DESC9169: DAYLIGHT IN BUILDINGS

Assignment 2: Daylight modeling of a parametric facade

Learning objectives:

The purpose of this task is to establish your understanding of parametric exploration using RADIANCE and Grasshopper. You will learn about the local and global variables that influence daylight availability, recognize the challenges and opportunities with daylight in interior spaces, and the appropriate use of daylighting technologies. Modeling tools (Radiance based) will be used in order to assess the efficacy of proposed façade design and daylight strategies. As you work on this task, you will be guided by four lab tutorial sessions that will lead you through each stage of your assignment tasks. The intention is that you learn the processes required at each stage by working through the tutorial guide and then apply those methods/tools to the gradual development of your assignment project in accordance with the brief given.

Assessment description:

Students are expected to work on an individual task to learn how to design a parametric façade. Students will provide solutions for a more responsive façade to dynamic daylight by using parametric and quick form. finding methods i.e. origami, which forms based on geometrical rules, and folding morphology, kaleidogami which depends on rotating rings of tetrahedrons etc. Students will learn about new advancements in façade design to present innovative solutions to optimize light penetration and shading, taking into account many different aspects that influencing the performance of a façade.

Students will develop a parametric façade and do daylight modeling of the selected space. Each student will analyze one of the two spaces monitored. By choosing one of the two spaces studied in the first assignment and discuss the daylight performance of that façade throughout a year by comparing with its actual performance. Design constraints were both quantitative: geometric limitations for constructability, maintenance, view, and material minimization, as well as qualitative: aesthetics of façade and preferred shading patterns etc. A high-level daylight analysis to be performed. You will need to synthesize your research material with a series of self-generated infographic design completed with sketches, diagrams, graphics and charts to present daylight performance of proposed parametric facade.

Assessment criteria:

The Assessment 2: Daylight modeling will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

· Technical strategy: Description of the parametric façade and creation of the geometry

· Numerical analysis: Completeness and clarity in the presentation of simulation results, outcomes of the principal daylight metrics of the modeled space and improved solution (DF, DA, UDI).

· Critical analysis: Critical assessment of the current daylight strategies and response to brief, Proposition of improvements and critical review of outcome

· Visual & Written Communication: Visual presentation of the work, clarity of written expression and citation & referencing.

Report Requirements:

The final report should be concise (maximum 2000 words) and must be well illustrated. Your report must include information about parametric façade design process, explanation of the simulation model and simulation results. It should also incorporates the analysis you have carried out, any design issues you have encountered, and how you have overcome these issues, the result of the base model analysis, the result of the proposed design, a summary of your key findings and conclusion of the main outcomes or suggestion for further improvement. Your analysis will be assessed on the depth of your discussions and the thoughtfulness you have put into the process. Tables and graphics are to be used in report. Clear use of graphics showing dimensions and scales are to be utilized.

The report should include the following information:

§ An intro, introduction and methodology would be included.

§ Context (Climate and site analyses), project description, findings from the first assignment on the daylight performance of the space (qualitative and quantitative assessments) should be summarized (if you will use the same images, you should refer to the first assignment).

§ Technical architectural drawings (elevation, section, and plan) of the proposed parametric façade design.

§ A description of the simulation model, (geometric model, and inputs such as geographical location, surface & material properties etc.)

§   Description of design intervention and design intent with technical description of targeted light quality criteria that intervention is trying to address.

§ A description of the digital model and of the process for comparing the model with real measurements. It is expected that the model and measurements would be compared and the difference between the outcomes (if it is higher than %20) would be discussed.

§  Before and after plot of daylight indexes (average Daylight Factor – DF, Daylight Autonomy DA, Useful Daylight Illuminance – UDI).

§   A critical analysis of proposed parametric façade from the aspects of daylight performance and design constraints.

§ Conclusion should include: A summary of your key findings, main outcomes or suggestion for further improvement for possible improvements and your experience during learning process.

§ Include grasshopper script. of the façade design as Appendix.

Assessment category and type: Written with non-written items

Individual or group: Individual

Length / duration: To be submitted as a PDF file, of length no more than15 (excluding Appendix) pages in A2 size format via Canvas. Submissions must NOT be larger than 10 MB.

Weight: 65%

Due date & time: 12 November 2024 23.59

Learning outcomes assessed: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Reading list:

§ Mahmoud, A. H. A., & Elghazi, Y. (2016). Parametric-based designs for kinetic facades to optimize daylight performance: Comparing rotation and translation kinetic motion for hexagonal facade patterns. Solar Energy, 126, 111-127.

§ Pesenti, M., Masera, G., & Fiorito, F. (2018). Exploration of adaptive origami shading concepts through integrated dynamic simulations. Journal of Architectural Engineering, 24(4), 04018022

§ Hosseini, S. M., Mohammadi, M., Rosemann, A., Schröder, T., & Lichtenberg, J. (2019). A morphological approach for kinetic façade design process to improve visual and thermal comfort. Building and Environment, 153, 186-204.

§ Hosseini, S. M., Mohammadi, M., & Guerra-Santin, O. (2019). Interactive kinetic façade: Improving visual comfort based on dynamic daylight and occupant's positions by 2D and 3D shape changes. Building and Environment, 165, 106396.

§ Elghazi, Y., Wagdy, A., Mohamed, S., & Hassan, A. (2014, September). Daylighting driven design: optimizing kaleidocycle facade for hot arid climate. In Aachen: Fifth German-Austrian IBPSA Conference, RWTH Aachen University.

§ ElGhazi, Y. S., & Mahmoud, A. H. A. (2016). Origami Explorations-A Generative Parametric Technique For kinetic cellular façade to optimize Daylight Performance.

§ Tabadkani, A., Shoubi, M. V., Soflaei, F., & Banihashemi, S. (2019). Integrated parametric design of adaptive facades for user's visual comfort. Automation in Construction, 106, 102857.

§ Caetano, I., & Leitão, A. (2015). DrAFT: an Algorithmic Framework for Facade Design

§ Narangerel, A., Lee, J. H., & Stouffs, R. (2017). Thermal and Daylighting Optimization of Complex 3D Faceted Façade for Office Building. SharingofComputableKnowledge!, 209.

§ Gagne, J., & Andersen, M. (2012). A generative facade design method based on daylighting performance goals. Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 5(3), 141-154.