As an extension to our Digital Matter studio project, KINXA, developed the computational design portion utilizing Grasshopper to combine both the use climate analyses and optimizing tools to help us generate the most suitable design iteration for our project.
PROJECT CONTEXT
KINXA’s Mission:
KINXA aims to bring vernacular construction back into contemporary architecture by systemizing traditional “quincha”. At the same time, through a redesigned material system, KINXA seeks to take advantage of local resources and lower even more its precedent carbon footprint.
KINXA is a service offering a platform that bridges us (the company) to the client in every step of the process.
KINXA will carry out an initial site assessment to understand the resources available and the conditions that will determine the optimal design–considering the following parameters:
- opening heights and widths
- arches height
COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN GOAL
We built a case study design for a Community Center composed of a main auditory, a cafe and a library. Each of these main programs is located in the three building blocks of the whole compound. The cafe and library are connected by a series of arches to both create shading while allowing light into this walkway.
The goal is to use Ladybug to create climate analyses and Galapagos to optimize the opening of the windows (width and height) as well as the arch height in two different weather conditions during the period of time. We will be comparing the performance and most suitable combination of these parameters for Villa La Angostura, Argentina and Chihuahua, Mexico during June 21st.
The analyses of these 2 parameters has been done separately as we are considering the conditions of both the interior of the buildings (cafe and library) and the walkway under the arches independently.
Mexico and Argentina Highlighted World Map, Made with QGIS
Chihuahua. Chihuahua, Mexico Map, Made with QGIS
Season: Summer
Average High: 34°C (93°F)
Average Low: 22°C (72°F)
Conditions: Hot and dry
Minimize:
the total incident radiation – lower the amount of heat entering the buildings
Maximize:
the area of the windows’ openings – reduce the heat retained inside the buildings
Villa La Angostura, Neuquén, Argentina Map, Made with QGIS
Season: Winter
Average High: 5°C (41°F)
Average Low: -1°C (30°F)
Conditions: Cold, with frequent rain and snow
Maximize:
the total incident radiation – allow for more heating inside the main buildings
Minimize:
the area of the windows’ openings – reduce the most heat loss
PSEUDO CODE: GEOMETRY
PSEUDO CODE: ANALYSIS & OPTMIZATION
ITERATIONS CATALOGUE
Catalogue for Chihuahua. Mexico
Catalogue for Villa La Angostura, Argentina
ANIMATION
RENDERS
Archway in Chihuahua, Mexico, Made with Lumion and Photoshop
Archway in Villa La Angostura, Argentina, Made with Lumion and Photoshop
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chihuahua June Weather, Average Temperature (Mexico) – Weather Spark. https://weatherspark.com/m/11289/6/Average-Weather-in-June-in-Chihuahua-Mexico. Accessed 25 May 2025.
Villa La Angostura June Weather, Average Temperature (Argentina) – Weather Spark. https://weatherspark.com/m/25787/6/Average-Weather-in-June-in-Villa-La-Angostura-Argentina. Accessed 25 May 2025.
