PERFORMANCE-BASED OPTIMIZATION
When you have a parametric model, such as for facade design, you can manually adjust input parameters to explore different design solutions. Additionally, you can incorporate a system of rules for design evaluation, such as calculating material usage, price, and conducting a rapid solar analysis, aiming to find the solution that outperforms other variations. However, this problem becomes quite complicated for human to solve, especially for more complex designs with numerous inputs and multiple output criteria.
Optimizations based on evolutionary algorithms are able to explore thousands of design variations (often more than 10,000) within a few hours. Changing the inputs and analyzing the outputs, the process can quickly identify a group of designs with the optimal performance (closest to the targeted criteria).
The benefits of using optimizations include:
– quality improvement: finding the best variation from the created parametric model;
– cost efficiency: identifying the most efficient design for targeted quality and criteria;
– time savings: eliminating the need for later project improvements;
– resource utilization: minimizing waste and maximizing the efficiency of the design;
– energy efficiency: leading to energy-efficient structures and reducing environmental impact.
FACADE OPTIMIZATION
Optimizing a facade design typically involves identifying the design variation with the lowest total cost while satisfying other essential criteria, such as assessments from solar or structural analyses. Striking the right balance between cost and quality poses a challenging problem and a significant decision. Leveraging optimization to explore thousands of design variations adds a layer of security to the decision-making process.
STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION
Structural optimization is a process where algorithms explore design variations to find the most lightweight structure for the targeted structural performances (deflection, bending moments, axial forces, etc.). It can focus solely on cross-section and material properties when the structure is already defined. However, exploring different geometries can often lead to much better solutions.
URBAN DESIGN
Urban design often adheres to a strict set of geometric rules that can be easily translated into a parametric model. This allows architects to explore thousands of different design solutions, letting the algorithm evaluate them. The evaluation process is defined by an architect and can include numeric calculations (gross area, parking spaces, green area…), solar analysis, noise pollution, view analysis, and so on.
