Glenn KatzWhen coming up with building forms to analyze, I first wanted to look at the U-shape I thought about during the previous module. I wanted to test how different orientations would affect the building, so my first two proposals utilize the same shape, but have different orientations. For the third proposal, I wanted to try a different shape in contrast with the U that would give up the courtyard space but make up for it with a more interesting entrance and balconies.
Images of Your 3 Design Proposals
Side-By-Side Comparisons of Your Analysis Results
I know that I want to utilize solar panels on the roof to help capture the sunlight. First I did a quick daylight hour analysis on a box structure to see if the roof was heavily blocked in certain seasons and found that it wasn’t. So, for my first analysis for this module, I did a solar potential analysis to see if my idea was feasible.
From this analysis, there appears to be good solar energy potential. Out of these designs, the one with the most roof area, which can support the most solar panels, is the best option for this.
The next study I did was wind. I wanted to see, specifically for the U shapes, if there would be any wind in the courtyard area, which could be a source of discomfort. Also for the third proposal, if there would be any high winds by the entrance or on the balconies. Another reason I wanted to look at wind is structural. In this region, wind is one of the main loads designed for. If there is potential for high winds on the building, it could affect the structural system.
Honestly this analysis did not tell me much. There are no real differences between the orientations, and the third option also seems to have tolerable levels near the entrance as well.
Because of this, I decided to do a daylight potential analysis to see which design could get the most natural light. Here I am showing two separate views of each model.
Proposal 3
This analysis is showing that the road facing sides of the building really struggle for light. The U shape proposals again perform very similarly, and will have shaded courtyards. The third proposal has its longest sides lit up well, and the balconies provide shade for people on them.
Your Recommendation for the “Best” Design Option
Before doing any analysis I was very enthusiastic about my U shaped building with the courtyards. However, after doing all of them, I come out liking the what I could get out of the third proposal the best.
First, the roof area is the largest in the third proposal. This allows for the most amount of solar panels to be present, which is something I want to incorporate. This is aided by the fact that the nearby buildings do not provide much obstruction.
Second, the main issue I found was with the street sides of the building being cast in darkness. This removes the possibility for natural light on that side of the building. The U shapes also struggle with the areas where there is lots of natural light. The regions with it are separated by the courtyard and it would be difficult to lay out exhibition spaces that have similar lighting. I feel like this may be a little jarring for people walking around the space. Meanwhile, the third proposal has uniform walls with high amounts of natural light, which can be separated from the exhibition spaces and allow those to be better to walk through. Overall the third proposal provides more flexibility with how to incorporate the natural light into the building.
Also, since the street sides are the darkest, for pedestrians looking at the building from the street the U shapes will just look like tall dark walls and will be unremarkable. The third proposal not only makes the front view of the building more unique, it is also able to take advantage of it by giving people shaded balconies and roofs by the entrance, rather than the dark faces only being a negative.