PROJECT INFORMATION

Submitted by:  Hoang

Firm Name: Transsolar

ASHRAE Climate Zone: 5B

Building/Space Type: Residential

Who performed the simulation analysis?  External Energy Consultant

What tools were used for the simulation analysis? 

• Grasshopper Ladybug

• Grasshopper Honeybee

• TRNSYS

• Python

What tools did you use to create the graphic?

• Grasshopper Ladybug

• Grasshopper Honeybee

• D3.js

What phase of the project was analysis conducted?  Schematic Design

What are the primary inputs of the analysis?  Balcony Geometry

What are the primary outputs of the analysis?  Total solar energy generated per balcony, indoor visual comfort quality

PROCESS

List the investigations questions that drove your analysis process.

What would be the most optimum shape for a balcony in order to gain as much PV power as possible while ensuring the indoor visual comfort?

How was simulation integrated into the overall design process?

The simulation is carried on side-by-side with the evolution of architecture design, allowing crosschecking and providing feedback to each iteration of architecture design. An interactive html graphic was created allowing the team to “view and play” with it at the same time, understanding how each parameter can have an impact to the final design goal.

How did you set up the simulation analysis and workflow?

A dynamic Grasshopper model of the architecture design was set up in order to perform fast and reliable simulations as the floor-plan evolve through each iteration. The simulation model evaluates different balcony geometries through different criteria, including: PV power generated on the facade, solar exposure on the window, indoor visual comfort. After having the simulation results, a Python script was used to generate an interactive parallel-coordinate graph, visualizes all variants together as a part of a multi-objective study. This allows the architect to select the optimum geometry as well as understand how each parameter can impact the final goals of the design.

How did you visualize the results to the design team? What was successful about the graphics that you used to communicate the data?

The final graphic is html file (parallel coordinate, generate by Python plotly package) which can be easily opened by anyone via internet browser. In addition, the graphic is interactive, therefore the design team can “play” with the graphic to not only pick out the most optimum solution for a multi-objective study but also to understand the impact of each parameter to the design goals.