From the time of the Japanese Colonial Period (1895-1945) until recently, the sugar production industry was an important part of Taiwan's economy. There were as many as 44 sugar factories in Taiwan prior to 1986, and most of them had formed their own industry village, including manufacturing facilities, residential facilities, a railway transportation system, and other facilities. In the past, only the factories themselves were preserved as the monument. However, if all these factories, villages, farms and facilities could be seen together as the cultural landscape of the sugar industry, the conservation efforts would be broadened.

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The concepts of Open Building and Multi-purpose Design are generally considered as the latest innovative trends in contemporary architecture in addressing the current globalization, rapidly-changing market and requirements of sustainability. However, based on extensive research on examples of surviving ancestral halls in villages, in particular on analysis of their functional programme and configurational desire, this paper attempts to demonstrate that such concepts are already inherent in Chinese traditional vernacular architecture. This hypothesis is in line with the basic essence of Chinese architecture: maximization of modular components and standard plans to suit most functions. This explains why traditional Chinese architecture appears to have been mostly in the hands of master craftsmen without the design by architects. To lead the way forward, this paper further studies the roles of Open Building and Multi-purpose Design in the current age, in particular the possible application of Indefinite Space and Flexible Programme in Adaptive Re-uses of Chinese vernacular architecture in the contemporary context.

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This study analyzed the tectonic development of minimalist architecture according to material and immaterial characteristics and the ontological versus representational aspects of tectonic form. Among the early minimalist architects, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Louis I. Kahn represent two different architectural fields of thought regarding simplicity: Mies employed immaterial constructions made of steel and glass to present ontological and representational tectonic features, whereas Kahn used material constructions composed of brick, stone, and concrete to present ontological tectonic features. Following the immaterial and material characteristics of structural elements derived from Mies and Kahn, contemporary minimalist architects have transferred the tectonic form from the ontological to the representational aspect by combining the two architects. In addition, they extended the expression of form from space to skin with multiple layers, which exhibits the tectonic complexity of minimalist architecture hidden behind the simplicity of its form.

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With the buildings of the former Japanese Army facing the prospect of demolition, there are increasing calls for their historical significance to be assessed and for ways be found to reuse or preserve them. This is especially true of the officers' mess halls, the distinctive buildings that were most characteristic of Japanese military architecture. This thesis establishes mess hall typology.
1. The officers' mess hall first appeared in Meiji 19.
2. There was a standard mess hall layout.
3. Construction was initially funded by the government, but subsequent funding came from private sources.
Some mess halls were built in a special style or embellished differently to honor members of the imperial family visiting bases.

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Ando's pluralistic architecture can be distinguished by its diverse forms, and suggestion of a powerful outward vector. Diversified spaces resulting from such pluralistic character generate distinctive transitional spots referred to as 'thresholds'. Such spots are key features in understanding the attraction and uniqueness of his architecture. This study aims to clarify the typology of the thresholds in Ando's pluralistic works. First, the characteristics of his pluralistic architecture are discussed and then, a number of factors for the analysis of thresholds are clarified. According to these factors, thresholds in selected buildings are analyzed. As a result, four types of threshold are clarified.

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This paper, which aims to identify the structure and fabric of buildings using the brick structure during modern times in Korea, focuses on connection details at foundation, each floor and roof as the most important structure components in the exterior wall through 21 architectural technical books and investigating 44 existing brick structures in the early 20th century. As a result of findings the following details could be identified. The most important concerns in the exterior wall at ground level include the formation of the foundation and bearing wall to resist lateral earth pressure in case of basements, and the installation of damp-proof courses to block damp from the ground. Other than floor frames with traditional wood girders in the exterior walls adjacent to the floor, concrete slabs with steel girders and reinforced concrete slabs have been introduced. Roof sections interlocking with exterior walls can be divided into three types, those with projecting eaves, those interlocking with the exterior wall, and those hidden behind the parapet. Unlike the eaves in traditional wood structures, the types of roof interlocking with the exterior wall for brick structures have appeared most in religious buildings. Other than these buildings, the advent of parapets to completely hide the eave line foresaw new types of buildings.

