Multi-objective optimization for generative morphological design using energy and comfort models with a practical design of new rural community in China

In recent years, the development of new rural communities has emerged as a pivotal new trend in china, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and residential comfort in rural regions. This study introduces a multi-objective optimization design framework for the morphological design of residential area, with a focus on performance objectives such as building energy use intensity, summer thermal comfort, and winter thermal comfort. A case study of a new rural community design project in Hongnan Village, Yancheng City, was conducted. Utilizing the Rhino-Grasshopper parametric platform, this study undertook parametric modeling, performance simulation, and multi-objective optimization to receive the Pareto-optimal solutions. ParetoResults indicate that in the Pareto-optimal morphology scheme for the Hongnan Village community, open spaces are predominantly located on the upwind side with respect to the prevailing summer winds of the site. The number of duplex houses is often 28, and the building orientations are predominantly aligned at 23°, mirroring the direction of the surrounding structures. There is a significant correlation between residential unit configuration, building spacing, and energy use intensity, with correlation coefficients of 0.53 and −0.43, respectively. This study would like to offer valuable insights into the energy-efficient design of new rural communities, thereby contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and habitable rural living environment.