Your Design Journal entries for this module should highlight:
- the design alternatives that you modeled and tested
- the results of the analyses and how they influenced your thinking about how to move forward
Use text , images, web links, movies... Whatever media works best to express your ideas!
Images of Your 3 Design Proposals
I chose the New York location. New York City made a commitment to have 100% net-zero for all new buildings by 2030. To ensure this, my goal is to make this building as energy efficient as possible. I tried to reduce the amount of stories as much as possible, as the energy use increases when the height of the building increases. Additionally, a lower but wider building creates more footprint for solar panels.
The designs:
- Setbacks: NYC has setback rules for all buildings, which can be seen when looking at the skyline. I wanted to reflect that in the first design. Additionally, these setbacks can be used as terraces.
- Dome and Cantilever: the second proposal includes a fairly basic geometry, with a dome on top and a cantilever on the front side. The dome could serve as natural light for an atrium, just like the Pantheon. The cantilever (which could be supported by columns to reduce material use), can be used for shadow or to shelter from the rain while waiting in line.
- High and lower rise: this design combines two buildings to form an inner courtyard.
Side-By-Side Comparisons of Your Analysis Results
The analyses that made the most sense regarding energy efficiency and solar energy potential are:
Your Recommendation for the “Best” Design Option
The analysis results do not differ a lot, as the building site is well exposed to the sun. A combination of design 1 and 2 can be used to maximize the solar energy potential, while also allowing for natural light for a potential atrium in the middle of the building. The figure below will be used as the ‘best’ design. A canopy was added on one of the terraces to provide shading. Furthermore, I wanted the visitors to be able to see solar panels from closer by, so the 4th floor terrace gives on this canopy that is covered by PV panels.
