Abstract data visualisation in the built environment

Research on data visualisation is undergoing major developments in a number of different fields. These developments include investigating ways of applying visualisation techniques and systems for the more efficient manipulation, interpretation and presentation of data. In the built environment field, the potential of new visualisation technologies to enhance the presentation of performance data obtained as output from simulation programs has remained almost unexplored. The primary aim of the work summarised in this paper was to commence the development of a method for visualising the data produced by thermal analysis tools. Two applications are presented. The first is designed to automatically process the output within a commercial spreadsheet program. The second is designed to display the solution in 3D to aid spatial recognition and data navigation. This paper shows, through small-scale user tests, that each of the proposed applications significantly improves some of the attributes associated with usability, namely: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors and user satisfaction. Advice is given on the key aspects that will require attention when the full method is developed. Finally, it should be possible to develop low-cost data visualisation tools to improve the overall usability of a thermal analysis tool within a built environment practice.