Showing papers in "Architectural research in 2013"

Why Do People Move to Cohousing Communities in Sweden? - Are there any Significant Differences Between the +40 Cohousing and the Mixed-Age Cohousing?

Abstract: Cohousing is based on collaborative network, or fictive kin in the community. It could facilitate the goal of self-sufficiency. This research aims to investigate the motivation of move to cohousing communities in Sweden, and to find out if there are any significant differences according to two different cohousing types; between the +40 cohousing and the mixed-age cohousing. The +40 cohousing is a kind of senior cohousing in which residents are supposed to be aged over 40. Questionnaire survey was applied and 242 collected data were analyzed by SPSS statistical program. Notable differences in demographic and dwelling variables are found between the 2 groups. There are more women, singles, academics, and small dwellings in the +40 cohousing than in the mixed-age cohousing. Referring motivation of move, "sharing common activity" and "idea of cohousing" are commonly noticed as the main reasons why people move to cohousing communities. Major difference between the 2 groups is that residents of the +40 cohousing tend to stress more on social interaction with neighbors than practical merit. On the contrary, ones of the mixed-age cohousing focus more on practical advantage than social interaction. As a conclusion, it is evident that motivation of move to cohousing communities is different by cohousing types, which have different residents' characteristics. Cohousing could contribute to elevate marginal group's quality of life as an alternative living environment. Therefore, cohousing design has to be tailored to adapt residents' specific needs of different life-stages. In order to implement cohousing model into other countries, for instance into Korea, it needs to experiment with the notion of transplanting selected cohousing principles to a public housing development. In the mixed-age cohousing where more dual income families with young children than conventional housing developments reside, residents would need more practical advantage than emotional support in the community, while as residents in the senior cohousing need vice versa.

Changes in Urban Planning Policies and Urban Morphologies in Seoul, 1960s to 2000s

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the main policies of the last half century that have shaped the urban architectural fabric of Seoul today, and explore whether a modified approach might better address the current socioeconomic conditions in Korea. The paper defines and examines urban planning in Korea through an overview of the four main urban project policies implemented in Seoul from the 1960s to the present: Land Readjustment (LR), Housing Site Development (HSD), Urban Redevelopment (UR), and Housing Reconstruction (HR). While the fundamental ideology behind these policies served well during a prolonged period of high economic growth, evidence is growing that these policies are losing steam under today’s conditions. A growing legacy of stalled and incomplete urban projects from the mid-2000s.the New Town Project is an example-begs the fundamental question as to whether an alternative urban planning paradigm is needed for Korea in an age of low economic growth, low birth rates and a fossil fuel energy crisis. Through the urban morphologies of the three residential areas in Seoul developed by LR projects, this paper looks at the possibility of urban regeneration through the sustainment of urban architecture in those residential areas that have not been affected by HSD, UR, and HR

Vibration and Buckling of Thick Plates using Isogeometric Approach

Abstract: A study on the free vibration and linear buckling analyses of thick plates is described in this article. In order to determine the natural frequencies and buckling loads of plates, a plate element is developed by using isogeometric approach. The Non-uniform B-spline surface (NURBS) is used to represent both plate geometry and the unknown displacement field of plate. All terms required in isogeometric formulation are consistently derived by NURBS definition. The capability of the present plate element is demonstrated by using several numerical examples. From numerical results, it is found to be that the present isogeometric element can predict accurate natural frequencies and buckling loads of plates.

