Number of units: 2
For step 1, I imported the WTC center model as conceptual mass element. I’ve set the location to be at San Francisco and added levels every 10ft to form the mass floors.
Then I decided that the single variable that I wanted to vary to be the tower height. Thus, the base length, flat side length, and podium height had to be set as constraints. I used a base width of 150ft, a flat side length of 30ft, and a podium height of 60ft.
Then I created a Dynamo graph to flex the tower heights such that it can automatically evaluate the floor area, surface area, and volume as reported by Revit. The graph follows the same logic as explained in the module videos.
Step 2: First, I wrote in the parameter names that I want as inputs and outputs. I also provided a range of height values serving as different design scenarios (I tested the functionality of the graph using a slider first). There’s also a node for me to select the mass element in Revit.
Next, I modified the BuildingForm.EvaluateSingleInput node such that it reports a third parameter. I fed in the required inputs to this custom node, and used the List.Map node to test the different heights. List.Map has to be used three times to generate all three types of evaluation metrics.
Finally, I wrote the logic to output all three evaluation metrics, along with the design value (heights) to an excel file. This is done by first creating a list that contains the lists of inputs and outputs, transposing it to put the values for an individual design scenario within one group, and using it as input to Data.ExportExcel.
Step 3: Here is the excel file generated by Dynamo:
Looking at the above results, it is clear that higher tower heights lead to higher values for all 3 evaluation metrics (which is quite trivial). The maximum floor area limit is 1,500,000 sqft, thus the greatest tower height possible is 700 ft. This height also provides the largest surface area, thus I currently chose it to be the preferred design. However, this decision would likely change if cost is considered, as costs increases with tower height (which would be considered in the next module?)
Step 4: I also attempted to create a new building model of my own even it exceeds the requirements for 2 units (I think it is a very interesting and meaningful process).
The tower I created mainly assembles an hourglass, with a middle section (likely an atrium) that is narrow and wider bottom and top. I created 2 profiles for this tower, one is a square with its corners cut off (such that it is actually an octagon). The width of the original square and the length of the corner to be cut off are parameters. Another profile is a square with its width as a parameter. The tower height and middle section heights are also parameters.
