Nautical Center
Cost and energy optimization
Algorithmic Design Tool: Grasshopper
We took a project previously developed in studio, the Nautical Center of Lisbon, and programmed the building, this time to allow parametric variations to the original concept, using grasshopper. The general building's shape could vary, as well as the chosen materials' thicknesses. Changes in these parameters can affect the amount of natural light, shading and natural heating the interior space receives, which in turn, along with insulation quality, contributes to the enlargement or diminishing of the building's heating and cooling demands.
Aided by a series of grasshopper plugins we performed an optimization process involving multiple criteria, namely the cost, annual heating and cooling demands, and the built volume. We used both global and local solvers to find our sub-optimal and optimal solutions.
