Design Tool Name: Build a Bird’s Nest

Overview (Read Me):

This tool is specifically designed to assist architects and engineers in quickly creating a stadium with a bird's nest shape while evaluating its aesthetic appeal, sustainability, functionality, and cost-effectiveness.

Through the Dynamo file and generative design interface, users have the flexibility to adjust various parameters such as the stadium's width, height, middle-level offset, and height, as well as roof height, overhang, and inclined angle. The tool also offers several outputs, including the stadium's volume, facade surface area, roof opening area, field size, roof-to-field shade ratio, stadium facade surface area-to-volume ratio, construction cost, and solar insolation value.

Teaser Images:

Rendering Images:

Revit Images:

Dynamo Images:

Generative Study Outputs:

Dynamo Script:

Dynamo script overview:

The purple section indicates variables that can be adjusted per project and must be set accordingly before executing the script. The green section designates the generation of Dynamo geometry. The blue section represents the calculation logic for the final evaluators. The orange section denotes the visualization logic for the Dynamo geometry. Lastly, the pink section shows the evaluators that are computed based on the provided inputs.

Detail Dynamo Logic:

• Inputs:

The purple section on the left side represents the adjustable inputs for the stadium design. These inputs include:

1. Height, length, and width of the overall stadium
2. Height and offset of the middle level
3. Roof overhang, height, and tilt angle
4. Estimated cost per unit facade surface area of the structure
5. Solar analysis inputs, including latitude, longitude, time of the study, and analysis grid spacing

• Stadium Geometry:

By using the user inputs, three curves are defined at three different levels of the stadium (bottom, middle, and roof). Starting with the base level, four points are generated based on the provided length and width of the stadium. These points are then used with the "NurbsCurve.ByControlPoints" node to create a Nurbs curve, which establishes the field size of the stadium. This process is replicated in a similar manner for the middle and roof levels of the stadium.

Moving on to the middle level, the previously created curve is offset by the value specified in the "Middle Level Offset" input. Subsequently, this offset curve is translated along the z-axis by the value provided in the "Middle Level Height" input.

Similarly, the bottom level follows a similar approach, where four points and the "NurbsCurve.ByControlPoints" node are utilized to generate a Nurbscurve. Subsequently, this curve is offset by multiplying the overhang value by -1. This adjustment is necessary as the roof overhang is designed to extend inward into the stadium.

To create the stadium's exterior shape, the three NurbCurves are utilized, and a surface is generated using the "Surface.ByLoft" node. This surface can be used to calculate the surface area of the exterior, which can also be used to estimate the cost to construct the stadium based on the input cost per square area value. To export this surface from Dynamo to Revit, I use the node “ExportToSAT” to export the surface geometry as an SAT file, which can be inserted into the Revit workplace by selecting the in-place mass option.

Additionally, the same three NurbCurves are employed to create a solid using the "Solid.ByLoft" node. This solid facilitates the calculation of the stadium's volume and provides the basis for determining the surface area-to-volume ratio.

Furthermore, the "LunchBox Quad Grid by Face" functionality is employed to define and panelize surfaces, enhancing the overall visualization and detailing of the stadium design.

Afterward, a custom node named "PanelPolygons.ReturnUniqueEdgeCurves" is employed to generate beam lines, gather polygons, and retrieve unique edge curves.

• Stadium Visualization:

Then, cylinders with a radius of 2ft are utilized to represent the framing elements of the stadium's facade. By employing the following code, adjustments can be made to customize the color of the cylinders, as well as the field and facade of the stadium. This allows for further refinement and visual enhancement of the stadium's overall appearance.

• Math Before Final Output:

1. Stadium Roof Opening Area, Field Size, and Roof-to-Field Shade Ratio

To determine the area of the stadium's roof opening and field size, points are created along the base curve using the "Curve.PointAtSegmentLength" node. These points are then utilized with the "Surface.ByPerimeterPoints" node to construct a surface. The area of the surface can then be calculated, resulting in a value that can be used to ensure the stadium is large enough for a football field or a soccer pitch.

