Architectural Science Review

ISSN: 0003-8628 (Print) 1758-9622 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tasr20

Computer-aided architectural design and the

design process

Richard Hyde

To cite this article: Richard Hyde (2016) Computer-aided architectural design and the design
process, Architectural Science Review, 59:4, 255-256, DOI: 10.1080/00038628.2016.1194516

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2016.1194516

Published online: 22 Jun 2016.

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ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCE REVIEW, 2016
VOL. 59, NO. 4, 255–256
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2016.1194516

EDITORIAL

Computer-aided architectural design and the design process

The use of computational systems in architectural science is geometries with external cavities. The design of these exter-
becoming increasingly used as a research and practice method- nal cavities used the criteria for the thermal performance of
ology for a wide range of research areas. This edition presents internal cavities, that is minimize convective heat transfer by
papers which use computers to aid design, performance evalu- reducing flow velocities in the cavities. Next a computer fluid
ation and fabrication. An important question is in the first two dynamics study was carried out to test the flow dynamics and
papers and concerns the use of computer simulation to assist streamlining in the different cells. The air speeds that were sim-
with form finding in buildings. The last three are concerned with ulated range between 1, 5 and 10 m/second. The authors report
the integration of the computer simulation process in the design that the simulations show that airspeeds in all cavities were
process to achieve more effective practices. Improving produc- reduced however . . . ‘It is not clear at this stage whether this
tivity in design through reducing time and costs is one issue and difference is significant in terms of its influence on the micro-
another is font loading the design process so that performance climate’s performance and its relation to the building insula-
evaluation modelling can occur at the beginning of the design tion.’ Further work is needed to undertake building physical
process (rather than at the end), during which all the decisions models for wind tunnel testing. ‘Moreover, having achieved
have been made. The new systems and process reported in these a level of thermal insulation similar to that of a traditional
papers offer new opportunities in the application of architectural building façade by using microclimate, it would be possible
science in theory and practice. to examine and optimize the cavities of the best-performing
The first paper (‘Design and Fabrication with Fibre-reinforced envelope section for other functions such as natural light, self-
Polymers in Architecture: A Case for Complex Geometry,’ by shading, water conservation and the cultivation of vegetation
Arielle Blonder and Yasha J. Grobman) examines the unexplored (green wall).’ It is likely that the application of this research
potential of using Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (FRPs). FRP is a is likely to lead to solutions will be building type and climate
lightweight composite material which combines fibres and poly- specific.
mers to create a strong composite material with high ratio of Research of this nature needs to combine computer fluid
strength to weight and durability. The first section provides a dynamics with thermal performance studies to be effective to
review of the use of composites in architecture and case stud- understanding heat balance across the façade. Research by
ies of examples. The important challenges ahead for composites Rojas, Galán-Marín, and Fernández-Nieto (2012) into courtyard
are outlined for FRPs; one of which is form finding. The authors design used thermal data in conjunction with computer fluid
proposed and test a new design and fabrication system. They use dynamics in their simulation study to understand airflow in
a digital form-finding process, which assisted with the design of this type of spaces. The methodology may be of use in further
the case study; however, the full benefit of structural analysis is research in this area.
yet to be carried out. The paper by Hwang Yi on ‘User-driven Automation for Opti-
The next paper ‘Microclimate on Building Envelopes: Testing mal Thermal-zone Layout During Space Programming Phases’
Geometry Manipulations as an Approach for Increasing Build- examines an approach to automating the design phase to
ing Envelopes’ Thermal Performance’ is by Yasha J. Grobman improve energy performance and thermal comfort using simu-
and Yosie Elimelech. The research examines an approach to lation tools. Thermal zoning is a technique used to determine
façade design, which relies on manipulating the surface geom- the heat loads for different orientations and functions of a build-
etry to create a localized microclimate to improve the ther- ing. The perimeter zone will have higher heat loads due to the
mal performance. The authors argue . . . ‘The new approaches, climate influences on the building. Some spaces can be aircon-
inspired by envelopes in nature, will increasingly rely on geome- ditioned and some can be naturally ventilated. In determining
try, alongside the traditional dependence on material, to achieve the airconditioning design, thermal loads and subsequent zon-
optimum building performance.’ Conventional façade construc- ing are decided. The first section of the paper provides a review
tion uses a series of layers of material with cavities to create of thermal zoning and its relation to the functional planning of
the building envelope . . . ‘As opposed to the complex cellu- spaces. Often the location of these spaces is done based on adja-
lar structure of natural skins, traditional building envelopes are cency grounds and mirrors the organizational structure of the
typically based on flat orthogonal geometry, repetition, lim- building. The author argues that this can be done also by consid-
ited functions, and structural homogeneity.’ They comment that erating environmental factors, which would be an improvement
advances in fabrication technologies as seen in the previous in the design process. The author suggests using a design tool
paper will make this feasible. The first part of the paper presents that can optimize these relationships automatically. The next
a review of the design developments of using complex façade section presents a review of these tools and describes the devel-
geometries and cellular-based wall-cladding systems and the opment of a new tool. This is subsequently tested in the next
move to green walls where plants are placed in the external section. Finally, the optimized design layout is tested using a
cavities. The next section provides a study of a range of façade thermal simulation program.
© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
256 EDITORIAL

