Towards Zero-Energy Architecture by Parametric Strategies

Abstract

In recent years the emergence of sustainable architecture has become increasingly important for the built environment. Although the term "sustainable" is well integrated, it doesn’t mean this is reality. For this reason European regulations are striving towards Zero-Energy buildings from January 2021 on, which is until now a goal without sufficient means. The design of zero energy buildings imposes major conceptual, technical and economic challenges for architects. In this context, the current research investigates new zero-energy and active building concepts that could generate new ideas and solutions for the future using parametric design methods that integrate pre-optimization principles. Digital models with certain interrelations and restrictions are created which are used for optimizing energy efficiency in the early phases of the design process. These interrelations can be geometric, or non-geometric like energetic or economic restrictions. This technique allows the designer to handle a building on a higher level from the beginning, resulting in better sustainable zero-energy concepts that go beyond traditional architectural designs and superimposed post-optimization techniques.