Parametric Optimization of Façade Apertures for Enhanced Natural Ventilation in High-Rise Office Buildings
High-rise office buildings frequently experience airflow stagnation zones on windward façades, particularly at mid-height levels where wind streams divide upward and downward. These stagnation effects limit natural ventilation potential and increase reliance on mechanical cooling during warm seasons. This study investigates how parametric façade aperture design can strategically enhance airflow distribution and reduce cooling loads in high-rise office buildings.
Focus on Stagnation-Level Floor and Design Hypothesis
The research concentrates on the floor intersecting the façade stagnation point, where airflow dynamics are most constrained. It is hypothesized that optimized aperture geometry and spatial distribution can redirect pressure differentials to improve indoor ventilation performance and thermal comfort, thereby reducing cooling energy demand without mechanical intervention.
Multi-Stage Methodological Framework
A multi-stage methodology was implemented integrating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in ANSYS Fluent, seasonal energy simulations in EnergyPlus via the Honeybee interface, and generative parametric modeling in Grasshopper. CFD analysis identified façade pressure zones and airflow characteristics, while energy simulations evaluated seasonal cooling demand and indoor thermal performance under various aperture configurations.
Parametric Aperture Configurations and Performance Metrics
Hexagonal aperture patterns were generated and assessed based on air change rates (ACH), operative temperature, and cooling energy use intensity (EUI). Four spatial distribution scenarios were analyzed to determine how opening size and porosity gradients influence ventilation efficiency and occupant comfort.
Ventilation and Cooling Performance Outcomes
Results indicate that aperture distribution significantly affects airflow penetration and thermal conditions. Among the tested configurations, the edge-to-center (EC) scenario—characterized by increasing opening size and porosity from façade edges toward the center—achieved the highest percentage of thermal comfort hours and a notable reduction in cooling EUI compared to the least effective configuration. The gradient-based design effectively mitigated stagnation effects and improved pressure-driven airflow.
Implications for Climate-Responsive Façade Design
The findings demonstrate that strategically designed static aperture systems can enhance passive ventilation and thermal comfort without relying on complex dynamic façade technologies. By leveraging parametric modeling and performance simulation, architects can develop scalable, climate-responsive façade strategies that improve indoor environmental quality and reduce operational energy consumption in high-rise office buildings.
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