The complete thesis is under a temporary embargo until we publish the results of the research in a peer-reviewed journal article that is in preparation.
Team: Ir. A. Kassiani Florou, Dr.ir. P. Nourian, Ir. S.Azadi
The typical solar energy potential simulation workflows used in the AEC industry require an
abundance of information regarding the detailed geometry and materialization of the design.
These requisites render them incompatible with early-stage design decision-making pertaining
to form-finding. By performing solar energy potential simulations at the pre-conceptual design
phase, the necessary time for later-stage environmental assessments and design improvements
is reduced considerably, while building designs with high performance but low environmental
footprint are attained.
This research proposes a computational framework to navigate voxel-based morphologies of
building envelopes in a performative design space. It investigates a generative workflow through
an embedded multi-criteria optimization of solar-related indicators, which are mapped in a solar
energy potential field. The formulation of this field consists of an a priori assessment of the
solar energy potential in every discrete volumetric unit (voxel) and a vectorized description
of the interdependency of them. The astronomical size of this solution space renders the
use of metaheuristic methods more appropriate. More specifically, a subtractive strategy that
incorporates an MCDA approach is being applied in order to reach user-defined optimization
targets. The novelty and potential of the proposed methodology lies in streamlining the
early decision making process for designers and architects and expanding the morphological
possibilities. Through this framework, the performative design space is effectively navigated
and nearly optimal solutions are generated, to act as suggestive mechanisms for informed
architectural decisions.
Image credit_ Anastasia-Kassiani Florou