ArchiWind
User Guide
Exploring ArchiWind Results
ArchiWind Assessment

ArchiWind Assessment

How to Use Your Wind Assessment Page

Header Information

At the top of the page you will find:

  • Project name and type (e.g., Project demo, Quality : DETAILED).
  • Date of simulation.
  • Navigation controls: Share, Assessment Report Access, Data Download, Move to another project.

Summary Panel

The summary panel displays the key simulation metadata:

  • Wind Directions: number of simulated directions (e.g., 16).
  • Effective Diameter: domain size used for the CFD run.
  • Coordinates (EPSG:4326): geographical location of the project.
  • Wind Data Source: provider of the statistical wind climate (e.g., Open-Meteo).

Summary Panel

Interactive Viewer

The interactive viewer is the core of the Assessment page. It allows you to explore and analyze results directly in 3D. 3D viewer

Main 3D Viewer

  • Interactive 3D map of the project, colored according to the selected field.
  • Field selector dropdown (left panel): choose which metric to display (e.g., Pedestrian Wind Comfort, Wind Speed Amplification, Average Wind Speed).
  • Height selector: adjust the analysis height (e.g., 2 m pedestrian level).
  • Geometry toggles: show or hide Building, Surroundings, and Terrain.
  • Particles animation: optional visualization of flow.
  • Wind rose panel (right): shows directional wind statistics for the selected period (e.g., Year, Season, Month).

Contextual Information

  • Field description: explanation of the currently selected field (e.g., thresholds for Pedestrian Wind Comfort).
  • Legend: color-coded categories, aligned with the chosen field.

Interaction Controls

  • Navigation: zoom, rotate, and pan the 3D model.
  • Fullscreen mode: expand the viewer for detailed exploration and screenshots.
  • Help (?) button: quick tour of the interface.

Printable PDF Report

A printable report (PDF) can be downloaded directly from the results page for DETAILED simulations.

Download Report

The report includes:

  • Simulation-specific settings
  • Mesh overview
  • Field summaries for different periods
  • Methodology description
  • Mitigation strategy placement proposal

Example Report

Raw Data

The raw CFD data can be downloaded for DETAILED simulations only and allows custom post-processing.

  • Format: VTK, compatible with ParaView and other visualization tools
  • File size: up to 5 GB+ for high-rise simulations
  • Availability: 1 year after simulation completion

How to Read Your Simulation Results

Once you have your assessment, follow these steps to interpret the results effectively:

Step 1: Identify Problematic Areas with PWC

  • Review the Pedestrian Wind Comfort (PWC) map.
  • Look for orange and red areas where conditions fall below acceptable thresholds.
  • In some cases, yellow areas may also require attention.
PWC Example

More info about PWC → here

Step 2: Determine the Wind Directions Causing Discomfort

  • Use the wind rose diagram to visualize the frequency and impact of different wind directions.
  • Review the Wind Speed Amplification field to see which directions generate local high velocities.
  • Rank their contributions to understand which winds dominate.
Wind Rose - Example
ColorWind Speed Threshold (m/s)
Blue0–2.5
Light Blue2.5–4
Yellow4–6
Orange6–8
Red>8
  • Dominant directions: Winds most frequently affecting the site. Ensure these are mitigated.
  • High-velocity distribution: Clusters of orange/red indicate directions producing strong local flows.

More info about Wind Speed Amplification → here

Step 3: Recognize Characteristic Wind Patterns

CFD simulations reveal how the built environment shapes wind flows. Look for patterns in the 3D viewer when analyzing Wind Speed Amplification:

  • Downwash: Wind deflected downward along tall facades.
  • Cornering: Accelerated wind around sharp building corners.
  • Venturi effect: Strong acceleration in narrow passages between buildings.
Wind Rose with High Velocity Distribution

Identifying these patterns helps explain hotspots in the PWC results.

Step 4: Locate the Most Effective Mitigation Spots

  • Pinpoint zones of intervention where windbreaks, vegetation, or architectural adjustments will have the most impact.
  • Prioritize high-traffic areas or locations where discomfort is most severe.

Available Fields

By default, the model is displayed with pedestrian wind comfort. Additional fields are available via the field selector:

Back to Contents