Integrated Architectural and Environmental Performance-Driven Form-Finding A teaching case study in Montreal

The proposed paper presents the methodology and the outcomes of an intensive conception studio taught by the authors at the School of architecture of the University of Montreal having as objective the introduction of 3rd year architecture students to environmental evaluation and optimization techniques linked by the parametric design and the generative creation of architectural object. As opposed to mostly analysis-based approaches, an integration with architectural and urban design concepts was considered to be a more efficient method to initiate architecture students in environmental performance-driven design. The novelty of the course lays in the development of an integrative teaching method having as educational goals the development of environmental analysis skills, the creative use of digital tools, the conception of a coherent optimization process and the ability to represent a performance-driven design process.