phtj_utils bug fix

The display attribute node (displays the scale bar) in the phtj_utils.otl hase had some bugs fixed.

• phtj_utils.otl

Competition

I will be busy until 2.20pm, so please make a start and analyse the information on the Vertical Cities Asia website.

• http://verticalcitiesasia.com/

Houdini license server restarted

I just checked with Sek. It seems that the license server crashed over the weekend - not sure why. Sek has restarted it this morning, and Houdini should be working again now.

phtj_utils

I have added one more node to phtj_utils. This node allows you to display any numeric attribute, and also generates a colour bar. The zip file contains an example of using the new node.

• test_display_attribute.zip
• phtj_utils.otl  

The node was originally developed by Zhang Ji at CSAC, NUS. I have changed a few bits and pieces here an there.

Houdini license server

The Houdini license server is down, so Houdini is not running in teh labs. To be fair to everyone, the deadline will be extended until Wed 16th Feb.

• Monday 14th Feb, we will meet at 2pm to discuss the studio project - Vertcial Cities Asia.
  
• Wednesday 16th Feb, we will meet at 2pm for presentations of assignment 2 for the elective.

Houdini help

I just saw some great new help documents (PDF files) for Houdini, on the sidefx website:

• Introduction
• Quickstart
• Nodes

Vertical Cities Asia

For the studio, we will be using the Vertical Cities Asia competition as a vehicle for IVP.

On Monday will be the presentations for assignment 2 of the elective. However, I have just found out that there will also be a briefing for the Vertical Cities Asia competition, at 3pm on Monday, in the urban design studio.

So we will have to move the presentations forwards a bit:

• From 12.30pm to 3pm: 6 students
• From 3pm to 4.30pm: Vertical Cities Asia briefing
• From 4.30 to 6.30: 5 students

http://verticalcitiesasia.com/

EnergyPlus V2.3

Another bug fix:

• shades were being assigned to the wrong surfaces

For consistency, I have put it back in the original zip file as usual (but only the otl file has changed - the rest is the same).

• phtj_energyplus.zip

EnergyPlus V2.2

Some more bug fixes for the energy plus nodes:

• windows were being assigned to the wrong surfaces
• the data folder generated an error when the name was changed

I have fixed these bugs - a new phtj_energyplus.otl file has been created . For consistency, I have put it back in the original zip file as usual (but note that only the otl file has changed - the rest is the same).

• phtj_energyplus.zip

phtj_shapely

I have uploaded the shapely node, originally created by Kian Wee Chen.  Here it is:

• phtj_shapely.zip

There are a few files and folders in the zip.

The phtj_shapely.otl needs to be copied to your otls directory

The shapely folder (including the folder itself) needs to be copied to:
...\Houdini 11.0.xxx\python26\lib\site-packages

There are two geo folders, one for 32 bit windows, and another for 64 bit windows. Choose the folder for your version of windows, and copy the files in that folder to
  ...\Houdini 11.0.xxx\python26\dlls

EnergyPlus V2.1

I have fixed a few bugs in the energy plus nodes. Now you can create attributes for more than 3 zones (50 max). And you can get heating and cooling for zones. And I simplified some of the naming of the attributes.

You can use the same download link as before - phtj_energyplus.zip

Note that I have not yet fixed the boundary bug - if you are doing floating zones, you still need to select both 'Roof boundary is floor' and 'Floor boundary is roof'.

EnergyPlus V2

The new version of the energy plus nodes are here! It has some more friendly nodes for creating attributes required for the energy plus simulation. Also, the energyplus_link node now allows you to specify internal gains, and also link floors and roofs (as discussed at the end of monday).

• phtj_energyplus.zip

Like last time, there are a few files and folders in the zip.

The phtj_energyplus.otl needs to be copied to your otls directory

The py2energyplus folder need to be copied to:
...\Houdini 11.0.504\python26\lib\site-packages

The base.idf and the test.hip can be anywhere, but must be together in the same folder.

Do not save anything in folder with spaces e.g. "My Documents"

EnergyPlus V1

After some delay (it is already nearly 3pm!), here is the EnergyPlus node. I was trying to fix a bug - I have half fixed it, but I will do another update tomorrow. For the meantime, we can get started with this one:

• phtj_sim.zip

There are a few files and folders in the zip.

The phtj_sim.otl needs to be copied to your otls directory

The py2energyplus folder need to be copied to:
...\Houdini 11.0.504\python26\lib\site-packages

The base.idf and the test.hip can be anywhere, but must be together in the same folder. Do not save in folder with spaces such as "My Documents".

phtj_chops

Here is the chops otl file. Also, the phtj_utils otl has been updated - a few bugs have been fixed.

• phtj_chops.otl
• phtj_utils.otl
• phtj_urban.otl 

Elective (AR5953a) Assignment 2

Assignment 2 for the elective (A5953a) is due in Monday 14th Feb. You will be asked to prepare a 15 minute presentation, using slides and video captures of Houdini. You need to create an A3 landscape booklet documenting your presentation. The assignment is worth 50% of the grade for the elective.

• The site is a large block (175m x 185m) based on a site in Marina Bay area. Please see the houdini file for more details. An abstract model of surrounding buildings has been generated using the densities from the URA 2008 plan.
• The task is to develop a proposal for a mixed-use urban morphology that is high density and that also provides good quality of life.
• Mixed-use in this case means office, residential, and commercial. The number of people working in the building should be equal to the number of people living in it.
• High density means an overall plot ratio of 13 (i.e. 420,000 sq meters). This is the plot ratio that has been set by the URA. Car parking should also be considered, and is not included in the area calculations.
• Good quality of life means thinking about various issues that make life enjoyable. These will include daylight, ventilation, views, privacy, open spaces, noise, etc. The importance of these issues will be different for residential, commercial , and office.

The aim of this brief is for you to demonstrate your own IVP design methodology. Therefore, the main focus is on the process rather than on the final outcome. You will need to show how you have used the IVP tools and techniques to achieve the final outcome.

Some other links:

• For more information on plot ratio
  http://www.ura.gov.sg/circulars/text/dcdgfahb_d0e127.htm#d0e144
• The URA development guidelines
  http://www.ura.gov.sg/circulars/text/dcdnrhb_d0e4.htm
• The general design guidelines for tall buildings should be followed
  Tall Buildings: A strategic design guide

Here are some key areas:

• Parking: 20 m2 per car
• Residential: 30 m2 per person
• Flat: 90 m2
• People per flat: 3.5 people
• Office: 20m2 per person