Integrating acoustic analysis in the architectural design process using parametric modelling

This paper discusses how parametric modeling techniques can be used to provide architectural designers with a better understanding of the acoustic performance of their designs and provide acoustic engineers with models that can be analyzed using computational acoustic analysis software. Architects are increasingly using parametric modeling techniques in their design processes to allow the exploration of large numbers of design options using multiple criteria. Parametric modeling software can be performance-driven and sound has the potential to become one of these performance-driven dimensions. This can provide a method by which architects and engineers can work together more efficiently and communicate better. This research is illustrated through the design of an architectural project, a new school in Copenhagen, Denmark by JJW Architects, where parametric modeling techniques have been used in different ways. This paper documents six parametric design strategies and how these concepts can apply to the design of sonic effects and the integration of acoustic analysis. This paper demonstrates that acoustic design concepts can be used to control the parametric model, and that through parametric modeling, acoustic performance can inform the geometry and material logic of the design. In this way, the architectural design and the acoustic analysis model become linked.