PARAMETRIC PRAGMATISM: TRANSFORMING BUILDING USE AND FACADE FOR SUSTAINABLE REUSE

Abstract

The urgency of addressing climate change has become increasingly apparent, driven by the excessive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) that directly impact both the natural and built environments (Sijakovic and Peric 2021). The pressing evidence of climate change compels architects and engineers to rethink conventional approaches, positioning computational modelling and simulation approaches as a transformative solution that balances aesthetic innovation with environmental responsibility (Kabošová, Katunský, and Kmet 2020). In response, this thesis explores the concept of Parametric Pragmatism as a solution-oriented approach to sustainable architecture. In this thesis, I intend to utilize parametric design methods, specifically in optimizing building facades, to create environmentally responsive architectural solutions that significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency and improve aesthetics of the building. In response, this thesis explores the concept of Parametric Pragmatism as a solution-oriented approach to sustainable architecture. Retrofitting existing downtown buildings plays a critical role in reducing embodied carbon—the carbon emissions associated with material extraction, manufacturing, and construction—by extending the life of existing structures rather than demolishing and rebuilding. Many buildings constructed during the 1960s–1980s have inefficient facade systems that not only lead to high operational carbon emissions but also limit interior flexibility by enforcing deep floor plates with poor daylighting and ventilation, constraining opportunities for diverse programmatic uses. Instead of demolishing these structures and triggering the carbon-intensive processes required to construct new buildings, retrofitting facades and reusing existing structural systems can significantly reduce embodied carbon while revitalizing urban areas. Facade retrofitting not only improves thermal performance but also redefines a building’s interface with its environment by balancing key parameters such as solar radiation control, daylight access, building reprogramming in response to solar and daylight simulations, and the variation of monotonous facades. This process requires navigating tradeoffs between operational energy reductions and the embodied carbon of new materials, ensuring that performance gains justify the retrofit’s environmental and structural costs. Additionally, the post-COVID rise in commercial real estate vacancies offers an opportunity to repurpose underutilized buildings for mixed-use development, addressing both the commercial crisis and urban housing shortages. Modern buildings have evolved into complex entities where advanced technologies and diverse programmatic requirements must seamlessly integrate to fulfil various functions, from energy efficiency and structural integrity to accommodating multiple uses within a single space. To meet these demands, new computational techniques have been developed to facilitate the design of such intricate structures, establishing a quantitative relationship between the environment and the building envelope (Eltaweel and Su 2017). This thesis draws from studies on parametric design and contemporary building envelope technologies to explore how data-informed strategies can optimize performance, enhance adaptability, and address the evolving challenges of sustainable architectural retrofits By focusing on retrofitting structurally sound, late 20th-century buildings, this research demonstrates how the innovative application of energy conversion materials and other technological advancements can significantly reduce embodied carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and elevate aesthetic appeal beyond the limitations of current "glass box" commercial buildings. These buildings often present a monotonous, sterile appearance, lacking in visual engagement and contributing to heat gain and energy inefficiency. Through parametric design, retrofitted buildings not only enhance environmental performance but also bring a renewed aesthetic that engages the public and integrates with diverse urban settings. Integrating adaptive and responsive facade strategies into retrofitting enhances public engagement with sustainability efforts by visibly demonstrating environmental performance. Such approaches break down the homogeneity of glass-box towers, allowing the building envelope to respond dynamically to environmental conditions, contextual cues, and diverse programmatic needs fostering a more vibrant, functional, and resilient urban fabric.Master of Architecture (MArch