ClimateStudio

Environmental performance analysis plugin for Rhino

Comprehensive daylighting, electric lighting, energy, and thermal simulation software for Rhino that enables designers to optimize buildings for energy efficiency, daylight access, occupant comfort, and regulatory compliance.

Not publicly specified raised Established

Founded 2011 · Global architecture and engineering firms including SOM, Gensler, Foster and Partners, Herzog & de Meuron, AECOM, Ramboll, Shimz DDE, NASA, and 100+ university programs

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WHY IT EXISTS

Why This Tool Exists

The Problem

Architects and engineers spend hours manually running multiple simulation scenarios to optimize building performance for daylight access, energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and regulatory compliance. Iterative design decisions are delayed because performance analysis occurs late in the design process, and switching between tools for daylighting and energy simulation creates workflow fragmentation.

The Solution

Integrated environmental simulation directly within Rhino using EnergyPlus and RADIANCE ray-tracing technology. Parametric workflows in Grasshopper enable rapid design iteration with real-time performance feedback. Single-tool analysis for daylighting (LEED/BREEAM-compliant metrics), energy modeling, thermal comfort, and lighting design supports early-stage performance optimization.

USAGE

How You Use It

Delivery Method

PluginDesktop Application

Integrations

Rhino 3D (v6, v7, v8)GrasshopperEnergyPlusRADIANCEAIA 2030 Design Data ExchangeIGDB glazing database

Disciplines

Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Sustainability Consulting, Lighting Design

Project Phases

Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation

Project Types

Commercial, Residential, Healthcare, Education, Institutional, Mixed-Use

TRANSPARENCY

Data Transparency

Exactly what this tool uses and how

Input

What it needs

Required: Rhino 3D model geometry, Project location (weather file)

Optional: Material properties, Glazing specifications, Shading device descriptions, Natural ventilation parameters, Internal heat gain schedules, HVAC system specifications

Formats: Rhino 3D (.3dm), Grasshopper parametric definitions (.gh), TMY weather files, IDF energy model files, EnergyPlus format

Output

What you get

Format: Interactive performance reports with visualizations and compliance summaries

Fields: Annual illuminance and daylight availability (sDA, ASE), Spatial glare assessment (visual comfort), Annual energy consumption and demand, Thermal comfort distribution (PMV, operative temperature), Electric lighting requirements and power load, Solar exposure and shading performance, LEED/BREEAM compliance status, Renewable energy potential

Algorithm

How it works

Model: EnergyPlus for energy simulation; RADIANCE progressive path tracing for daylighting; proprietary thermal comfort algorithms

Accuracy: RADIANCE validation compliant; Energy+ uncertainty ±5-15% dependent on input assumptions. Daylighting accuracy improves with ray count (progressive refinement during compute)

Privacy

How your data is protected

Retention: No cloud required; all computation runs locally on user machine. Project files remain on user device

Training: Not publicly specified whether simulation data used to improve algorithms

Compliance: Not publicly specified (contact vendor for SOC 2 or compliance documentation)

API

Integration

Endpoint: Plugin-based (embedded in Rhino); no separate REST API documented

Method: Grasshopper component-based programming

USE CASES

Use Cases

· Early-stage design optimization for daylight access (LEED credit qualification)
· Annual energy modeling and consumption reduction studies
· Glare analysis and visual comfort assessment in daylit spaces
· Renewable energy sizing and battery storage integration
· BREEAM and EN 17037 compliance verification
· Parametric design exploration with 100+ iterations for performance targets
· Natural ventilation potential assessment
· Historic building energy retrofit feasibility studies

PRICING

Pricing

Free

90-day fully functional trial; academic licenses free through Solemma educational program

Pro

Commercial annual license (specific pricing not publicly disclosed)

Enterprise

Contact vendor for volume licensing and support

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Research Sources & Data Quality Last verified: 2026-04-04

Data Sources (14)

Verified Data (16)

problem, solution, deliveryMethod, integrations, disciplines, projectPhases, projectTypes, yearFounded, maturityStage, customerBase, input-formats, output-structure, algorithm-model, algorithm-approach, useCases, control-features

Not Found (8)

fundingTotal, pricing-exact-rates, privacy-policy-full-document, soc2-certification, data-training-practices, api-documentation, compliance-certifications-specific, data-retention-days

Our Commitment: We only include verified data from official sources. If information isn't publicly available, we mark it as "Not publicly specified" rather than guessing.

ALTERNATIVES

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