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Cityscape identity is developed based on a certain circumstance which determines what it represents to people. Local cities in Japan have recognized the importance of cityscape identity management as a means of creating their own identities, and the 23 wards of Tōkyō have also established various cityscape management systems pertinent to their circumstances. To find out how cityscape management systems of the 23 wards have been developed and what best practices have been employed was the objective of this study; the 23 wards were first divided into 2 groups according to the main management method, one using direct management systems, and the other using indirect systems, with the latter group reclassified into 4 sub-groups. The implementation status of each group differed according to the cityscape characteristics, the speed of change, or the degree of citizens' interest. In most cases, the wards that have faced more changes have implemented the exclusive management systems with more concrete guidelines, while the wards that have undergone little change have managed through intangible systems with more flexible guidelines. Therefore, it is desired that a local city establishes and applies the most appropriate cityscape management system based on its own circumstance.

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This study applies behavior setting theory, and conducts an observation survey at ten-minute intervals of behavior mapping records by tracing the behavioral contents, interaction conditions and activity types of the elderly, trying to break down behavioral characteristics and an activity scale into two mixed-care day service centers (DSCs). Remarkable behavioral characteristics noted are as follows: Participants have various interests, particularly some less frail elderly whose interaction patterns are regarded as "active", and they are not satisfied with staying in one limited space all day long and require diverse activities. Participants with dementia, however, have interaction patterns that are "passive" and are often in a daze and do nothing when activities are held, showing a requirement for a place for wandering. Five items are presented as suggestions for the design of a mixed-care DSC: (1) Reducing the distance between user spaces when planning floor layouts; (2) Considering and offering the possibility of different activities and an activity scale held at the same time in the day room; (3) Designing in a manner that answers the need for wandering; (4) Providing ample and barrier-free spaces in corridors, passages and the courtyards, and (5) Providing plural toilets with easy access.

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The paper presented Design Variation and Technology for Super Tall Buildings, the topic presented in the 12th International Symposium of Korea Super Tall Building Forum by Hyeong-il Kim. In this paper, author review examples of technological innovations in tall building design, illustrating the interaction between architectural form and design tools. It also traces current approaches in architectural form generation and possible design solutions. It is a multidisciplinary problem and an integrated work that involves engineering, architecture, state-of-art construction technology and digital design tools.
The study will show a clear linkage of generative design encouraged by technological innovations to design problems in tall building design practice, in addition to its diversely effected results by computerized design tools and construction using CAD/CAM technology.

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Since the end of the 1990s, Hanoi City has instituted a program of urban upgrading. This program aims at improving the living conditions of residents who are living in dilapidated public housing areas (PHAs) which were constructed forty years ago. However, the upgrading implementations are very slow and are challenged by various obstacles, difficulties, and problems. This study is expected to provide opinions to help policy makers in reviewing upgrading mechanisms and policies in connection with upgrading plans and designs. Through findings from interviews with a total of 120 households in the Kim Lien and Giang Vo PHAs, the authors found that: (i) the majority of residents are positive in support of upgrading projects; (ii) most residents want to have resettlement flats at the same location; (iii) most residents prefer to buy flats rather than to rent them when the upgrading project is completed; (iv) a relatively high percentage of residents continue to lack official information about upgrading projects. Discussion on upgrading projects, measures and solutions should be made transparent to the public and related residents should be informed about the process. Successful upgrading projects require a high level of consensus by the residents.

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Public participation in making decisions regarding urban development projects is very important. In Japan, local governments must develop policies concerning area management based on discussions with local citizens rather than depending on the central government. Therefore, workshops with stakeholders have been conducted to discuss issues relating to urban projects, where visual tools, as well as the Internet - in a few cases - were used as a tool for collecting opinions. However there is a need to build an advanced Decision Support System (DSS) that facilitates a participative design process and expands stakeholder participation.
A web-based public participation system is introduced via this case study. Stakeholders utilize a developed system to visualize proposal alternatives, using virtual reality to provide their opinions, and then to share collected information and results. The proposed DSS aims to enhance the decision making processes by encouraging citizen involvement and participation during the project's developmental stages. The evaluation reveals that using effective visual and opinion collecting tools can motivate effective citizen participation while giving transparency and legitimacy to the decision making process. Utilizing the proposed DSS at workshops in conjunction with the Internet makes the collected opinions more reliable.

