Photo-Kinesis

Utilising daylight is a key part of sustainable architecture. This research seeks to integrate “typical” architectural methods with computational tools, utilising optimisation, simulation, and analysation. It addresses the question “How can daylight-focussed computational tools be integrated with the design of a Civic Library to incite activity on site?” The aim is to generate insight on how computational design can be used in the future to effectively meet specific performance goals of a design. The objective of this research is the design of a library in Te Ngakau Civic Square, Wellington, New Zealand. The design begins with integrating physical drawings, physical modelling, and digital massing, produced by an optimisation tool. It takes on different design approaches to continuously influence the design, reacting to site factors, simulation results, and intuitive decisions. After each design phase, it reflects on both the design and the methodology. It concludes that although there are some disadvantages in integrating computation with other methods, simulation and optimisation tools ultimately provides more insight in reaching performance goals.