Project by MOON SON, ENRIQUE CARRERAS PEROZO, JEEWON SEO, JEONGKUEN KIM, YONG JAE HA
This project analyzes the environmental performance of the Farnsworth House as a fully glazed architectural pavilion, examining how radical transparency interacts with climate, daylight, glare, and energy demand. Through a combination of digital simulations and physical model experiments, the study evaluates regional and microclimatic conditions, seasonal solar exposure, thermal behavior, and visual comfort. Baseline analyses reveal that while the glass envelope delivers exceptional daylight, it also results in severe winter heat loss, high summer cooling demand, and frequent glare throughout the year. Comparative studies test alternative strategies including glazing upgrades, envelope modifications, and kinetic shading systems to assess their impact on energy use intensity (EUI), daylight quality, and occupant comfort. The findings demonstrate that relatively modest architectural interventions, particularly high-performance glazing and adaptive shading, can significantly rebalance environmental performance while preserving the architectural intent of transparency. Ultimately, the project frames environmental design as an ongoing negotiation between architectural expression and climatic forces rather than a purely technical optimization problem.
