Parametric Modelling on The Shenzhen World Exhibition and Conference Centre

Shikha Bhardwaj presented ChapmanBDSP's finalist entry for the 2018 CIBSE Building Simulation Group Prize at Build 2 Perform in November 2018.  The fast paced 5 minute presentation can be seen here.  The judges were impressed with how challenges relating to the scale of the project was overcome as well as language barriers with excellent visual communication.  

Shika discusses their winning entry below.  Click the link above to view the winning presentation.

The project will provide 400,000m2 of prime exhibition when completed next year. Designed by French architectural firms Valode et Pistre and AUBEit, it contains a 1.8km long air-conditioned walkway connecting 19 hall spaces. About 50m wide, the walkway has two levels - upper for transit the lower for breakout spaces - with multiple entrances and an independent roof open to the elements at the sides.

Our work, together with V&P, included simulating the impact of wind-driven precipitation, multi-parameter optimisation of the corridor roof design and thermal and visual comfort modelling. This was achieved during a ‘small window’ less than four months before finalisation of tender design. We believe that wind-driven precipitation modelling on this scale is unprecedented.

The main outcomes of the simulations and design guidance was to:

•         Confirm distribution, pattern and specification of transparent and opaque roof elements including solar protection;
•         Propose solutions for improving lower-level daylighting;
•         Develop roof edge detailing (louvres) to minimise rain penetration towards the centre;
•         Propose solutions for improved thermal comfort through natural and mechanical means.

Simulations were carried out using XFlow software (CFD) for wind, rain and thermal studies, Grasshopper (daylighting and UTCI) and EDSL-TAS (thermal).

Written by Shikha Bhardwaj - Posted by Darren Coppins - CIBSE Building Simulation Group Vice Chair