Showing papers in "Collection of Frontiers of Architectural Research in 2020"

Computational design in architecture: Defining parametric, generative, and algorithmic design

Abstract: Computation-based approaches in design have emerged in the last decades and rapidly became popular among architects and other designers. Design professionals and researchers adopted different terminologies to address these approaches. However, some terms are used ambiguously and inconsistently, and different terms are commonly used to express the same concept. This paper discusses computational design (CD) and proposes an improved and sound taxonomy for a set of key CD terms, namely, parametric, generative, and algorithmic design, based on an extensive literature review from which different definitions by various authors were collected, analyzed, and compared.

Exploring the influence of the built environment on human experience through a neuroscience approach: A systematic review

Abstract: The built environment provides a habitat for the most sophisticated mammal in our universe, the human being. Developments in science and technology are forcing us to reconsider the priority of human needs in current theories of architecture and the built environment. Newly developed theories and methodologies in neuroscience have allowed us to improve and deepen our knowledge of human experience in the built environment. The potential of the relationship between neuroscience and architecture for knowledge creation generates an increasing interest in theoretical and methodological approaches to explore this intersection. Thus, a common ground on which to conduct interdisciplinary studies investigating developing and emerging concepts at the intersection must be established. However, few reviews in the literature have systematically examined developing and emerging concepts at the intersection of neuroscience and architecture. The present review aims to examine the existing literature systematically to explain the influence of the built environment on human experience by using approaches from neuroscience by examining the conceptualizations in the field. The study is conducted as a systematic qualitative review that analyzes and synthesizes the developing and emerging concepts that have appeared in the ever-evolving literature. The study concludes with an overall discussion about these concepts as a means of deeply understanding the influence of the built environment on human experience, responses to the environment based on approaches from neuroscience, and their potential for providing further directions for future research.

The transformation of the inherited historical urban and architectural characteristics of Al-Najaf's Old City and possible preservation insights

Abstract: This paper focuses on the dramatic transformation of the inherited historical urban and architectural characteristics of the city of Al-Najaf in Iraq, seeking new ways of seeing the possibilities of preserving and revitalizing the historical center of the city. In addition to being one of the most sacred centers for Shia Muslims, Al-Najaf has a rich cultural and architectural heritage. Its architectural characteristics and urban structure not only reflect the history of the city but also stand as evidence of the most important junctures in Islamic history: the martyrdom of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, who is a central Islamic spiritual personality and the second most important figure after the Prophet Muhammad. Since its establishment in 750 AD, the formation of Al-Najaf has never separated from its sociopolitical context and Islamic principles, particularly Shia Muslims’ beliefs. Today, the city is a destination for more than million Shia Muslim pilgrims each year, and the number is rapidly increasing. However, as the city continues to develop, its architecture and unique urban structure transform dramatically. The cultural and architectural heritage of the city is seriously threatened. Several factors played a crucial role in the formation and the transformation of the city's specific architectural and urban structures. The most influential factors were mainly related to religion, environment, and politics. This paper introduces the main forces behind the transformation of the deep organizational structures of the architecture and urban fabric in Al-Najaf. The question of whether it is still possible to protect and preserve the remaining parts and revitalize the Old City center is also examined. The goal is to identify the major preservation issues and provide possible insights based on successful preservation experiences that address similar issues in different contexts.

A computational approach for achieving optimum daylight inside buildings through automated kinetic shading systems

Abstract: Parametric architecture can be used to improve design quality by integrating and coordinating design components, and any change in one parameter affects the final design. Daylight is a crucial parameter in designing energy-efficient buildings. In this research, daylight inside a building was improved by designing a kinetic shading system with independent units parametrically responding to sunlight through 3D rotation (around the centers of the units) and 2D movement (on the surface of the shading system). Various patterns were determined to create the unit's basic form and allow the designer to have a wide range of options. The units were defined with the plugin “Grasshopper.” Their rotation was parametrically controlled on the basis of sun path and weather data by using “Honeybee” and “Ladybug” plugins to provide constant optimized daylighting inside the building. Results showed that the use of such a shading system in optimal situations can greatly increase the efficiency of indoor daylight.