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The aim of this study is to investigate the behaviors of residents along the waterside in a Chinese residential quarter. Based on Hayashi's Quantification Theory Type III and Cluster Analysis and information collected through this study, the waterfront spaces are classified into nine types, each of which have unique statistical characteristics concerning behaviors. The results show that the residents tend to wait for companions of their respective defined groups frequently while they are walking along the brook. They rarely play with water in the pond if they are uncertain about the water depth, and also stay longer chatting with friends if they can find vacant benches on the deck along the pond. The residents typically hang around more frequently in waterfront spaces to either play in shallow water, if the weather permits, or enjoy the view of the brook although they may stop for a shorter time on stepping-stones. Scientifically identified human behaviors have shown that they are influenced by these different types of waterfront spaces that are described in detail in this paper.

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The post-war period has witnessed the emergence of new towns in a number of countries in Southeast Asia. The new town development in Malaysia started with Petaling Jaya (PJ) as a satellite town. PJ was designed in accordance with British town planning principles, which were based on the model of a modern ideal city. PJ also constituted a new regional character because it was developed with consideration for factors such as local technologies as well as social conditions. Kenneth Frampton (1998) and others discussed Asian regionalism and described this type of development in terms of the concept of "contextual modernization". This study is in concurrence with this concept and adopts the viewpoint that the impact of universal civilization can be reduced and modified by means of critical regionalism.
The goal of this study is to identify how the new town planning principles of Malaysia which were first applied in the 1950s, were developed over time and how they were regionalized and transformed in a cultural and regional context. For the analysis, the authors chose 5 sections in PJ according to the building period which ranged; from the 1950s to the 2000s. To identify the planning principles, they analyzed the sections in terms of their history, land use, density, street system, distribution of public, religious and commercial facilities, and housing typologies.

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This research focuses on back-homing instinct, visible escape direction choices and tracking among escape direction choices in case of emergency, and to show the environment where such behavioral characteristics appear in a quantitative manner. An evacuation simulator using a walkthrough system was conducted. The results showed that 50% of evacuees who were not familiar with an architectural structure chose back-homing and the others searched for a new evacuation direction when they noticed a fire. For subjects who chose back-homing, 46.6% of evacuees still chose back-homing after observing the surrounding area and obtaining environmental information on both signs and other evacuees, while 53.4% chose to search for a new escape direction by following signs or other evacuees. It was found that the level concerning memory of a route to an evacuation point and the distance to an evacuation point also affects an escape choice. Also, the ratio of choice of visible escape routes differs according to the case. As a result of the research, it is possible to use this information to design an architectural structure and equipment in a building to minimize fire damage, by establishing evacuation simulation software.

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The purpose of this paper was to develop an evaluation model for the design of reliable and valid sign systems used in university libraries. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to generate four evaluation factors: Layout Aesthetics, Display Functions, Systematic Consistency, and Environmental Lighting. Questionnaires were disseminated to 610 subjects, of which 488 were valid. The questionnaire responses were gathered and formed the basis of the information for our analysis. Below is a description of the analysis and conclusions. The authors used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), to examine four different competing hypothetical models and found that the overall model fit of second-order factor model was effective. This model was analyzed by measurement invariance and the authors concurrently examined the stability and predictability of the factorial structure. Finally, this study digitized the evaluation model and calculated the measurement indices of the sign systems design. The four factors and 22 questionnaire items established in the paper can measure the strengths and weaknesses of library sign systems. The model can also be used as a sign system checking validation tool for long term follow-up of users' requirements, and for implementation when library interior partitions are redesigned.

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Technically-oriented architectural spaces today are becoming complicated because buildings contain a number of electronic facilities and complex structures. Furthermore, the advent of the ubiquitous environment enables buildings to provide various services to users and has accelerated the importance of architectural visualization as a problem-solving and communicating tool. It is recommended that architectural visualization be more intuitive and effective in order to support design decisions and collaboration. In this manner, this paper intends to define the role of current architectural visualization with considerations of previous research and related works in the practical field and proposes the appropriate method of architectural visualization. Also, in order to evaluate their idea, the authors recommend a prototype system based on dynamic and semantic representation using the avatar. This is a kind of simulator for the design of ubiquitous smart spaces and can deliver to users a better comprehension of how technological oriented space can be constructed and utilized.

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In this paper, we present a model to identify building shapes based on different spatial information in GIS. This model uses the overlapped area of building shapes for the identification. Two building shapes with different spatial information are identified as the same building when the ratio of the overlapped area of these two building shapes is over the threshold value.
However, on the other hand, many studies have been made concerning the influences of GIS modeling errors, and considering these positional errors of GIS becomes essential when we apply this model to real GIS data. For this reason, first, we estimate the error for the area of a building shape projected on spatial information with positional errors. Next, we estimate the errors for an overlapped area of two building shapes with the same original shapes, which are based on different spatial information to show a method of determining the threshold value. This identification model is then applied to actual GIS data and compared with other methods.

