Performance-Driven Digital Design Methods of Early-Stage Architectural Design: Investigations on Auditoriums and Room Acoustics

Auditoriums require both acoustic performance and aesthetic values, while the efficiency of the current design process could be improved for architects to better realize these two goals. Herein a new design process of auditoriums integrating digital design methods is proposed and implemented, aiming to provide architects with real-time architectural and acoustic feedback in the schematic design stage. The new design process contains three parts: (1) a parametric model of auditorium in Rhinoceros using Component-Based Method, which can generate varied auditorium designs automatically; (2) an interface connecting Rhinoceros and CATT, which supplements the input, manipulation, and output of CATT to facilitate architects’ utilization in auditorium designs; (3) a design aiding tool based on Support Vector Machine, which can provide architects with quick acoustic tests, acoustic potential analysis of forms, and suggestions for design modifications.