Facade optimization using parametric design and future climate scenarios

New links between parametric design software, energy simulation tools, and optimization algorithms allow for the customization of individual building components or whole building form in order to reduce anticipated energy use. These optimization methods are of particular interest in studying design problems where an energy conserving measure may act beneficially in one season but detrimentally in another if not properly sized, such as a static shading device. Other possible applications for optimization include generating new building forms based on performance criteria or gaining maximum energy savings for the least amount of initial investment. Given that one can anticipate that a site's climate is going to substantially change over the coming 70 years, any claims regarding the climate responsiveness should be considered with care. In fact, in this paper it is shown that the optimal facade solutions vary as ambient conditions change over time. This paper deminstrates this effect and then asks the question of how claims of climate responsiveness can actually be upheld in this context.