Case Study: Misawa Homes Institute of Research and Development achieves micro-climate comfort design with Hexagon’s CFD simulation solutions

Micro‑climate design that utilizes wind and sunlight becomes reality by combining conventional solution and the latest technology

Misawa Homes Institute of Research and Development Co., Ltd., the research arm of a major Japanese home developer, faced the challenge of incorporating natural environmental conditions like wind and sunlight into its designs to create more comfortable residential areas. To move beyond relying on experience and intuition, the customer adopted Hexagon's scSTREAM and ThermoRender software to perform advanced thermal fluid analyses for its micro-climate design concept.

By implementing Hexagon's simulation solutions, the customer could accurately evaluate and design high-comfort homes and towns. The results included verified temperature reductions, such as a "House with -3.5 °C effective temperature," and the successful design of a cooling louver that lowered local air temperatures by 5-6°C. Hexagon's tools provided a powerful means of communication and validation, leading to award-winning designs and a proven increase in resident comfort, with some tenants stopping air conditioner use entirely.

Misawa Homes Institute of Research and Development

Yukari Hirayama

Chief Researcher