Computer simulation for intuitive structuring

Computer simulation methods have opened up new possibilities for design and research by introducing environments in which we can manipulate and observe. For instance, architects utilise three-dimensional modelling tools to simulate architectural geometries, and engineers use Finite Element software to simulate structural behaviour. Simulation tools make certain aspects of architecture efficient, but, on the other hand, they have brought new types of challenges into the field. One such challenge is the structuring of so-called complex geometries. These forms are often conceived in an environment where gravity, scales, and material are absent and calculated in a model where geometries are frozen and static. As a result, there exists little understanding between the two disciplines in solving the design to come to a well-negotiated form. In the context thereof, our work focuses on the development of interactive simulation environments that induce intuition towards the specific counter-intuitive problem of structuring in the early stages of design. The paper gives insights into aspects of simulation relevant to architectural design and structural engineering. Subsequently, three simulation environments that we have developed are presented to demonstrate our strategies

Introducing Architecture & Engineering to Prospective Undergraduate Students

We present a design activity offered as part of an open-house event conducted at the Singapore University of Technology and Design to attract prospective undergraduate students of architecture and engineering. We examine the role of digital design media in their potential of bridging the gap between disciplines in education

Discretization of Continuous Surfaces as a Design Concern

The increasing trend in architecture to create unconventional forms opened up a new area of investigations in the employment of computational methods in design and construction.  Our investigation is undertaken within a structural engineering firm, Adams Kara Taylor and focuses on finding ways to design structural solutions that respect criteria of efficiency, architectural intentions as well as intrinsic properties of the geometry. In this paper, we present various approaches on discretization where a project is presented as a continuous form, envelope or skin that must be subsequently subdivided in order to yield a framing or cladding solution compatible with different manufacturing, design and engineering considerations. The first part of this paper illustrates such a project where we applied and developed one of our discretization approaches. The second part of the paper focuses on generalization where we present a series of methodologies and corresponding software tools developed for the purpose

Simplexity, the programming craft and architecture production

In resent years, digital design tools have become prevalent in the design community and their capabilities to manipulate geometry have grown into a trend among architects to generate complex forms. Working as computational design consultant in an engineering firm, between architecture and engineering we often come across the problems generated by a superficial use of digital tools in both disciplines and the incapacity of the current system to cope with their byproducts. Here we will discuss the problems we see with the current system and the opportunities opened by digital design tools. Two guiding concepts are simplexity [the desire to fine tune and build a system that yields a solution to a specific design problem by collapsing its inherent complexity] and defamiliarization [a side effect of having to represent things as numbers]. They can both affect the designer as an individual who chooses to engage with digital media as well as the production system in which he/she is embedded since he/she will have to find new channels of communication with other parties. To demonstrate our strategy and the obstacles faced we will examine our involvement in the development of a computational design solution for a small house designed by Future Systems architects

Structural Information as Material for Design

We present our investigations focusing on finding ways to design structural  solutions that respects criteria of efficiency, architectural intentions as well as intrinsic properties of the geometry. These are attempts to embed structural analysis results into the design space so that its form and structure will be affected by this information. The three examples show different approaches we have taken depending on the stage of design in which our processes intervened. The three approaches are Densification, Alignment, and Extraction.

Simplexity

In this paper we discuss the design process that enables the integration of multiple concerns at an early stage of design by combining them into a single field that preconditions the space within which a specific design solution is developed. Our method is closely related to the development of interactive software tools that help the designer form a new intuition about the problem at hand. Two guiding concepts in this endeavour are simplexity [the desire to fine tune and build a system that yields a solution to a specific design problem by collapsing its inherent complexity] and defamiliarization [a side effect of having to represent things as numbers]. To demonstrate our strategy we will present the development of a computational design solution for small scale objects

Computational Design Consultancy

The pervasiveness of the digital media has set the ground for tighter collaboration between the discipline involved in the architecture practice and potential for reconfiguring the well-established communication patterns in the industry to occur. Considering the context thereof, Computation Design Consultancy aims to connect different considerations and priorities raised by different parties involved in the architecture production system by means of digital computation. Here, we discusses the inefficiency of the existing system in engaging with the contemporary context influenced by the digital media as well as our approaches and findings thus far though the consultancy work

Computational Fluid Dynamics for Architectural Design

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a cost-effective, well-known technique widely employed in industrial design. While indoor analysis can be achieved via CFD, Wind Tunnel Testing (WTT) is still the prevailing mode of analysis for outdoor studies. WTT is often only performed a few times during the course of a building design/construction cycle and primarily for verification purposes. This paper presents a cross-disciplinary research initiative aiming to make CFD understandable and accessible to the architecture community. Our particular interest is in the incorporation of CFD into the early stages of architectural design. Many critical decisions, including those pertaining to building performance, are made during these stages, and we believe access to wind/airflow information during these stages will help architects make responsible design decisions. As a first step, we designed a passive cooling canopy for a bus stop based on the equatorial climatic conditions of Singapore where wind/airflow was a driving factor for geometry generation. We discuss our strategies for overcoming the two bottlenecks we identified when utilising CFD for this framework: mesh generation and result comprehension/visualisation

A parametric design method for CFD-supported wind-driven ventilation

The negative impact of the building industry has brought a critical emphasis on the performance-related tools and processes of architectural design. The integration of design and performance simulation has the potential to extend the decision-making capabilities of the architects. Amongst a number of performance parameters, wind-related measures are generally problematic for the design phase, due to the computational cost of predicting wind behaviour, the complexity of the urban context and the constantly changing airflow patterns. In this respect, this paper proposes the preliminary exploration of a design method towards integrating Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) coupled with energy modelling and parametric design tools for the wind-related design acts. As building performance is regarded as a design problem that necessitates a designerly point of view as much as a technical perspective, the method aims at providing visual, generative and accurate feedback regarding its potential to facilitate the architect's designerly integration to the process and to provide a flexible design environment. The preliminary quantitative analysis conducted through a case study indicates the preliminary data flow through the design process