Learning performance-driven design. Students approach integrating urban form studies and building performance analysis

Abstract

Solar radiation is a crucial factor for the design of healthy dwellings, efficient buildings and sustainable cities. Urban form has a significant influence on solar energy received by buildings. Architects and designers are increasingly requested to take into account environmental performance of buildings since the very early stages of the design process. Architecture schools struggle to educate students consider building and urban performance as design principle and provide them the skills to perform simulations and analysis. The present study introduces methods and outcome of a course taught by the author integrating form studies and performance-driven design.