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Overview of Delve's inputs and outputs
Overview of Delve's inputs and outputs
Updated over a year ago

Inputs

The following inputs are available for configuration and modifications for self-service users when setting up a new project and study within Delve:

Units

  • Imperial vs. Metric

  • Currency

Parcels
Users have the following three options to define parcels for their project:

  • Select Tax Lots (U.S.)

  • Draw Site Polygon (U.S. and Globally)

  • Upload GeoJSON (U.S. and Globally)

Zoning
The following inputs allow users to specify optional zoning constraints for parcels in their project. Note that by default, we assume no constraints.

  • Max Building Coverage Ratio (BCR)

  • Max Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

  • Max Height

  • Min Open Space Ratio (OSR)

  • Front Yard Setback

  • Side Yard Setback

  • Rear Yard Setback

Use Types
​Basic Inputs

  • Use Types (e.g. “Residential”, “Office”, etc.)

  • Primary Use Types have a specified FAR / GFA

  • Secondary Use Types whose FAR / GFA is inferred from selected building types

  • Users can specify Use Type names (e.g. “Rental” or “Condo”) instead of defaults (e.g. “Residential”).

Advanced Settings

Default values are provided per Use Type but can be updated by the user:

  • Loss Factor

  • Floor Height

  • Unit Mix (Residential only)

Program

  • Users can define the amount of each Use Type

    • The default is 2.0 FAR site-wide

    • Amounts can be specified as a single Target or Min/Max Range

    • Amounts can be FAR or GFA

    • Amounts can be a site-wide target, with or without individual use type %s, or specific targets per parcel

  • Green Space Target Range

    • The default is 0-10%

    • Target can be % or gross (acreage, square meters)

    • Target can be site-wide or per parcel

Parking

  • Parking Strategies

    • Build Surface Parking On/Off (default is On)

    • Build Basement Parking On/Off (default is Off)

  • Parking Ratios

    • Default is 0

    • # of spots / 1,000sf (or by unit for Residential

  • Parking Spot Area

    • The default is 322.92 sf

Building Types
​Basic Inputs

  • Default is suggested buildings based on Use Type FAR, and preset configurations

  • The following attributes can be edited for any building within the library:

    • Name

    • Max Height

    • Min/Max Footprint

    • Floor packages (a block of X floors for each Use Type)

    • Floor packages with setbacks

    • Basements

Advanced Settings

  • Default values are provided per building

  • Lease Depth

  • Corridor Width

Metrics [Only if present if HBU Study is Selected]
Users can select key performance metrics like Sun Hours, Sky Access, etc. Carbon Emissions will always be measured by default.

Financials [Only if present if HBU Study is Selected]
If users specify financial metrics (e.g. Profit on Cost), they have the opportunity to download and customize a spreadsheet detailing Delve’s financial model.

Outputs

The following outputs are available for download and review for self-service users once a study has been completed:

Delve web app

Delve provides a web-hosted interface for reviewing, commenting, and sharing on Delve generation. This interface makes it easy to review and highlight quantitative Delve findings within a produced study. Additionally, the explorer provides opportunities for further design generation and modification of existing results.

Delve reports (PDF)

Delve reports provide a quick and easy method for exporting critical details and images related to saved designs. Users can select saved designs for addition to new reports. Within the report interface, additional controls allow for the modification of the exported content.

Data tables (CSV and Excel)

The quantitative Delve findings and the inputs used to generate the associated model can be downloaded for use in external workflows. This download is formatted as an Excel file, but can easily be converted to CSV or other common formats.

Rhino files (3D)

A 3D export for Delve models is supported via Rhino and the .3dm file type. These models can be converted to additional 3D file types using common external workflows and contain the following information:

  • Outlines (vector-based curves)

    • Existing Buildings

    • New Buildings

      • Layers for each selected use-types

      • Residential

        • Units

      • Mechanical

    • Parks

    • Streets

      • Delve Generated

      • Existing

    • Roofs

  • Objects (vector-based surfaces)

    • New Buildings

      • Layers for each selected use-types

      • Residential

        • Units

      • Mechanical

    • Parks

Autocad (DXF)

A 2D export for Delve models is supported via the DXF file type. These models can be converted to additional 3D file types using common external workflows and contain the following information:

  • Outlines (Polyline based)

    • Existing Buildings

    • New Buildings

      • Layers for each selected use-types

      • Residential

        • Units

      • Mechanical

    • Parks

    • Streets

    • Roofs

Images (PNG)

Delve exports images of the generated design in a Zip Archive. This zip contains multiple images, including views that include select layer information (such as daylight, views, and walkability). The images will include both perspective and orthographic projections, producing images that can be used as underlays or raw materials for artistic renderings showing the space's potential.

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