Performative driven form finding in the early design stage

Abstract

AbstractOne of the most crucial factors architects should consider in building energy performance design is the energy consumption of residential buildings, particularly in megacities such as Cairo. Oxman classifies that a five-paradigmatic design model can help architects generate building forms. In this study, the authors aimed to develop a form-driven design framework based on a generative design model based on shape grammar that allows architects to generate building forms based on rules, which generate the building through variables that act as genes in the fitness function. The results indicate a significant framework that can help architects select the optimum building form that saves energy by enhancing daylight penetration and thermal and cooling loads on a building. Furthermore, after optimizing radiation and cooling load metrics, the form generated significant block and balcony arrangements, enhancing the shading in the eastern, western, and southern facades. In addition, the northern façade has been developed without block projections or balconies. Finally, the optimum window-to-wall ratio generated to balance spatial daylight autonomy (SDA) and annual sunlight exposure (ASE) lighting metrics for the north facade is 60% and for the southern, western, and eastern facades 10%.