A Parametric Modelling Approach for Energy Retrofitting Heritage Buildings: The Case of Amsterdam City Centre

The city of Amsterdam has ambitious goals to achieve a 95% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 and to phase out natural gas by 2040. Disconnecting the building stock from natural gas requires well-ventilated and well-insulated buildings and a switch to renewable energy sources, making optimal use of heat pumps and sustainable heating solutions...

Design and feasibility of a 30- to 40-knot emission-free ferry

This paper explores the design and feasibility of a 200-passenger, 30- to 40-knot emission-free ferry as a potential variant of the traditionally powered Coastal Cruiser 200 ferry currently operating in the Chinese Pearl River Delta. The Pearl River Delta is one of China’s most densely urbanized regions and faces numerous social, health, and...

Evo-Devo in the Sky

Designers interested in applying evo-devo-design methods for performance based multi-objective design exploration have typically faced two main hurdles: it’s too hard and too slow. An evo-devo-design method is proposed that effectively overcomes the hurdles of skill and speed by leveraging two key technologies: computational workflows and cloud...

Modelling of Public Spaces: In the quest for methodology for material culture research

The relationship between the material settings and situational belonging to a more general notion of the culture of a given community remains the subject of inquiry of at least two scientific disciplines: anthropology and urban morphology studies. In this study an assessment of the various modelling platforms is performed with the objective of...

A Parametric Recreation of Traditional Chinese Architecture

This paper presents the current state of progress investigating the possibility of modelling traditional Chinese architecture using parametrics based on the two rule books. This builds on the work of producing systematic analysis on both rule books and contributing knowledge from extant buildings. The case study target is the floor plan...

Albertian Grammatical Transformations

This paper presents a research on the use of shape grammars as an analytical tool in the history of architecture. It evolves within a broader project called Digital Alberti, whose goal is to determine the influence of De re aedificatoria treatise on Portuguese Renaissance architecture, making use of a computational framework (Krüger et al., 2011...

Best Practices for Urban Densification: A decision-making support process using microclimate analysis methods and parametric models for optimizing urban climate comfort

This paper presents an approach for microclimate aware densification of urban areas by creating best practices for an in situ application for block-size urban developments. The discussed procedure generates and evaluates urban block types according to microclimate criteria by integrating climate and comfort parameters in the design process of...

Grandstand Grammar and its Computer Implementation

In sports facilities, a grandstand is the structure which provides good sight quality and safety evacuation conditions for the spectators. Grandstand plays important functional and formative roles in sports facilities, and especially in large scale stadia. This paper argues the notion of shape grammar and its computer implementation will solve...

Multi-disciplinary design optimisation via dashboard portals

This paper will present the opportunities a dashboard-based system provides to gather information on alternatives and display this in such a way that it will help the user making decisions by making use of multi-disciplinary optimisation (MDO) technology. The multi-disciplinary set up of the program will enable the user to understand the...

Performance-based design of SolSt: A roof system integrating structural morphology and solar energy transmittance

In this paper we address the design of large roof structures by integrating interdisciplinary performance evaluations in the early stages of the design process. Specific focus is given to structural and solar energy related performances. Geometry is stressed as a key interface between the different disciplines. Parametric modelling is used to...