Furthermore, an evaluator called "Roof-to-Field Shade Ratio" is computed using the formula: (FieldSize - RoofOpeningArea) / FieldSize. This calculation determines the percentage of the shaded area by subtracting the roof opening area from the field size and dividing it by the total field size. The resulting value offers an estimate of how much coverage the roof provides in terms of shade and protection against rain, wind, or sunlight within the stadium. A ratio close to 0 suggests insufficient roof coverage, leaving the field exposed to rain and direct sunlight. Conversely, a ratio close to 1 indicates extensive roof coverage, effectively shielding the field from rainfall and excessive sunlight.

2. Solar insolation

Next, to calculate the cumulative solar insolation potential on the stadium’s facade surface, I used the “SolarAnalysis.Analyze” node with a grid spacing of 10. This analysis helps determine the amount of solar energy that can be harnessed and converted into electricity, thereby enhancing the stadium's sustainability. By evaluating the solar insolation potential, architects and engineers can optimize the design to maximize energy efficiency and make informed decisions regarding renewable energy integration in the stadium's infrastructure.

3. Stadium Facade Surface, Volume, and Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio

To evaluate the facade surface area of the stadium design, the "Surface.Area" node is employed. Similarly, the "Solid.Volume" node is used to calculate the volume of the stadium design. By dividing the facade surface area by the stadium volume, the surface area-to-volume ratio is determined. The objective is to minimize the facade surface area while maximizing the stadium volume, as a smaller ratio indicates a more efficient stadium design. This approach aims to optimize space utilization and ensure that the stadium design is resource-efficient.

4. Construction Cost

Finally, this tool provides an evaluation of the construction cost. The total construction cost of the stadium is calculated by multiplying the unit construction cost by the total facade surface area. In this scenario, I assume a constant value of $20 per unit area for the facade, and the unit construction cost is set as a constant within the Generative Design study. By incorporating the construction cost evaluation, architects and stakeholders can assess the financial implications of the stadium design and make informed decisions based on cost-effectiveness.

• Generative Design Outputs:

This tool provides a total of 8 outputs to aid in the evaluation and analysis of the stadium design:

1. Facade surface area: The total surface area of the stadium's facade, which represents the exterior facing portion of the structure.
2. Stadium volume: The overall volume of the stadium, encompassing the space enclosed by its design.
3. Stadium facade surface area-to-volume ratio: This ratio is determined by dividing the facade surface area by the stadium volume, indicating the efficiency of space utilization in the design.
4. Construction cost: The estimated total cost of constructing the stadium, taking into account factors such as materials, labor, and other expenses.
5. Stadium roof opening area: The calculated area of the roof opening within the stadium's design.
6. Field size: The dimensions and area of the field within the stadium, essential for accommodating sports activities.
7. Roof-to-field shade ratio: This evaluator assesses the ratio between the shaded area created by the roof and the total field size, indicating the extent to which the roof provides protection from rain, direct sunlight, and other elements.
8. Solar insolation: The cumulative potential solar energy available on the stadium's facade surface, which can be harnessed for electricity generation and contribute to sustainability efforts.

• Example of Generative Study Input & Outputs:

With the generative design tool interface integrated into Dynamo, designers can efficiently employ the aforementioned Dynamo logic to explore a multitude of design possibilities. By selecting the desired inputs to manipulate and the outputs to optimize, designers can quickly generate multiple stadium design options. The study results will present a range of design alternatives, along with their respective inputs and outputs.

This plot of design options allows designers to identify the trade-offs between specific input and output values, enabling them to pinpoint the design that best aligns with their requirements and objectives. It facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the relationships and dependencies between different design parameters, aiding in the decision-making process and ensuring that the final design choice is well-informed and tailored to their specific needs.

2-min Video Demo: