Environmental Optimization
Environmental Optimization
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Years: 2021
Team: Peter Evhert, Carolina Leite
Tutors: Zuardin Akbar
Examiner: Thomas Wortmann
Course: Computing in Architecture
University: University of Stuttgart
Institutes: Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD)
This project presents two optimization solutions to improve the interior comfort and energy loads in a library reading room with excessive daylight exposure.
The first exploration uses glass frit applied to the large south facing window and single objective optimization to achieve a frit pattern that maximizes the daylight score, defined as the Mean Useful Daylight Index (UDI) minus a mean penalty applied to sensor values below 50% UDI. The frit pattern responds to the trees in front of the facade, with reduced density where the trees provide shading and increased density where the glazing is exposed.
Climate Studio was used for daylight analysis and Opossum was used for optimization, both in Grasshopper for Rhino 3D. Three Optimization tools were used, RBFOpt, CMA-ES, and HypE, and each tool was run three times. RBFOpt had the best results and highest robustness.
The second exploration uses strategic tree placement on the site around the reading room and multi-objective optimization to maximize the annual UDI while minimizing annual heating and cooling loads. Climate Studio was used for daylight analysis and Honeybee/ Energy+ was used for the heating and cooling analysis. Custom transmittance schedules were applied for two types of trees, deciduous and coniferous, to account for variable shading throughout the year.
Once again three optimization tools were used, this time NSGA-II, HypE, and RBFMOpt, and each tool was run two times. RBFMOpt had the best performance and highest robustness.
