Showing papers in "Journal of Design and the Built Environment in 2020"

The Symbolic Regionalism on The Architectural Expression Design of Kupang Town-Hall

Abstract: This study aimed to explain the synthesis design approach of the architectural expression in the Town Hall building of Kupang city. This is necessary due to the need for Town Halls, as public facilities, to reflect technically correct building standards, environment, and the aspects of political symbolism. Kupang Town Hall design uses the roof image expression of the Timor, Flores, and Sumba ethnic architecture in a harmonious composition and this means it is an example of an ethnic architectural synthesis in a modern building which represents a function, meaning, modernity, and local cultural identity. This research employed the social semiotics method to examine the design in relation to the surrounding social life context and the design was found to be produced from the symbolic regionalism approach which involved mixing the architectural images of Timorese, Flores, and Sumba ethnicities to modernize and conserve ethnic architecture and represent the cultural identity of East Nusa Tenggara. This, therefore, means architectural synthesis methods which are established on the symbolic regionalism approach have the potential to be used in designing public facilities in different places of Indonesia to reveal local cultural identities in modern buildings through symbolism based on an ethnic architectural image.

Communal Space Design of High-Rise Apartments: A Literature Review

Abstract: Satisfactory communal space in high-rise apartments helps to create a harmonious living atmosphere and enhance neighbourhood relations. This review summarises and analyses the research on the design of communal areas in high-rise apartments with consideration of five aspects: space division, universal design, security design, landscape design and decoration design. The aim is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of current design concepts relating to communal space in high-rise apartments and to identify key design considerations that are necessary for the development of sustainable high-rise apartments. The paper proceeds with three objectives: (1) to develop a comprehensive policy for communal space to support the sustainable development of high-rise apartments; (2) to identify research on the building materials that can be used to improve the environment of the communal spaces; and, (3) to identify areas that can improve the planning and management of open spaces in high-rise apartments with the help of existing information technology. Overall, this review provides some useful insights for the sustainable development of high-rise apartments in terms of shared-space design, while revealing gaps in the literature and areas for further research.

Courtyard as tropical hot humid passive design strategy: Case study of Indonesian contemporary houses in Surabaya Indonesia

Abstract: Courtyard in building contributes to indoor thermal environment. Courtyard element is commonly applied as passive cooling strategy in the design of boarding house in Indonesia. Courtyard has a potential aspect of being micro climate-modifier to reduce indoor air temperature during the day. This paper discusses the effects of courtyards on indoor thermal environment in Indonesian contemporary boarding houses using field measurement. This paper focuses on the indoor air temperature reduction of 5 courtyard houses design of the contemporary boarding house in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. The field experiment method was used for two physical environmental variables: the air temperature and relative humidity. Each sensor was shaded with a paper cups wrapped with the aluminum foil to prevent the effect of direct thermal radiation. Measurement was taken for approximately 23 days continuously in each building. The results of the measurement exposed that the form and enclosure element is pivotal in its thermal environment design consideration for tropical climate. Meanwhile, utilizing ventilation blocks as the primary enclosure also help reduce air temperature in hot-humid climates. The results showed that the indoor air temperatures in the courtyard and surrounding room were approximately 0.3-1.7°C lower than the outdoor air temperature during daytime. During night-time, indoor air temperatures inside swing to 0.8-1.9°C higher than the outdoor. The results of the thermal environment evaluation revealed that indoor air temperatures can be categorized as a neutral temperature of the measurement period. Therefore, the application of courtyards in contemporary boarding houses have proven as possible means of achieving sufficient cooling effects through full-day ventilation strategy, and showed improved performance when combined with ventilated blocks.

Factors Affecting Adoption of Emergency Evacuation Strategies in High-Rise Office Buildings

Abstract: This study examined the evacuation strategies employed in high-rise buildings as well as determined factors influencing decision making in employing evacuation strategies in four selected high-rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Through a case study evaluation involving interviews with facility/building managers, walk through observations of the case studies and analyses of evacuation exercise reports, the study found that total evacuation was the most practiced evacuation strategy with occasional phased evacuation at one of the case studies. The study identified reliable emergency response, building characteristics/fire safety features, and evacuation exercise as the most important factors influencing decision making in employing evacuation strategies. Occupant characteristics was found to be the least important factor. The argument is that, efficient emergency response, passive and active fire safety systems, and evacuation exercise routines mean that challenges posed by the characteristics of occupants could be overcome. This paper gives new insights on factors influencing decision making in employing suitable evacuation strategies. This would benefit stakeholders e.g. building owners, facility managers, health and safety managers when drafting business continuity plans.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) Adoption Model for Architectural Education

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to design a Building Information Modelling (BIM) integration model for architectural education in adopting BIM culture. Most of the current models on BIM adoption are directed toward the realm of construction industries (consultant firms and contractors) and less on higher education institutions. The discourse on education is mostly concerning experimentation on curricular integration and the lack of general concepts of integration. The main research inquiry of this study is concentrated on which criteria are best suited to the education culture. Utilizing reflective discussion of past experiences and a semisystematic literature review, detailed criteria to capture the multidimensional facets of BIM adoption are proposed. The study proposes the model that offers six main integration criteria: (a) institution vision and priorities, (b) infrastructure, (c) curriculum integration, (d) human resources, (e) knowledge organization, and (f) change management. The application of the model may be limited to architectural schools which are still in the initial process of BIM adoption but the comprehensiveness of the model may possibly be developed as the basis for readiness assessment, roadmap development, and exchange terminologies between education and the wider context of architecture, engineering, construction, operation and management industries.

