Performance-based and performance-driven architectural design and optimization

As the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is marching into the sustainable and low-carbon era, the performance of architecture has drawn more attention than ever. Simulation technology has made quantified analysis of architectural performance possible and, therefore, directly enables architects and engineers to incorporate performance analysis into the design work flow. It is argued that performance-based and performancedriven architectural designs differ in that the latter involves computer-aided optimization technique so that the performance can be used as the criteria to truly drive the design. The paper starts with a brief introduction of performance issues in architectural design, followed by a review of the evolution of performance-based architectural design. The concept of performance-driven architectural design is presented, and some design projects and research work are reviewed. The driving engine, i. e., optimization technique, and its application in architectural design is discussed. Challenges to making performance-driven design a common practice are explained, and a schematic of integrated performance-based/driven architectural design software is proposed.