Masterstudio INHABITABLE SKIN
Institute of Buildings and Energy, Graz University of Technology
Winter Term 2016/17
Prof. Brian Cody
Igor Mitric Lavovski
"I am so honoured to have been invited to teach at Masterstudio with prof. Brian Cody and briliant team at the Institut of Building and Energy (the Graz University of Technology). It makes me proud to be a new member of such a creative family. Under the guiding star and main principle "Form Follows Energy", team of Institut of Building and Energy is in constant search for solutions and new formulas in order to defeat global energy crisis."
Igor Mitric Lavovski
INTRO
In the information age, we are flooded with “Big Data” each day. How can we work with this amount of information? Can we use this data to write parameters for our architectural projects? How can we convert data into mathematical formulas and incorporate the results into the parts of algorithms and then execute final computations. With the goal of optimizing our models? Can we use Big Data to Build?
At a time when polluting and increasingly expensive energy production is a trigger for wars and destruction, the question arises: is the principle of “Form Follows Energy” the only right solution? If so, how can the right design process be shaped? Where is the link between energy and information? Between the energy and the form?
1. FORCES
In the first phase of the studio project, students learn about the role of local climate and how it affects the form of a building in the initial design process. In addition, we will learn to identify natural forces, write them as vectors or numbers, points, and curves, and create an architectural project as a diagram of the physical forces.
Students will explore how to improve the microclimate of existing sites. Using individually developed systems and evolutionary solvers (EA), we will evaluate the shapes produced to select the fittest one.
The main task of the first study phase is to transform forces (such as sun, wind, and rain…) into parameters and rules that form an initial shape ready for simulation in the elective course “Advanced Facade Technologies”.
2. LAYERED TRANSITION
In the second phase, students develop layered design systems.
The performance of the individual and/or interconnected layers is evaluated, and the function of the layers is defined. The question in this phase is how the unique role (purpose) of the layers affects the whole. Defining the layers that affect the performance of the building is a design task. Students will manifest and parameterize all layers and adjust their orientation, position, zoning, temporal/spatial complexity, function, and interconnection. Students will track the information with the goal of evaluating the performance of the whole with the modified layers.
By the end of the second phase, other systems can be integrated into layers, such as (just a thought) self-cleaning and self-shading systems for externally oriented coatings, drone transport versus plugged cells, cellular transport and biofiltration of air and water, or adaptation to changing environmental demands.
Coatings are an essential component of our “Habitable Skin” project studio. Students imaginations and ideas are limited only by the sky and energy consumption. This component is cross-listed with the Advanced Building Systems elective.
3. PROPHECY
In the third phase, the students will send their models into the future. The building will simulate its life cycle for one year. User frequency, agent flows, energy costs, daylighting, ventilation, cooling, and heating systems will be lived in the future. After the simulation, we recall our models, re-analyze them, optimize them and perform a new design. Re-simulation. Re-generation. The design will learn, adapt, and replicate itself.
This will be done in collaboration with the Advanced Facade Technologies and Advanced Building Systems electives.
4. WORKFLOW
In the fourth phase, students will test and develop different 2D and 3D software workflows and pipelines for their projects.
Our studio uses 2D tools connected to 3D (ArchiCad), 3D modeling tools (Rhino3D, Cinema4D, Blender…), visual scripting languages (Grasshopper3D), surface and mesh optimization tools (ZBRUSH), procedural material creation (Substance), composition (PSD), painting tools (Krita) and game engines (Unreal Engine) for a virtual visualization.
GOAL
Upon successfully completing the project, students will gain fundamental knowledge of energy optimization in building design.
Converting physical forces such as wind and solar into analytical methods for design goals, understanding macro and microclimates, working with parameters and information, increasing the performance of multi-layered buildings, controlling large scale geometries, testing different pipelines for 3D and 2D software, experimenting with presentation techniques, moving from paper to a virtual, and managing Big Data are the goals for this year’s studio project.
Elective courses:
LV 159.805 Advanced Facade Technologies with Renate Teppner
LV 159.806 Advanced Building Systems with Sebastian Sautter
For more information, see http://ige.tugraz.at/