Working share link to your Forma project
Module 2 Comparison Board - Fall 26 - CEE 120A_220A - Wallace - Autodesk Forma Board
One page facade comparison showing both options with their metrics
Typical floor plan image with unit types or zones labelled, plus the unit mix schedule
One AI render of the chosen scheme
Design memo of 300 to 500 words: how the massing changed from Week 2 and why, what the facade studies showed, what you chose, and where you overrode the automation
My massing dimensions changed from the option I selected in Week 2, and those adjustments were driven by the realities of fitting the residential program into the form. The original massing responded well to site evidence, but once I began laying out units, hallways, and structural logic, it became clear that the dimensions I had chosen were too arbitrary to support a coherent plan. To fix this, I re‑dimensioned the building so each floor could be organized on a consistent 15’×15’ grid. This grid became the underlying structure for unit depths, widths, and hallway alignments. After establishing the grid, I lost some square footage, so I increased the square footage of my first‑floor commercial space. Instead of including lots of greenery surrounding the building, I will expand the green roofs instead. This shift ensured that the building could be more practically designed and engineered to fit residential floor plans.
The most meaningful difference between the two façade options was whether or not balconies were included. The daylight and carbon analyses showed consistent results between the two façade designs, but the sun‑hours study varied drastically. Without balconies, the south façade received intense solar exposure. Without balcony shading, the windows on that side would either need to be significantly smaller or rely heavily on mechanical cooling to maintain comfort. Adding balconies solved both problems at once. They provide residents with private outdoor space, and they act as passive shading devices. With balconies in place, the south‑facing windows can be larger without compromising energy performance or overheating the units. That combination of livability and environmental logic made the balcony façade the clear choice.
I did override the automation in a few targeted areas. Even when I customized the façade designs to my 15‑ft grid (14.5’ to adjust for spacing), the generative façade tool still placed balconies and window groupings in areas overlapping with the columns and walls of the building. In these cases, I manually adjusted their spacing to match the 15‑ft unit boundaries.
Overall, the massing and façade now work together as a coordinated system. The grid provides floor‑plan structure, and the balcony façade provides both comfort and performance.