Realizing his idea of ″anti-object,″ Kengo Kuma adopts structural glass excessively for the lounge in the Water/ Glass House from the level of furniture pieces to the level of architectural elements including the floor. In order to understand the cultural significance of Kuma′s idea of ″anti-object″ that relies on the refractive and reflective qualities of glass, this paper adopts two references: minimalism in art during the 1960s that criticized the status of the object and focused instead on materiality per se, and the phenomenology of thingness that criticized the object and that reinstated the intimate bond between man and the thing. Introducing these two references, this paper shows that the glass floor in the lounge of the Water/ Glass House oscillates between two states: the aesthetic sensuousness for the glass′ reflective and refractive materiality, and thingness for its ethical role as the floor that upholds silently human dwelling activities. While illuminating this conflictual dialectic between the two states, this paper argues that the aestheticism of material celebration should not stand on its own only to eclipse the thingly performance of an architectural element; rather, the former should be sublimated into the latter.

View full abstract

For Rudolph M. Schindler, the role of geometry was a driving force for the consistent and systematic quality underlying most of his works. It provides an order for the formal expressions that encompasses both composition and construction. Among others, the Packard House stands out the most in terms of its unique employment of triangular geometry. By fabricating a scaled model and reworking drawings, this article reveals the underlying geometry of spatial composition of the house. It also discusses that Schindler′s treatment of the grid is unique, in comparison to his contemporaries, for instance Frank Lloyd Wright.

View full abstract

In recent years, there has been increased demand for the development of an effective way of addressing the somewhat contradictory topics of opening schools to the community and crime prevention. In response to this demand, there has been a rise in the active usage of theory of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Natural surveillance is particularly important in CPTED, and there has been a proposal to increase crime prevention efforts based on natural surveillance by using layout and floor planning studies, in addition to previous elementary school facility planning models that have focused primarily on the function and design of schools. For this reason, it has become necessary to develop a method to quantitatively evaluate the natural surveillance of elementary schools. The authors proposed a method to evaluate natural surveillance from two perspectives — the view of the school grounds from outside and the view of the exterior from inside the buildings — for 46 elementary schools, for the purpose of gaining knowledge concerning the factors that make elementary schools safe or unsafe.

View full abstract

The global construction market has been gradually changing from general contracts to development projects. It is necessary to perform risk management for international construction projects because there can be multiple risks for which the degree of risk can be very high. Although international construction project risk management is important, there has been very little research regarding objective and quantitative risk assessment that reflects the project characteristics and decision-making. Therefore, research into risk assessment in Asia-centered international development projects (IDPs) is necessary. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze key risk indicators (KRIs) through a proposed risk assessment framework for Asian Development Projects (ADPs). The methods and procedures of this study are as follows: First, quantitative indicators of main risk are identified. Second, critical risk indicators are analyzed and assessed by applying Fuzzy theory and the Analytical Hierarchy Procedure (AHP) methods. Finally, risk response attitudes are suggested and 12 risk indicators are selected according to priority evaluation in ADPs.

View full abstract

In recent years more and more houses of the low- and middle-income group in Indonesia have reportedly been affected by earthquakes. These houses are mostly non-engineered because most of them are designed and constructed without the involvement of professional engineers or architects. Clarifying the construction process of these non-engineered houses is the key to improving their seismic resilience.
In this article, the authors examined how non-engineered houses are constructed in Jakarta. Most of the data used in this study is based on questionnaire surveys in two residential areas. After clarifying the background of the two surveyed areas and physical characteristics of non-engineered houses there, the authors examined how non-engineered housing construction is implemented through the analyses of construction scale, types of informally organized construction sectors and the relationship between homeowners and the sectors. The results indicate that non-engineered construction varies in scale and technological level depending on the type of construction sector, and offer basic knowledge that leads to further study for improving the seismic resilience of non-engineered houses.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is to construct a pedestrian simulation model of natural movement by applying rules that influence pedestrian route selection from previous experimental studies. Based on wall vector field, the multi agent-based simulation model which evolves through the relationship between vision-driven agents and configuration of environment was programmed by NetLogo. It considered visual field angle, visual distance, visual noise (looking around), moving speed, attractive factor, and other agents. The results of the simulation in several environments including a real architectural space such as the Tate Gallery produced better movement patterns than a previous model (Turner′s EVA model) both locally and globally. Since the simulation model included variables related to visual factors which affect natural movement, it could help towards understanding the relationship between visibility and movement, its effects on spatial usage, and the affordance of configuration in a built environment for natural movement.

