Solar Sculpting: Building Form & Energy

Rapid depletion of natural resources and increased environmental degradation demand a vigorous scrutiny of accepted design and construction methods. For more than ten years, New York City has promoted energy efficiency policies—including PlaNYC and the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan—that will radically reshape the education of architects toward energy performance in buildings, reduction of emissions, and the efficient use of resources. Our series of undergraduate studies investigates the relationship between the building form and energy performance, using form-finding algorithms based on solar radiation to shape mid-rise housing typologies for New York City. Currently funded by the Institute of Design and Construction Foundation, we have been exploring the important environmental design opportunities that exist within building envelopes, particularly in residential buildings that are responsible for most of the greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions and power consumption. By integrating and extending current solar technologies such as photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal (ST) for the predominantly vertical infrastructure of the city, this research targets innovative building mass and surface strategies that are highly energy efficient, generate on-site renewable energy, and produce a new vocabulary for sustainable construction. As part of the initiative, we have also formed an international exchange program between our two institutions to share content and expertise.