Urban Oasis: A Data-Driven Sustainable Design by JTrimble.com

Introduction: The Urban Oasis project presents a visionary blend of urban living and nature, aimed at creating a sustainable, peaceful retreat within the city. The design emphasizes wellness, community engagement, and livability, all while meeting the program’s requirements in a densely populated environment. By utilizing Autodesk Forma, we were able to combine data-driven insights with bold architectural thinking to create a cohesive, nature-centric environment.

Main Concept: The design’s central concept was to meet the program's requirements while maintaining a comfortable climate, ensuring good views from any point on the site, and creating synergy among different zones to foster a cohesive environment. To achieve this, the site was divided into three major zones based on functionality: Residential, Hospitality, Office, and Commercial. Each zone was designed to interact seamlessly with the others, enhancing the overall experience.

Zone Distribution and Parti: The Residential and Hospitality zones were strategically placed in adjacent areas, with Commercial spaces integrated into lower levels and surrounding areas. The Office zones were purposefully connected to both Hospitality and Residential zones, ensuring proximity for people using the Hospitality for business engagements and those who live in the adjacent residential zones. A central axis of circulation runs through the site between the Residential and Hospitality zones. This axis is a key connection to the Office zone on the north side of the site and a major thoroughfare for the Commercial areas, and access to the Harbor.

Design Development Using Forma: Autodesk Forma’s tools were crucial in refining the design. By using the Explore tool, we generated multiple building configurations and selected the most optimal placement for better climate control and enhanced views. The Floor Design tool allowed us to modify floor plates to improve building shapes for optimal daylighting and microclimate conditions. Additionally, large portions of residential roofs were dedicated to green spaces, creating park-like environments with stunning views of the Pacific and the city.

Forma’s Role in Environmental Optimization: Forma’s environmental analyses helped shape critical design decisions, including building orientation to maximize natural light and ventilation, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving indoor environments. By analyzing prevailing winds, we optimized the placement of structures to provide shading and funnel cool air into public spaces, improving comfort in high heat gain areas. Forma’s embodied carbon analysis also guided material selection, ensuring that the project met long-term sustainability goals and minimized its carbon footprint.

Challenges and Solutions: One of the project’s main challenges was balancing the ambitious GFA requirement of 4,500,000 sq. ft. while maintaining ample outdoor space for green areas and community engagement. This GFA was distributed as follows: 1,800,000 sq. ft. for Residential, 1,350,000 sq. ft. for Hospitality, 900,000 sq. ft. for Office, and 450,000 sq. ft. for Commercial. Using Forma’s GFA and zoning analysis tools, we optimized building footprints and identified the best locations for shared amenities. Another challenge was mitigating the urban heat island effect in high heat gain areas. Forma’s wind flow analysis helped strategically place buildings to enhance natural cooling, thus improving outdoor comfort.

Conclusion: In summary, Autodesk Forma empowered us to design a project that not only fulfills its functional and aesthetic goals but also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, livability, and community. The Urban Oasis stands as a testament to the harmonious balance between the built environment and nature. As cities continue to grow, projects like Urban Oasis, supported by data-driven design tools like Forma, will help shape the future of sustainable, resilient urban spaces.