View full abstract

In this study, a new seismic design method for directly and efficiently controlling damage to structural and non-structural components of moment-resisting reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings is developed. The global seismic damage index, which considers the effect of accumulative damage, and the inter-story drift ratio are applied as the performance indexes for structural and non-structural components, respectively. As the base of this method, the seismic damage model, the determination of the seismic strength demand, and seismic performance objectives are first introduced. Then, the detailed design procedures of this method are presented. Finally, as a case study, the seismic design of a typical 6-story moment-resisting RC frame building structure is provided following this new method. The seismic performance of the designed structure is evaluated under different levels of earthquake by conducting a nonlinear time history analysis. The results indicate that the predetermined seismic performance objectives of the structure as designed in accordance with the proposed method can be achieved with great efficiency.

View full abstract

In residential apartment buildings, vibrations induced by a range of sources can be transferred to neighboring residential units through the walls and slabs. For accurate floor vibration analysis of a shear wall type building, it is essential to use a refined finite element model. The accuracy of finite element analysis (FEA) increases with the increasing number of nodes. On the other hand, it is impractical to model an entire building structure with a fine mesh to accurately predict floor vibrations because of the significant number of degrees of freedom (DOFs). Therefore, structural engineers generally use an isolated floor model, however such model has some limitations in accuracy and adaptability. In this study, an efficient analytical method that can accurately predict floor vibrations using the matrix condensation technique was proposed. Because only DOFs associated with translation perpendicular to walls or slabs are employed in the proposed method, more nodes can be used for floor vibration analysis resulting in more accurate analytical results. The modeling technique using super elements and substructures was introduced to reduce the computational time required for the matrix condensation. Numerical analysis of an example structure confirmed that the proposed method can provide more accurate results compared to the conventional finite element model with a considerably reduced computational time.

View full abstract

This paper presents a fragility assessment for the cladding in steel-framed constructions built in extreme wind speed regions. A fragility assessment methodology is developed to assess the performance of sandwich wall/roof panels and openings subjected to wind-induced building pressures. The majority of industrial buildings in Korea are of steel-framed construction. A review of the performance of industrial buildings after recent typhoons Maemi, Kompasu and Bolaven has shown that most of wind damage originated in the building envelope. The goal of this study is to develop a fragility model for building cladding, using available resistance test data, developed wind load statistics, and a recent building code. Six baseline structures considering different roof shapes, building sizes and geographic locations were investigated using a fully probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation engine. The fragilities of each baseline building considering four different levels of damage were developed as a function of a 3-second gust wind speed. The fragility assessment methodology described in this paper can be used to measure the performances of industrial buildings in extreme wind speed regions, as well as to provide information for risk and loss assessments.

View full abstract

Very few studies exist on the outdoor thermal environment and thermal comfort impact of a semi-outdoor environment—under a piloti—in a humid subtropical climate city. Subjective data was collected using questionnaires both in a square and under a piloti during June and July 2011 in Wuhan. The aims were to obtain a better understanding of human thermal comfort response while outdoors and to clarify the effect of piloti on thermal comfort in a humid subtropical climate city. It was found that mean radiant temperature (MRT) plays a more important role than air temperature in the subjective response of people to the outdoor thermal environment. The relationship between the standard effective temperature (SET*) and thermal sensation vote (TSV) was clarified, and the neutral SET* was calculated as being about 24.8°C. Being under a piloti has a notable impact, reducing the heat effect by ameliorating the microclimate and enhancing human thermal comfort outdoors. When the maximum air temperature exceeded 35°C during daytime, the SET* decreased by 9°C under the piloti in a humid subtropical climate city relative to that in a nearby square, and the acceptance rate of the outdoor thermal environment under the piloti was more than twice that in the square.

View full abstract

This is an elementary study on the application of small-sized exhaust wind power generation to exhausters on the rooftop of high-rise apartment buildings, Here, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation is performed to determine the effect of multi-diffusers for exhaust wind velocity amplification and external wind attraction; the experiments are conducted using miniatures and actual mock-ups. The results of the study are summarized as follows. From the simulation of multi-diffusers for exhaust and ventilation, the wind velocity increased with a greater number of installations of devices, where up to eight was possible and about six was found to be appropriate. In simulation of exhaust effect, an increase in the external wind velocity leads augmentation in the exhauster wind velocity; in particular, it was confirmed that even when there was no exhaust wind (0m/s), there was an exhaust air rise effect due to inflow of the external wind, itself. In the results of experiments with miniatures and mock-ups, the exhauster discharge wind velocity increased due to the external air inflow in the apartment building exhauster, confirming the existence of an exhaust effect. The wind velocity increase rate was greater at the upper part than at the lower part, leading to the prediction that it would be possible to secure over 3m/s, the initial operation wind velocity of small wind power.

