DATASCAPE, Rule-based Planting Pattern to Incorporating Trees in Outside Thermal Comfort Using Parametric Design Tools
Date
2022-05
Authors
Entezari, Hossein
Major Professor
Rogers, Carl
Advisor
Committee Member
Chengde, Wu
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Abstract
An outdoor space's thermal comfort plays a crucial role in its vitality and activity. The adverse weather conditions may cause gathering spaces to lose their usefulness in this regard. This study investigates the potential of parametric design to generate landscape models for a small-scale university campus plaza and improve microclimate conditions for users. In this regard, it focuses on the dynamic relationship between tree dispersion and the changes in climatic factors: sun exposure in the hottest week and wind movement in the coldest week of the year. Vegetation may regulate the thermal environment in summer and winter by reducing summer heat gain and controlling winter wind motion.
As the case study, Iowa State University Innovation Center's Plaza at Ames, IA, was examined for thermal comfort analysis. The effects of the existing architectural and landscape elements on microclimate, particularly exposure to sun and air movement, were analyzed. The climate data simulation tools, Ladybug and Butterfly, identified the design constraints in the planting plan. In the final stage, a solution for the distribution and density of the deciduous and evergreen trees was developed in response to the constrained parameters to enhance the comfort of the outdoor gathering area. Analyzing the outdoor thermal comfort of the project site before and after the proposed planting pattern illustrates an improvement in UTCI values for both the chosen timeframes.
In general, this study emphasizes the importance of data-derived landscape design processes instead of final product presentation. The findings of this study may be utilized both in educational and professional environments for accelerating the integration of various invisible factors into landscape planning to create environmentally, socially, and functionally sustainable environments.
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creative component
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2022