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The perception of crowding and the shopping environment can influence consumers' decisions on where to shop as well as their buying decision and store image. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of store layout design and factors about the consumer on the perception of store crowding and in turn analyze the impact of perceived crowding on shopping behavior and store image. Surveys were conducted at two discount stores in Taipei City, Taiwan. A total of 532 questionnaires were used for analysis. Spatial crowding was assessed using physical area factors including floor layout designs, aisle table area, and ceiling height. Perceptions of crowding resulted from the spatial arrangement, while human crowding contributed to the feeling of overall store crowding. Among a store's physical area factors, aisle table area most strongly impacts the overall degree of perceived store crowding, followed by free-flow layout and grid layout areas. Among various individual factors, age and prior experience of crowding are significantly related to perceived crowding. The results showed that perceptions of spatial crowding had a negative relationship to promotional image while perceptions of human crowding had a positive relationship to discount store image.

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The purpose of this study is to investigate the relations among those factors affecting quality performance in construction organizations. On the basis of the existing literature and some new argumentations, derived from in-depth interviews with quality experts, measurement and structural models were empirically analyzed. Through an online survey for qualified quality experts, 917 valid questionnaires were collected. Measurements for validity and reliability were performed. Multivariate statistical methods (EFA, CFA, and SEM) were utilized and the hypotheses, tested. The results indicate that quality performance could be directly affected only by primary quality management activities, such as quality control and quality assurance. The capabilities of human resources could indirectly affect the performance of quality through a sequence of hierarchy: from the effects on those of a set of supportive quality management activities that affect those of primary quality management activities.

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High-rise Mixed-Use Housing (HMUH) buildings have favorable urban location conditions, innovative technology, and diverse urban cultural functions to efficiently and compactly enhance urban dwellers' spatial accessibility. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of urban dwellers with regard to the semipublic spaces of HMUH complexes in order to propose a planning direction for sustainable HMUH complexes. The research methodologies that were used involved examining relevant past studies to derive subjective quality of life indicators of urban dwellers, as well as studying the design drawings of HMUH buildings to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses of the semipublic spaces therein. Moreover, urban dwellers' satisfaction with their quality of life was surveyed in order to analyze differences in levels of satisfaction according to various types of HMUH complexes. In conclusion, the physical quality of the semipublic spaces in HMUH complexes correlated with the quality of life of urban dwellers, created a general linear model between the semipublic spaces, and was varied according to the HMUH building types. In the case of HMUH complexes, the dwellers' preference for social interaction was found to be lower than their preference for other indicators, with a high preference for safety and security. Further, in the case of small housing units equipped with double loaded corridors, the semipublic spaces negatively influenced the quality of life of the dwellers, and the sporting amenities in the semipublic spaces were the most frequently used for health and leisure activities and social interaction.

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Three hundred questionnaires, which were created based on the subjective feedback from field safety engineers, were distributed nationwide to those in the construction field. The purpose of this was to receive feedback regarding current issues in the field. The questionnaire was reviewed by an advisory committee before being sent to safety management section chiefs at the top 100 construction companies, the goal of which was to ensure a high level of respondents.
The grades and numbers of safety engineers who have to be assigned to construction sites are determined statistically based on the project cost for each type of project as well as the risk level of each type.
1) Through a review of the existing assignment system, it was found that experienced safety engineers should be assigned to construction sites. If more experienced engineers are assigned, it will lessen the possibility of accidents.
2) The determination equation for selecting safety engineers for apartment construction projects was verified to be very effective. A comparison was made with the German equation using risk level so as to allow reasonable assignments of safety engineers to be made according to the project characteristics.

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The researchers explore the current urban redevelopment problems in Taiwan old urban centers. Based on an indicator system framework, this study proposes a regeneration model—a performance evaluation method for a livable urban district, composed of four constructs, and 21 general indicators and 62 policy-making indicators. The four constructs are land use sustainability; transit oriented development (TOD) pattern, district composition, and architectural typology and estate. Considering this framework feasibility, the researchers recruited a panel of experts for judgment of priority for the indicator system in two phases of questionnaires. The first phase uses the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) for experts to decide each policy-making indicator and the degree of importance of that indicator. The second phase uses the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the priority of the four constructs and that of each general indicator. Since panel experts from various disciplines and regions evaluate this indicator system with priorities, the current study discusses the variance of priorities caused by different panel experts. This AHP framework serves as a guideline for local government to proceed with regeneration plans toward livable districts, or a framework to evaluate the performance of regenerated old urban districts.

