Abstract
Morphologies of Shade explores the design of a computationally optimized pavilion for the rooftop of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Barcelona. The project responds to the environmental challenges of excessive solar exposure and strong wind conditions that limit the usability of the rooftop throughout the day.
Inspired by natural canopy systems, topographic landscapes, and adaptive biological skins, the pavilion develops a lightweight cellular structure capable of providing shade, comfort, and spatial enclosure while maintaining visual openness. Through an integrated computational workflow combining Kangaroo form-finding, Ladybug environmental analysis, and Wallacei multi-objective optimization, the project evaluates multiple design iterations and selects an optimized morphology based on environmental performance and spatial quality.
The resulting pavilion demonstrates how computational design tools can generate responsive architectural systems that balance form, performance, and user experience within a dynamic urban environment.
Site Context
Located on the rooftop of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Barcelona, the project site serves as an informal gathering space for students and faculty. While the rooftop benefits from expansive views and natural ventilation, its elevated position exposes it to intense solar radiation and strong wind conditions throughout the year. These environmental factors significantly affect thermal comfort and limit the usability of the space during large portions of the day.
Morphologies of Shade proposes a responsive architectural intervention that enhances environmental comfort through computationally optimized shading and spatial enclosure. By mediating solar exposure while maintaining openness and airflow, the pavilion transforms the rooftop into a more inviting and adaptable social environment for learning, collaboration, and relaxation.
Design Inspiration
The design draws inspiration from natural canopy systems, flowing landscapes, and wind-shaped topographies. These organic formations demonstrate how geometry can respond to environmental forces while creating comfort and shelter. Translating these principles into architecture, the pavilion develops a lightweight cellular canopy that provides shade, spatial openness, and a strong connection to nature.
Biomimetic Design Concept
Inspired by the efficiency of natural skin systems, the pavilion adopts a cellular geometry that balances shading, ventilation, and openness. The design translates biological principles into a responsive architectural structure optimized for environmental performance.
Design Methodology
The project follows an integrated computational workflow that combines form-finding, environmental analysis, and multi-objective optimization. Starting from the rooftop boundary, pavilion geometries are generated and evaluated through solar radiation analysis. Performance metrics are extracted and fed into an optimization process to identify design solutions that balance environmental performance, openness, and spatial quality.
Computational Workflow
The computational workflow integrates three key tools. Kangaroo is used for form-finding and geometry generation, Ladybug evaluates solar radiation and shading performance, and Wallacei performs multi-objective optimization. Together, these tools enable the generation and selection of environmentally responsive pavilion typologies.
Form Finding with Kangaroo
The pavilion geometry was generated through a form-finding process using Kangaroo Physics. By defining fixed anchor points and movable mesh vertices, the system simulates structural relaxation to produce efficient and naturally flowing forms. This process establishes the spatial framework that guides the subsequent stages of environmental analysis and optimization.
From Form to Pavilion Geometry
The relaxed Kangaroo geometry is transformed into an architectural system through mesh refinement, offset operations, and thickness control. Cellular openings are introduced to enhance porosity, daylight penetration, and ventilation while maintaining structural continuity across the pavilion surface.
Environmental Analysis
Environmental performance was evaluated using Ladybug Tools and Barcelona weather data. Solar radiation simulations identified areas of high and low exposure across the rooftop. These results informed the development of shading strategies and provided quantitative performance data for the optimization stage.
Multi-Objective Optimization
Wallacei was used to evaluate multiple design generations based on environmental and spatial objectives. Key performance criteria included openness, opening ratio, surface area, and solar performance. Through evolutionary optimization, the system identified pavilion configurations that achieved an effective balance between shading, visibility, and material efficiency.
Optimized Pavilion Design
The selected pavilion morphology emerges from the integration of form-finding, environmental simulation, and optimization. The resulting structure provides extensive shaded areas while maintaining permeability, visual openness, and spatial flexibility for different rooftop activities.
Human Experience and Spatial Quality
The pavilion creates comfortable social and working environments by filtering sunlight and generating dynamic patterns of light and shadow. The cellular structure encourages interaction while maintaining strong visual connections to the surrounding urban context.
Final Visualization
The final proposal transforms the IAAC rooftop into a responsive outdoor environment that supports collaboration, relaxation, and informal learning. The pavilion demonstrates how computational design methodologies can generate architectural systems that are both performative and experientially rich.