On Flexibility in Architecture Focused on the Contradiction in Designing Flexible Space and Its Design Proposition

Abstract: Since Modern Movement flexibility has been one of the most attractive words in architecture. However, “overprovision first, division later” has been the most prevailing design method for spatial flexibility, and many of buildings designed for flexible use are practically quite inflexible due to insufficient building systems or/and irresponsible planning. There have been two dominant strategies to achieve architectural flexibility: multi-functionality and polyvalence. These two approaches, which point contradictory directions, actually reflect the difficulty in providing a proper form of architectural flexibility. Multi-functionality can afford changeable environments with satisfying spatial conditions; however it lacks tolerance to accommodate other uses but intended functions by architects. Meanwhile, flexibility by a polyvalent form relies on the vague anticipation of user’s various interpretations. In this study by looking up these two different standpoints and historical precedents flexibility in architecture is carefully scrutinized focused on the contradiction, and as an alternative for architectural flexibility contextual relations is proposed. Unlike both multi-functionality and polyvalence, which produce flexibility by changing its own properties, manipulating contextual relations infuses flexibility into space by changing the properties of a building, not of its individual room. By using this contextual relations method, a community-centered school in Manhattan, NY, which was in danger of being closed because of its academic failure, is represented as a flexible space.

A Form-finding Technique for Three-dimensional Spatial Structures

Abstract: A form-finding technique is proposed for three-dimensional spatial structures. Two-step discrete finite element (FE) mesh generator based on computer aided geometric design (CAGD) is introduced and used to control the shape of three-dimensional spatial structures. Mathematical programming technique is adopted to search new forms (or shapes) of spatial structures. For this purpose, the strain energy is introduced as the objective function to be minimized and the initial volume (or the initial weight) is considered as constraint function. Numerical examples are carried out to test the capability of the proposed form-finding techniques and provided as benchmark tests.

A Study on the Estimation Method of the Environmental Load Intensity for Analyzing GHG Reduction Effect of Han-Ok

Abstract: The Korean government recently has rediscovered the potential value of Han-Ok, the Korean traditional house, as an eco-friendly building. In order to objectively verify the environmental performance of Han-Ok as a low carbon green building, this paper suggests the analysis method of GHG emission load of Korean traditional house, based on Life Cycle Assessment, which is commonly abbreviated to “LCA”. The environmental impacts caused by building construction and operation can be analyzed through the sum of input and output data from every phase. The study particularly describes the GHG reduction effect by using traditional building materials such as wood products, traditional clay roof tiles, and mud, which are mainly used to construct Han-Ok. Also the study proposes the method for comparative analysis of quantity of GHG emissions in building’s entire life cycle so that the data can be used as a reliable basis to optimize the environmental performance of building.

Energy demand analysis according to window size and performance for Korean multi-family buildings

Abstract: Special attention is required for the design of windows due to their high thermal vulnerability. This paper examines the problems that might arise in the application of the u-value, by reflecting the changes in the u-value of the window, depending on the window-to-wall ratio obtained in an energy demand analysis. Research indicates that the u-value of a window increases with an increase in the difference between the u-values of the frames and the glass. Relative to the changes in the u-value of the windows, the energy demand varied from 1.3% to 9.3%. Windows with a g-value of 0.3 or 0.5 displayed a higher energy demand than windows with a g-value of 0.7. Therefore, when the difference between the performance of the glass and the frame is significant, especially when the g-value is small, a modified heat transmission coefficient should be applied to the window size during the evaluation of the building energy demand.

Improvement of a Requirement for Providing Special Boundary Element Considering Feature of Domestic High-rise Shear Walls

Abstract: The reinforced concrete shear walls are being widely used in the domestic high-rise residential complex buildings. If designed by current codes, the special boundary element is needed in almost all high-rise shear wall buildings. This is because the equation for determining the provision of the special boundary element in the current codes cannot reflect the characteristics of the domestic high-rise shear walls with high axial load ratio and high proportion of elastic displacement to total displacement. In this study, a new equation to be able to reflect the characteristics is proposed. By using the equation, the special boundary element may not be necessary in certain cases so that structural engineers can relieve the burden of installing the special boundary element in every high-rise shear wall.