Evaluating the impact of mass housings’ in-between spaces’ spatial configuration on users’ social interaction

Abstract: This research examines the impact of in-between space configuration on users' social practices. The effects of different degrees of permeability of these spaces on the social interactions of the inhabitants are also analyzed. This research is based on a comparative approach using space syntax analysis and snapshot observations on four mass housing neighborhoods in Setif, Algeria. The neighborhoods are selected according to their degree of permeability, location in the city, realization period, and syntax measures from integrated to segregated. The activity patterns of two-week days for each study case are observed and recorded. Correlation results of observed social activities and syntactic measures demonstrate that spatial configuration affects people's use of in-between spaces. Moreover, connectivity and clustering coefficients are revealed to be important indicators of social activities. Previous urban studies argued that integrated spaces are mostly used by people. However, social interaction in the studied cases increases in the least connected areas, adjoining spaces to the buildings, and most closed spaces. This research finds that social activities are dependent on the degree of permeability, which when low, gives rise to increased social interaction and activities.

Emotional evaluation of architectural interior forms based on personality differences using virtual reality

Abstract: Recent studies have shown that architectural interior forms could impact the affective state of inhabitants. However, the direct relation of specific forms with specific affective states is difficult to determine. In addition, no systematic categorization of architectural forms and their relation to emotional states exists. The investigation of the impact of architectural features on inhabitants' emotions is further complicated by the use of two-dimensional images of forms in laboratory investigations, which cannot perceive real-world architecture. Furthermore, the interior form consists of a combination of different forms rather than only pure forms, which was considered in previous studies. This study aimed to fill these gaps by evaluating interior forms on the basis of clustering different images of built living rooms throughout history as well as their impact on emotions. This study used pleasure, arousal, and dominance ratings with an emphasis on individual differences in personality. Virtual sample rooms were created based on formal clusters of architectural forms. Results showed a relationship between forms and emotional states for different personality traits. This work provided a novel approach on the influence of architecture on emotion by considering systematic form categorization and combinations, personality differences, and a virtual reality setup.

Blue–green architecture: A case study analysis considering the synergetic effects of water and vegetation

Abstract: Blue–green infrastructure is a network of natural and near-natural areas that has a positive effect on the quality of urban environment. This multifunctional planning approach addresses different issues and objectives depending on whether the focus is on the blue (water) or the green (vegetation) elements. Green-motivated projects aim to densify urban vegetation and include the growing sector of building greening. A good climatic effect of vegetation can be achieved by sufficient irrigation. In many cases, this approach results in additional water requirements. Blue-motivated projects consider water accumulation in cities (e.g., by heavy rainfall) as a waste product and look for solutions for local drainage and evaporation. These planning approaches offer only one-sided solutions and create no sufficient interfaces between water availability and water demand. Based on four case studies, this work examines the extent to which blue–green projects take advantage of the possibilities for the synergetic use of resources. The projects are analyzed graphically by applying the daily tools of architects as a scientific method. A graphic presentation of the blue and green components makes existing solutions and missing links visible. Analytical results show that buildings can be considered to be an interface for blue–green systems. Moreover, the possible synergies are often overlooked during the planning process. This fact highlights the need for a new planning approach that interlinks blue and green aspects that are already in the early planning stages.

Subjective experience and visual attention to a historic building: A real-world eye-tracking study

Abstract: The objective of this exploratory study is to discover the relations between visual attention to an architectural work and the subjective experiences produced during its observation. A subjective experience with a building is the specific manner in which an architectural element or the building as a whole are presented to a person. The qualities of the element as how they are perceived and the inner world of the observer are both considered in this subjective experience. The aims of this study are to describe the experience that a building generates in people, pinpoint what has attracted the participant’s attention during each view of the building in an itinerary; and understand which aspects of this selected case study have made it an object of attention. An eye-tracking study was carried out using a portable eye tracker. This tool allowed the participants to walk freely around the exterior of a historic train station in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. Two groups of participants, with routes starting from opposite sides of the building, contemplated it while using the eye tracker. Eye tracking allowed for the identification of the architectural elements that were objects of attention, the lengths of observation, and the points of view from which the elements were observed. Other data collection techniques, such as the think-aloud protocol and a special type of survey, were used to deeply understand the experiences that accompanied the visual exploration of the historic building. Results suggest that the participants observed the different architectural elements for a time that was neither influenced by the route used to explore the building nor the point where that route was initiated. The architectural elements identified as examples of high-quality architecture and perceived as aesthetically pleasing by the participants during the itinerary were observed for longer times

The effects of environmental factors on the patient outcomes in hospital environments: A review of literature

