Peiyao Xu

Screenshots of Examined Building

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Among the models examined, the one displayed represents a building with a height of 750ft. This particular model demonstrates the highest net benefit and exhibits a favorable level of directness to the Bay Bridge, as indicated by the two newly introduced metrics.

Images showing the node logic in your new evaluator nodes

  • 1st new evaluator custom node

The 1st new evaluator node calculate the net benefit by subtracting the total estate by the construction cost. The distribution of construction cost is assumed to grow linearly from $700 per SF at the ground level to $1500 per SF at 750’ above the ground. The distribution of estate (market value) is assumed to grow quadratically from $400 per SF at the ground level to $4000 per SF at 750’ above the ground, which make sense since higher floor can see the Bay Bridge better, which largely increase its value.

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  • Compute the construction cost
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  • Compute the total estate
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  • Compute the difference: Net benefit = total estate - construction cost
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  • 2nd new evaluator custom node

The 2nd new evaluator node is determined by measuring the building's directness to the Bay Bridge, indicating the quality of its view. The relative object vector is calculated using the latitude and longitude coordinates of both the Transbay Terminal and the Bay Bridge.

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  • Compute the vectors related to the examined building
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  • Compute the vector towards to the Bay Bridge
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  • Compute the dot product among those vectors
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Screenshots of the summary tables in Excel

  • The experiment involved testing different top heights, ranging from 200ft to 500ft with an increment of 50ft, resulting in a total of seven models.
  • Within each model, the original parameters included the gross floor area, gross surface area, and gross volume, denoted in Column B, C, and D, respectively.
  • The evaluation metrics computed for each model consisted of the net benefit and the directness to the Bay Bridge, presented in Column G and H, respectively.
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  • Upon analyzing the results, it becomes apparent that constructing a building with a height of less than 400ft would yield a negative net benefit. In such cases, the construction cost would exceed the value of the estate, rendering the project unprofitable. Furthermore, as the building height increases, the negative net benefit would also increase. This outcome aligns with our assumption that taller stories hold greater market value.
  • However, it is worth noting that the proximity to the Bay Bridge does not significantly vary with changes in building height. As a result, this factor has a limited impact on the decision-making process. To make a more informed decision, it would be prudent to consider the height in conjunction with the influence exerted by surrounding buildings and the overall effect on the environment.
  • Also, note that the floor area should be between 1,200,000 and 1,500,000 SF, which indicates the preferred height is 650ft.