How do you find the most effective Building form?

This parametric solar radiation analysis, shown above, ran 114 simulations with different proportions and angles to the site to find which option can best reduce solar radiation. Using parametric design tools, like solar radiation studies, early on in the design process can have a major impact in reducing energy consumption and answer questions early on about energy efficiency. 

This parametric analysis was created within grasshopper using ladybug and honeybee plug-ins. These plugins use Energy Plus to simulate the environment conditions of the site. This study specifically looked at how a series of forms incurred solar radiation. When looking though the data produced by this analysis the solutions with high solar radiation during the winter and low solar radiation during the summer where most favorable.

The solar radiation study is a great initial analysis because it removes the design of the fenestration and internal loads from the equation and focuses solely on the building form. This allows the designer to test building geometry and find outcomes they were not inherent to the project. 

The use of parametric design tools can simulate hundreds of options to find the best outcome, taking rules of thumb and assumptions out of the initial design process. This blog is the first of many posts to talk about the capabilities parametric designs tool have to enhance the building performance design process.