Abstract: This study investigates the evidence supporting the impact of the built environment on the health outcomes for patients within the hospital setting. Improving the hospital environment may potentially impact the lives of millions of patients, patients' family, and staff. Prior research has suggested that the built environment can contribute to positive health outcomes. Reporting the most recent evidence may assist designers in making informed decisions. In this study, a literature review was conducted using the PICO framework within scientific databases and additional hand-searched documents. A total number of 15 articles were included. Effects of each environmental factor on patients' health outcomes were discussed in detail. Environmental factors that affect patient outcomes are (1) form, (2) unit layout, (3) floor material, (4) room features, (5) medical equipment visibility, (6) nature, (7) lighting, and (8) music. Although several studies have provided a high level of evidence, other studies have lacked a robust research design. Thus, evidence regarding several environmental factors is not conclusive. Additional studies using experimental/quasi-experimental research design have been suggested. In some studies, several environmental factors were introduced simultaneously which obscured the separate effects of each environmental factor.

Design, construction, and thermal performance evaluation of an innovative bio-based ventilated façade

Abstract: The energy consumption of the construction sector and its overall environmental impact has greater potential for improvement than those of many other sectors. Most energy consumed throughout the lifecycle of a building is expended during its operation and maintenance, for which the building envelope plays an important role. This study reports on the design, construction, and thermal performance evaluation of a ventilated facade. The facade should be quickly assembled, disassembled, and stored in containers for easy onward transport. Such features comply with the Rules and Building Code of the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 and the relevant Eurocodes. The facade is constructed using bio-based materials in keeping with the principles of a circular economy. The exterior cladding consists of sanitary paper, grass, reeds, recycled textiles, drinking water treatment waste, bio-based polyester resin, and other materials. Temperature and the air velocity measurements recorded on the facade in Dubai showed that the facade had contributed to cool temperatures within the apartment, particularly during the hottest hours of the day. The facade is a promising option for climates with hot summers and mild winters as it contributes to reducing energy consumption and the environmental impact of building materials.

Architectural quality of the productive façades integrating photovoltaic and vertical farming systems: Survey among experts in Singapore

Abstract: Buildings could play a critical role in energy and food production while making high-density cities more resilient. Productive facades (PFs), as flexible and multi-functional systems integrating photovoltaic (PV) and vertical farming (VF) systems, could contribute to transforming buildings and communities from consumers to producers. This study analyses the architectural quality of the developed PF concept drawing on the findings of a web-survey conducted among experts – building professionals in Singapore. The developed design variants are compared with regards to key design aspects such as facade aesthetics, view from the inside, materialisation, ease of operation, functionality and overall architectural quality. The study also compares and discusses the results of the web-survey with the results of a previously conducted door-to-door survey among the potential users – residents of the Housing & Development Board (HDB) blocks. The findings confirm an overall acceptance of the PF concept and reveal a need for synergetic collaboration between architects/designers and other building professionals. Based on the defined PF design framework and the results of the two surveys, a series of recommendations and improved PF prototypes are proposed for further assessment and implementation in order to foster their scalability from buildings into communities and cities.

Improving outdoor air quality based on building morphology: Numerical investigation

Abstract: Due to rapid urbanization around the world, high concentrations of vehicular pollutants have deteriorated the outdoor air quality, which can affect the physical and psychological well-being of humans. Numerous strategies have been proposed to overcome these harmful impacts by improving the dispersion of air pollutants. Consequently, a question arises regarding the potential effects of building morphology on the dispersion of pollutants. Subsequently, transient three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to examine the effect of building morphology on PM10 dispersion. Eleven cases with various prototypes and morphological methods are compared with a simple building form to identify the patterns of PM10 dispersion within a given time sequence under a prevailing inflow condition. The results indicate that the different designs of building morphology with varying Relative compactness (RC) indicator highlight the importance of considering morphological factors to improve outdoor air quality. In addition, the proposed prototypes can reduce PM10 concentrations by approximately 30%–90% at specific points in the studied time sequence. In particular, the vertical, horizontal, and grid folded prototypes can be considered more effective as an approximate decrease between 70% and 90% in PM10 concentrations is observed, which reflects the influence of building morphology on improving outdoor air quality.

