Open Semester & Master Thesis Project Topics
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Vertical Extensions: A Technological-Ecological Analysis through archetyping
Urban densification in cities like Zurich necessitates sustainable strategies that address environmental, social, and economic priorities. Vertical extensions—adding floors to existing buildings—offer a viable solution to increase housing capacity while minimizing land use and preserving the urban fabric. However, implementation is often hindered by regulatory, technical, and socio-economic challenges. This project focuses on analyzing vertical extensions through an archetyping approach, with an emphasis on identifying key technological and ecological parameters that influence project success. By examining case studies, collecting data, and conducting statistical analyses, the research seeks to uncover correlations between these parameters and project outcomes. The findings aim to inform future sustainable densification strategies and guide decision-making.
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Optimizing district thermal network design and phasing strategies using the City Energy Analyst
This research focuses on optimizing district thermal network design and phasing strategies by incorporating existing infrastructure and studying interplays with urban design metrics. While many existing district thermal network models often assume the absence of prior infrastructure, this study introduces methodologies to account for existing pipes, plants, and pumps, enabling a more realistic scenario for network planning. Additionally, the research explores phased implementation strategies to maximize return on investment under budget constraints, providing a pathway for incremental network construction and operation. A key aspect of the study is the feedback loop between urban design and thermal network engineering, which quantifies how urban parameters such as building density, land use types, and development phasing affect network performance, and vice versa. The proposed methodologies are applied to case studies in Zurich, Singapore, and Shanghai, representing diverse climatic and urban contexts. The outcomes include a framework for integrating existing infrastructure, strategies for phased implementation, and insights into the dynamic interplay between urban design and district energy systems. If time permits, the research will also produce a computational prototype for integration into the City Energy Analyst (CEA). Show details
Optimizing Urban Form for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Performance: A Comparative Analysis of Grasshopper-CEA Workflow and Alternative Tools
Urban form plays a critical role in shaping the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of cities. This study explores the optimization of urban design parameters—such as building geometry, height, layout, and floor area ratio (FAR) - using the Grasshopper-CEA pipeline. The research develops a structured workflow that integrates parametric design in Grasshopper with energy performance simulation in the City Energy Analyst (CEA). In addition to developing this workflow, the study benchmarks it against alternative tools commonly used for urban design and energy simulation. The comparison evaluates workflows based on usability and computational efficiency, using consistent input parameters and objectives. Results highlight the strengths and limitations of each approach, offering insights into the trade-offs between computational complexity and design performance. This research provides a replicable framework for urban planners and architects to optimize urban forms for energy and environmental objectives. It also offers a critical perspective on the tools available for parametric urban design, guiding future tool development and integration strategies. Show details
INVESTIGATION OF ENERGY SAVINGS POTENTIAL OF SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS INTEGRATED WITHIN ETICS (EXTERNAL THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE SYSTEM) FACADES.
The construction industry accounts for approximately 40% of global CO2 emissions, primarily from operational energy demands such as heating, cooling, and powering buildings. Over 60% of Europe's household energy consumption is dedicated to heating, making reducing CO2 emissions from residential heating essential to achieving sustainability goals. A combination of strategies is key to increasing sustainability: reducing heating demand through effective insulation and utilizing renewable energy sources. External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) provide cost-effective insulation for building envelopes, while heat pumps offer a sustainable heating solution by leveraging environmental heat. However, urban environments often lack the space needed for traditional heat pump components, creating a demand for innovative solutions. External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) represent one of Switzerland's most common facade types. The system, shown in Figure 1, typically consists of several layers: an adhesive or bonding layer (1), insulation material such as EPS or mineral wool (2), additional fasteners (3), a base render coat (4) including glass-fibre reinforcement (5), a finishing render coat (6), and optionally a paint layer. This thesis explores the integration of solar thermal collectors into ETICS facades as a novel approach to enhance energy efficiency and reduce operational emissions in buildings. The thesis will contribute to developing functional facades that reduce energy consumption and operational emissions, supporting the global transition to sustainable building technologies. Show details
Structural Testing of 3D-printed Polymer Materials for Sustainable Façade Systems
Large-scale polymer 3D printing offers unique geometric freedom and performance integration, enabling the creation of lightweight, sustainable, and functional facade systems. Within the existing research efforts of NCCR DFAB, this project focuses specifically on mechanical testing to compare different polymer materials for use in 3D-printed facade systems. The research evaluates mechanical properties such as bending, impact, and tensile strength to determine the most suitable materials for lightweight facade components. Comparisons are made based on how the materials meet mechanical performance requirements for functional facades.
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Predictive Modeling for Energy Consumption and Emissions in Robotic 3D Printing
Digital and robotic fabrication techniques are increasingly being explored to create building components with embedded functionalities, offering unparalleled opportunities for customization.
As the adoption of robotic 3D printing grows, it becomes crucial to evaluate the environmental impacts of these processes, particularly their energy consumption and associated emissions. Understanding these impacts is essential to assess the sustainability of robotic 3D printing processes.
This project, enabled by real-world data provided by Saeki Robotics, aims to develop a predictive model to assess and forecast energy consumption and emissions in robotic 3D printing.
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