Why does it matter to model the real terrain and real neighboring buildings?
The real terrain and neighboring building provides more accurate data such as wind, sunlight, noises where as a a model in a vacuum lacks context surrounding it.
◦ Which aspects of a building design are most affected by surrounding context?
The orientation and positioning of the building are affected by all types of surrounding context: sunlight, wind, and noise.
◦ What kinds of mistakes only become visible once the context is present?
If there is a huge shadow from a neighboring building, that wouldn’t be picked up until the context is imputed.
Should the building adapt to the site, or the site to the building?
◦ From a developer's perspective?
◦ From a designer's perspective?
◦ From the perspective of the neighbors who already live there?
Sun hours and wind frequently want opposite things from the same massing.
◦ How should a team break the tie when two analyses disagree?
The team hould agree on priorities before running analysis and rank what the project needs most, such as daylight for residential units versus comfort in outdoor spaces.
◦ Who should have the final say, and at what point in the process?
- Early the designer should have the say.
- Middle the developer has more input after the base design is done.
- Late the developer because its their money if they can fund the change order then its to whoever has the money.
Forma's rapid analyses are fast because they are approximate.
◦ What is a rapid operational energy analysis leaving out?
The rapid energy analysis assumes generic window layouts and a concrete wall for thermals from the sun. This could be vastly off if I plan on building a full wooden building.
◦ At what stage does that approximation stop being good enough?
It stop becoming good enough after you chose the basic shape and materials. You are only using the rapid test to eliminate bad options.
◦ What would you need before putting a performance number in front of a client?
You would need very precise numbers so the approximation by these rapid test aren’t okay. You need real local weather data, etcs no assumptions.
You generated three proposals and recommended one.
◦ Did the analysis choose it, or did you choose it and then find numbers that agreed?
◦ What would you have had to see to abandon your favorite option?
◦ If the lot next door is built out in three years, does your recommendation hold?