An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage

The context for this article is sustainable and ecological green city and building design; the intent is to advance architecture and ecology integration and multi-species design in architecture through the development of a conceptual framework for and computational approach to the early-stage design...

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Main Authors: Michael Hensel, Jakub Tyc, Albin Ahmeti, Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/840
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author Michael Hensel
Jakub Tyc
Albin Ahmeti
Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel
author_facet Michael Hensel
Jakub Tyc
Albin Ahmeti
Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel
author_sort Michael Hensel
collection DOAJ
description The context for this article is sustainable and ecological green city and building design; the intent is to advance architecture and ecology integration and multi-species design in architecture through the development of a conceptual framework for and computational approach to the early-stage design of ecological building envelopes, which are enclosures of buildings that make provisions for humans, plants, and animals. This entails two research questions: (1) how to integrate architectural and ecological domain knowledge into a conceptual and methodological framework and (2) how to develop a computational workflow and components for the early-stage design of ecological building envelopes. A mixed-method approach was used to develop an <i>ontology-aided generative computational design process</i> that combines computational ontologies, a voxel model, and rule-based processes that generate design variety. The process was developed to support two dominant design cases in architectural practice: masterplan design and building design. This article outlines the underlying key concepts, the computational workflow, and the developed key computational components and summarily indicates validation approaches during the development process. Finally, thoughts on the technical implementation of the computational workflow and components are indicated and further research questions are outlined.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 2073-445X
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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spelling doaj-art-bc17601256d5486cb049e6b20dd6a9712025-08-20T02:28:15ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-04-0114484010.3390/land14040840An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design StageMichael Hensel0Jakub Tyc1Albin Ahmeti2Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel3Research Department for Digital Architecture and Planning, TU Wien, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Vienna, AustriaResearch Department for Digital Architecture and Planning, TU Wien, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Vienna, AustriaResearch Department for Digital Architecture and Planning, TU Wien, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Vienna, AustriaLandscape Architecture and Urban Ecology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, ChinaThe context for this article is sustainable and ecological green city and building design; the intent is to advance architecture and ecology integration and multi-species design in architecture through the development of a conceptual framework for and computational approach to the early-stage design of ecological building envelopes, which are enclosures of buildings that make provisions for humans, plants, and animals. This entails two research questions: (1) how to integrate architectural and ecological domain knowledge into a conceptual and methodological framework and (2) how to develop a computational workflow and components for the early-stage design of ecological building envelopes. A mixed-method approach was used to develop an <i>ontology-aided generative computational design process</i> that combines computational ontologies, a voxel model, and rule-based processes that generate design variety. The process was developed to support two dominant design cases in architectural practice: masterplan design and building design. This article outlines the underlying key concepts, the computational workflow, and the developed key computational components and summarily indicates validation approaches during the development process. Finally, thoughts on the technical implementation of the computational workflow and components are indicated and further research questions are outlined.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/840ecological building envelopesontologiesknowledge graphvoxel modelrule-based process
spellingShingle Michael Hensel
Jakub Tyc
Albin Ahmeti
Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel
An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage
Land
ecological building envelopes
ontologies
knowledge graph
voxel model
rule-based process
title An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage
title_full An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage
title_fullStr An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage
title_full_unstemmed An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage
title_short An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage
title_sort ontology aided generative computational design process for ecological building envelopes development of a conceptual framework for the early design stage
topic ecological building envelopes
ontologies
knowledge graph
voxel model
rule-based process
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/840
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