# Design Integration with Cyclops, Ladybug & Wallacei > This workshop introduces a streamlined workflow that enables quick feasibility assessments of form studies. Using Grasshopper 3D, Ladybug/Honeybee, Cyclops, and Wallacei, the process allows for seamless transitions from initial design iterations to detailed facade optimization w… ## At a glance - Format: On-demand course - Price: €102.00 (list €120.00) - Difficulty: Intermediate - Duration: 8 Hours - Schedule: Aug 23-24, 2025 - Instructors: Olaf Olden - Categories: Architectural Design, Sustainability - Software: Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper 3D, Wallacei, Ladybug, Cyclops - Students: 75 - Rating: 4.8 / 5 - Canonical: https://paacademy.com/course/design-integration-with-cyclops-ladybug-wallacei - Enroll: https://paacademy.com/course/design-integration-with-cyclops-ladybug-wallacei --- ## About this course Design Integration with Cyclops, Ladybug & Wallacei is a course that teaches architects to run sustainability analysis and performance-driven optimization from massing to facade on an office building typology. Students use Ladybug and Cyclops for near-instant daylight, glare, and solar radiation testing, apply SubD-based form studies to shape complex envelopes in Grasshopper, and use Wallacei as an evolutionary solver to iteratively optimize form and facade parameters alongside early-stage energy modeling and carbon emissions setup. The course is Intermediate level and works through shading strategies, glazing properties, and material selection. ## What you'll learn - Optimize daylight performance in combination with possible heat stress and glare issues. - Apply radiation simulations to assess and balance solar gains and shading strategies. - Optimize views while integrating them into facade performance assessments. - Highlight viewpoints and rationalize them for benchmarking. - Use sustainability metrics across design scales, from massing to detailed facade elements. - Facilitate a smooth workflow from massing studies to facade rationalization by utilizing structured Grasshopper logic. - Apply evolutionary solvers to optimize form and facade parameters iteratively. - Set up early-stage energy modeling workflows to support informed design decisions. - Set up Carbon emissions for building elements for the integral approach and awareness. ## Methodology In this workshop, we will focus on an office building typology, known for its freedom in facade articulation and emphasis on transparent, expressive envelopes. Set within an existing urban context, the design will respond to both site-specific and neighboring conditions. We will begin with form studies, utilizing form factor metrics to assess massing efficiency and envelope performance. SubD modeling will support the transition from mesh-based studies to more complex, organic forms. Form and facade articulation will be linked through an efficient Grasshopper setup. Next, Ladybug and Cyclops will drive interactive, data-driven evaluations, enabling rapid testing of sustainability KPIs such as daylight and solar exposure. For detailed facade analysis, Ladybug will assess cumulative radiation, balancing solar gains and shading needs. Finally, we will utilize an evolutionary solver to optimize key design and facade parameters, refining the building iteratively toward enhanced environmental and contextual performance. Participants will work individually throughout the workshop. A form study of the facade rationalization script will be provided, with predefined guidelines for setting up the geometry. This workflow and its limitations will be explained during the introductory lecture. Once the facade rationalization is in place, we will explore shading strategies and building specifications, including glazing properties and material selections, assessing their impact on the project's sustainability KPIs. ## Curriculum ### Session 1 - Intro + PAACADEMY Updates (08:44) - Sustainable Architecture (10:21) - Ladybug Tools & Overview (35:24) - Seasonal Analysis in Grasshopper (33:52) - Optimization with Wallacei (49:15) - Adaptive Facade Design Workflow (47:13) - Preparing Facades for Simulation (34:43) ### Session 2 - Data Trees to Honeybee (52:36) - Honeybee Daylight Simulation Setup (29:39) - Honeybee to Cyclops (53:05) - Cyclops Daylight Simulation Workflows (55:51) - Facade Optimization & Daylight (40:57) ## FAQ ### Do I need prior experience with Ladybug, Cyclops, or Wallacei to follow this workshop? No. While some familiarity with Grasshopper is recommended, the workshop will introduce the essential functions of Ladybug, Cyclops, and Wallacei. ### What kind of building will we be working on during the sessions? The focus is on office building typologies, specifically chosen for their design freedom and facade complexity. You'll apply tools in a real-world context within an existing urban environment. ### Will I learn how to perform real-time performance testing and design feedback? Yes. Cyclops and Ladybug are used together to enable rapid, interactive feedback loops for daylight, radiation, and sustainability metrics. ### What is Wallacei used for in this workflow? Wallacei is used to run evolutionary simulations, helping you optimize form and facade parameters based on performance goals ### Does the workshop cover sustainability beyond just daylight and radiation analysis? Yes. In addition to performance metrics like daylight and solar exposure, the workflow includes broader sustainability considerations such as early-stage energy modeling and carbon emission awareness