Regenerative Architecture in Practice: A Multifaceted exploration of cladding systems to meet LEED standards

Given the significant impact of the construction sector on climate change, it is crucial to develop strategies and integrate diverse knowledge to enable architects to make informed decisions in the early stages of design. Transitioning to positive buildings requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various scientific disciplines in architectural design. This research evaluates cladding systems as passive design strategies to reduce environmental impacts and achieve LEED certification during the operational phase of buildings. Focusing on a large office building in Boston, the study assesses three types of cladding—aluminum, polycarbonate, and a hybrid system—examining their roles in energy consumption, Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE<10 %), and Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA>50 %). The research offers a comprehensive analysis using advanced parametric tools like Rhino Grasshopper for modeling, Honeybee and Ladybug for climatic analysis, OpenLCA for environmental impact assessments, Wallacei for optimization, and Design Explorer for model selection. Initial findings indicate that aluminum cladding is thermally favorable but does not meet LEED sDA standards. Polycarbonate cladding meets sDA levels but fails ASE criteria. To address these deficiencies, a hybrid system was optimized using the NSGA-2 algorithm and Wallacei selection methods, meeting both sDA and ASE criteria and demonstrating enhanced sustainability. This system, comprising approximately 93.18 % aluminum and 6.82 % polycarbonate, optimizes daylight autonomy and minimizes thermal gains and losses, with strategic skylight distribution—13.58 % east, 7.72 % south, and 10.96 % west. The strategic use of advanced parametric and optimization software in this research empowers evidence-based decision-making in sustainable architecture, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to achieve optimal outcomes.