
Daniel Pearl
Principal,
L’OEUF Architects
Professor,
Université de Montréal
Having used Matchbox in an academic setting for several years, side by side with other 3d-simulation software, I can attest that Matchbox is an excellent pedagogical tool. Learning what works and why is it’s most valuable asset. Matchbox is precisely designed to help students and professionals remove the outer black box and see how the engine really works. From zoning a building, to playing with it’s program flexibility, orientation and form, Matchbox can quickly let designers understand the profound effect they have on a building’s energy performance through quick design iterations. All students should be exposed to their design’s energy performance as early on as possible so that passive design principles can be honed before formal design issues are entrenched.