A Novel Multi-Criteria Workflow Based on Reverse Solar Envelopes for the Design of Residential Clusters

his paper proposes a novel multi-criterion workflow based on Reverse Solar Envelopes (RSEs) for the design of residential clusters. This eight-step semi-automatic workflow was implemented as a new open-source Grasshopper plug-in for Rhinoceros and used to design building envelopes in two existing urban areas located at different latitudes. In each iteration, a building massing optimization was conducted in terms of the Floor area ratio (FAR) and ratio of the facade with a certain level of solar access (SAr). It was possible to find, in one hour per plot of computation time, the trade-off design solution for different minimum solar access (SA) requirements. Maximum relative difference in terms of each new building's trade-off performance ranges between 65% and 200%. The consideration of stricter SA requirements could compromise FAR values in high latitudes. Moreover, the method could provide design solutions that largely fulfill the requirements without increasing the computation time.