A Simple Procedure of Seismic Performance Evaluation for Unreinforced Masonry Buildings in Korea

Abstract: This study was aimed at analyzing the three-step seismic performance evaluation procedure of Korea Infrastructure Safety Cooperation and proposing a new procedure suitable for unreinforced masonry buildings in Korea. For the study, it was investigated the performance evaluation results of five example URM buildings. First of all, it was found that the performance evaluation procedure for the URM buildings should be different from that for the other structural systems. As a result, a simple procedure of seismic performance evaluation was proposed, which includes elimination of elastic and inelastic push-over analysis and reduction of performance levels and evaluation steps. With the simple procedure, the URM buildings could be evaluated more easily than the other structures. It would be expected that the procedure can provide structural engineers with a simple and easy way to evaluate the seismic performance of the Korean URM buildings. Nevertheless, the procedure must be revised continuously by reflecting new research products for the URM buildings in Korea.

Rebar Fabrication Process in Both Field Processing and Factory Processing for Adopting Lean Construction

Abstract: Due to increasing competition of construction companies, it is required to optimize the management of construction projects and "lean" concepts are rapidly spreaded in construction industry. Steel work accounts for a large proportion in construction work, and a variety of attempts to efficiently perform steel work has currently made. And since rebar (Engineer-to-Order) can be engineered through design once order is placed, it gives the great impact on construction, thus, entire management is required. The purpose of this study is to present the method to increase the efficiency of field processing method of steel work in terms of lean construction. Once we examine process of steel work and identify the flow, we would like to analyze which processes should be improved through value analysis approach and present the improvement plans. Also, this study examines cases of field processing and factory processing, and it identifies the waste factors in the procurement process. Finally, this study would like to present the result of analysis from the perspectives of value. The rebar delivery process is divided into several steps and the duration of every step is surveyed. Using duration data, VAT (Value added time) can be calculated for analyzing the efficiency of the process.

Customization and Autonomy : Characteristics of the Ideal Design Studio Instructor in Design Education

Abstract: Design studio is a unique type of course in architecture and interior design education, in which learning is based on student-instructor interaction and learning by doing; yet little research has been conducted on student perceptions of the ideal design studio instructor. The purpose of this paper was to identify characteristics of the ideal studio instructor from student perspectives. Three award-winning design studio instructors’ studio activities were observed, and the three instructors and their 40 students were interviewed. As a result, characteristics in four categories were identified. The author argues that providing customized feedback and allowing student autonomy are the two distinct characteristics that students value in design studio as compared to students in other fields or type of courses. The findings provide valuable insights to design educators who would like to strengthen their teaching studios by listening to student voices.

Empirical Investigation and Comparative Analysis of Underground Public Pedestrian Facilities in Daegu Metropolitan City

Abstract: The study establishes the analytical frame composed of 22 items according to the category of passageway, shop, entrance and amenity for the purpose of executing the empirical investigation of the Underground Public Pedestrian Facilities in Daegu Metropolitan City of Korea. As a result of the research work, the study finds out some problems about the facilities as follows: ① Passageway elements - the skylight was constructed only in one place. In contrast, the standards of passageway and plaza were well-fulfilled except for one or two cases. ② Shop elements - the cases of installing shops where they should not be located were found the most, and a case of over-establishing the shop area was found as well. ③ Entrance elements - the cases not matching roof or canopy standard over entrance facilities were found the most. Overall, the entrances and their connection to the adjacent buildings are appraised as not well-established. ④ Amenity elements - these were appraised as insufficient in all except two cases. Regarding this, not only necessary are the establishment of facilities and the effort of facility managers, but also urgent is the institutional improvement.

Basic Research on BIM-Based Quantity Take-off Guidelines

Abstract: Various types of building information should be linked to 3D model objects for their effective use by stakeholders. Because Building Information Modeling (BIM) based on 3D is used by different stakeholders, the created BIM need standard guidelines for each purpose, as, for example, for quantity take-off. Thus, this study was conducted to propose guidelines for BIM modeling for quantity take-off in the framework, especially, in the concrete and form. The proposed guidelines adopted each element of the BIM model based on an analysis of the problem of the general BIM model. Moreover, the usability and accuracy of the reinforced structure modeling guidelines were verified by comparing the quantity of the commercial estimation software and the modeling quantity using the proposed modeling guidelines.

