LightUp Analytics has been designed by specialists and practitioners from industry sectors including environmental design, architecture, masterplanning, realtime lighting rendering and 3D graphics. It was awarded the Chartered Institute of Building's International Innovation and Research Award for Digital Innovation in 2013.

This combination of specialisms has created a tool designed to analyse and optimise complex and multiple building development proposals and concepts, enabling them to be very energy efficient.

It also ensures they can be compliant with existing and developing industry standards – in particular BR209 (Site layout Planning for Daylight & Sunlight) and GIR27 (Passive Solar Estate Layout) – with public consultations currently taking place over how prominent a role daylight and sunlight effects should play in the planning process.

Gary Jackson, a Plymouth University graduate who is now Architect and Managing Director of the Space Strategy, is part of the development team behind LightUp Analytics. He said:

“For many years, the planning process has used some quite basic tools to assess the impact of light in new developments and renovation projects. It stands to reason that evidence-based design is more persuasive than visually-based design and this requires more accurate methods of assessment – methods that can be trusted by developers and the public. This software democratises access to sunlight and daylight impact and allows architects to accurately reflect those at every stage of the design process.”