Step 1 - Generative Design Framework
A very brief description of the design decisions from Step 1 following the Generative Design Framework.
- Sustainability
- Design Variables
- Natural Lighting vs Artificial
- Thermal efficiency
- Evaluators
- Amount of artificial lighting replaced by natural lighting
- Most Important Tradeoffs to Consider
- Higher heating/cooling demands from windows
- Usability/Comfort
- Design Variables
- Access to Natural Lighting
- Access to Views
- Evaluators
- Lumens of natural lighting at desk
- Number of quality views
- Most Important Tradeoffs to Consider
- Thermal envelope compromises from more window area
- Number of desks that meet criteria vs floor area (efficient use of space)
- Construction
- Design Variables
- Carbon Footprint
- Economics
- Evaluators
- Carbon footprint of materials
- Most Important Tradeoffs to Consider
- Sustainable materials may be more expensive
Step 2 - Generative Design Study
I decided to go with the first design variable of sustainability. I wanted to measure the amount of natural lighting provided vs the heat gain from added window area. To do this, I chose the two inputs of window wall ratio (WWR) and floor area of a room. The user can decide the size of room they would like to create along with the ratio of window area. The necessary window area would be calculated and the heat gain and lumens provided from those windows would be given as the outputs. It would be a balancing act between lowering heat gain and maximizing natural lighting gained.
Step 3 - Generative Design Study Results
The result ended up being as expected. The heat gain from windows and natural lighting provided were directly proportional. So that an increase in window area resulted in an increase in both outputs. However, the relation between floor area and WWR proved to be where the value of generative design was most useful. The user has the ability to set the desired floor area for example and see which WWR strikes the best balance between heat gain and natural lighting provided. It became more of a balancing act than expected.
