Nicholas Grant

Here is my original building form: (modified form based on the twisting One WTC conceptual mass family)

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Based on my evaluation and analysis, this is my recommended building form: (Tower top rotation of 10 degrees)

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I set up a few new evaluator nodes and expanded my original Dynamo graph file from Module 5 to perform conceptual/rough estimates for new parameters like the structure’s embodied carbon, the building’s rental income, and a ballpark residual land value (only considering construction cost.)

Here is my main dynamo graph:

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All the inputs feed into a main node that takes all the input data and uses it with further code and/or custom nodes to perform the specified evaluations:

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I created a new node that estimates the net operating income (NOI) for the building from each floor level, based on the floor level and the floor area. Rent values scale linearly from the second to the top level. The first floor is assumed to be retail space with its own rent value. Right now, the rents are triple net and the operating expenses are hard coded as a constant % ratio of total gross potential rent. However, this can be changed in the future to create a more precise/accurate estimate of NOI.

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My other main evaluator node estimates the embodied carbon of the structural system (with some significant simplifying assumptions about materials, dimensions, and column info). Also, the estimate only accounts for the floor decks/slabs and the corresponding assumed columns.

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I also used the construction cost and NOI estimates to set up for a residual land value calculation if/when more details are available.

Here is a summary table of the input values tested and the values computed for each of the reported parameters:

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(I’m in 2 units so without using a single-objective optimization scheme),- I would select a tower top rotation of 10 or 15 degrees as the recommended building form. These top rotations subjectively create a more attractive appearance than a more-rotated structure while also reducing embodied carbon and construction costs. Applying an optimization scheme to this data would likely bring about a more analytic recommendation for the “best” building form.