Integrating algae building technology in the built environment: A cost and benefit perspective

Abstract: Energy consumption rates have been rising globally at an escalating pace since the last three decades. The exploration of new renewable and clean sources of energy globally is thus gaining prime importance. In Australia, coal is still the primary source of energy, which, during the process of energy production, generates greenhouse gases, subsequently resulting in environmental degradation. Within this context, the paper compares the economic and environmental benefits of utilizing two renewable energy production sources: algae building technology (ABT) and solar PV panels. A case study site for retrofitting a specified area on the front facade of a multi-storied building at the University of Technology Sydney, City Campus, Australia was thus chosen for the study. A cost and benefit analysis model using the following performance indicators; return on investment, payback period as well as net present value of the two systems, was thus initiated. Annual revenue generation of both systems which included tangible and intangible benefits of both systems were simultaneously calculated. The investment and operation and maintenance costs of both systems were calculated based on market research as well as quantitative data adapted from our literature review. Our conclusions show that closed tubular photobioreactor systems have more benefit than solar panel system from an environmental impact perspective considering Australia's current struggle with water scarcity, drought, air pollution and carbon emission reduction goals.

Color preference cool versus warm in nursing homes depends on the expected activity for interior spaces

Abstract: This study explores the color preferences of elderly residents of nursing homes based on the expected activities for different rooms, activity rooms, and bedrooms and compares the results with the arousal level induced by each color. Two experiments were conducted, one with elderly people living in nursing homes in the Valencian Community, and the other in a laboratory with virtual reality and physiological markers (i.e., heart rate variability). Individuals assessed six colors in two groups of warm and cool. Results demonstrate that preferences for warm and cool colors depend on the room type. For the activity room, warm colors were preferred over the cool colors by both genders, fitting the higher arousal levels induced by warm versus cool colors. For the bedrooms, cool colors were preferred by both genders, fitting the lower arousal levels induced by cool colors in females and the other models that suggest a U-shaped relation between the arousal level and the visible spectra of colors. Therefore, the color preferences for interior spaces in nursing homes depend on the room type and are related to the arousal level for the expected activity in them.

Heritage risk index: A multi-criteria decision-making tool to prioritize municipal historic preservation projects

Abstract: The current pressure on the built historical heritage requires a global evaluation to develop strategies for its preservation. A combined vision of the state of conservation of architectural heritage is essential to highlight the vulnerabilities of the structure from which harmonized measures can be proposed for its mitigation. This study proposes a multi-criteria analysis methodology that considers a qualitative and quantitative approach to organize the global conservation state of heritage buildings hierarchically. A global index can be determined on the basis of the generation of an interoperable data matrix by defining a set of indicators to assess different components of a building. This index describes the risk with respect to the stability, safety, and habitability of the building. This methodology aims to achieve the state of the building in an integral way by obtaining a simple and objective index that enables efficient comparison among different buildings. The application of this methodology to a historic area allows creating a hierarchical map of risk to stablish priorities for intervention and enable a sustainable and critical management and planning over the actions of maintenance, conservation, and restoration. In this way, a holistic vision of the complex reality of built heritage and the urban landscape is obtained to identify critical areas of priority intervention.

A GIS-based methodology for the appraisal of historical, architectural, and social values in historic urban cores

Abstract: Historic environments represent the evolution of materials and techniques that have been used for the construction these environments over the centuries. Entering into the study of this field entails working not only on the crafts that have constructed these environments but also on the people who made, used, and reinterpreted them by learning about the craftsmen and the idiosyncrasies of the place. The study has adopted several methodologies as reference to examine the material and cultural reality of the rural region of Valencia, Spain. Through the adaptation of international methodologies, researchers have carried out a digital database that compiles and maps out the results of the Local Character Assessment of ten Histotiric Urban Cores by incorporating the historical, architectural, and social values to reinforce the Territorial Heritage Action Plan. One of the critical innovations adopted by this form of assessment is the compulsory integration of tangible and intangible heritage through the active involvement of users and makers. Another innovation is to understand the values behind the dynamism and transformation of historic sites. Hence, this study advances theory and practice on the transmission of knowledge among artisans, researchers, and the population and how contemporary practices help acquire new meanings that overlap the past ones.

