ARCH 655: Project 2

PROJECT 2

ARCH 655


In project two, it has been tried to first, create the major parts of the Chameleon Office using Python script, and then, optimize the opening and protrusion of the modules using GA optimization of Galapagos in Grasshopper.

Grasshopper is used to create the hexagon mesh and basic structural components and the interior parts of the building are modeled in Rhino.

Grasshopper model

Script

The following screenshots of this section show the Python script used to generate the main components of the facade:

Defining the parameters

Creating one triangular module

Creating the whole hexagon component

Creating the whole facade by copying hexagon module

Adding the components at edges

Applying the script on one surface

Adding extra components from Grasshopper

Optimization

Optimization Parameters:

The objective of utilizing optimization technique in this project is to find the near-optimum solution based on different criteria for daylighting. Consequently, two main parameters are recognized as the dominant parameters that can impact daylighting performance of the building. Opening scale of the modules (WWR) is one of the effective parameters. Furthermore, the protrusion of the components may act as shading device in the exterior side of the upper parts of each component and as light shelves (reflectors) in the interior side of the lower part of each component. Therefore, the value of the protrusion can be seen as an important variable in the optimization.

In order to simplify the process, only the offices adjacent to one face of the building are taken into account for the optimization.

Fitness Function:

In order to evaluate the daylighting performance of the building two metrics are considered to ensure that the optimization engine accounts for both daylight availability as well as glare. Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) and Annual Sun Exposure (AES), which are represented as a percentage, are chosen as the metrics to evaluate each individual case. As the main objective is to maximize the sDA and minimize the ASE, and Galapagos accepts one Fitness Function, the two metrics are combined to feed Galapagos with a single value. Also, as the ASE was small based on the configurations of the building and the orientation, it is multiplied by 5 to be taken into account as a more strict objective in this project. The following formulae is used as the fitness function in this study and the objective is to maximize the Fitness Function:

Fitness Function = sDA + (100 - 5 * ASE)

Best case of the first population

Best case of the last population

Verification:

Verification of the results of Galapagos

Sample screenshot of the sDA analysis of the whole floor

ARCH 655_Project 1

Chameleon Biomimetic Mixed-Use Office Building

WWF Architects Designs


Introduction:

First prize winning competition project

Dubai

2015

GFA: 17,716 m²

Use: mixed use building, office

Architecture Team: Javier Angel | Rima Obeid | Marina Eremija

Facade Design: Wisam Allami | Hatem Al Khafaji

3D Visualization: Hatem Al Khafaji | Josephus Taboada

The mixed-used building includes several terraces, green space and walls, and interior planters
Reference: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/wwf-architects-chameleon-mixed-use-office-building-12-30-2015/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

The ‘chameleon’ is a prize-winning competition proposal for a mixed-use office building by dubai-based wanders werner falasi consulting architects. The design was developed after a thorough site analysis, and is predominately concerned with principles of bio-mimicry. For example, the hexagonal shapes that dominate the façades are derived from cell structures. The office also draws from, as you may have guessed, the chameleon and its highly-adaptable skin.

The latter has several connections to building elements, including nighttime LED illumination and integrated thermo-regulation. Climate control is accomplished through smart façade units — i.e. the hexagons — which mechanically adapt to the sun’s trajectory. When receiving too much heat, each component closes to seal the structure. Likewise, when too cold, or dark, they open.

The office has fixed PV nano cells located in portions of exterior walls that collect sunlight throughout the day. Energy that isn’t expended for the building’s daytime needs is used to illuminate thousands of LEDs at night. This is regarded as a mirror of the structure’s dynamic inner activity, the animal itself, and on a more conceptual level, the collective, constantly changing mood of its inhabitants.

‘Chameleon’ and front plaza
Reference: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/wwf-architects-chameleon-mixed-use-office-building-12-30-2015/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

Process:

First, facade surfaces are created in Rhino based on the plans elevations:

Plans
Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

Then, the openings of the modules are moved perpendicular to the surface and is moved to all of the cells of the hexagons.