The Mechanical Properties of High Strength Concrete in Massive Structures

Abstract: High strength concrete is being used increasingly in mass structure projects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of temperature during mixing, placing and curing on the strength development, hydration products and pore structures of high strength concrete in mass structures. The experiments were conducted with two different model walls, viz.: 1.5 m and 0.3 m under typical summer and winter weather conditions. The final part of this study deal with the clarification of the relationship between the long-term strength loss and the microstructure of the high strength concrete at high temperatures. Test results indicated that high elevated temperatures in mass concrete structures significantly accelerate the strength development of concrete at the early ages, while the long-term strength development is decreased. The long-term strength loss is caused by the decomposition of ettringite and increased the total porosity and amount of small pores.

Structural Response of Offshore Plants to Risk-Based Blast Load

Abstract: Offshore oil and gas process plants are exposed to hazardous accidents such as explosion and fire, so that the structural components should resist such accidental loads. Given the possibilities of thousands of different scenarios for the occurrence of an accidental hazard, the best way to predict a reasonable size of a specific accidental load would be the employment of a probabilistic approach. Having the fact that a specific procedure for probabilistic accidental hazard analysis has not yet been established especially for explosion and fire hazards, it is widely accepted that engineers usually take simple and conservative figures in assuming uncertainties inherent in the procedure, resulting either in underestimation or more likely in overestimation in the topside structural design for offshore plants. The variation in the results of a probabilistic approach is determined by the assumptions accepted in the procedures of explosion probability computation, explosion analysis, and structural analysis. A design overpressure load for a sample offshore plant is determined according to the proposed probabilistic approach in this study. CFD analysis results using a Flame Acceleration Simulator, FLACS_v9.1, are utilized to create an overpressure hazard curve. Moreover, the negative impulse and frequency contents of a blast wave are considerably influencing structural responses, but those are completely ignored in a widely used triangular form of blast wave. An idealistic blast wave profile deploying both negative and positive pulses is proposed in this study. A topside process module and piperack with blast wall are 3D FE modeled for structural analysis using LS-DYNA. Three different types of blast wave profiles are applied, two of typical triangular forms having different impulse and the proposed load profile. In conclusion, it is found that a typical triangular blast load leads to overestimation in structural design.

A study on the Visual Representation of Design Presented in 'Perfect Acts of Architecture' Exhibition of 2001

Abstract: Throughout the history of architecture, sometimes the main focus of design was determined by a particular visual representation method, and other times a particular form of visual representation method was required by perception of a particular architectural issue or an architectural form or idea. That is why the visual representation method of architects becomes an important means of reading the flow of idea and thinking behind architecture. This study is an investigation on the relation between architectural thinking and visual representation method expressed through the conceptual drawings by avant-garde architects of the 1970s and 80s, a period of the emergence of postmodernism. Rather than proving the objective reality regarded important by traditional architectural drawing, attempts are made to express the design concept in which the project has its base. Such interpretation and explanation regarding the concept become the main interest of the drawing. It is not that the architecture itself was not expressed in the contents, but it may not be the main subject of expression in the drawing. The value of architectural drawing recovers its value as an art work in itself, as a means of communication, and as an important conceptual tool in the design process. It can be seen that the visual representation method in postmodern architectural drawings is breaking free of the traditional objective depiction of matter and is changing and developing as a design tool of the architect.

Circulation Dynamics to Improve Commercial Activity in a Mega Mall

Abstract: The ‘one-day-shopping’ concept that we experience today in a modern mega mall changed the propensity to consume compared to the past. The idea of a mega mall originated in the U.S. and the first suburban shopping malls as we know them today were built in the 1950s. The convenience of these malls had a great impact not only on consumers but also on the retail industry in general and the new mega mall idea has since spread around the world, with the largest ones located in China and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Korea had the fastest-growing economy during the last three decades and with that boom the compositional structure of domestic retail facilities became extremely diverse. Today, there are 36 new mega mall development plans to be completed before 2016, which represent a rapid and dynamic change in consumerism lifestyle in Korea. In this regard, this study will re-evaluate the first mega mall in Korea, the COEX Mall, and identify initial errors regarding its circulation plan and provide an ideal design strategy for future commercial mega malls based on literature review and comparison analysis.

