Parametric Approach to the Bioclimatic Design of a Student Housing Building in Patras, Greece

Abstract

A new housing complex on the Campus of the University of Patras, Greece, is expected to serve as a test-bed for experimentation with a parametric design process that integrates significant climatic data. To optimize the environmental performance of the proposed housing complex a parametric design algorithm has been developed. The algorithm links the weather data in the area with the site topography and the basic geometric features of the buildings on the site. To explore the interaction of the building features with the prevailing winds in the area and the solar exposure throughout the year various software applications, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, have been utilized. The inclusion of wind data in the algorithm renders it particularly effective. The developed parametric process has been useful during the early design phase when studies on various patterns for arranging the buildings on the site were conducted. The parametric process has facilitated the configuration of the typical building block as well.