Building envelope shape design in early stages of the design process: Integrating architectural design systems and energy simulation

Vasco Granadeiro, José P. Duarte, João R. Correia, Vítor M.S. Leal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

153 Scopus citations

Abstract

The envelope shape, the most salient design characteristic in a building, has significant influence on its energy performance. However, in the early design stages, when the envelope shape is defined, energy performance information is normally nonexistent, due to modeling for energy simulation being a time-consuming task, frequently overlooked at this phase. This paper presents a methodology to assist design decisions regarding the building envelope shape considering its implications on energy performance. Basically, this methodology involves a flexible design system, to generate alternative envelope shape designs, with integrated energy simulation, to calculate the energy demand of each design. Shape grammars are particularly suitable to encode architectural design systems, given their ability to encode compositional design principles. Their downside is the complexity in developing computer implementations. This methodology converts a grammar into a parametric design system and is illustrated with an application to the grammar for Frank Lloyd Wright's prairie houses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)196-209
Number of pages14
JournalAutomation in Construction
Volume32
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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