Ph.D. Research Proposal Doctoral Programme in Architecture & Technology
Building virtualization and modular faรงade systems from urban microclimatic models
Ciosu C. Gabriel ciosugabriel@gmail.com
Advisors: Prof. Dr. Jan Carmeliet Prof. Dr. Ludger Hovestadt
Research Topic:
Building virtualization and modular faรงade systems from urban microclimatic models.
Keywords:
Modular Faรงade Panels, Building Virtualization, Microclimate.
1. Introduction With the advancement of new 3Dprinting and robotic fabrication processes it is now possible to design and construct new types of building envelopes that better respond to the surrounding environment. Each building has it's unique location and thus specific microclimate characteristics, a element that is a major factor in the design of the building.
What if there is a way to obtain a previsualization of the optimal shape of a building before it's being constructed? Using only minimal input such as ground footprint and height it will be possible to see the best space distribution both horizontally and vertically based upon local physical factors. This data will create a spatial mainframe for the development of the building envelope and it's specific parametric module. The particularity of the study is focused on the effective design of a parametric module in certain atmospheric conditions and it's overall effect on the building when modifying it's characteristics.
2. State of the Art Most of the modern parametric design of building facades and envelopes is based on purely aesthetic principles such as computer generative algorithms. The statements "Generative Design is a morphogenetic process using algorithms
structured as not-linear systems for endless unique and un-repeatable results performed by an idea-code, as in Nature" (Definition by Celestino Soddu, 1992) and " Generative Design is the transformation of computational energy into creative exploration energy empowering human designers to explore greater number of design possibilities within modifiable constrains" (Definition by Sivam Krish 2013) are a clear example of the fact that some computer generated designs tend to ignore the physical context in which they are built and rely very much on the computer algorithm and digital environment. Some data indicates that even traditional faรงade systems choices are made on other considerations such as some Central European building envelopes that rely on components and technologies designed for the Western European climate for office and residential buildings, sometimes with extremely different climatic conditions. The economical factor in such cases is taken into account only for the material acquisition and not the overall building energy consumption. Usage of this technology in arid climates like Dubai require the need of airconditioning units for the clad glazing system. Therefore some models that show suitable faรงade concepts based on specific climatic conditions are needed for evaluating building concepts at an early stage. Implementation of this type of evaluation is beneficial only if local climate can add up to the design and provide a better integration from prevailing climatic conditions in the faรงade concept, rather than to resist these conditions by technical means. (Faรงades - Principles of Construction 2007 ).
3. Research Objectives and Approach My approach to the study is based on experimentation done at a real world scale and then corroborate with measurements developed on small scale models and data from UHI models (urban heat island). For the concept of a digital previsualization of a building I propose at first a classical surveying system measuring local data such as : telemetry - distances from existent physical elements to the proposed building site ( buildings, vegetation) ; temperature ; humidity; barometric pressure ; anemometric ; UV/IR/Vis light spectrum measurement. After the first layers of real world measurements are done the next step is synchronization with data recorded via small UAV units specifically equipped with sensors as listed above.The UAV units (drones) will be dispatched in a particular spatial order and with a specific time table schedule for systematic probing. All the data gathered will then be matched and organized in a grid-like configuration and one key step is the translation of the measurements in editable graphics, charts and vectorial digital aids. The purpose of this is to create a set of digital constraints that can be applied to the 3D geometry of the BIM model. The constraints are intended to be a digital aid for the editing of building elevations and plans, providing real time feedback while maintaining the overall energy efficiency boundary. Once an optimal faรงade module is designed and integrated in the envelope it can be printed at 1:20 , 1:10 or 1:1 scale with robotic support/composite techniques and further testing will be made to develop a usable product.
4. Current Work and Preliminary results To study the effect on building envelopes I have developed a small 0.4mÂł test chamber for scale models. All the scale models for test are made with a personally developed 3D printer rather than a traditional method to ensure correct dimensions and to provide support on fluid forms models. At this point the setup consists of various signal-sensor pair combinations such as: different light sources ( UV, IR, visible white light, daylight 6500k LED
units) accompanied by multifunctional digital light sensors and a simple IR camera; heat sources ( 50w peltier elements for heating/cooling attached to radiator sink/forced mechanical ventilation) and heat digital heat sensors (ambient and local); water evaporator and humidity sensor. The measurements are collected through an Arduino module and currently saved as a text log. The current step is developing the algorithms that link measurements to usable vectorial aids and integrating them in a BIM package.
Figure 1. Translation from scale model digital sensor measurements log to vectorial graphical data.
5. Conclusions Developing a system that could improve design decisions from the beginning and increase overall building energy efficiency represents a major economical and sustainability factor.The possibility to produce a nonstandard construction element with robotic support adds up to the feasibility of such a project. The research aims to provide a better building integration in it's surrounding environment and to make a better use of current digital technologies.
[2] Montazeri H, Blocken B, Derome D, Carmeliet J., Hensen J: CFD analysis of forced convective heat transfer coefficients at windward building facades: influence of building geometry, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics; [3] Ulrich Knaack, Tillmann Klein,Marcel Bilow, Thomas Auer; Façades - Principles of Construction ; Birkhäuser 2007; [4] Michelle Addington, AMID (Cero9), Petra Blaisse, Penelope Dean, David Gissen, Pierre Huyghe, An Te Liu, Mathieu Lehanneur, Zbigniew Oksiuta,Philippe Rahm and WEATHERS, Energies-New Material Boundaries ; Wiley 2009;
References
[5] Michael Hensel,Achim Menges +Michael Weinstock;Techniques and Technologies in Morphogenetic Design:Wiley 2006;
[1] Moosavi, V. & Hovestadt, L., 2013. Modeling urban traffic dynamics in coexistence with urban data streams 2013;
[6] Evyatar Erell,David Pearlmutter, Terence Williamson;Urban Microclimate:Designing the Spaces Between Buildings 2012;