmental and daylight analysis.

Conda

Package and environment management system for Python and other languages used in data science and simulation.

ParaView

Open-source data visualization tool for high-performance computing and large dataset exploration.

Climate Data Operators (CDO)

Command-line toolset for climate data analysis and manipulation.

Dropbox

Cloud storage and file-sharing platform used for collaborative research data management.

Grammarly

Writing enhancement software that ensures error-free academic and technical communication.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Design and content creation tools for graphics, video, web, and publication needs.

SketchUp Pro

3D modeling software for conceptual design and environmental visualization.

ENVI-met

Urban microclimate modeling software to simulate the effects of vegetation, heat, and pollutants at high spatial resolution.

ArcGIS

A geographic information system (GIS) platform for spatial data analysis, visualization, and geospatial decision-making.

Esri CityEngine

3D city modeling software for urban design and geospatial analysis.

NREL OpenStudio

Software suite for whole-building energy modeling and daylight simulation.

ANSYS

Simulation platform for analyzing real-world behavior of products through thermal, fluid, and structural analysis.

Microsoft Office Suite

Essential productivity tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for research, reporting, and data organization.

Ecoinvent Database

A comprehensive database providing lifecycle inventory data used in LCA software tools.

Tally LCA

A Revit plugin that allows for whole-building LCA directly from BIM models using construction material data.

Engineering Equation Solver (EES)

A tool used for solving thermodynamic and heat transfer equations with built-in physical property data.

MATLAB

High-level language and environment for numerical computation, visualization, and algorithm development.

SurveyMonkey

Online tool used to design and analyze surveys for community outreach and research data collection.

DesignBuilder

Simulation software used to model building performance across energy, daylight, HVAC, and comfort parameters.

AutoCASE Triple Bottom Line Analysis

A platform to conduct cost-benefit analysis by incorporating financial, social, and environmental impacts of buildings and infrastructure.

SolidWorks

CAD/CAE tool used for creating 3D mechanical models and simulating stress, deflection, temperature, and fluid flow.

Autodesk Navisworks

3D model review software for coordinating BIM workflows and performing 4D/5D construction simulations.

Autodesk AutoCAD

CAD software for drafting and designing in 2D and 3D across engineering and architectural applications.

Autodesk Revit

BIM software for architects and engineers to design, model, and manage building components in a 3D environment.

Thinkstep GaBi

Life Cycle Assessment software for quantifying environmental impacts and identifying sustainability hotspots across the product life cycle.