Application of AHP and a mathematical index to estimate livability in tourist districts: The case of Al Qasba in Sharjah

Abstract: Urban planners must ensure that urban public spaces are enjoyable to use to create a lively city that expresses their culture and traditions and welcomes social diversity. This study aims to develop a theoretical index for assessing the livability levels in tourist districts. Therefore, a survey-based study accompanied by a literature review is used to derive criteria for livability. In addition to using the analytic hierarchy process to develop an importance-based hierarchy of criteria, mathematical analysis is applied to derive the livability index. Furthermore, one of Sharjah's well-known public spaces, Al Qasba Tourist District, is assessed as a case study. This study discussed the main concepts and factors of livability in urban public spaces to examine the livable extent of Qasba and the significance of criteria. Results show that the current livability level in Al Qasba is less than 50%, confirming its urgent need for further urban improvement. This study explores the livability assessment criteria and their influencing parameters. Using the suggested conceptual livability index enables decision makers to assess the livability level, analyze the influencing factors, and suggest solutions to improve the overall livability levels of open public spaces.

Teaching construction sciences with the integration of BIM to undergraduate architecture students

Abstract: This study aims to test two hypotheses: teaching building information modeling (BIM) in relation to construction science provides students with a remarkable understanding of the nature of construction science (Hypothesis 1), and if the student has positive attitude toward the use of the BIM program, then efficiency by which construction science is taught by its means is improved (Hypothesis 2). Results and process of a case study with a novel teaching methodology were discussed in terms of the benefits of the students. A questionnaire study was conducted on the student group with which the case study was performed to test each student's attitude. Results were evaluated statistically. When BIM is integrated with the teaching of basic construction courses within architecture degree programs, the students understood the building system principles simply and effectively. As a result of the statistical analysis, the students find the applied method effective. Moreover, their attitude toward BIM affects the process.

Applying design science approach to architectural design development

Abstract: Unlike research methods for social science and positivist sciences, those for architectural design lack a discipline- specific conceptual framework. Performative science aims at producing outcomes for future use and therefore needs a robust methodological approach that encompasses different techniques and methods supporting an evidence-based architectural design development. This study suggests that design science can be successfully applied to architectural design development and provide architects and designers with a powerful tool bridging the gap between research and design. In so doing, this study explores the application of design science to carry out a user-centered design approach. A design challenge is reframed within the robust framework of design science by referring to a case study on refugee shelters. The traditional way in which shelter optimization is pursued by designers is questioned by involving the final users through an ethnographic approach within the framework of design science.The design outcome produced through this process is a list of specifications allowing designers to create different architectural solutions and matching the requirements expressed by the future users. The authors argue that a user-centered design outcome can be achieved and validated through design science.

Improved indoor environment through optimised ventilator and furniture positioning: A case of slum rehabilitation housing, Mumbai, India

Abstract: This study optimized the ventilator and furniture location of a tenement unit in a low-income urban habitat to obtain maximum experiential indoor environmental quality (e-IEQ) over the breathing zone. Hypothetical interior layouts using a combination of the two design parameters of ventilator location and bed position were generated for optimizing the design layout. This layout could promote maximum indoor airflow and minimum indoor air temperature and contaminant concentration. In this study, an improved indoor environment is hypothesized to be attainable through improved natural ventilation and thermal performance in the occupied zones. A sequential methodology involving “parametric design modeling–computational simulation–multiobjective optimization–multicriteria decision making”-based framework was selected. Results exhibited that the currently designed tenement unit had a poor indoor environment, whereas the hypothesized iterated layout “optimized design layout, scenario 3 (ODL 3)” derived from the optimization and decision-making algorithm performed effectively in providing e-IEQ. An increase in experiential indoor air velocity by 0.2 m/s and a decrease in temperature by 2 °C were observed over the monitoring point in the ODL 3 considering the existing scenario. Therefore, this study can find a way toward the development of sustainable habitat design guidelines under upcoming slum redevelopment policies across the nation.

Study on the inter-village space of a traditional village group in Huizhou Region: Hongguan Village group as an example

Abstract: Village groups are a common phenomenon in Huizhou Region, a historical region in eastern China where shared inter-village spaces play important roles in linking villages. This study analyzes the spatial layouts and characteristics of the inter-village space in the Hongguan village group in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province. A comprehensive literature review and the results of field research, qualitative analysis, and quantitative analysis prove that the regional spatial structure is maintained among inter-village space, landmarks, villagers, and villages within the village group. Through a summarized analysis of nine research slices, this study complements previous Huizhou Village studies. It provides valuable information for the preservation of traditional villages and reveals the hidden rules, potential order, and social meaning of inter-village spaces.

