Cellular automata for efficient daylighting performance: Optimized façade treatment

Abstract

Generative design systems have contributed in liberating the limits of design exploration, allowing designers to explore various design solutions. In this paper, we used one-dimensional cellular automata (CA) to generate an optimized solar screen in a south oriented classroom for efficent daylighting performance. We used Grasshopper for the modeling process, and Diva-for-Rhino, which interfaces with Radiance, to evaluate daylighting performance based on the IES approved method. CA rule number 210 was specifically employed to develop the necessary parameters for form generation where 847 different cases were examined. Results of this research demonstrated the potential of CA in achieving the intended visual aspects and daylighting requirements.