Introducing a new ParkShell pavilion!

Are you tired of seeing boring and old-fashioned pavilions in your favorite parks? ParkShell is a new tool that allows architects to design and visualize a pavilion for a park or any other outdoor space. The shape and material options of the structure allow it to fit in the natural environment and be an attraction for visitors. Depending on the dimensions, it can be used for multiple purposes, such as a public picnic spot, restrooms, a small food court, etc. As an architect, you have options to select the height, length, entrance dimensions, number of surface panels, and exterior material of the structure. A generative design study will help to compare your design alternatives based on the total floor area, an average sun activity to total surface area ratio, and exterior panel cost depending on the material. Moreover, by using Dynamo Player, you can easily switch the dimensions of the model and see a visualization in the Revit environment.

Teaser Images

Video Tutorial

How does ParkShell tool work?

Inputs

A user can easily switch the dimensions of the structure by using the following inputs: building length/height/width, number of panels on the surface, entrance height, and material of the panels (wood/tile/marble).

Building the Model

I started by creating multiple curves to build the shape of the structure. Since I did not want to confuse the user with many inputs to define each point of the main curve, so I built a logic that connects all the points with the selected length and height of the building. The block “Outer shape 2” is responsible for making a “shell” shape. I also built a logic that allows making a custom-height entrance while its location depends on the overall length of the structure.

After the curves were done, I connected them to a surface. One of the inputs allows the user to change the number of U and V points to divide the surface and place panels. I chose rectangular panels with openings assuming that openings can be made out of glass if needed so that the structure will have natural light. I also made an option to choose the material that was applied by transferring an image to the panels.

Design Evaluators

My first evaluator calculates the total cost of the panels depending on the material the user chose. The number of panels is multiplied by the price per panel (that is defined for each material), which gives a final cost.

The second evaluator does solar analysis and calculates the average solar activity on the building. Depending on the location (which is set as a constraint for my model), the building will get a different amount of sunlight. The goal is to maximize the sun coefficient on the surface of the building while keeping the surface area low to reduce the price. I calculated a sun coefficient to area ratio to be used as an evaluator.

The third evaluator calculates the total floor area since it’s important for the user to know how much space the pavilion will have. Since the structure has a complicated shape, I had to connect all the points on the perimeter, create a floor surface, and then calculate its area.

Outputs

The outputs of the tool are the cost of panels, total floor area, and sun activity to surface area ratio.

Dynamo Script

Generative Study

I created a generative study that would allow the users to compare their design options. The goal is to set panels’ price to the minimum while having maximum floor area and sun activity to surface area ratio. The results of the study of all possible input values are shown below.

Dynamo Player

The user of the tool has the option to use Dynamo Player, which makes it easier to change Dynamo input parameters and see output results in the Revit environment.