Wind-driven Design Optimization of Building Layouts A case study of the residential building neighborhoods

As one of the most important factors for urban microclimate, the wind environment is crucial for conserving energy, reducing carbon emissions, diluting pollutants, and improving human comfort. This paper attempts to explore wind-driven design optimization of building layouts, and a residential neighborhood in Nanjing China is chosen as a case study. The workflow combines parametric modeling, FFD simulation, and optimization tool on the Rhino-Grasshopper platform. To increase the diversity of layout design variants, three design strategies are integrated into the parametric modeling. In particular, the disposition of the open space is taken into account because it plays an important role in the outdoor wind environment. GH_Wind and Octopus plug-ins are used for FFD solving and optimization respectively. The optimization process is carried out under two different wind conditions. The results provide optimal configurations of the building layout parameters for improving the outdoor wind environment.