As very high efficiency (R-20) all-glass envelopes become technologically achievable, what are the implications for existing building typologies and what new design possibilities emerge?
What are the most significant decision-making drivers and paradigm shifts and transformations within the ecology of design, delivery, and real estate that will impact new building envelopes and future building typologies?
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Project led by : Kathy Velikov, Matias del Campo
Researchers: Lucas Denit, Kazi Najeeb Hasan, Ruxin Xie
UM - GUARDIAN | DESIGN ECOLOGIES  OF GLASS
Sept. 2020
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Research Area under Typology Scenarios 2024:
Life Cycle Assessment for VIG: Literature Review and Recommendation
Occupant comfort and automation: Literature Review and Directions

Methodology: Multi-Objective Optimization with Evolutionary Solvers
Design Research Problem: 
Scenario development requires a flexible design methodology where multiple options based on differential prioritization of design drivers can be rapidly visualized and evaluated. 

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Methodology: Parametric Models + Evolutionary Solvers:
Most conventional digital modeling tools rely on destructive processes; that is, a change made to model geometry is not remembered, and cannot be updated or changed later in the modeling process. 

A Parametric Modeling Tool is non-destructive; that is, decisions made at one stage of the design remain open for revision later in the process, and subsequent design characteristics will update accordingly. 

An Evolutionary Solver is a problem solving method in which a “fitness” objective is achieved by testing a large number of iterations in a procedure that imitates biologic evolution.

Where early evolutionary solvers typically optimized a single fitness goal, a Multi-Objective Solver is designed to balance the fitness of two or more goals at the same time. 
Optimization Objectives
Fitness 1 : Total Annual Solar Exposure
Measured in total kwH during the month of August 
Fitness 2 : Interior Daylight Quality
Measured per unit as a proportion of sDA vs. ASE
Fitness 3 : Cross Ventilation
Measured in hours of thermal comfort without mechanical heating/cooling during the month of August

Software:
Rhinoceros 3D(Rhino): Main 3d modeling environment for grasshopper and other visualization tools.
Grasshopper: Visual programming language and main parametric tool. Grasshopper provides the foundation for many third-party components including environmental analysis.
Grasshopper Ladybug: Climate analysis 
Grasshopper Archsim: Energy modeling
Grasshopper Diva: Daylighting & Energy Modeling
Grasshopper Octopus: Multi-Objective Optimization

Austin TX Site : Possible massing scenario 

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