View full abstract

Reliable airtightness data is needed to estimate the level of air infiltration and the thermal loads for improving building energy efficiency and indoor comfort. While useful information on air leakage in low-rise dwellings exists, there is little data available on dwellings in high-rise residential buildings (particularly those with a central core plan). In this study, airtightness measurements using the fan pressurization method were conducted on approximately 350 dwellings in 4 high-rise residential buildings in Korea. The results were compared with the airtightness requirements for high performance buildings or several airtightness ratings. The measured results showed that average ACH50 (air change per hour at 50Pa) was 2.3. This is within the range of 2~5, which is the level of ′quite tight′ based on the ASHRAE airtightness ratings. The results of the building component test showed that the parts of the dwelling that leaked the most were the internal walls between the residential units.

View full abstract

In this study, 292 participants took part in the evacuation experiment and completed a questionnaire. The study was conducted in a large subway station in order to analyze evacuation times during a fire, and used different evacuation parameters. The subway station where the experiment was conducted consisted of two basement floors. The evacuation started as soon as the train, in which a fire had occurred, came into the subway station and the doors were opened. The entire process of the evacuation experiment was recorded by using video cameras installed in the subway station. After the evacuation experiment was completed, participants were asked to answer questionnaires on evacuation parameters such as; gender, whether they had companions, how well they know that particular station, their usual level of awareness of evacuation, and their level of evacuation knowledge. By analysing the survey results, the time of egress from the train, and the total evacuation time, the results were as follows.
1) Female participants were slower by 23% on average compared to male participants. While male participants evacuated according to an order of egress from the train, female participants were affected by many other factors during evacuation.
2) Those who had companions were slower in evacuation by 29% on average compared to solo evacuees.
3) Knowledge of the area helped both female and male participants during the evacuation. The delay in evacuation according to a lack of knowledge of the station was only 9% in the case of male participants, but 21% in the case of female participants.
4) Those who did not usually think about evacuation were slower to evacuate by 8% on average than the other group who had a good level of awareness.
5) Those who did not have any knowledge of evacuation were slower by 18% on average than the group who had a high level of evacuation knowledge.

View full abstract

The application of photovoltaics (PV) is regarded as an important element for sustainable zero-energy buildings that require energy generation through renewable energy systems. When applying such systems, architects and designers must concern themselves with their integration into the overall scheme of their designs. Thus, in this study, a guideline for design processes including PV modules in new construction is suggested.
This study followed a four-step process. First, design parameters were extracted for an evaluation. The exterior materials and color of a detached house were investigated as evaluation parameters. An investigation focusing on the existing PV literature and the current catalogue of PV modules was then carried out. The color of the PV module was then selected from existing colors. In the second step, an experiment to evaluate reactions to a variety of PV modules and building exterior factors, which the authors refer to as a sensitivity evaluation, was carried out using computer graphics (CG). In the third step, the characteristics of the sensitivity evaluation were analyzed by means of a factor analysis. The cognitive structure formulated during the sensitivity evaluation was also examined through a factor analysis. Fourth, the evaluation characteristics of the categories of the respective parameters were analyzed through a multi-regression method (HAYASHI I). Finally, a method of applying PV modules to the exterior of the house was proposed.
Further various and specific studies considering characteristics that should be taken into account by designers when applying PV modules as design elements should also be performed.

View full abstract

This study examined the effects of the position and number of the supply openings (SOs) and exhaust openings (EOs) on the inhaled-air quality of inpatients using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The positions and number of SOs and EOs were selected to create mixing ventilation, displacement ventilation for a calm indoor environment, and personal ventilation for each inpatient′s ventilation. The effect of the installation of a curtain in the sickroom on the inhaled-air quality for inpatients was also examined. The inhaled-air quality of the inpatients was evaluated using the age of air, residual life of air, contribution ratio of nostril-exhaled air, and contribution ratio of the pollution source from the sickroom floor. CFD analysis showed that displacement ventilation, which uses a large SO with a low airflow velocity, supplied better air to the inpatients than the other ventilation methods, but pollution from the sickroom floor made a significant contribution. Overall, in general sickrooms and intensive care units, low-airflow-velocity displacement ventilation can supply high-quality air to the inpatients but the sickroom floor must be cleaned thoroughly.

