The Perch

A generative mixed-use building system for adaptable urban living.

The Perch is a generative building typology that prioritizes adaptability and long-term flexibility over fixed layouts. Built on a stable 6m × 6m structural grid, the system allows internal partitions, programs, and circulation to shift and reconfigure without compromising structural integrity.


Rather than treating buildings as static objects, The Perch frames architecture as a reconfigurable system capable of responding to changing spatial, social, and environmental demands over time. The framework provides durability and order, while internal elements adapt in response to light, use, occupancy, and programmatic change.

Core Principle

Form, Modules, and Aggregation

Form Finding

1

Modular Units

2

The massing strategy emerged from site-driven parameters:

  • Attractor points and terrain informed overall volume

  • Inner gardens and atriums were carved to introduce daylight and ventilation

  • Floor plates were scaled and tapered to the slope

  • Sun-path analysis guided the carving of solar-oriented voids using a “sun vector mine” strategy


Void size and distribution varied by program, with residential floors receiving larger openings to maximize daylight and allow modular aggregation.

Circulation Logic

3

Modular Aggregation Algorithm

4

  • Automated Python scripts extracted data from weekly Speckle model uploads

  • Attribute flattening and targeted searches enabled reliable component-level data access

  • Data was parsed into CSVs and processed using preset algorithms

  • Metrics were calculated as absolute values and normalized scores (0–1 scale)


A total of 92 models were processed through this pipeline.

Horizontal circulation radiates from voids, forming continuous loops that link gathering spaces, corridors, and units.
Vertical circulation is generated through parametric analysis of floor overlaps, producing:

  • Full-height cores for egress and services

  • Localized cores for residential or non-residential zones


This dual strategy balances efficiency, privacy, and programmatic hierarchy.

A custom Python-based aggregation algorithm was developed to overcome the limitations of existing Grasshopper tools. The system:

  • Prioritized corridor-adjacent placements

  • Tested multiple orientations per unit

  • Enforced rules for entry alignment, daylight access, and non-overlap

  • Placed larger modules first to optimize spatial efficiency


This iterative process generated diverse yet coherent layouts across floors.

Structural and Environmental Intelligence

Structural System


The primary structural framework is a mass timber grid, integrating:

  • CLT floor slabs

  • Glulam beams

  • Modular partitions contributing to lateral resistance


A hybrid system combines mass timber with concrete and steel:

  • Concrete cores provide lateral stability and house circulation

  • A reinforced concrete foundation anchors the structure

  • Lightweight modular partitions enable reconfiguration


This approach balances low carbon impact with structural robustness.

Facade Strategy


Facade openings respond directly to internal aggregation. Canopies and voids are carved based on programmatic needs, creating variation across floors and establishing a clear relationship between internal function and external expression.


Circularity and Energy Analysis


The project extends beyond form into circular construction strategies. Modular CLT units were evaluated as interchangeable components within a shared kit of parts.


Comparative scenarios assessed:

  • Embodied energy

  • Greenhouse gas emissions

  • Water usage

  • Recyclability


Reused and adapted modules consistently reduced environmental impact compared to new construction, while maintaining programmatic flexibility.


Structural Optimization


Structural performance was evaluated using Karamba, testing dead, live, wind, and gravity loads. A 9m × 9m grid emerged as an optimal balance, reducing displacement to 64 cm.


Multi-objective optimization with Opossum balanced:

  • Cross-section utilization

  • Deformation control

  • Carbon footprint


Targeting 80% structural utilization ensured efficiency while preserving flexibility for future adaptation.

Outcomes & Evaluation

The Perch is not a single building, but a system for many possible buildings—designed to change without being rebuilt.

The Perch demonstrates how computational design, modular systems, and structural optimization can produce buildings that are adaptable, sustainable, and resilient over time. By treating space as a configurable resource rather than a fixed outcome, the project offers a scalable framework for mixed-use urban development.


Project developed in collaboration with Seda Soylu and Scott Lebow for IAAC. Original articla can be found here.