An exploratory model on the usability of a prototyping-process for designing of Smart Building Envelopes

- The Smart Building Envelope (SBE) is defined as a system for adaptation of shapes and components to environmental changes and user behaviors.
- The SBE is an interactive building envelope that adapts to environmental conditions by transforming its shape and functions.
- A hypothetical Virtual and Physical Prototyping (VPP) model was proposed to better support the SBE design.
- This research explored, based on theoretical frameworks and empirical case studies, the usability of an optimal VPP model for SBE design, and to apply the findings to architectural design pedagogy.
- The Virtual Model (VM) and Smart Physical Model (SPM) evolve in parallel in the VPP. This research explored, based on theoretical frameworks and empirical case studies, the usability of an optimal VPP model for SBE design, and to apply the findings to architectural design pedagogy.
- It also investigated the complementariness of the VM and SPM as well as the effects of traditional tools such as sketch.

The Smart Building Envelope (SBE) is an interactive system which is adaptive to environmental conditions by transforming its shape and functions. The success of the SBE depends on elaborate interactions among the various building components. The acutely challenging issue is to design the SBE not only to satisfy multidisciplinary requirements but also to orchestrate the technical functions of components. The research objective is to propose an exploratory model on the usability of a prototyping process for SBE design. So the research is related to the conceptualization of the prototyping process model based on complementary use of the Virtual Model (VM) and Smart Physical Model (SPM). The conceptual prototyping process model is appropriate for consideration of the characteristics of the architectural design, the resources of the educational environment and the limitations of the novice designer. Furthermore, the prototyping process model in this research will help in the formulation of guidelines for the educational process, which in turn will help not merely to make intricate engineering products but also to introduce observed results into the architectural design process.