Performance of Office Workers Under Office Sounds and Various Enclosure Conditions in Open Workplaces

Abstract: Effects of physical attributes of workstation enclosures on the performance of office workers with different difficult levels of office tasks and moods are presented. Performance scores in complex tasks were expected to increase with greater workstation enclosures while those in simple tasks would be the same. Mood ratings were expected to be higher in lower workstation enclosures. Performance of 102 college students on ambient office sounds (45 dBA) with office tasks were measured for 100 minutes under three different workplace enclosures: (1) four foot partitions on two sides; (2) six foot partitions on three sides; and (3) a fully enclosed workstation with eight foot partitions. The tasks were to memorize a paragraph with 130 words (complex task) and to search phone numbers (simple task). The complex task performance in the fully enclosed workstation was increased compared to that in the workstation with four foot partitions (p < 0.001) and to that in the workstation with six foot partitions (p < 0.05). However, occupants in the fully enclosed workstation with office sounds without speech generally gave higher mood ratings. It indicates that closed individual offices may offer important contributions to collaborative work as well as individual productivity. These findings would help design community revise open plan design to increase collaboration among office workers.

Gesamtkunstwerk in Design: Interdisciplinary Design and Pedagogy

Abstract: This paper examines the interdisciplinary practice within design realms including urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. It discusses the pedagogical approaches at design schools to foster designers capable of design challenge with interdisciplinary skills. As the complexity of contemporary multicultural society increasingly requires a higher level of expertise in professional service, no individual designer can be expert in all fragmented expertise across the whole design and associated engineering areas. A designer, therefore, should rely on the expertise of other practitioners in areas where he or she doesn’t possess proficiency and educational background. From this sense the need of interdisciplinary approaches across diverse range of design and engineering through the collaboration is rising. Historically most of discussion made on interdisciplinary approaches is limited to collaboration between architecture and supporting engineering. This paper focuses on the collaboration with design realms. Three case studies done in an interdisciplinary firm are explored, focusing on design process that is non-linear and complementary. Finally the integrative pedagogical approaches to provide students with more exposure to allied disciplines are navigated with exemplary student work from interdisciplinary design studio.

The Impacts of the Green Growth Policy on Green Living of Residents in Multifamily Housing

Abstract: To ameliorate a long-standing, persistent housing shortage in Korea, large-scale massive housing production has been an imperative, and the extensive growth highly values development and consumption. The state's priority for the quantitative growth of housing stock has proved to be successful, but the state faces with economic and environmental crises in a global era. To achieve the qualitative growth, the previous administration pronounced a green growth policy from the inception, and a series of strategic measures under a holistic plan have been taken widely and vigorously. As part of the strategies, the green home project was undertaken, and simultaneously the movement of green living led by the governance has been activated. However, little attention to the grassroots effort was paid and the efficacy hasn't been adequately addressed. This study examines the factors affecting green living of residents in multifamily housing. Based on public guidelines to green living, 106 specific items were drawn out and largely categorized into 6 areas (water, waste, transportation, air quality, consumption, and energy), and the questionnaire was constructed using them. Of 750 survey forms mailed out, 161 responses were returned and the collected data were used for statistical analysis. The findings indicated that varying degrees of green living was well practiced, the state-led green home project was relatively well recognized, and the green growth policy was strongly supported. Also the respondents' attitude toward green living were more associated with demographic variables than housing characteristics, and familiarity with green home project was related to attitudes toward green living. Since the on-going approach to green living has focused on simple and economical ways, it has proved to be effective but progressive strategies to make living greener are necessarily developed.

