Designing-in performance: A framework for evolutionary energy performance feedback in early stage design

•Description of a multidisciplinary design optimization framework for concept design•Identification of performance feedback criteria for early stage architectural design•Description of a custom genetic algorithm for design and performance optimization•Validation and measurement of an evolutionary optimization method for design•Improvements for early stage design decision-making through an MDO framework

Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) has been identified as a potential means for integrating design and energy performance domains but has not been fully explored for the specific demands of early stage architectural design. In response a design framework, titled Evolutionary Energy Performance Feedback for Design (EEPFD), is developed to support early stage design decision-making by providing rapid iteration with performance feedback through parameterization, automation, and multi-objective optimization. This paper details the development and initial validation of EEPFD through two identified needs of early stage design: 1) the ability to accommodate formal variety and varying degrees of geometric complexity; and 2) the ability to provide improved performance feedback for multiple objective functions. Through experimental cases the research presents effective application of EEPFD for architectural design.

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