Building Envelope Computation via Shadow Duration Cutting Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for computing building envelopes that comply with maximum shadow duration requirements are inefficient, prone to sub-optimal solutions, and lack architect control, particularly in densely populated areas where maximizing floor surface area is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A geometric approach that progressively trims an initial building volume with cutting surfaces defined to ensure predetermined shadow durations at neighboring region boundaries, allowing for flexible positioning of the building's top and enabling efficient, deterministic calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If trial-and-error and rules of thumb are used to design buildings complying with shadow duration requirements, then architects can obtain a building envelope, but the useful floor surface is not maximized and the design process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual trial-and-error design methods with an automated computer-implemented algorithm that computes the building envelope. The system uses geometric calculations and shadow simulations to automatically determine the optimal building shape that complies with shadow duration requirements, eliminating the need for iterative manual adjustments and significantly improving design efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies building envelope parameters (height, shape, orientation) within the algorithm to find the optimal configuration that maximizes floor surface area while maintaining shadow duration compliance. The computer-implemented method evaluates multiple parameter combinations efficiently to identify the best solution.
2Volume of stationary object
If random variational optimization is used to compute the building envelope, then the envelope volume can be maximized under shadow constraints, but the calculation time is long and the solution may be sub-optimal due to local maxima
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary geometric analysis to establish the building envelope boundary before conducting shadow duration calculations. The system first determines the maximum possible building volume based on geometric constraints, then applies shadow constraints to refine the envelope, avoiding iterative random searches and reducing calculation time while ensuring optimality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of starting with a small building and adding volume (which may get trapped in local maxima), the patent inverts the approach by starting with the maximum geometrically possible volume and systematically removing portions that violate shadow duration constraints. This ensures the final envelope is optimal and avoids local maxima problems.
3Manufacturing precision
If variational optimization methods are used to compute the building envelope, then the envelope can comply with shadow duration requirements, but the architect has little or no control over the result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system that allows architects to interactively adjust building parameters (such as height limits, footprint shape, and orientation) and immediately see the impact on the computed envelope. The computer-implemented method responds in real-time to user inputs, providing flexible control while maintaining shadow duration compliance through automated recalculations.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for computing an envelope (BE) for a building to be designed, the method comprising: defining an initial volume (IV) of the building; and for each one a plurality of points (P1, P2, P3) of a boundary (PRB) of a neighboring region (PR) of the building, computing a cutting surface (CS) and modifying the initial volume by cutting out portions thereof extending above said cutting surface; wherein each cutting surface is defined in such a way that the initial volume, modified by cutting out portions thereof extending above it, projects over the corresponding point of the boundary a shadow (SW) whose duration is equal to a predetermined value; said envelope being defined by a boundary surface of a remaining volume. A computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable data-storage medium and a Computer Aided Design system for carrying out such a method.