University: Illinois Institute of Technology
During my Master of Science at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, I developed an urban design proposal for Shenzhen’s Central Business District, envisioning a Zero-Carbon city. Spanning one square kilometer, the project focused on seamlessly integrating passenger drone transportation as a key mobility solution. The urban form and building typologies were meticulously designed to align with sustainability goals, creating a futuristic cityscape that balances innovation with environmental responsibility.
An alternative design approach further emphasized the optimization of solar and wind energy through parametric modeling and performance-driven strategies. Using environmental simulations with Ladybug and Honeybee, I analyzed solar exposure, wind patterns, and shading efficiencies to inform the placement and height of buildings. The design strategically expanded horizontal surfaces at various elevations to enhance solar capture while maximizing ground-level shading. Executed entirely through a Grasshopper script, the project demonstrated how computational tools can drive sustainable urban development by integrating environmental data into form generation.
