Shanghai Lilong Tower Urbanism: towards an Urbanism of Parametric Preservation

Conference Theme: Real Time: Extending the Reach of ComputationSession C3 - Generative Design ConceptsThis paper describes a design approach for a new urban building typology for Shanghai utilizing a set of parametric design techniques to arrive at an alternative solution to current models of urbanization. The goal in this approach was to find a solution that is adaptable and sensitive to the urban environment and has the capacity to preserve historic urban street patterns. The approach included an understanding of the historic urban fabric of Shanghai, a respective plot analysis and the development of a computational method to produce a new urban type. The parametric set-up was build upon an analytical workflow with integrated feedback procedures that informed the design exploration and resulted in multiple design solutions.published_or_final_versio

Solar potential in extreme climate conditions: comparative analysis of two district case studies in Norway and Reunion Island

International audienceThis work aims to investigate the application and replicability of parametric solar design to both existing and future development urban areas in two extreme climate conditions: Øvre Rotvoll in Norway (subarctic climate) and Ravine Blanche in Reunion Island (tropical humid climate). The interplay between urban morphology and its potential for passive and active solar energy strategies has been investigated. The methodology combines the parametric modelling software Rhinoceros-Grasshopper, with two Radiance-based solar simulation tools to optimise the solar potential of a district. The application of a new workflow is studied over the computation of various design scenarios in an existing urban environment at both the district and the building scale. The results show differences and similarities between climate-specific interventions that can be used as supportive instruments for the ongoing local planning processes. The study demonstrates how parametric optimisation allows maximising the solar potential of urban areas at different latitudes despite climatic and urban densification constraints

Self-generated urban networks through digital physical simulation based on Frei Otto’s form-finding processes

Presently there is a progressive tendency to incorporate simulation and parametric design strategies in urban planning and design. Although the computational technologies that allow it are recent, fundamental theories and thinking processes behind it can be traced back to the work conducted at the Institute for Lightweight Structures (IL) in Stuttgart, between the 1960’s and 1980’s. This paper describes an experimental urban research work centred on Frei Otto's thoughts on unplanned settlements and spatial processes, and on the form-finding experiences carried out at IL. By exploring the digital development of parametric and algorithmic interactive patterns, founded on physically based modeling techniques, two urban design proposals were developed for a site in Porto city. Out of this experience, this paper suggests that today the act of design can benefit from a deeper understanding of the natural processes of occupation and connection.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Best Practices for Urban Densification: A decision-making support process using microclimate analysis methods and parametric models for optimizing urban climate comfort

This paper presents an approach for microclimate aware densification of urban areas by creating best practices for an in situ application for block-size urban developments. The discussed procedure generates and evaluates urban block types according to microclimate criteria by integrating climate and comfort parameters in the design process of existing urban areas. It supports urban designers by generating design strategies that aim for climate, comfort and spatial as well as for urban design qualities. To achieve this, a multi-step method with different analysis and research processes has been set up. At the end, a parametric envelope tool was created for a local case study area by incorporating pre-defined design strategies built on previous investigations as urban design strategies. It is expected that this envelope tool can be transferred to similar urban development activities and guide microclimatic versus densification trade-offs. The presented approach can be applied from street canyon to block size urban situations

An architectural generative design process

The paper discusses about architectural and urban design tools, and reports a prototype of parametric application that allows the designer to handle the architectural shape by using urban regulations. It is a Decision Support System (DSS), useful at the early stage of city planning as well as at the early stage of architectural design. The System integrates two different research topics: modelling in geo-referenced environment and modelling through constraints. Compared to the related works (Building Modelling on geo-referenced environment), our application is the first Generative System based on the urban regulation. Three case studies are presented to test the System

A Review of the Parametric Characteristics of Urban Environment and it's Influence to the Urban Quality of Life

This study covers the researchers' effort on the influence of the urban environment parameters and factors related to the quality of life of the urban inhabitants. The design and the construction industries have an increasing attention in and concern for environmental effects to the cycle of urban fabrics and structural health. The growth of urbanization had become an integral part of in various essential parametric matrix confronted by rapid structural growth and their influence on the life pattern of urban dwellers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the parametric characteristics of the urban environment at the multidimensional scale and which needs to be inspected and verified by experiments and observational processes. A valid model in neighborhood scale has been employed for the analysis of relevant data. Results displayed are vital importance to the environmental modification in micro level and enormous macro-level

Transitional Morphologies and Urban Forms: Generation and Regeneration Processes—An Agenda

Grounded in the study of urban morphology, this position paper seeks to overcome the analysis of the permanent elements of a city in the search for a transitional paradigm in urban morphology, with the aim of grasping the dynamics of urban evolution and providing operative tools for the design of urban regeneration through an adaptive approach. Four actions for urban analysis are suggested here to highlight urban dynamics through the use of different tools: (a) sorting the transitional steps of urban morphologies (within rapid market processes), (b) underlining rules and processes that characterize urban coding in transitions, (c) mapping urban assemblages in an adaptive city, and (d) reading and representing the phenomenon of urban permutation. The results of this multifaceted and multidimensional set of analytical tools make it possible to outline a new paradigm for design thinking that moves towards a parametric approach to the urban design of cities in transition by broadening the extent of the urban regeneration process and supporting urban policies in the framework of a community-based approach

On the formulation of green open space planning parameters: A parametric tool

[EN] Greenery can affect spatial characteristics such as relationship between hard and soft surfaces and activities inside open spaces. Among different types of greenery, trees have influences on summer shading and winter solar access, and hence usage patterns in open spaces. However, the relationship between tree planting and open space characteristics such as typology, proportion and height-to-width ratio in terms of shading and solar access was rarely investigated. On the other hand, there has been an increasing number of studies on using parametric tools to design urban environment recently. Despite the success in urban fabric planning by parametric tools, the utilization of these tools to design open spaces with a relatively smaller scale has not been revealed. Even worse, parameters that should be included in a parametric design tool for open space planning are still unknown. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study is to, by investigating the design characteristics and concepts of different open spaces, identify parameters for a parametric tool to design green open spaces. Specifically, the possibility of using shaded areas projected by trees and surrounding buildings as one of the parameters will be revealed. The study also aims at examining how the height-to-width ratios, proportions and typologies of open spaces will affect tree planting positions when optimizing shading or solar access of the spaces in different climate zones. Results from this study will provide designers with an additional layer of information when designing open spaces.Leung, T.; Kukina, I.; Yuryevna-Lipovka, A. (2018). On the formulation of green open space planning parameters: A parametric tool. En 24th ISUF International Conference. Book of Papers. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1685-1682. https://doi.org/10.4995/ISUF2017.2017.60561685168

Performance-based Design of Tall Building Envelopes using Competing Wind Load and Wind Flow Criteria

© 2017 The Authors. This paper investigates performance-based tall building design and the development of a combined architectural-urban design method focusing on the effects of wind loads on- and wind flows around tall buildings. The paper provides an overview of related buildings codes and city development design guidelines that define requirements for structural façade wind loading and urban ventilation. A review of performance-based design methods for the generation, analysis and optimization of buildings is also presented. Within this frame, an approach to performance-based tall building envelope design is proposed. The approach is aimed at addressing wind loading and wind impact requirements based on generative parametric modelling and performance analysis that integrates physical parameters at the architectural and urban scales and performance criteria can support filtering and optimization relative to prevailing wind conditions