Computation & Performance

Towards a revolution in Architecture

Programme leaders
Prof.dr.ir. J.C. Paul, Dr.ir. R.M.F. Stouffs

Strategic management team (Steering group)
Prof.dr.ir. I.S. Sariyildiz, Prof.ir. K. Oosterhuis, Prof.dr.ir. J.G. Rots, Prof.dr.ing. P. Teuffel,
Prof.dr.ir. J.C. Paul, Dr.ir. R.M.F. Stouffs

Day-to-day management team (Core group)
Dr. E.B. Tuncer, A.T. Chaszar, Dr. N.M. Biloria, Ir. A. Borgart, Dipl.ing. F. Heinzelmann, J.L. Coenders,
Prof.dr.ir. J.C. Paul, Dr.ir. R.M.F. Stouffs

Departments
Building Technology
Hyperbody
SDL lab (CiTG)

Participating Chairs:

Example Projects:

Programme website

Summary

The aim of this research programme is to improve the performance of buildings by using computational methods for model generation and analysis, decision-making and design communication, in an interdisciplinary context.

Performance in this context refers to technical performance as well as qualitative performance – physical and psychological. We deliberately do not define performance in any strict manner; comfort and safety, visual attractiveness and iconic quality can be considered performance aspects in the same way as structural integrity, energy efficiency and sustainability, etc.

Computation and performance go hand in hand in the aim of this program: computation serves as the means to reach the goal of performance. At the same time, performance is in itself a means to reach better buildings and a better built environment, which is the ultimate objective we strive for.

The activities of the research program are led to answer the following four questions and meet the corresponding four challenges:

How do we measure the performance of buildings or their parts?

Challenge 1: To define building performance and quality, and to develop the computational means to assess in design the many various aspects that constitute them, taking into account cultural as well as technical (i.e. psychological as well as physical) requirements, and also the points of view of different ‘stakeholders’ in the design, construction and operation of the building.

How do we leverage understanding of performance in the design process?

Challenge 2: To apply the understanding of performance and quality to the computational design process so as to plan, construct and operate buildings whose reality meets or exceeds the aspirations that motivated their production.

How do we improve the collaborative and interdisciplinary design process?

Challenge 3: To develop design, communication and decision-making practices, and their computational support, which enable stakeholders to effectively apply the understanding of building performance and quality in an informed and balanced way so as to achieve mutually acceptable outcomes.

How de we rethink the relation between functions, architectural form and performance holistically?

Challenge 4: To continually re-examine the relations between performance/quality, function, materials, systems, society, and architectural form within an investigation of computationally enhanced holistic design strategies, so as to remain alert to and explore opportunities for (positive) change in the man-made environment, including those beyond the limits of physically building.

Sub research programmes

Corresponding these four questions and challenges, we define four research subprograms collecting and integrating the various research projects and activities addressing these challenges.

Performance Assessment

The sub-programme Performance Assessment targets the specification of building performance and quality and their measurements, and the development of the computational means to assess them in design. An example with respect to technical performance is the production of transparent building components and structures with predictable and therefore safe failure behavior (Fred Veer, Rob Nijsse, e.a.). An example of psychological performance is means to measure visual perception and to computationally assess perceptual aspects in design (Michael Bittermann).

Performance Integration

The sub-programme Performance Integration targets the application of the assessment and understanding of performance and quality to the computational design process. Exemplar is the development of computational design tools, in support of passive solar strategies and the application of kinetic building components (Michela Turrin) and for structural design and morphology of buildings and structures, including shell and spatial structures and other complex geometry structures (Jeroen Coenders, Andrew Borgart and Eliza Guse).

Design Support

The sub-programme Design Support targets the development of design, communication and decision-making practices with computational support. The development of ProtoSpace, a revolutionary design environment for architecture, urban planning and other disciplines, by the Hyperbody group led by Prof. Kas Oosterhuis exemplifies this.

Integral Design

The sub-programme Integral Design targets a re-examination of the relations between performance/quality, function, materials, systems, society, and architectural form within an investigation of computationally enhanced holistic design strategies. Exemplar is the investigation of performative design methods and their relation to contemporary manufacturing techniques (Bige Tuncer), or of immediate constructive interaction with the built environment supported by digital technologies. (Christian Friedrich).