Integrated Design Process: Sustainable Façade Fabrication

Abstract

Interoperability and integration between design, analysis and fabrication in architectural practice allow building façade systems to be increasingly complex and non-standard. As customized building façade systems increase in contemporary buildings, it is important to adopt the integrated design process that aids problem solving and design-making in façade design. The primary goal of this study is to explore the integrated design process that incorporates building information modeling and parametric performance analysis tools in order to understand sustainability opportunities in sustainable façade fabrication. The integration of building information modeling (BIM) and parametric performance analysis tools poses a unique design process whose resolution has the potential to improve sustainability in built environment and façade fabrication efficiency. This paper uses an academic design research project, the Reading Pavilion located in the UNC Charlotte campus, as a case study to investigate the integrated design process of a building façade system, which was supported by quantitative data using BIM, parametric performance analysis, and rapid prototyping tools.