Intelligent Exploration in Sustainable Design

This book focuses on green, low-carbon innovation and the integration of advanced technologies, providing a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge digital architecture. Drawing from the DigitalFUTURES workshops held between 2021 and 2024, it showcases 22 diverse projects that explore the synergy between architectural design and state-of-the-art tools like artificial intelligence, machine learning, parametric modeling, and genetic algorithms. The workshops are centered around themes such as "Environmental AI in Design," "AI for Carbon Neutral Cities," "Decoding Morphcarbon Causality," and "Intelligent Reconstruction of Multiphysical Fields," bringing together students and professionals from various disciplines to explore new intersections in digital architecture. As China transitions from focusing on "incremental" construction to "stock" development, the book addresses the severe challenges posed by global warming and the country's ambitious carbon neutrality goals. As a major contributor to carbon emissions, the construction industry faces an urgent need for transformation. Through practical exploration of environmental intelligence in design, the book provides solutions for creating more sustainable built environments. By integrating digital tools and exploring new approaches such as multi-objective optimization and interpretable AI, it demonstrates how architects can respond to the demands of a rapidly changing world. Each chapter is structured around key aspects of the projects, including background, research pathways, and future significance. The book also highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, showcasing the outcomes of international participants who have integrated their knowledge into these innovative projects. Detailed diagrams, technical workflows, and video content offer readers a dynamic and hands-on understanding of these research findings. Focusing on how parametric design, AI, and machine learning can optimize energy efficiency, enhance urban planning, and tackle environmental challenges, this book serves as a crucial resource for students, researchers, and industry professionals. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the convergence of architecture, technology, and sustainability, offering insights into the potential of digital tools to reshape the future of architecture.

Dr. Jiawei Yao is an associate professor at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, and he received his Master and Ph.D degree in the University of Nottingham, UK. His main research interest is in performance-based building digital design. Currently, he is the deputy director of the Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Digital Construction of Buildings, a member of the Professional Committee of Computational Design of the Architectural Society of China, and the deputy secretary-general of the Digital Architecture Branch of the Architectural Society of Shanghai. He has presided over 3 projects of National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2 provincial and ministerial level research projects, and published more than 50 papers in Chinese and English based on the innovative research results of the theory, methodology and tools of "Intelligent Design for Green and Low Carbon Buildings", as well as the book "Environmental Artificial Intelligence in Design" (ISBN 978-7-5765-0996-0).