The concept outlined in this paper is sound; however, there three-dimensional objects, non-manifold topologies allow the
are ‘approximation methods’ that can also be used by designers use of internal structures such as dividing planes and represent
to approximate zoning – for example, the Lighting and Thermal ‘space’ through the concept of ‘cells’ which can be related to
method at the early part of the design phase. This is an impor- each other using topological queries.
tant study as it is aimed at the early design phase. Front loading
Topology is the mathematical study of the properties that are pre-
the design process with environmental issues is recommended served through deformations, twisting, and stretching of objects.
as it is hard to introduce these issues in the later stages of the Tearing, however, is not allowed. A circle is topologically equivalent
design process (Hyde et al. 2007). Conventionally, these issues to an ellipse. (into which it can be deformed by stretching) and a
are dealt with using approximation methods such as ‘rules of sphere is equivalent to an ellipsoid. (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
Topology.html)
thumb’ and simple calculation systems such as the LT method
and lighting thermal and ventilation methods for work climates The author argues that we need to first model a building sim-
(Baker and Steemers 1996; Hyde 1997; Hyde and Pedrini 2000). ply as a topological and logical ‘wireframe’ or skeleton around
These tools use thermal zoning and rely on pre-computed data which other elements can be added. Whilst this may be a gross
to provide design information on local climates and energy per- simplification of a complex problem, it is a starting point.
formance. This is integrated into a database tool for designers to In the paper the author first unpacks the problems associ-
use it to evaluate their designs. The paper by Hwang Yi takes this ated with BIM through a careful evaluation of existing literature.
approach a stage further. With these earlier methods, such as LT, A number of issues perplexing industry at present are identi-
the designers test his or her design proposition using the tool. In fied such as documenting and sharing geometric properties for
the case of the new approach, the design propostition is auto- the building performance model and integrating modelling in
matically generated through the environmental and functional the early stage of the design process. The author argues that
space-planning tool. It is reliant on input of controlling func- ‘Architects need a new modelling approach supported by an
tional and environmental parameters as found in many of the expanded set of tools that allow them to think more topologi-
earlier approximation methods. The authors conclude . . . ‘The cally about their buildings and create models that are consistent,
article ultimately hints at changes in the designers’ role in green flexible and extensible to help them meet the input require.’
building practices from acting as subjective coordinators to The next section of the paper explains NMT. It is way of think-
developing into informed decision-makers associated with the ing that conceptualizes the building that can be used to assist
integrated design process.’ designers to simplify the geometry of the building so that it
The next paper (‘Approximation of Simulation-derived Visual can be easily modelled. Subsequent sections demonstrated how
Comfort Indicators in Office Spaces: A Comparative Study in to integrating the author-developed new software into exist-
Machine Learning’ by Ioannis Chatzikonstantinou and Sevil ing visualization and thermal performance software, how this
Sariyildiz) provides an interesting argument. These authors also simplified model can be generated and how its potential perfor-
look at the design process and try to devise an ‘approxi- mance can be evaluated. This paper deals with a problem the
mation’ tool substitute for simulation modelling in the area industry is facing at present and offers a solution that others
of visual comfort. This, they argue, can improve design pro- may use.
ductivity through using a machine learning approach. They In conclusion the development of computer-aided design is
observe . . . ‘A recent trend in architecture and engineering an evolving process. The research described in this edition make
focuses on approaches that allow fast models to be automati- a valuable contribution to developing new processes in this field.
cally derived based on learning of patterns in numerical datasets I would like to thank the reviewers for their efforts in refereeing
derived from real measurements or simulations.’ The centre sec- the papers and in helping with the editorial process.
tions of the paper provide a review of machine learning and
selection of machine learning methods. The final sections exam-
ine the parameters of daylight and glare in offices, develop a References
parametric model and generate the performance data using Baker, N. V., and K. Steemers. 1996. “LT Method 3.0 –A Strategic Energy
daylight simulation software. These data are then used in the Design Tool for Southern Europe.” Energy and Buildings 23: 251–256.
machine learning software to develop the machine learning tool. Hyde, R. A. 1997. “Lighting, Thermal and Ventilation (LTV) Design Tool for
Non-Domestic Buildings in Tropical and Subtropical Regions: Prelimi-
The findings compare how the data are represented across the nary Assessment of Design Integration.” In Proceedings of the ANZAScA
three machine learning methods. Also a comparison is made Conference, Principles and Practice, University of Queensland, Brisbane,
between the simulated data and the data processed by the Australia.
machine learning software. The authors conclude there is some Hyde, R. A., and A. Pedrini. 2000. “A Critique of the Passive Zone Concept for
variance in output data provided; they argue . . . ‘However, in Energy Efficiency.” Architectural Science Review 44 (2): 153–160.
Hyde, R. A., S. Watson, W. Cheshire, and M. Thompson. 2007. Creating the
the conceptual design stage, accuracy of estimation need not Environmental Brief, 250pp. London: E&FN Spon.
be the first priority, and as such giving up some accuracy for Rojas, J. M., C. Galán-Marín, and E. D. Fernández-Nieto. 2012. “Paramet-
enormous gains in time can be said to be a fair trade-off.’ ric Study of Thermodynamics in the Mediterranean Courtyard as a
The final paper is titled ‘Linking Design and Simulation Using Tool for the Design of Eco-Efficient Buildings.” Energies 5: 2381–2403.
Non-manifold Topology’ by Wassim Jabi. The paper reports Accessed April 9, 2016. file://Users/richardhyde/Downloads/energies-
05-02381.pdf.
on research to improve the representation of space in Build-
ing Information Modelling (BIM). A key concept in this paper
is the use of ‘Non-Manifold Topology (NMT).’ Unlike regular Richard Hyde