Cellular Automata Simulation of Three-dimensional Building Heat Loss

Abstract

Conventional design development and simulation methods provide a top-down approach towards exploration of design solutions. This research identifies this limitation and presents a bottom-up approach framework inspired by nature. Natural interaction processes operate based on component to component interaction. This research re-creates such natural interactions using principles of cellular automata and complexity. Developed simulation models represent the various components of the building fabric and re-create complex natural processes such as heat-loss. The result is an emergent pattern in response to the heat-loss process. This pattern can be utilised as a starting point by designers for design exploration. The contribution of this research is that, through this bottom-up approach it visualises the complex interaction processes of heat-loss and empowers built-environment professionals with a stronger understanding of the building behaviour.