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Multimedia technology has influenced modern society in many ways. Multimedia has evolved to applications in physical space, wherein media such as sound, visuals and interactive content have taken on spatial significance. Especially interesting for architectural design is the progressive approach to spatial context evident in multimedia installation artworks and interactive spaces. This paper seeks to identify key forms of influence multimedia has in an architectural context and the spatial significance of architectonic functions afforded by those influences. Multiple case studies were conducted applying a systems theory approach to evaluate 25 works of multimedia installation art and interactive spaces. Evaluations referenced the forms of media used, their observed influence on the correlating architectural space and the manner in which people experience the resultant space. Based on observations and analysis, this paper is proposing transformation, interaction and temporality as three key influences of multimedia. These influences and the architectonic functions they afford were used to create a matrix framework that indicates the potential of multimedia in an architectural context and establishes a theoretical basis for developing methods to integrate multimedia technology into architectural design.

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By using a correspondence analysis the authors related the characteristics of the roads in a target area with the feelings of the elderly concerning snatch occurrences on these roads. The target area was divided into 10 groups, by using the k-means clustering method. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) Group 2 presents the highest rate of snatch occurrence (45.2%) and a feeling of security, implying that individuals feel an unreasonable sense of security on unsafe roads. The roads in this group have the largest percentage of shops (45.6%), longest roads, largest sidewalks, and the lowest ratio of length of open spaces/parking lots to the road length. (2) Groups 4 and 5 present low rates of snatch occurrence (12.5%, 8.3%), implying that individuals harbor an unreasonable sense of insecurity concerning safe roads. The roads in these groups have the largest percentage of houses (65.5%, 62.5%), shorter roads (34.9 m, 49.9 m) than the average, not many sidewalks, and the highest ratio of length of open spaces/parking lots to the road length. Based on these results, the authors clarified the characteristics of the roads in a target area, clustered based on the reasons why people feel secure/insecure about snatch occurrences on roads.

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In the earthquake resistant design concept, frame structures are usually designed with a column over design factor (COF) to ensure the preferable failure mode during earthquakes. Initially, in the present study, the failure modes of multistory ductile frame structures are investigated probabilistically by applying the first order reliability method (FORM). The base shear distribution of the International Building Code (IBC-2006), which adopted the seismic design provisions of ASCE 7-05, and the Ai distribution of the Building Standard Law of Japan are taken into account in this study. Based on the investigations, the target values of the COF that probabilistically ensure the preferable entire beam hinging failure mode prior to story collapse are evaluated and compared. The study has been conducted for different reliability levels and the corresponding COF values are presented in this paper.

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A full-scale, three-story conventional beam-column timber structure was tested in-situ to investigate the changes of natural frequencies due to progressing artificial damage. A total of 45 test steps were adopted in the execution of this experiment and analysis. Columns were cut by saw and/or totally removed at each testing step in order to simulate different levels of damage. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the test structure was established and applied to predict its natural frequency in each of the 45 test steps. Both the FE simulation and the testing results show similar tendencies in most test cases, however they slightly deviate from each other in some particular test cases. Damage sensitivity, as well as the influence of temperature and humidity on the natural frequency was also examined. The results and conclusions from this study can benefit the emerging research field of structural health monitoring.

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This paper describes the effects of nonstructural brick walls on the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (R/C) buildings. Experimental and analytical studies were conducted on two buildings: one of which collapsed and the other suffered moderate damage due to the 2007 Sumatra, Indonesia earthquakes. A brick wall was extracted from the moderately damaged building and transported to Japan from Indonesia to experimentally evaluate its seismic performance. Two R/C one-bay frame specimens were constructed, and the imported wall was installed in one of the specimens. Comparing the seismic performance of specimens with and without the brick wall through quasi-static cyclic loading tests, wall contributions were quantitatively evaluated. Moreover, the seismic performance of the earthquake-damaged Indonesian buildings was evaluated numerically considering the findings of the tests. The analyses revealed a possible reason for the collapse of one of the buildings due to the earthquakes.

