Responsive facade designs for sustainable architecture

The Netherlands are facing a major challenge. The National Climate Agreement states that the built environment must be completely energy-neutral by 2050 (TNO, 2021). As a result, the demand for sustainable design solutions is constantly increasing. Smart design and the use of the latest technologies, enable architects to contribute to the built environment in a meaningful way. In this research, we take a closer look at the design of sustainable exterior facades for a healthy and energy-efficient indoor climate. By adding Generative Design to the design process, we can achieve the most optimal facades that respond to the local climate and weather conditions.

Utilizing passive solar energy by design

During the design process, local climate and weather data is added to the developed algorithm as a parameter. With this method, it is possible to test different design solutions in their natural, site specific environment and test their performance with real climate and weather conditions. Based on the climate data of a given geo location Generative Design is added to this process to optimize the facade’s performance and get the most energy efficient solution for the facade design.

 

 

The goal is to generate a facade that utilises passive solar energy by design. For example, in summer excessive sunlight is blocked by using an overhang. During the winter period, the facade lets in enough sunlight to naturally light up and warm up the building. Facades tailored to the local climate and weather conditions can utilize solar radiation sufficiently throughout the year. In return, climate systems and/or air conditioning systems do not have to deploy as much, and therefore save energy.

 

Design process for responsive facade designs

1. Start: we start by placing the building in its environment including surrounding buildings and adding the local climate and weather data to the algorithm.
2. Analyse: with the initial inputs set, we run a solar radiation analysis taking the surrounding buildings’ shadow casting into account.
3. Result: the analysis results give numerical as well as a visual representation of solar radiation effect on the buildings’ facades throughout the year.
4. Modelling: based on the analysis results and the facade’s direction, we determine what part of the facade will be influenced by the climate and weather data.
5. Feedback: with a second analysis of the designed facade, we test its efficiency with helpful winter and harmful summer solar radiation. In this example we are testing the facade’s most critical points and their performance throughout the year.
6. Optimise: in case of multiple changing elements of the facade (e.g., size and setback of the window) it is possible to apply Generative Design by using an additional plugin to optimize and get the most efficient solution for the facade’s elements.

In this first algorithm model, the climate and weather data can affect the size of certain elements (windows, balconies and plant pots) on the facade. The solar radiation energy is measured by each facade division separately, causing a difference in the sizing of individual elements. Resulting in a flowing, continuously changing look on the building’s facades varying in size of windows, balconies and plot pot size. Keeping an eye on the budget, it is possible to create facade groups with a moderate amount of unique facade panels as well. This reduces the number of unique facade panels.

 

Just the start

Although designing responsive facades using climate and weather data as a parameter is not a new concept, there are still many paths left to explore. In addition to creating responsive facades, there are numerous ways to intertwine data and design more closely. As a result, we are able to design exciting new looks and better performing buildings. Responsive design paves the way for more research into maximizing the performance and health of buildings while minimizing the impact on the planet’s environments and climate.

 

Research by Ádám Petróczki for EGM Studio