Comparison and Validation of Two Simulation Workflows for Courtyard Microclimates

Abstract

The simulation of urban microclimates in a way that is flexible enough to be included in the early design stages is still a problem to be solved. Furthermore, the necessity to find a balance between accuracy, provided by the use of CFD software requiring high computational power, operational speed and integration with the modelling tool, is an even more complex challenge. Accordingly, this research investigates t he u se o f t he L adybug T ools, a s et o f plugins for Grasshopper that links analysis and design, in a hybrid workflow, to simulate the thermodynamic performance of courtyards, a transitional space of buildings that is proven to be a passive design strategy to reduce energy consumption. The results show that the hybrid workflow has a similar accuracy to the integrated CFD tool analyzed, but having the advantage of using the same design interface. It also provides the transparency of an opensource software and the possibility of improving the result in further research.