The modeled view on the left illustrates the Universal Thermal Climate Index, or UTCI, for a proposed highrise in Melbourne, Australia. Designers incorporated outdoor terraces into the project, which necessitated an investigation into the environmental conditions that would support occupancy of those spaces throughout the year. This image shows UTCI data for June 15, which would be early winter months and shows a daytime UTCI of between 17-18˚C, which would be considered comfortable. In comparison to the historical UTCI model, the outdoor spaces in the same proposed highrise in Melbourne reveal a much colder condition when modeled using WeatherShift data as shown on the right. A UTCI of nearly 13˚C would suggest these terraces may not be comfortable during winter months or may necessitate a design change to provide some wind protection to improve the outcome. Although we often focus on extreme heat in the future given the climate crisis, understanding the potential for seasonal extremes can inform many different design outcomes.

With WeatherShift data, designers can assess building and outdoor space performance according to expected conditions, allowing them to simulate energy performance or microclimate conditions to then inform current design decisions around orientation, massing, surface materials, and envelope performance.

“This provides our design teams with a way to frame early support for passive design opportunities like natural ventilation, solar control, thermal comfort, or daylighting in a way that can anticipate likely scenarios of increasing temperatures.” says Fortmeyer.

“Comparing it to the historical TMY output may alter our appreciation for how the solar reflectance index of a pavement finish impacts heat islands, or whether the number of hours you can comfortably naturally ventilate an office building makes sense.”  

Woods Bagot will use WeatherShift data across its studios in Australia, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe, North America and New Zealand.

“In every city we work, extreme heat is a key climate risk and, by using WeatherShift, we have embedded future weather data as an option in our own Environmental Performance Toolkit (EPT),” says Fortmeyer.

“The EPT is a set of modules we have developed for our workflow to help teams quickly assess environmental design opportunities early enough in the concept phase to inform major design decisions.

“This approach is not going to answer every question we as designers have, nor will it unlock some secret knowledge about our practice and climate change, but it provides credible evidence as a basis for conversations with our colleagues and clients about risks.”

It’s part of a concerted approach to sustainability by Woods Bagot, and a key component of its Global Impact strategy, which addresses sustainability across the design, operations, and advocacy of the company.

A climate risk assessment has been undertaken for each Woods Bagot studio and is incorporated into the company’s Climate Playbook, an annual report encapsulating a sustainable action plan and environmental, social, and governance activities.