View full abstract

In order to apply Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques to estimate pollutant dispersion in urban areas, it is important to assess the performance of numerical models used to estimate these phenomena. Recently, the MUST (Mock Urban Setting Test) has often been adopted as a test case for evaluating numerical models for micro-scale urban meteorology. This paper presents the results of model evaluation exercises carried out using MUST based on the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) experience. The results of model evaluation exercises conducted by AIJ are broadly consistent with the results obtained by the COST group. However, the variety of results by each computation can be minimized by setting standard computational conditions. All computations including both RANS and LES show good agreement with wind experiment data. In general, LES cases show comparable accuracy to RANS in predicting U and W. However, LES shows better agreement than RANS in TKE and concentration.

View full abstract

In high-rise residential buildings, problems arise with the use of natural ventilation, as outdoor wind speed and pressure increase in accordance with the increase of building height. As an alternative for high-rise residential buildings, the double-skin façade offers a way to use natural ventilation. From a questionnaire conducted with residents of high-rise residential buildings and interviews with residential managers, problems relating to ventilation were identified and the improvement factors of natural ventilation were developed for the current plans of a double-skin façade. The evaluation parameters included the type of position for the inlet and outlet, the envelope module, external window, width of intermediate space, and internal windows. These parameters are derived from the method of architectural planning. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the natural ventilation performance in high-rise residential buildings, especially in terms of the decrement effect of wind speed and pressure and the adequacy of ventilation rate. Natural ventilation performance according to the parameters is evaluated by CFD simulation.

View full abstract

This study aims to develop a system-integrated design prototype for realizing zero emission buildings (ZEBs) and to apply the same to standard-model buildings in order to demonstrate the feasibility of ZEBs. Toward this end, we analyzed the energy consumption/CO₂ emission performance of various design strategies and component technologies. Residential buildings, office buildings, and school buildings were selected as the building types that will have the greatest ripple effect from the viewpoint of realizing ZEBs. Prototype models using various architectural planning elements, facility planning elements, and renewable energy systems were proposed for each type, and the CO₂ emissions reductions were evaluated through an energy performance analysis. The reductions in CO₂ emissions for these building types decreased in the order of school buildings (58.6%) > office buildings (46.1%) > residential buildings (36.6%). This study is significant in that currently available technologies were employed as element technologies, and CO₂ emissions were evaluated based on the most common buildings.

View full abstract

This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey on the use of air conditioners in houses in Surabaya, Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The objective of the survey was to clarify what temperature and humidity levels people in these regions prefer in order to feel comfortable, with special focus on their sleeping environment. This was determined through survey responses and by measuring the thermal environments in their bedrooms. The questionnaire file was distributed to 64 university students in Surabaya and 65 in Kuala Lumpur. The students interviewed their family members and described their own experiences in their daily lives at home. The survey results show that the respondents set their air conditioners at very low temperatures. They also show that more than half of the respondents reported a cold or cool thermal sensation while using the air conditioner. Many respondents also reported various health problems and feeling cold while they were sleeping.

View full abstract

With the growth of the online market, online commerce has facilitated the development of home delivery services. An economically active individual in a developed country receives an average of approximately 40 parcels per year, and this trend is expected to intensify in the future (Her, 2010). This study considers the transportation of parcels within high-rise residential buildings in terms of their movement and energy consumption and proposes the elevator-integrated delivery system, a new delivery system that modifies a passenger elevator to automatically move parcels to their designated floors. This paper examines the feasibility and benefits of the proposed system by considering various scenarios and assumptions. The results indicate that the proposed system is energy-efficient for large numbers of deliveries and can reduce the waiting time for passengers as well as for parcels.

View full abstract

This study is an evaluation of thermal performance according to curtain wall frame types. Heat transfer simulations were conducted on the currently preferred aluminum, steel and scagliola frames, which improved thermal performance and actual frames were produced for thermal performance experiments. The results of this study can be summarized as follows: when heat transfer simulation was conducted to compare the thermal performance of the three frames for summer and winter, scagliola showed the lowest temperature difference, both inside and outside with excellent thermal performance compared to the aluminum/steel frame. Also, as a result of a mock-up test based on the simulation results, for both night and day, the temperature difference was found to be lowest for the scagliola frame. Therefore, it was found that by applying the scagliola frame which improves on the thermal performance of the aluminum/steel frame, the heat loss from frames can be reduced.

View full abstract