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This paper presents a specific case study for estimating the service life of public buildings in the harsh weather of Kuwait using the factor method. Estimating the service life helps enhance the sustainability of these buildings and controls some economic aspects. The case in consideration was applied to the data collected for a project to assess the structural behavior of twenty-six buildings that belong to Kuwait University. The assessed buildings were located in two regions. The first region is 100 – 400m from the coast and the second region is about 5 km away from the coast. The buildings were assessed by visual inspection, material testing, and structural analysis. The findings of these investigations guided the working team to assign the values of the different factors used in the prediction process. The factors were predicted in a probabilistic approach to consider the inherent variability in the construction components and the surrounding effects. The results of the service life prediction provide a perspective for the expected life span of buildings in similar conditions.

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Aluminum wastes (AW) have been used to produce concrete samples used for this work. Tests on the setting times, compressive and flexural strengths were conducted at replacement levels of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 % by weight of cement. The results showed that AW can be used as a retarder and thus, a good material for hot weather concreting. Optimum replacement values for the compressive and flexural strengths are at 10 % replacement ant the statistical models developed on them are significant.

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Energy consumption in the Chinese residential sector is increasing quickly. In this study, we developed a Micro-model to forecast residential CO₂ emissions. The model outputs support decision making for appropriate CO₂ emission reduction goals. First, for Chinese urban residential buildings, we developed a CO₂ emissions forecast model for 2050 taking into account lifestyle changes and Global Warming countermeasures. Second, we used the model to estimate the CO₂ reduction potential of both residential and electrical countermeasures. Compared to the business as usual (BaU) scenario, implementation of residential countermeasures achieved 38%, 24% and 23% emissions reductions for Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong respectively. After combining them with the implementation of electrical countermeasures the reduction rates rose to 60%. We also compared the countermeasures to see which could bring the greatest emissions reduction. For Beijing, improvement of insulation was most efficient. For Shanghai and Hong Kong, COP increase of hot water supply appears to be the most efficient countermeasure. Through this study we were able to model global warming countermeasures for the Chinese residential sector, and found that reducing CO₂ emissions by 60% from BaU is an achievable goal.

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A number of studies have been carried out on the passive cooling of the outer surface of buildings for the purpose of conserving energy without resorting to fossil fuels, while simultaneously improving the indoor thermal comfort. In addition, the heat island phenomenon has been regarded as a problem. Thus, it is necessary to strive to reduce the thermal load of buildings on the urban environment. In this study, an outdoor experiment was conducted using test specimens with a focus on passive cooling on rooftop surfaces in summertime to clarify the cooling effect of various types of passive rooftop cooling. The influence of rooftop cooling on the indoor heat load, and the heat load of the atmospheric side were also clarified. A total of 10 types of data were collected; case 1 is an AR surface, Cases 2–5 are watered AR surfaces, Cases 6 and 7 are ceramic tiles, with and without water coating or white paint respectively, and finally, Cases 8 and 9 are perforated bricks, with and without a coat of white paint respectively. (1) Results of data analysis for Cases 6–10 show that because these types can reduce the load on the air during the day, they are effective. For Cases 7 and 9 and during the day, the heat island effect is suppressed. For Cases 6–9, the tropical night phenomenon can be prevented. (2) In order to reduce the cooling load in summer, the roof slab insulation to reduce heat load in the atmosphere is essential in order to employ an effective passive cooling method. (3) For the insulation standards of the next generation of solar radiation and the evaporation coefficients of 0.5 or 2 and more, 0.1 or 2 can be applied.

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This study aims to improve the indoor air quality of newly-built apartment houses in Korea through the measurement and evaluation of formaldehyde (HCHO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated from building finishing materials at each construction stage. Small chamber tests were carried out for 12 kinds of low emission building finishing materials and 10 site measurements were conducted according to the construction stage. The study showed that the concentration of HCHO and VOCs could be controlled by the use of low emission building materials.

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This study aims at examining the reduction of indoor air contaminants by plants placed in an indoor space. The effect of reducing the concentration of air contaminants by three species of plants was studied in a full-scale mock-up model. Field measurements were performed using Aglaonema brevispathum, Pachira aquatica and Ficus benjamiana which were verified as air-purifying plants by NASA. Their positions and amount were controlled. Two conditions for the amount of plants (10%, 5%) and positions (sun-shine, scatter) were used in two separate rooms whose dimensions are identical. The concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) was monitored three hours, and three days after the plants were put in place. The variations of concentration of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, Stylene, TVOC and Formaldehyde, which are all known as the major elements of Volatile Organic Compounds were monitored. The more plants were used, the more a reduction of indoor air contaminants occurred. The effect of reducing the concentration of air contaminants increased when the amount of plants increased.

