Parametric Facade Development of skyscraper in Hong Kong by rat[LAB] Studio

Introduction to Parametric Facade:

Parametric design for Facade is the application of computational strategies to the design process. While Designers traditionally rely on intuition and experience to solve design problems, Computational Design aims to enhance the process by encoding design decisions using a computer language. The result is a graphic representation of the steps required to achieve the end design of the Facade. It allows collaborations with the Architects wherein a Facade Design Consultancy can be provided, which focuses on Parametric Design methods that will enable a wide range of design possibilities and fabrication options.

rat[LAB] Studio undertakes independent Facade Design projects by using advanced methods of designing through an algorithmic workflow. One of the recent projects by the studio was a Form and Skin development for a skyscraper project in Hong Kong where Parametric Design Methods were used to design an environmentally conscious adaptive[skin] that could create a breathing effect using sustainable design strategies guided by the studio. The studio won the competition project and was awarded the First Prize in the International Competition for Design of Skyscraper.

The Inception of the Project:

rat[LAB] was invited to collaborate on this project to facilitate on the design using Parametric Design and Computational Techniques involving Form Finding Strategies, Construction Strategies, Facade and Building Skin Design and Parametric Workflow. An algorithmic process of designing has been followed through creating a differentiated array of a hexagonal floor plate that variably changes scale based on environmental criteria, functional aspects, structural logics as well as aesthetic parameters. A central core holds the two towers that rise about 290 metres above the ground level carrying a twisting form encapsulated by a triangulated exoskeleton leaving clear floor plates for functional distribution. The rotational and scaling aspects of floor plates around the central core creates a folding form that grows high to create an amorphous building form with external vertical courts and atriums that spiral around the towers in two different directions as per climatic aspects. A subtle rotation of floor plates that start from 0 Degree at Ground Level to 90 Degree at the Top is designed clockwise and anticlockwise in Tower A and Tower B, looking at shadow studies, solar insolation, local and global wind movements and structural logics.

Design Philosophy:

A multi-objective optimization is carried out to create a novel form where two dynamic looking towers connect at three distinct levels with structural bridges formed by triangulated trusses that stretch out from triangulated exoskeleton. While 70% of Facade panels are static and their size determines the amount of light and heat on the building Facade, 30% of panels are designed as Kinetic Panels to control the amount of daylight and solar insolation required by the building for different parts of the day and seasons.

The adaptive Facade system used in the project has been an evolving research of the studio demonstrated through adaptive[skins] project research at MAK Center, Los Angeles (2014), initiated at AA School of Architecture, London (2012) and articulated in the building skin design of Tokyo Shopping Center project by rat[LAB] in 2016-17.

Shortly, we are likely to see more projects realized in India that smartly use Parametric Design and Computational Methods as innovation in Facade industry can take place here with a collaborative effort by all stakeholders – Designers, Consultants, Manufacturer, Suppliers, and Contractors.