Environmental Simulation and Sensing Visualisation with Parametric Tools

The course will present two cases of analysis and design explorations. The student group can choose one to develop through the course:

1. For Case A the aim is to mitigate the wind speed in a public space which presents high levels of discomfort for pedestrians. For this project, firstly the student must analyse the site and the context. The second step is to develop a proposal, defining architectural strategies to mitigate wind conditions. This means to develop artificial installations as architectural windbreaks for this public space. In addition, the proposal must be a new design and improvement this space for the pedestrian experience. Finally, the proposal must be tested with analysis tools to evaluate its performance for wind and other factors such as radiation or temperature and this feedback used to improve the design and demonstrate how well it works.

2. For Case B the aim is to modify a building in the city to reduce existing high levels of discomfort caused by wind deflected by the building (building position and shape) in the surrounding space.  The task is to develop a new shape of façade to mitigate or prevent this wind deflection to the ground. The project is to design a new aerodynamic windbreak envelope on the building geometry to control the levels of wind discomfort in the areas near this building. The proposal must be studied with wind analysis tools to evaluate its aerodynamic performance. In addition, other analysis must be conducted, such as sun radiation to check the effects of the new design façade. You will be expected to use this feedback to improve your design and demonstrate its performance.

(A) PUBLIC SPACES:

Blue area: pedestrian area num 1. Harbour Explanade and pedestrian pathway and bike path (Capital City Trail).

Red area: pedestrian area num 2. NewQuay Promenade, Docklands.

(B) BUILDINGS:

Green area: Buildings at the corner of Docklands Dr and Harbour Explanade.