Parametric Facade Module to Optimizing Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysts at the Parking Building

The demand for parking buildings is unavoidable in big cities due to space limitations. However, parking buildings might be notorious contributors to polluting the environment. The vehicles produce significant gas pollution, reducing air quality when released into the neighborhood. Using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) coating on facades can be an alternative solution for reducing pollution with low installation and maintenance costs. This research aims to identify facade designs that can optimize the potential of TiO2 photocatalysts in reducing the pollutants produced by the vehicles inside the building. The quantitative research method was carried out through simulation using parametric modeling. The case study was the parking building of Joyoboyo Terminal in Surabaya. The simulation was conducted to determine the façade design, identify the intensity of solar radiation on the facade, and evaluate the airflow rate through the facade. The results showed that the angle at which façade modules received the highest intensity of solar radiation was 15 deg. Meanwhile, the curved shape of façade modules had a larger surface area exposed to solar radiation. The curved shape did not intercept the airflow into the building but reduced the airflow speed from indoors to outdoors. This result was considered beneficial because slowing down the indoor and outdoor airflow can maximize the photocatalyst process on the façade.