Performance-based parametric design explorations: A method for generating appropriate building components

Performance-based parametric design explorations depend on formulating custom-designed workflows that require reading, writing, interpreting and manipulating databases, as part of the design process. The possibilities of customization and parameterization offered by the user-friendly interfaces of advanced building-performance simulation software and digital design tools have now enabled architects to carry out performance-based design explorations without the help of simulation experts. This paper presents a customized workflow methodology to explore design alternatives for producing shading devices that can optimize daylight, while blocking out excessive solar heat gains, in an office building in a hot and humid climate. The design alternatives were generated by evolutionary algorithms in accordance with daylight performance requirements and simulated to assess their shading and daylight efficiencies.