Generative urban design using shape grammar and block morphological analysis

Abstract: The significant challenges that urban design faces when moving forward into this new digital era involve the increasingly massive and complex projects that must be analyzed and developed. The need for efficient analysis tools and rational design methods represent ongoing concerns, while practicable and maneuverable applications rather than experimental studies are scarce. This research implemented a framework of digital description and generative grammar of block form from the perspective of block morphological complexity. The implemented framework was tested in an urban design practice. First, this study adapted the hierarchical structure and access structure theory to analyze the spatial form of target blocks. The characteristics of blocks case samples in Nanjing are extracted as text descriptions. Second, the relevant composition patterns and parameters were employed as features for classification and were converted into procedural rules. With the top-down control by rules and bottom-up generation by shape grammar in CityEngine, the texture of the block can be generated as close to the actual block as possible. Furthermore, in a real urban design case located in Nanjing, this work applies the method to construct a three-dimensional scene quickly and accurately. After integrating design factors such as an environment, transportation, and vision and summarizing the intentions of blocks and buildings in corresponding functions and control indexes, the initial generation plan was built by applying the obtained characteristics and procedural rules in specific shape grammar. Finally, designers can adjust the result in detail by employing real-time calculation and interactive operation.

Study of wind towers with different funnels attached to increase natural ventilation in an underground building

Abstract: Finding ways to cool buildings by natural, passive techniques is crucial in the context of global warming. For centuries, wind towers (traditional windcatchers) have been used in the Middle East for cooling purposes. In this study, the use of funnels at the openings of wind towers for wind ingress and egress is proposed primarily to increase the mass flow captured by the wind tower. The use of funnels in the wind ingress openings increases the inlet area, improving the capture of wind. In parallel, the use of funnels in the egress openings modifies the wake of the tower, which aims to ease the exit of the flow from inside the building. Several design configurations are presented, where the length and width of the funnels are changed and tested separately by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Results of over 120 CFD simulations are presented and compared. The volumetric flow entering the wind towers increases by 10.7% in several cases. These results indicate that adding funnels to wind towers could positively influence their performance. Changing the dimensions of the funnels affects their efficacy and can increase or decrease the airflow entering the tower.

Exploring the spatial arrangement of patient rooms for minimum nurse travel in hospital nursing units in Korea

Abstract: With increasing demands on medical care services, one of the trends is the mixed patient room arrangement of single/double-bed and multi-bed rooms in a nursing unit on the same floor. This influences nurse-to-patient assignment and often causes an unbalanced workload and longer travel distances for nurses. The objective of this study was to investigate how floor configuration and room density influence nurse travel in the hospital's medical surgical units in Korea. This study presented a novel approach to measure nurse travel distances in eight existing nursing units. The agent-based simulation was conducted to model nurses' walking trails, and the distance of one nurse travel to assigned patient rooms was measured for each nurse. With revisions in the spatial arrangement of patient rooms, locating multi-bed rooms near the nurse station, symmetric room layout centering the nurse station, and planning both single/double-bed and multi-bed rooms on one side of corridors, nurse travel distance decreased more than 15%. This study contributed to the knowledge of agent-based simulation as an evaluation framework for spatial analysis. Apart from application to Korea, these results are particularly of interest in countries where private patient rooms are not commonly economically feasible.

A review of computerized hospital layout modelling techniques and their ethical implications

Abstract: Purpose This paper reviews an area of interdisciplinary collaboration in the design of healthcare facilities that attempts to optimize hospital space-planning using automated statistical techniques from the discipline of Operations Research (OR). This review articulates Facility Layout Problems (FLPs) as a general class of OR problems. Furthermore, the review highlights limitations of these techniques, which necessitate an ethical and participatory engagement with computerized processes of healthcare architecture. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth critical review was carried out, which revealed a number of common themes, collectively theorized as metamodeling processes, or models of models, through which various FLP modelling techniques can be challenged and debated in terms of their architectural viability, and ethical ramifications. Findings This review provides a methodological basis for the further evaluation of computational models. It was found that most of the reviewed studies are functionally focused on flow efficiency and, in general, do not consider broader contextual, relational, social, or salutogenic design values. Originality/value This review is the first on the subject written from an architectural perspective. It can be used by a broad range of readers as its critical review of past and present hospital layout modelling techniques discusses their capabilities and limitations. As such, it also enables them to consider ethical values while critiquing the epistemology of computational processes hidden beneath algorithmic outputs.

