Hyperborea, the New Garden City
My concept of Hyperborea is based on revisiting the idea of the garden city, originally developed by Sir Ebenezer Howard (1850–1928). His sociological and urban planning ideas were presented in his 1898 book Tomorrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform, later revised and expanded in 1902 under the title Garden Cities of Tomorrow. He proposed replacing large industrial cities with smaller communities surrounded by agricultural land, blending urban life with the countryside.
Climate change and global overheating are largely caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving balance is only possible if we significantly reduce these emissions and restore the natural habitats that have been eradicated by human activity.
I envision the city of the future as a place where advanced technology and nature coexist in harmony. A future in which societies no longer depend on fossil fuels is possible, because today we already have the tools necessary to make this change.
Facades with a Focus on Solar Control and Daylighting Performance
To evaluate the natural lighting conditions of interior spaces, I calculate the average daylight illuminance under overcast sky conditions, using this scenario as the baseline for minimum daylight availability. My goal is to ensure that interior spaces achieve a minimum illuminance of 300 lux across at least 55% to 75% of the occupied area, in alignment with LEED daylighting performance criteria. By optimizing facade design to control solar radiation while maximizing useful daylight, I reduce glare and overheating while improving visual comfort. This strategy significantly decreases the reliance on artificial lighting, leading to lower energy consumption and contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, supporting LEED objectives related to energy efficiency, occupant well-being, and environmental performance.
Study of Direct Sunlight Access (Hours of Sun Exposure)
I conduct this study to determine whether interior spaces will receive excessive direct sunlight that could lead to increased indoor temperatures or glare issues. The calculation of direct sunlight hours can be carried out independently of the specific regulation or certification system being pursued, as each certification establishes its own required threshold values. For example, LEED recommends that regularly occupied spaces should not exceed 250 hours of direct sunlight per year in more than 10% of the floor area. If any space is found to be overexposed, facade shading systems become necessary to prevent glass overheating, along with interior shading solutions to mitigate glare during periods when the sun is at a low angle.
Additional note: all of the content presented on this page was produced by me. I developed the 3D models using Rhino and Grasshopper, performed environmental analysis with Ladybug and Honeybee, and created the renderings in V-Ray. Post-processing was carried out using AI-based tools to enhance realism and achieve more dramatic lighting effects.
