UCLouvain Acquires an Orchard Heliodon - Congratulations to Prof. Sergio Altomonte and the Architecture et Climat Group

The Université catholique de Louvain, thanks to the initiative of Prof. Sergio Altomonte, has recently acquired an Orchard Heliodon, a device that will enrich the research and teaching activities of the Architecture et Climat (A&C) group, part of the Louvain Research Institute for Landscape, Architecture, Built Environment (LAB) within the SST/LOCI faculty.

What is the Orchard Heliodon?

The Orchard Heliodon by Nitter‑Betanit is an instrument for simulating the solar path on architectural and urban scale models. It is used to analyze natural lighting, shading behavior, and thermal comfort, as well as to assess solar impact on buildings and outdoor spaces.
By reproducing the sun’s movement according to latitude, month, and time, it allows for visual experiments and design validations that are both intuitive and effective. For a group like A&C — dedicated to environmental design and wellbeing — it is a valuable tool bridging theory and practice.

A Context of Excellence

UCLouvain continues to stand out for the quality of its research and education. In the QS Europe 2026 Ranking, the university climbed nine places compared to 2025, reflecting its commitment to high‑level research, international collaboration, and sustainability.
These achievements confirm UCLouvain’s growing attractiveness for students, researchers, and scientific partners worldwide.

Congratulations and Next Steps

We extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Altomonte and the Architecture et Climat group. We look forward to learning about the first activities and experiments carried out with the new Orchard Heliodon, an important investment in innovation and research.