Explorations on space, energy, and structure for a holistic design of buildings - A geometry-based graphical approach
Embargoed until 2026-03-04
Author
Date
2023Type
- Doctoral Thesis
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The design of a building is a complex process that involves diverse disciplines and professionals. Architects and engineers must address a number of requirements to create functional, safe, and comfortable buildings without neglecting the implications their design choices have on costs and environmental footprint. Particularly in the conceptual design stage, a reconciliation of design aspects related to space, energy, and structure results in an enhanced understanding and control of this multidimensional design space. However, an actual integration of diverse disciplines as part of a holistic design framework requires the use of adequate approaches.
The objective of this thesis is to introduce a holistic design framework that reconciles spatial, energy-related, and structural design aspects to support designers in performing informed design explorations. The proposed framework is grounded in the use of geometry-based graphical methods, which combine the inherent advantages of geometry-based modelling with those related to graphical methods. In particular, geometry-based models guarantee the existence of a common ground for diverse disciplines to meet; graphical methods unfold form-performance relationships in a diagrammatic way, thus fostering an intuitive understanding of the design space.
The proposed framework incorporates aspects related to building energy performance through geometry-based graphical methods for solar control. The underlying assumption is that in the conceptual design stage, form-based passive design strategies – like solar control – have a crucial impact on building energy demand and user comfort. Similarly, considerations related to static equilibrium represent a key design aspect in the field of structural design, which can be conveniently controlled through graphic statics. The proposed design framework leverages on these geometry-based graphical methods, enhancing further their potential through digital implementations within a parametric environment. The framework was tested on several design examples and on a case study. In particular, the case study deals with the transformation of building envelopes of existing multistorey buildings with the ambition to enhance their qualities and performance by addressing spatial, solar, and structural design aspects jointly in a holistic manner. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000662412Publication status
publishedExternal links
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Contributors
Examiner: Schwartz, Joseph Lucien
Examiner: Auer, Thomas
Examiner: D'Acunto, Pierluigi
Examiner: Mosayebi, Elli
Publisher
ETH ZurichSubject
Building design; Holistic design; Graphical methods; geometry-based models; Solar control; structural design; shading; Graphic statics; Building envelopesOrganisational unit
03800 - Schwartz, Joseph (emeritus) / Schwartz, Joseph (emeritus)
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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