Fences of Childhood: Challenging the Meaning of Playground Boundaries in Design

Abstract: Scholars have criticized the capacity of playgrounds to support children's participation in public life. Fences of childhood, such as walls, fences, and enclosures, dominate children's “public” spatial experiences in the global north. Challenging well-established critiques of the fenced playground as a space that segregates and controls childhood experiences, this study offers a novel and nuanced perspective, emphasizing the qualities of the playground fence that support play and playful connections, on, through, and around it. Employing an ethnographic methodology, this study includes 167h of observations in three typical urban public playgrounds in Greece and 65 semi-structured interviews with 124 participants. Drawing on recursive thematic qualitative analysis, the fence emerges as a blurred boundary, that is, an element that transgresses assumptions and questions spatial classifications and hierarchies. Rarely the subject of design discourse, these findings are particularly significant in design disciplines globally and offer new understandings on the possibilities afforded by the playground fence. Emergent themes, namely, indeterminacy, climbabilty, playability, and porosity, are proposed as principles to guide fenced playground design as part of a fundamental reconceptualization. This reconceptualization positions the fenced playground as a public space infrastructure, supporting intergenerational interaction and play as well as children's presence and play in the public realm.

User activities and the heterogeneity of urban space: The case of Dahiyat Al Hussein park

Abstract: Urban researchers have maintained a constant interest in the complexity and continuity of urban space usage. Some have applied actor–network theory (ANT) to investigate the heterogeneity of spaces and present them through the networks of their users’ activities. However, these accounts are predominantly limited in examining the extent to which these spaces may be heterogeneous when exploring such networks. This paper draws on recent ANT scholarship, which employs an ethnographic research conducted in a main park in a housing project at Dahiyat Al Hussein in Amman, Jordan. The findings describe the complex and unpredictable negotiations that occur within spaces by documenting the varieties and interrelations among user activity networks within this common and shared urban space. This research reveals the extent to which spaces, parks in this case, may be heterogeneous by unpacking their usage. The conclusions and insights assert the necessity of paying attention to design detail and creating designs that are responsive to evolving user activities.

Bioinspired architectural design based on structural topology optimization

Abstract: This paper aims to present a new approach for using structural topology optimization to evaluate and generate bioinspired architectural design. To investigate these possibilities, we present several experiments in two and three-dimensional domains under a variety of load and support conditions that are inspired by nature. These experiments are based on structural topology optimization techniques, which have shown to be viable for fostering innovative ideas to solve complex building stability problems. Moreover, these techniques enable fruitful collaborations between architects and engineers in the early stages of the design process. We compare the optimal solutions with different species of plants and animals and evaluate their potential use as a structural system through visual and quantitative analyses. Results reinforce the efficacy of using topology optimization in the development of bioinspired structures and, as such, its future use in creative design contexts.

Urban agriculture in Kathmandu as a catalyst for the civic inclusion of migrants and the making of a greener city

Abstract: This research explores the opportunities offered for the creation of a green city on the recently secured Bagmati riverbanks in Kathmandu, which is subject to rapid inward migration from landless rural farmers. The research asks what architectural theory and practice can contribute to this setting to support the fit between emergent bottom-up initiatives and top-down city investments. To this end, it deepens and extends loose fit theory, research methods, and reflective practices to investigate latent possibilities, assemble a narrative of embedded change, and create spatial imaginaries of topographical change on the Bagmati riverbanks. Moreover, it argues that architectural theory and practice can play a vital role in integrating migrants into civic institutions and helping generate a highly green city by making the relationships between setting and occupant explicit, stimulating and representing alternative imaginaries, and framing a civic discourse.

Determining transit nodes for potential transit-oriented development: Along the LRT corridor in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract: The aim of transit-oriented development (TOD) is to create a livable urban environment by improving the integration between land-use and transportation systems. The capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, aims to promote a sustainable transportation system by launching its first light rail transit (LRT) network to control the current pattern of increased congestion and the need for mass transport. Planning for TOD around existing transit stations helps achieve improved transit choice and encourages local economic development. Therefore, this article proposes a methodology to quantitatively measure the existing TOD in terms of a TOD index within the walkable distance of transit nodes by measuring the criteria that define TOD levels. The TOD index is calculated for areas of 22 stations on the East-West LRT line of Addis Ababa. Depending on the value of the TOD index, certain stations are identified to have a potential TOD but poor transit accessibility. With these results, the recommendation to improve TOD planning can become accurate for each station, depending on its relevant factors. Such results also help identify each station's potential for TOD planning and its improvements toward future local developments.