In order to create the structure as shown in the figure below, the Hexagon mesh and connecting cables are later created Using the LunchBox node. These divisions are projected on the glazing surface to create the triangular mesh.

Facade Detail
Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

As this process is applied for each surface, there should be a connection between different modules. The following figure illustrates the process of connecting the modules and meshes at the edges.



One of the most important features of this design is the openings and their area based on their direction.

Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

Therefore, window-to-wall ratio is chosen for the analysis of this project.

The parameters that can be controlled in this model are divided into global parameters and local parameters. Global parameters control the values in all of the surfaces and local parameters manipulate the values for each individual surface. Although these two categories are specified, each of the parameters can be changed between these two categories for each surface and at any point of the process.

Interchangable global and local parameters

The option of assigning one or different value to opening

An example of parametric change of the model is shown below:

The specifications of the model can also be extracted from physics engine. Below is an example of utilizing physics engine to create the protrusion in the model in a solid object.



Sample Screenshot:

ARCH 655_Project 1

Chameleon Biomimetic Mixed-Use Office Building

WWF Architects Designs


Introduction:

First prize winning competition project

Dubai

2015

GFA: 17,716 m²

Use: mixed use building, office

Architecture Team: Javier Angel | Rima Obeid | Marina Eremija

Facade Design: Wisam Allami | Hatem Al Khafaji

3D Visualization: Hatem Al Khafaji | Josephus Taboada

The mixed-used building includes several terraces, green space and walls, and interior planters
Reference: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/wwf-architects-chameleon-mixed-use-office-building-12-30-2015/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

The ‘chameleon’ is a prize-winning competition proposal for a mixed-use office building by dubai-based wanders werner falasi consulting architects. The design was developed after a thorough site analysis, and is predominately concerned with principles of bio-mimicry. For example, the hexagonal shapes that dominate the façades are derived from cell structures. The office also draws from, as you may have guessed, the chameleon and its highly-adaptable skin.

The latter has several connections to building elements, including nighttime LED illumination and integrated thermo-regulation. Climate control is accomplished through smart façade units — i.e. the hexagons — which mechanically adapt to the sun’s trajectory. When receiving too much heat, each component closes to seal the structure. Likewise, when too cold, or dark, they open.

The office has fixed PV nano cells located in portions of exterior walls that collect sunlight throughout the day. Energy that isn’t expended for the building’s daytime needs is used to illuminate thousands of LEDs at night. This is regarded as a mirror of the structure’s dynamic inner activity, the animal itself, and on a more conceptual level, the collective, constantly changing mood of its inhabitants.

‘Chameleon’ and front plaza
Reference: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/wwf-architects-chameleon-mixed-use-office-building-12-30-2015/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

Process:

First, facade surfaces are created in Rhino based on the plans elevations:

Plans
Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

Then, the openings of the modules are moved perpendicular to the surface and is moved to all of the cells of the hexagons.


In order to create the structure as shown in the figure below, the Hexagon mesh and connecting cables are later created Using the LunchBox node. These divisions are projected on the glazing surface to create the triangular mesh.

Facade Detail
Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

As this process is applied for each surface, there should be a connection between different modules. The following figure illustrates the process of connecting the modules and meshes at the edges.



One of the most important features of this design is the openings and their area based on their direction.

Reference: http://www.wwf-architects.com/index#/the-chameleon/, Retrieved on 10/17/2016

Therefore, window-to-wall ratio is chosen for the analysis of this project.

The parameters that can be controlled in this model are divided into global parameters and local parameters. Global parameters control the values in all of the surfaces and local parameters manipulate the values for each individual surface. Although these two categories are specified, each of the parameters can be changed between these two categories for each surface and at any point of the process.

Interchangable global and local parameters

The option of assigning one or different value to opening

An example of parametric change of the model is shown below:

The specifications of the model can also be extracted from physics engine. Below is an example of utilizing physics engine to create the protrusion in the model in a solid object.



Sample Screenshot: