Rotractable - [DvsI], 2nd Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication Workshop @ the Architecture Department [ARC], University of Nicosia

2012-09-30T07:44:21.247Z

Team: Nataly Papandreou, Constantinos Kounnis, Pantelis Panteli
Digital Tools: Grasshopper, DIVA

The team implemented a series of Parametric Design strategies aiming in reducing the overall energy consumption of a hypothetical building. Among others, the group examined form-finding methods based on self-shading and developed an opening mechanism, the ‘Rotrackable’ that allows sunlight during winter while providing shading and ventilation during summer. The team attempted to find an optimum balance between the amount of solar radiation measured on the façade of the building and the overhang of the roof. At the same time, the Sun Vector definition, adapted from Ted Ngai and developed by Andrew Heumann was implemented to define the rotation and angle of the ‘Rotracable’ in respect to the position of the Sun throughout the year. The incoming light levels in the building were subsequently measured to verify compliance with Lighting Standards. This last step has also defined the minimum number and size of the openings carrying the ‘Rotracable’ mechanism which could be completely automated (if paired with a sensor-actuator system) or work as a low-tech device (with a number of fixed positions, manually operated by the user).

Optimal Shades - [DvsI] 2nd Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication Workshop @ the Architecture Department [ARC], University of Nicosia

2012-09-30T07:40:56.908Z

Team: Maria Chrysanthou, Antonia Loizou, Stavros Voskaris
Digital Tools: Grasshopper, DIVA

The aim of this project was to develop an intelligent, low tech, exterior shading skin for a hypothetical building that could regulate the annual solar radiation on its facades. The team approached the problem by subdividing the façades of the building into smaller panels and calculating the amount of annual solar radiation on each panel. The group came up with a parametric definition that relates the radiation values on each panel of the façade with the number and size of generated louvers per panel. To facilitate construction, the results were reduced to five categories per facade allowing modularization. Consequently, the East and West facades consisted from panels comprising 1-5 louvers, whereas the south facade consisted from panels comprising 5-9 louvers. As a final step the team calculated the new annual solar radiation on the shaded façades to verify their design strategy.

All Videos Tagged Nicosia (Grasshopper) - Grasshopper

Rotractable - [DvsI], 2nd Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication Workshop @ the Architecture Department [ARC], University of Nicosia

Optimal Shades - [DvsI] 2nd Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication Workshop @ the Architecture Department [ARC], University of Nicosia