CEEL/Simulation

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Environmental analysis is essential for modern buildings. At Nikken Sekkei, the Environmental Design Studio, an expert team, has been working on developing simulations alongside model tests since the 1980s as a tool for environmental planning, designing, and validation. As computer hardware advances, more complex simulations and visualization through VR (virtual reality) has been the focus and meanwhile, the use of general-purpose simulation tools that are widely usable by engineers and architects are also being studied.

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Engineering

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#Environment

More Advanced and Expanded Environmental Simulations

Simulations are becoming more advanced as environmental analysis tools. The keyword in that development is “linkage.” For example, in linkage with BIM, providing appropriate information for simulations at each design phase is an urgent task. At Nikken Sekkei, we are working on in-house developments such as adding blind and shade calculation functions to simulations for light environment analysis. At the same time, packaged (or unified) environmental and energy calculation tools, etc., which are easy to link with BIM are tested and validated. Major progress in MR (Mixed Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality), as tools which have been revealing things that could not be seen is expected. These are expected to serve as communication tools, to bring clients and the design team together in spaces away from computer monitors. As globalization advances, there is also growing demand for analysis that is required in the environment, and energy, and health certification such as LEED, and WELL. The challenge is to link seamlessly with the world.

Use of VR - Expanding images

Use of VR - Evolution as communication tools

Use of environmental simulations in the design phase

Computational Engineering

CEEL (Computational Environmental Engineering Lab) is a team that was established in our building services design group, prompted by ID200. This young team uses computers for the creation, starting from the environmental aspects that are a major aspect of architecture, and advancing into the engineering of architecture and MEP systems.
They started from the practical application of Rhinoceros + Grasshopper to projects. Case studies of the quantification, visualization, and optimization of environments suggest the efficacy of these design tools for the new age. The selection of parameters is the major debate. The team aims a comprehensive range of perspectives, such as cost, construction time, and the appearance of the building itself, in addition to the environmental aspects.

Providing the Optimum Daylight and Lighting for a Space

Specially developed super-narrow LED spotlights (TOKYO SKYTREE℠, 2012)

Measurement of incoming light into the ducts

The sense of continuity changes depending on how natural light enters the space. Reducing the brightness of the window surface helps maintain the perceived brightness of the interior. (COOP Kyosai Plaza, 2016) Natural light affects the connection of outdoor and indoor spaces and brightness in indoor spaces.
Small brightness contrast between window pane and indoor spaces increases the brightness in indoor space. (Co-op Kyosai Plaza, 2016)

In order to find the optimum relationship between space and light, the project team use model experiment, simulation, measurement and fixture design and proposes natural lighting and illuminated environment. The team also works on researches of negative visual effect of excessive natural light in offices and psychological effect of colored lighting.

Creating Comfortable Spaces by Visualizing Wind and Heat

Study of improved walk-through air conditioners (left: wind speed, right: pressure differential)

Study of
short-circuiting of outdoor units
Radiant air conditioning provides comfort without warming up the whole space

A handy wind environment assessment tool equivalent to wind tunnel test

The project team proposes the optimum wind and heat environment by evaluating the envelope and equipment performance in relation to the district, comfort assessment in radiant heating/cooling environment, etc. The team is also developing a simple wind environment tool using BIM data, useful at the initial design phase.

Creating Comfortable Spaces with the Right Sound in the Right Place

Acoustic simulation to check sound reflection properties (music hall)

〈Left〉Auditory experiments in the lab—a joint research project with Shinichi Sakamoto’s laboratory at the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Industrial Science 〈Right〉The completed practice room (Faculty of Music building, Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music) (Left) Hearing test in a lab - Joint research with the Shinichi Sakamoto lab at Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo
(Right) Completed lesson room (Aichi University of the Arts, Faculty of Music)

Checking by performance tests and measurements (music hall)

Case study of noise attenuating eaves (Joint research with the Shinichi Sakamoto lab at Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo)

The project team designs suitable acoustic environment for various types of spaces such as music halls with rich reverberation, conference rooms with clearly audible sound, and public spaces with lively sound by detailed simulation, experiment and measurement on top of experience and imagination. On-site tuning is particularly essential in music halls.

With the Evolution of Energy Simulations

Case study of a smart energy supply system that efficiently handles the heat and power loads of multiple buildings

Example of annual simulation for automatic plant capacity adjustment

The project team has been developing energy simulation programs starting from ACSS, a thermal load calculation program used in the 1980’s, then FACES, energy simulation and system selection program, LCEM, a life cycle energy management tool, and BEST, a comprehensive energy simulation tool.

The wooden walls are folded like a musical composition to surround the audience

Tokyo College of Music Nakameguro · Daikanyama Campus

The paths and numbers of reflected sounds are analyzed by the sound ray tracing method

A new campus plan themed “A Music University Amid Greenery in Harmony with the City.” The central chamber music hall (422 seats) is designed to create a space that gently and deeply envelops the audience, both architecturally and acoustically. In addition to commercially available acoustic analysis software, we used an in-house application developed by combining Rhinoceros and Grasshopper. By conducting analyses using parameters such as wall shapes, breakpoints, the number of tiers, and widths, we derived the optimal solution that harmonizes design and acoustics.

Striving to achieve both a good lighting environment and energy conservation

Tsu City Industry and Sports Center Saorina / Mie Budokan

Promoting health starts with utilizing natural light. Light tunnels integrated into the structure + high-side windows (Tsu City Industry and Sports Center, Saorina and Mie Budokan, 2017) Health improvement starts from using natural light.
Mirror ducts and clerestory windows are integrated with the structure.

Saorina is a sports facility that saves energy while also ensuring a high quality lighting environment. In addition to the clerestory windows generally used in gymnasiums, mirror ducts are used to bring in daylight throughout the play area, greatly improving the daylight factor. The mirror ducts were built in the structural beams. The quality of light (Color Rendering Index) is also expected to be greatly improved when daylight is combined with artificial lighting.

Average annual illuminance through the mirror ducts (08:00-16:00 in sunny weather) by simulation: 200 lx
Average illuminance during peak light intake through the mirror ducts by simulation: 450 lx

"Urban Farm": Blending everyday urban life with nature, and working together with the local community to cultivate and nurture it

Shanghai Greenland Center / Xuhui Greenland Colorful City (2017) Shanghai Greenland Center / Greenland Being Funny

Aiming to become an “urban farm” that blends everyday life in the city with nature, working and growing together with the community, we go beyond improving this built environment to contribute to the views and environment of the surrounding area.
There is also a plan to mitigate the heat island effect by improving ground surface covering, and to allow the wind to move smoothly through the city.
It is expected to foster the sprouting of new values amid Shanghai’s development rush.

Urban Wind Simulation
When buildings are densely packed, heat builds up in the city, so allowing wind to pass through helps dissipate that heat. The presence of wind makes the temperature feel cooler.

Urban wind simulation

When buildings cluster closely together, their heat builds up, so passing wind though such clusters helps to vent heat. The presence of wind lowers sensible temperature

Simulation of Surface Temperature: While the surface temperature of concrete can rise to 50°C or higher, planting tall trees or laying sod can lower it by about 15°C and help prevent heat reflection. Ground surface temperature simulation
The surface temperature of concrete occasionally rises to 50°C or more, but by planting trees and grass the temperature drop by around 15°C, and these also prevents reflected glare

These ideas originated with "ID200", an activity where about our 200 engineers from the Building Services Design Division propose suggestions each year.

ID200