Algorithmic design and performance analysis of adaptive façades

Building performance simulation tools have the potential for aiding the decision-making process in early design stages of an architectural project. As traditional simulation tools are based on a static design and adaptive façades encompass an envisioned movement of construction elements, there is a lack of supporting tools and workflows that can correctly evaluate the performance of such building envelopes at an early stage. The presented ongoing research focuses on developing efficient parametric performance-based approaches for assessing the energy consumption in buildings with adaptive façades, combining generative architectural design and performance analysis in a seamless workflow. To this end, we combine a new algorithmic design research tool with the well-established whole-building simulation engine EnergyPlus. The purpose of linking both tools lies in the possibility of generating and simulating models with adaptive façade mechanisms through a single script, evaluating and using the simulation results to adjust the model’s parameters and develop optimized control strategies.