Climatic Intelligence: Environmental Simulation and Adaptive Skin Design for Future Weather
Registration Link
Workshop Registration opens September 8th, 2025! Click the link above to be notified when registration becomes available.
Location : Online
Workshop Team
Mohammad Mahdi Mohammadi
PhD Researcher in Architecture and Building Performance Simulation at Poznan University of Technology
Collaborator with Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and AIT (Austrian Institute on Technology)
Workshop Description
As climate patterns shift and extremes intensify, the design of architectural envelopes must evolve from static protective barriers into dynamic, data-informed systems capable of responding to future environmental conditions. This advanced online workshop explores how computational simulations, multi-objective optimization, and climate-forward thinking can inform the design of adaptive building skins that enhance thermal comfort, reduce energy use, and anticipate future climate scenarios.
Focusing on the integration of environmental performance and generative design, the workshop will explore how adaptive facades can respond to projected climate change conditions while optimizing for comfort, airflow, and energy efficiency. Participants will work with real-time simulation engines and future weather data (EPW 2050/2080) to analyze thermal performance, daylighting, and natural ventilation using Ladybug Tools and Eddy3D (CFD). Through intuitive workflows and a customizable parametric model, attendees will simulate scenarios using CFD, solar radiation, and comfort metrics (PMV, UTCI), on a pre-modeled skin, then apply multi-objective optimization to explore intelligent design evolution.
No prior expertise in simulation tools is required, participants will be guided through the process of transforming climate data into meaningful design feedback, with all software being open-source or freely available. Using a pre-constructed parametric facade model, attendees will learn to simulate, evaluate, and evolve envelope systems based on metrics such as airflow performance, radiation shielding, daylight autonomy, and PMV/UTCI comfort indices.
This is a data-grounded, forward-looking workshop that bridges simulation and design intelligence in the context of climate resilience. By the end of the session, attendees will gain hands-on experience in building performance simulation, environmental visualization, and adaptive design strategies that respond to both present and future climates. This workshop is ideal for architects, researchers, educators, and students who want to push the boundaries of performance-driven design in the age of climate adaptation.
Learning Outcomes
- Use climate data and future weather files to evaluate design resilience
- Simulate airflow and natural ventilation performance with Eddy3D (OpenFOAM)
- Conduct solar and daylight analysis for shading system performance
- Evaluate indoor thermal comfort (PMV, UTCI) across different envelope geometries
- Run multi-objective optimizations using Galapagos
- Strategize facade adaptation mechanisms based on simulation feedback
Workshop Schedule
The workshop is designed as a 1-day intensive session (6–7 hours total), ideal for deep immersion and focused learning in an online setting. Alternatively, it can be delivered as a 2-day split format (3–3.5 hours per day) to better accommodate different time zones and reduce screen fatigue.
One-Day Schedule (EST)
| Time | Session Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00–9:30 | Welcome & Introductions | Brief overview of the workshop goals, tools, and shared files |
| 9:30–10:30 | Climate Data + Morphing Future Weather | Analyze regional climate data; learn to morph EPW files for 2050/2080 scenarios using CCWorldWeatherGen |
| 10:30–11:30 | Baseline Envelope Modeling + Radiation/Daylight Simulation | Presenting the 3D model; Use Ladybug Tools to test radiation exposure, sun hours, and daylight performance of base geometry |
| 11:30–12:15 | CFD + Airflow Performance with Eddy3D | Introduction to simplified CFD using Eddy3D; simulate airflow around and through adaptive facade modules |
| 12:15–1:00 | Lunch / Break | — |
| 1:00–2:15 | Thermal Comfort Analysis with Honeybee | Use Honeybee to simulate PMV/UTCI in interior zones under future climate conditions; test facade impacts |
| 2:15–3:30 | Multi-Objective Optimization | Define objectives (e.g., radiation < threshold, UTCI in target range); optimize facade geometry using Galapagos |
| 3:30–4:15 | Design Response Strategies | Explore how simulated data drives adaptation logic; prototype design responses (folding panels, vents, density shifts) |
| 4:15–5:00 | Discussion + Showcase | Present selected results, discuss challenges, future potential, and extensions for physical prototyping |
Workshop Format
One-Day Online Workshop (6–7 hours including breaks) or Two Days Part time
Equipment and Tools Required
- Geometry 3D model (provided)
- Rhino 7 or later (trial version)
- Grasshopper (latest version)
- Ladybug Tools
- Eddy3D (OpenFOAM)
- Galapagos
- EPW future climate files (provided)
Prerequisites
- No prior expertise in simulation tools required
- Basic familiarity with Rhino and Grasshopper helpful but not essential
- Interest in climate-responsive design and building performance simulation
Workshop Outcomes
Participants will leave the workshop with:
- Hands-on experience in building performance simulation and environmental visualization
- Understanding of climate data analysis and future weather scenario modeling
- Practical skills in CFD simulation, solar analysis, and thermal comfort evaluation
- Experience with multi-objective optimization for facade design
- Framework for developing adaptive design strategies based on simulation feedback
- Knowledge of open-source tools for environmental simulation and analysis
