Modeling Tips For Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
For those to are interested in designing a net-zero, multi-unit residential project, we compiled a few modeling tips below that you should follow.
There should two zone types in the building, apartments and circulation areas. The minimum depth for each zone - with the exception of any sharp exterior edges - is 3m. The default zone templates are Apartment and Corridor for your site’s climate zone and Multifamily Housing
You may treat each apartment as a single closed volume (brep) and ignore any within-unit walls. The floor-to-floor height should be 3m. Individual apartment may vary in size between 35m2 and 150m2 with the default number of occupants as follows
Dividing a floor plate into apartments and circulation areas is a complicated task. Below you see some example floorplan layouts.
Each apartment should have a home office area. The glare analysis will focus on that area.
For the daylight availability study, you may want to consider both the default reference schedule of 8am to 6pm every day as well as the custom occupancy schedule that you define for your apartment zones. (optional)
In a mixed-use urban zone, the ground floor may be retail/commercial (optional).
To develop the project, go through the following Design Exercises: Climate, Benchmark & PV, Daylight Precedences + Massing Study, Daylight Availability Study, Visual Comfort, Electric Lighting, Thermal Model Setup, EUI Study and HVAC Design. If you are taking 4.401/4.464, your final presentation should draw from these design exercises. You are welcome/encouraged to add additional work to create a coherent project narrative . This skeleton presentation provides additional tips.