We will be glad to present our work on “Resilient Green Building Envelopes - A computational method for holistic sustainability assessments and interdisciplinary design decision-making “ and “Multi-Species Prototypes for Sustainable Environments - How does a living walls design affect air pollution in a typical street section?” at The 42nd eCAADe Conference, Nicosia, Cyprus, from September 9th to 13th 2024

Resilient Green Building Envelopes - A computational method for holistic sustainability assessments and interdisciplinary design decision-making. Paper led by Surayyn Uthaya-Selvan

Abstract: Urbanisation catalyses environmental degradation, leading to reduced ecosystem service provisions and compromised human well-being. To mitigate negative anthropocentric impacts, cities draw on sustainable and resilient design strategies. Among these solutions are green envelopes which are highly beneficial in densely populated environments. However, existing sustainability methods lack a comprehensive framework to holistically evaluate the influence of green building envelopes. This paper introduces a computational method for the holistic sustainability evaluation of green envelopes, focusing on climate change impact and material use through strategic indicators. By employing a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making model, our method facilitates the generation and selection of optimised design alternatives aimed at enhancing environmental resilience. We examine the trade-offs between alternatives, prioritising various objectives related to architectural and sustainability performances. The results show that accounting for climate change and material use impacts enhanced trade-offs between design alternatives without compromising key architectural considerations. This research provides valuable insights for resilient envelope designs amidst rising urban environmental complexities.

How does a living walls design affect air pollution in a typical street section?. Paper led by Tanya Saroglou

Abstract: This paper studies the effect of trees and living walls designs in the urban environment, as a measure for increasing biodiversity and enhancing urban air quality. The chosen location is a neighborhood plot in the Mediterranean climate of Tel Aviv, with vibrant pedestrian activity. Simulations are performed using the urban pollution dispersion tool in ENVI-met, for a high-traffic and a low-traffic inner city road, with a focus of airborne particle matter (PM) concentrations. Results depict a winter day that air quality standards were moderate. The different scenarios, with and without trees, and different % of living wall designs and vegetative volumes brought about considerable reductions in airborne PM concentrations. However, the reductions still failed to reach WHO recommended air quality standards. Results point out towards a more holistic framework of green infrastructure strategies that may also include green walls, bicycle routes, less vehicle access, and more.