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Taiwan and Japan are similar in life style and customs. Taiwan is geographically situated in a subtropical climate zone which is deemed as a future model of Japanese climate if global warming continues. It is therefore advantageous for Japanese to know the present IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) situations in Taiwan.
The research was carried out in two phases. The first phase used questionnaire surveys to collect the relevant information of the occupants and their living environments, and QEESI questionnaires (Chinese version) for information regarding their health conditions. In the second phase, IAQ measurements were conducted in the 40 houses which were selected among volunteers of the first survey. Measurement items were temperature, humidity and concentrations of carbonyl compounds and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Verification measurements were conducted to investigate the hypothesis in the two houses, A and B, selected from 40 measured houses. The amount of furnishing materials in the two houses was quite different.
Finally, the questionnaire results, QEESI (Quick Exposure Sensitivity Inventory) scores, and IAQ data were compared accordingly to determine the factors that cause SHS (Sick House Syndrome).
The results are as follows.
1. For areas deficient in SHS and/or MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) diagnoses, combining QEESI investigations and IAQ measurements in the surveys is successful in screening SH and discovering SHS.
2. To reduce indoor air pollution effectively, it is insufficient just to regulate the materials and the quantity of interior furnishings. Construction process, ventilation rate, airflow path, and an overall plan with strict assessment should all be included in the regulations.

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This research examined the possibility of optimizing airflow performance of cleanrooms with FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) systems used in 300mm wafer lines for VLSI production. Numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were carried out to obtain airflow states in cleanrooms with various design conditions. Each result was evaluated using a new quantification method and the cleanroom performance was then compared to it. The proposed method was based on the idea of Scale for Ventilation Efficiency (SVE), which is used to measure building ventilation. It enabled quantitative evaluation of the airflow performance independent from other factors and could be used to help design optimal cleanrooms. The study found that cleanroom performance changes with varying supply types and filter coverage, and that there is a proper combination of these parameters. Therefore, it is possible to develop the most efficient FOUP cleanroom system using this method.

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The objective of this research is to determine overall heat transfer coefficients (U-value) of the exterior walls, floors, and roof of a Korean traditional residence via field measurement of transient heat flow and temperature difference across each envelope. The acquired U-values are compared with other existing values and those for current residential buildings. As for the field measurement, heat flux sensors and T-type thermocouple are attached on the internal and the external surfaces of each building component. Real-time measurement data are logged for three consecutive summer days. Acquired U-values agree well with other existing values for traditional building envelopes found in the open literature, but they are higher than U-values of current buildings. From this result one may conclude that the Korean traditional building has uncompetitive thermal performance compared with today's buildings. However, the energy simulation performed in this research shows that the traditional building can provide moderate cooling load competitive to current buildings. It comes mainly from the inherent characteristic of the traditional residence including relatively high infiltration rate and reduced solar radiation penetrating the windows.

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The elderly population in Korea has been increasing rapidly, therefore, the government has implemented the "long term care insurance" strategy since July of 2008. As a result, the number of elderly care facilities has increased. However, the establishment of an act which involves evacuation capable of securing safe escape of the elderly, is still needed considering the numerical increase of elderly care facilities. In terms of securing the escape safety of small nursing homes, the small-scale elderly care facility is the most urgent issue of all. In this research, fire simulations and evacuation simulations are used to analyze the particularities of evacuation in accordance with the plans of small nursing homes. As a result, it was found that the establishment of a measure for securing escape safety of small nursing homes is needed. Therefore, installation of sprinklers, bi-directional evacuation, and reduction of the fire growth rate are proposed as measures to secure the escape safety of such homes.

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The Editorial Board of the Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering has confirmed that the paper written by Jia Huan Yu et al, published in vol. 9, no. 2 issue in 2010 contains improper authorship without the consent of the co-author, serious plagiarism, and copyright violation from the original research conducted by Victor C. Li et al, Development of ECC for Building Product Applications (First progress report in March 2008). Therefore, the Editorial Board has decided to retract the offending paper from the Journal.

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