UBC Graduate Research

Simulating Intuition : Explorations of an Applied Fluid Vernacular Caddy, Stephen

Abstract

As society furthers its understandings of the impact architectural design decisions can impose on natural processes, the desire for architectural projects to show increased awareness of technical thinking is becoming invaluable. However, traditional architectural pedagogy offers limited technical training. This lack of holistic understanding on the designer’s behalf supports a perpetual reliance on external specialists to carry out performance analysis. This thesis is an exploration on effective design process augmentation in the attempt to create performative design tools that are accessible to a wider range of design experts. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the realm of simulation and computer aided design that engages the multiphysics coupling of flow kinetics and heat transfer. Through the knowability of CFD, this thesis hypothesizes that mixed mode ventilation can become more accessible if it approaches the reliability of mechanical systems. But to what extent is simulating digital environments a necessity. Through processes of experimentation, the thesis provides insight on the simulated versus the intuitive. Could a more fluidly aware architecture be achievable through cognitive processes alone? Can adjustments to architectural teaching provide just as much effective fluid design as the most cutting-edge building simulation techniques? The development of this fluid vernacular is carried out in the creation of an office space that utilizes waste heat flows generated from an adjoining data center facility. In what new ways can designing for fluid efficiencies not only provide improved comfort but create new avenues of tangible architectural experience.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International