Environmentally responsive by design

This research module, which serves as the foundation to various other project at the lab, develops a holistic workflow for evaluating and optimising urban block designs through an integrated lens of energy performance, microclimate, and environmental quality. Building on Jonathan Natanian’s doctoral research, the project combines parametric design tools with advanced simulation engines to assess building energy use, surface energy balance, outdoor thermal comfort, and solar access across annual conditions. This unified approach enables rapid comparison of alternative morphologies and reveals key trade-offs between density, form, and liveability-particularly in hot and Mediterranean climates. By shifting the focus from narrow zero-energy targets to broader environmental quality, the project offers designers and policymakers a practical, evidence-based methodology for shaping climate-responsive districts and supporting more sustainable, comfortable urban environments.