The Facade Team
Team Vision
Group Topic
- Adaptive facade
- Energy efficiency
- Smart architectural systems.
Kinetic Component
Envelope Development
- Panelization
- Planarization
- Facade Types
Hyper Building A is a self-sustaining, energy-efficient project designed to seamlessly integrate into Japanese culture. The design follows the 15-minute walk theory, organizing the building into distinct neighborhoods to promote accessibility and community interaction.
The vision for this project is centered around energy efficiency, adaptive facades, and smart architectural systems. A primary focus has been the development of a kinetic component inspired by nature—a flower-like mechanism that dynamically opens and closes to optimize energy performance.
To achieve this, the building’s envelope has been carefully developed through panelization, planarization, and the exploration of various facade types, ensuring a performance-driven design that balances efficiency and adaptability.
The project is structured into specialized sub-teams focusing on data, services, industrial functions, structure, residential spaces, and facade design. The facade team is responsible for implementing these adaptive strategies to enhance sustainability and architectural innovation.
Overall
Overall view of HyperA in LOD 200
Flower
Kinetic Facade Revit Family
Neighbourhood
Zoom in of Neighbourhood No2 HyperA in LOD 300
Zoom in Details
Detailed Zoom in of a part HyperA in LOD 350
In this presentation, the documentation process of the project in Revit using Rhino.Inside.Revit (RIR) will be outlined.
The workflow followed these key steps:
- Starting with a Level of Detail (LOD) 200 mass, defining the overall building shape.
- Developing the kinetic flower as a Revit family, ensuring adaptability within the facade system.
- Zooming into a specific neighborhood, refining its structural and facade components, and analyzing its performance.
- Detailing the integration of the kinetic flower within the facade panels and overall structure.
Overall
Integrating the Design into Revit
A structured process was followed to integrate the design into Revit, ensuring precision and adaptability:
- Early-stage mass modeling – The initial mass model was imported into Revit to establish the building’s foundation.
- Panelization of neighborhoods – The building was divided into distinct neighborhoods, enabling localized control and design variation.
- Facade type identification – Each section of the facade was designed to respond to functional needs and environmental conditions.
- Application of facade elements, including:
- Glass panels for transparency and natural light.
- Kinetic flower components for dynamic shading and energy efficiency.
- Opaque panels with integrated photovoltaics (PV) for sustainable energy generation.
- Voids and open spaces to enhance airflow and circulation.
This approach ensured a performance-driven facade that balances aesthetics, sustainability, and adaptability.
Flower
Development of the Kinetic Facade Component
The kinetic facade was designed to enhance adaptability and energy efficiency. The development process followed these key steps:
- Revit family creation – Adaptive points were used to ensure seamless integration of the flower mechanism within the hexagonal panel system.
- Sub-family development – A dedicated petal sub-family was created, allowing precise control over movement and enabling dynamic opening and closing based on external conditions.
- Integration within the facade – Once the kinetic family was defined, it was incorporated into the hexagonal panels that had been generated earlier during the building’s panelization process.
This approach ensured a responsive and performance-driven facade that adapts to environmental factors while maintaining aesthetic and functional integrity.
Neighbourhood
Identifying Facade Types & Mesh Complexity
The development of the hexagonal mesh introduced unavoidable 5- and 7-sided polygons, which required careful analysis and optimization. This process involved:
- Mapping the occurrence of irregular polygons within the facade system.
- Quantifying variations to understand the distribution of non-hexagonal panels.
- Ensuring constructability by documenting irregularities and refining the panelization strategy for efficiency.
By addressing these complexities early in the design process, the facade system maintained both geometric integrity and feasibility for fabrication.
Solar Radiation Analysis & PV Panel Optimization
This analysis focuses on Neighborhood 5, evaluating solar exposure to optimize photovoltaic (PV) panel placement. Key steps included:
- Calculating solar exposure for each solid panel to identify the most efficient PV panel locations.
- Strategic placement of PV panels to maximize energy generation while maintaining facade functionality.
- A data-driven approach ensuring that the building actively enhances energy efficiency and sustainability.
By integrating solar analysis into the design process, the facade contributes to the project’s self-sustaining energy goal
Details
Exploded Diagram – Kinetic Flower Integration
This exploded drawing provides a detailed breakdown of the kinetic flower’s integration within the facade system:
- Structural connections and attachment points – Showcasing how the flower mechanism is securely fixed within the panel system.
- Facade integration – Illustrating the attachment of the flower to the glass panels and structural frame, ensuring feasibility in fabrication and assembly.
- Transition from concept to construction – This level of detail was essential in refining the parametric model into a buildable architectural system.
By documenting these relationships, the design process ensured precision, constructability, and seamless implementation within the overall facade.
Elevation Analysis – Panel & Glass Properties
This analysis examines how different facade panels dynamically open and close to regulate shading and daylight penetration.
- Adaptive shading control – Panels adjust based on solar exposure, optimizing interior lighting and reducing glare.
- Daylight penetration analysis – Glass properties are evaluated to balance natural illumination and thermal performance.
- Data-driven optimization – Insights from solar analysis guide panel behavior, ensuring an efficient, performance-driven facade system.
By integrating real-time environmental data, the facade enhances energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and overall building sustainability.
Optimizing Glass Panel Dimensions for Fabrication
The glass panel dimensions were carefully optimized to enhance manufacturing efficiency and reduce material waste. Key considerations included:
- Standardizing panel sizes to streamline fabrication and assembly while minimizing excess material.
- Direct data extraction from Revit, ensuring accurate documentation and efficient implementation in the construction process.
- Bridging the gap between parametric design and real-world workflows, allowing seamless transition from digital modeling to fabrication.
This approach ensured a cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient facade system, aligning with the project’s performance-driven goals.
Total Elements
