Working share link to your Forma project
https://app.autodeskforma.com/buildingdesign/pro_wuhj1dclhr/896250a9-a464-4cd3-825c-b1c6933d62ed/web
One page facade comparison showing both options with their metrics
The top is the individual windows design, and the bottom is the horizontal windows design.
Typical floor plan image with unit types or zones labelled, plus the unit mix schedule
Unit types are labelled, just cannot see when zoomed out so far. Unit type percentages are based on building as whole.
Unit mix schedule minus the core area and hall space:
Studio: 14%
Single: 37%
Double: 35%
Triple: 14%
One AI render of the chosen scheme
Paste your AI render here…
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
The massing changed significantly, as I realized that with the old design (150x150) there was a lot of space in the middle of the square building that could not be utilized as rooms because they had no access to natural light. So, the size became 125x125 and the half floors went from 75x150 to 75x125. Additionally, this added an extra 3 levels to ensure that the 100,000 SF requirement is still met. The total SF is now 97,480. I also made the site area the maximum of 40,000 SF because it allowed for more green space.
The facade choices showed that the horizontal windows gave more light overall and further into the rooms as well. Additionally, the sunlight hours and carbon emissions were relatively the same between both designs (because the difference between 40% and 50% is not super substantial).
I chose the horizontal window facade over the single window one. Firstly, I think this design looks more professional and unites the building into one entity instead of a bunch of apartments. Additionally, it allowed in a lot more natural light into the rooms which means less cost in heating, and a more enjoyable living environment for the residents. And with both of them having similar carbon values, I imagined that having more light would result in less need for heating, which would thus mean less carbon burned from other sources and during the operation of the building.
I overrode the automation when I placed the balconies to make sure the number of rooms with balconies was correct, and also to try and move some of the single windows to align more with the rooms and thus not lose out on light on the walls. Additionally, some of the windows were over restrooms which for privacy sake I tried to move away from.