VERTICAL GREENERY SYSTEMS IN BIM

Abstract

Ever since the term “sustainable architecture” was coined in 1998 by Trivelli Alessandro, green architecture has been an increasingly common sight within the industry. Tropical cities like Singapore are a prime example whereby vertical landscaping is starting to shape the built environment. While the prominence of vertical landscapes is facing a steady increase, its implantation still exists on a broadly superficial level where it is merely established on visual aesthetics appeal. Furthermore, there is little evidence to back up its sustainable values during a project’s design phase and even after its construction. With technology advancing rapidly with the influx of Building Information Modeling and open-source simulation programs, vertical landscaping is either last or never even on the list of deliverables included in the design model. Due to the nature of landscape material properties, it is often seen as an element that is organic and less predictive as opposed to hardscape elements like walls, thus causing it to be omitted in the convenience of time and effort. However, in order for tropical architecture to excel, incorporating landscape with software during a project’s design phase is a fundamental step. On top of meeting the needs of a tropical architecture, the adequacy to justify and provide accurate values would be key to achieving a sustainable built environment. Henceforth, this dissertation analyses the possible strategies in mapping out vertical landscape as a pattern to shape and define tropical architecture. Based on case studies, a 3D-model with landscape plant species suitable for vertical landscaping can be established as pattern layers in BIM software to simulate and gather values that correlates to building performance.