Conference Agenda

At Lake Flato Architects, advancing sustainable architecture begins with integrating performance-driven design at the earliest stages of a project. This presentation explores how our firm leverages a combination of computational design tools and environmental simulation workflows—starting with Grasshopper and Ladybug Tools—to inform early massing, site orientation, and façade strategies. Over time, our team has optimized these workflows by incorporating Autodesk Forma, creating a seamless feedback loop between conceptual design, real-time performance evaluation, and client communication.

Through a series of case studies, we will illustrate how our team benchmarked Grasshopper-based simulations against Autodesk Forma’s predictive modeling environment, assessing the accuracy, speed, and usability of both tools for early-stage decision-making. These comparative workflows have helped our teams win design competitions and project pursuits, as clients increasingly expect measurable sustainability outcomes backed by data. We will share insights on how simulation outputs were distilled into compelling visual narratives that strengthen design intent and support business development.

Beyond energy and daylighting, our approach extends simulation into human-centered performance metrics. One highlight of this work includes collaborating with the International WELL Building Institute on a beta credit for Outdoor Thermal Comfort modeling, where microclimate simulations were used to enhance user well-being in exterior spaces. Using a combination of Ladybug’s ENVI-met workflows and Forma’s outdoor comfort analysis, we demonstrated how data-driven design can improve outdoor quality, contributing to WELL certification and promoting healthier, more resilient environments.

This session will detail the evolution of our simulation workflows, lessons learned in translating technical analysis into design language, and strategies for integrating simulation tools across teams of varying expertise. Attendees will gain insight into how combining parametric modeling, cloud-based simulations, and certification-driven design can lead to more informed, persuasive, and sustainable outcomes.

Previously presented at AIA National Conference, Autodesk University, and the Texas Society of Architects Conference. Our goal is to share replicable frameworks that bridge the gap between computational analysis and design storytelling, ultimately advancing sustainable architecture through actionable, data-informed design decisions.