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:
3D modeling tool integrated with environmental plugins like Ladybug and Honeybee for environmental and daylight analysis.
Package and environment management system for Python and other languages used in data science and simulation.
Open-source data visualization tool for high-performance computing and large dataset exploration.
Command-line toolset for climate data analysis and manipulation.
Cloud storage and file-sharing platform used for collaborative research data management.
Writing enhancement software that ensures error-free academic and technical communication.
Design and content creation tools for graphics, video, web, and publication needs.
3D modeling software for conceptual design and environmental visualization.
Urban microclimate modeling software to simulate the effects of vegetation, heat, and pollutants at high spatial resolution.
A geographic information system (GIS) platform for spatial data analysis, visualization, and geospatial decision-making.
3D city modeling software for urban design and geospatial analysis.
Software suite for whole-building energy modeling and daylight simulation.
Simulation platform for analyzing real-world behavior of products through thermal, fluid, and structural analysis.
Essential productivity tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for research, reporting, and data organization.
A comprehensive database providing lifecycle inventory data used in LCA software tools.
A Revit plugin that allows for whole-building LCA directly from BIM models using construction material data.
A tool used for solving thermodynamic and heat transfer equations with built-in physical property data.
High-level language and environment for numerical computation, visualization, and algorithm development.
Online tool used to design and analyze surveys for community outreach and research data collection.
Simulation software used to model building performance across energy, daylight, HVAC, and comfort parameters.
A platform to conduct cost-benefit analysis by incorporating financial, social, and environmental impacts of buildings and infrastructure.
CAD/CAE tool used for creating 3D mechanical models and simulating stress, deflection, temperature, and fluid flow.
3D model review software for coordinating BIM workflows and performing 4D/5D construction simulations.
CAD software for drafting and designing in 2D and 3D across engineering and architectural applications.
BIM software for architects and engineers to design, model, and manage building components in a 3D environment.
Life Cycle Assessment software for quantifying environmental impacts and identifying sustainability hotspots across the product life cycle.