Engineering Integration: Real‐Time Approaches to Performative Computational Design

Abstract

Parametric techniques herald an age of predictive design. Results from simulations, analytical data and design performance criteria directly influence or drive architecture. However, this is still a relatively passive design approach: parameters go in, design comes out. Al Fisher explains the work of Buro Happold's SMART Solutions team on developing real‐time simulations where the analysis is persistent within the model. Lightweight, mobile versions of tools traditionally reserved for detailed analysis can form the early conceptual stages of design. Interactive models can be tweaked and manipulated, with the live feedback of results providing a link to the materiality of the design. Through a responsive approach, hybrid design can be achieved that blends performance with design intent. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sensing Material Systems - Novel Design Strategies

“…In this sense, physical experiments with the material itself are an important way of generating the necessary rules-of-thumb and gut feeling of the material's behaviour.Through material experimentation, material properties can be discovered and described as parameters that can inform digital simulation.The predicted properties of a material system create a solution space with a range of possible outcomes following Albers understanding; there is not one optimal solution there are just many different possible solutions [4].Therefore, physical material experiments can integrate with digital design tools to better express material behaviour and either guide form-finding or assist designing with the new material observations.With the today's technology, integration and interlacing of digital and physical material systems seems more reasonable than ever. Bridging the gap between the digital and the physical world is an on-going research interest of academics and design practices (MIT Media Lab -Tangible Media Group, SMART Solutions Team -Buro Happold) [9,10].This paper aims to contribute to this investigation by articulating a method to sense, test and visualize micro changes of materials for a better material understanding.…”

Breathing architecture: Conceptual architectural design based on the investigation into the natural ventilation of buildings

“…The integration of support tools into the early stages of architectural design (Lam and Yeang, 2009;Attia et al, 2012;Fisher, 2012;Greenberg et al, 2013) can contribute to the optimization of form and design (Attia et al, 2012;Ihm and Krarti, 2012). CFD simulation (Da Graça et al, 2012) provides leading information for the optimization of natural ventilation and building geometry.…”

“…Building performance (Lam and Yeang, 2009;Fisher, 2012;Hensel et al, 2012;Hygh et al, 2012;Aldawoud, 2013;Attia et al, 2013) is an important issue in the literature. The integration of support tools into the early stages of architectural design (Lam and Yeang, 2009;Attia et al, 2012;Fisher, 2012;Greenberg et al, 2013) can contribute to the optimization of form and design (Attia et al, 2012;Ihm and Krarti, 2012).…”