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WAREHOUSE | Facade RETROFIT

|Grasshopper Honeybee Simulation to Re-design the Building Facade|

Muwen Li | Tianhui Li | Yiming Jiao

Syracuse University | ARC432 Advanced Building System

|Year|

Spring 2021

|Advisor|

Prof. Nina Sharifi[PHD]

|Role|

Research Analysis | Retrofit Designer

Warehouse | Facade Retrofit

To optimize access to daylight, we converted windows into operable units featuring horizontal louvers. This design enables precise control over direct sunlight penetration, adapting to seasonal and climatic variations. Even sections of the existing façade initially composed of walls were transformed into operable windows with horizontal louvers, ensuring an even distribution of daylight within the interior space. The horizontal louvers effectively manage incoming sunlight, while the operable windows serve dual roles by providing ventilation. This integrated approach minimizes HVAC system loads, resulting in a passive system that enhances the warehouse's environmental sustainability.

Sun Light Simulation

LEFT: Original Context | RIGHT: Retrofit Version

The analysis of illuminance patterns and lux levels for the new façade reveals a more balanced color scale, indicating uniform daylight distribution. This ensures optimal visual and thermal comfort in most occupied spaces throughout the seasons, notably benefiting classrooms and studios. While the central space exhibits lower illuminance, it remains acceptable as it primarily serves circulation and offices. This intentional illuminance variation enhances user experience by transitioning from darker, confined spaces to brighter, open areas.

Plan | Structure

LEFT: Floor Plans
RIGHT: Axonometric Diagram of the Structure.

The warehouse features a structural combination of a column grid, including two types: interior columns supporting slab loads, and façade columns holding windows and insulation for heat retention. The 19 cylindrical interior columns on each floor have coned tops, contributing to an uninterrupted workspace for multiple studios, complemented by load-bearing walls.

Enclosure

The warehouse enclosure integrates concrete walls and columns with operable windows. The east and west sides boast the highest window-to-wall ratios, optimizing natural light and solar heat gain for the studio program in Syracuse's cold climate. Strategically positioned, the largest windows on the North and East sides create a well-lit reading room. Additionally, sizable operable windows facilitate natural ventilation.

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