Stage 1: Create Two New Evaluator Nodes

Evaluator Node 1: The main purpose of node is to calculate the overall construction cost of a building. In addition to considering the cost of the floors, I also account for the cost of external surface areas. The cost of the external surface areas follows the same logic as the floor cost, increasing progressively from the lower floors to the higher ones. Finally, all these costs are summed together to obtain the total building cost.

Evaluator Node 2: The main purpose of this node is to calculate the thermal transfer Q (W) of the building, especially during the summer in Dubai. The calculation logic is based on the fact that temperature decreases with increasing altitude. Therefore, the indoor-outdoor temperature difference varies across different floors. I calculate the Q for each floor individually and then aggregate these values to see under which conditions the total Q is minimized.

(Q = U*A*ΔT

where:

Q = Exterior wall thermal transfer load;

U = Exterior wall thermal transfer coefficient;

ΔT = Exterior wall surface area.)

Based on the customer notes for two aspects, cost and thermal transfer, the test results for both indicate that at a middle height of 650 feet, both the construction cost and thermal transfer are minimized. Therefore, I recommend setting the middle height at 650 feet.

Images of evaluator node 1 logic and excel sheet:

Images of evaluator node 2 logic and excel sheet:

Points to Ponder

Do the 2 new evaluation metrics that you’ve designed capture the meaningful differences between the building form alternatives?

Yes, They capture meaningful differences in 2 aspects:

• Cost Variations: Different building forms will have varying construction costs due to differences in floor area, external surface area, and the complexity of construction. The overall construction cost metric captures these differences effectively.
• Thermal Performance: Building forms with different heights and shapes will experience varying levels of thermal transfer. The thermal transfer metric captures how each form handles temperature variations, providing insight into their energy efficiency and comfort levels.

What other metrics would be useful to compute to help understand and make the case for which alternatives are truly better than others?

1. Natural Ventilation: Analyzing natural ventilation potential can help in reducing artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation needs.
2. Structural Integrity: Evaluating the structural performance under various loads ensures safety and resilience.
3. Environmental Impact: Calculating embodied carbon and material sustainability can help in understanding the environmental implications of each building form.