Purpose

This website is mostly a content container for my M.Arch thesis at Lawrence Technological University.

For my thesis I am interested in exploring how parametric design be used to self generate facade geometries that are responding to localized climate conditions. It is a study in using climatic data inputs as a way of creating parametric design logic in a manner that reaches optimal energy use reduction , while still supporting the creation of architectures that are responsive to the qulitiative aspects of context and human comfort. I am also seeking how climate based automated parametric design processes can be extended beyond considering a single environmental force, but instead operate and self generate under multi-criteria design logic.

For this particular thesis investigation I decided to focus on the design of building facades. My reason for doing so is building facades exist at a clear intersection between building energy use, human comfort, and aesthetic iconography. I am motivated to identify and create computational processes that remove design latency and support energy use reduction, while still enabling artistry to occur within the design process.

Process + Method

Step 1: Precedent case study research

Facades Technology Precedents

Research of pre-existing climate responsive building facades, and identify recurring patterns that exist in response to particular climate conditions.
Use unearthed patterns as a basis for creating automated computational design logic.

Precedent Computational

Identify preexisting computational workflows and software that result in automated climate responsive facade deisgns.
Identify preexisting computational design processes that handle multi-objective form finding.

Step 2: Computational Simulations

Usign Rhino and Grasshopper with affiliated add-ons of Honeybeee and Ladybug as a the primary modeling environment, and Autodesk's Revit with Greenbuidling Studio as a secondary source of performance verification, answer the following:

Explore how preexisting climate responsive facades designs can be automated through parametric digital modeling.
Using mathematical models of multi-objective optimization demonstrate if it is possible to self-populate and optimize combined identified reoccurring strategies of climate responsive façades.
Determine if using a multi-objective and automated parametric design approach leads to both quantitative and qualitative improvements over previous methods of designing building facades.