Multi-criteria evolutionary optimisation of building envelopes during conceptual stages of design

Abstract

This paper focuses on using evolutionary algorithms during conceptual stages of design process for multi-criteria optimisation of building envelopes. An experiment is carried out in optimising a panelled building envelope. The design scenario for the experiment is based on the scenario described in Shea et al. (2006) for the building envelope of the Media Centre Building in Paris. However, in their research, the optimisation process only allowed panel configuration to be optimised. In this paper, the task is to approach the optimisation of the envelope of the same building, assuming it to be in the early phases of the design process. The space of possible solutions is therefore assumed to be much wider, and as a result both external building form and internal layout of functional activities are allowed to vary. The performance intent of the experiment remains the same as that of Shea et al. (2006), which was to maximise daylight and minimise afternoon direct sun hours in the building at certain specific locations. © 2012, Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA), Hong Kong.