A Comparative Study by Age in Evaluating Web-based 3D Model House

Abstract: This study aims to explore age-related differences with the assessment tools in the web-based 3D virtual model house and to propose the 3D model house criteria which everyone can use easily. The participants came from three age groups, ranging from their 20s to their over 40. Presence, Usability and Space perception and cognition in the experiment for navigating and evaluating the web-based 3D model house were measured and compared through one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA. The results and conclusions are as follows. (1) The younger the participants were, the more positive they evaluated the experiment on Presence. However, 20s needed higher presence than other two groups. (2) 30s and over 40 groups evaluated that the 3D virtual model house was more efficient than an actual model house on Usability. When the participants were younger, the values of ‘expressivity’ factor were higher. (3) The younger the participants were, the more positive they perceived the virtual environment (VE) on Space perception and cognition scale. There were no significant differences in the selection of dwelling size and the floor plan type. There were no significant differences of interaction effects between age and online gaming experience on Presence and Usability. The results of the current study demonstrate that there are differences among age groups and older groups have difficulty navigating and assessing in a VE. Although older groups take longer to adapt in the VE, they regard the 3D model house as an effective tool for purchase of house.

A Research on the Proposal of U-Pavilion Adopted in Korean Residential Development

Abstract: Over the past two decades following the 1990s, South Korea’s IT industry has developed rapidly. In keeping with this trend, the architectural and urban planning sectors have also converged with IT and achieved advancement in new directions. This evolution includes a variety of conceptual terminologies such as ‘home automation’, ‘home network’, ’smart home’, and ‘ubiquitous-city’. However, smart homes and U-cities simply represent a conceptual extension of home networks, and there is little real difference in the technologies involved. In particular, U-cities remain focused on infrastructure rather than on the development of specific content; consequently, they have failed to demonstrate distinctive features to clearly differentiate themselves from conventional cities. In such a context, this research aims at the proposal of a ‘ubiquitous pavilion’ as a component of the efforts to develop a range of architectural contents that utilize ubiquitous technologies. By grafting the pavilion, one of the most basic forms in architecture, with cutting-edge ubiquitous technologies, this paper intends to suggest a multi-purpose architectural space readily and simply available not only in newly emerging U-cities, but to conventional cities as well.

Design Optimization Using Conflicting Building Information - A case Study Focused on the View and Structure in High-Rise Building Design

Abstract: Within residential high-rise market there are many value determining factors. Site condition, view, program, units and structure are important parameters that are directly related to the financial aspect of the project. However, most of the studies of high-rise building design focus on the facade and the shape strategies from an esthetic point of view without considering these factors. The objective of this study is to investigate new design approach that incorporates site, program and structural information at an early stage as a generator of building form and explore a wide range of strategies to negotiate these factors in the process of design/decision making. Not being based on designer’s subjective preference or style, architects still can create interesting building design through integration and negotiation of various building information. Since this form is based on real data, not just play of abstract form, we can expect that this form has great potential to be developed into real one at the later design phase.

Ste. Genevieve Library as a Criticism of Classicism

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to reconsider and revaluate Ste. Genevieve Library designed by Henri Labrouste as a criticism of Classicism. Considered as the epitome of the early structural Rationalism the modern historian tried to focus only on the iron structure of the library. Arguably, the structural concern was one of the ideas that the architect wanted to manifest in the library. As a rebel against a view of the Academie des Beaux-Art the notions of H. Labrouste were radical. He criticized an autistic Classicism with an echoing Claude Perrault’s doubt about the myth of classical beauty. These radical ideas firstly showed in his report of the Grand Prix de Rome and must have been developed through several discussions for a novel: Notre-Dame de Paris by V. Hugo. ‘Ceci tuera cela’, one of the chapter of the novel, was generally known as the death of architecture due to the invention of the printing press around Renaissance period. We, however, consider that even though the historical background of the novel is the Gothic period the ideas, which was discussed with Labrouste, related to the death of architecture was not the architecture itself but classical architecture recomposed during Renaissance period. As the first design work the library must be reflected his ideas, which were developed, and manifested his criticism of the Classicism indirectly.