The Application of Sundanese Vernacular Concept to The Design of Modern Building - Case Study: Aula Barat (West Hall) of Bandung Institute of Technology, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract: As a reaction to the monotonous expression of typical International Style architecture, vernacular architecture is often applied to the design of modern buildings. Unfortunately, most of these applications are limited to copy existing vernacular architectural elements. This research aims to elucidate the application of Sundanese vernacular concepts in modern building designs. In line with this purpose, the Aula Barat (West Hall) Bandung Institute of Technology designed by Maclaine Pont was chosen as the case study. The analysis showed that the Sundanese vernacular concept was presented through the shape of the roof, which is similar to the vernacular house and mosque in the Sundanese village; while the modern lamella construction provides a wide-span structural system. This research complement existing research about Sundanese vernacular architecture, by exploring in-depth how to designed modern buildings that fit new functions and to its zeitgeist, but at the same time embodied the local expressions. It is expected that in the future modern buildings are no longer designed in the form of frozen vernacular architecture. The results of this research can also be a valuable input for stakeholders and architectural conservationists, as well as a source of knowledge for the laypeople.

Life-Cycle Sustainability Assessment in the Design of Concrete Structures in the Tropics: A Fundamental Analysis

Abstract: Due to the essential nature and increased appreciation to the issue of sustainability in recent decades, the evaluation and assessment of environmental impacts of concrete structures have been considered extensively by the scientific and construction fraternity. To enhance the resilience in the design of concrete structures in the tropics, it is essential to understand and acknowledge the impact of the geographical context, taking into account the widespread socio-economic circumstances in the tropics. Moreover, since all environmental impacts of a concrete structures through its life-cycle use are predictable through its Life-Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), it is therefore necessary to investigate this framework comprehensively. This research was undertaken to study and assess the existing methods in LCSA, as well as to assess the steps and materials that can significantly affect the environment during the whole life-span of concrete structures, and also to qualitatively understand the interaction among the geographic sense and sustainability in the tropics, considering the case of Malaysia. This study proposes a more comprehensive framework for LCSA in the design of concrete structures. The findings suggest that according to LCSA analysis, the environmental effects of concrete structures with almost the same functional quality can be different from each other.

Reflecting the Spirit of Modern-Indonesia Through Architecture: The Icono-Symbolical Meanings of Jengki Architectural Style Case Studies: Bandung Polytechnic of Health Building and Bumi Sangkuriang Meeting Hall in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract: The architectural discourse in Indonesia generally focuses on traditional architecture that represents specific regional icons, the synthesis of traditional architecture with European-style architecture, and modern architecture inspired by International Style. This research focuses on the architectural style in Indonesia which flourished in the 1950s, known as the Jengki architectural style. This architectural style is essential in the history of Indonesian architecture, considering that the style reflects the spirit of nationalism and post-colonial Indonesian. This research aims to explore the icons of Jengki architecture, by elucidating the architectural concepts that underlie the two oldest Jengki buildings in Bandung, West Java. The analysis showed that the characteristics of this architectural style shown by the configuration of architectural elements resembling the form of a pentagon, mostly asymmetrical in spatial layout, playful articulation of ornaments, and the use of local materials. The pentagon becomes an icon of Pancasila, which is a foundational principle of the new Indonesian state and symbolize the meaning of nationalism. Thus, the icon which also represents symbolic meaning becomes an essential aspect in the design of Jengki-style buildings in the future. This icon can be an alternative to be applied to modern buildings that are intended to display national icons, rather than particular regional icons. Besides enriching the architectural knowledge of Indonesian architecture, the results of this study are beneficial to architectural practitioners, stakeholders, and architectural conservationists as well

A Comparative Study: Energy Performance Analysis of Conventional Office Buildings at Lucknow

Abstract: In this study, the energy consumption of three government and three private office buildings in Lucknow was investigated, and the energy performance index (EPI) for each building was determined. The main purpose of this research was to assess the energy usage of the buildings and identify factors affecting the energy usage. An analysis was performed using data from an energy audit of government buildings, electricity bills of private office buildings, and an on-site visit to determine building envelope materials and its systems. The annual energy consumption of buildings has been evaluated through EPI. The EPI, measured in kilowatt hour per square meter per year, is annual energy consumption in kilowatt hours divided by the gross floor area of the building in square meters. In this study, the energy benchmark for day-time-use office buildings in composite climate specified by Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) has been compared with the energy consumption of the selected buildings. Consequently, it has been found that the average EPI of the selected buildings was close to the national energy benchmark indicated by ECBC. Moreover, factors causing inefficient energy consumption were determined, and solutions for consistent energy savings are suggested for buildings in composite climate.

Carbon footprint assessment in the life-cycle design of concrete structures in the tropics: A case study of residential buildings in Malaysia

Abstract: With the exponential growth in development of cities and increasing demand for construction,which is one of the factors in environmental degradation, the need for CO2 emissions control isessential. In order to balance carbon emissions along the life-cycle of concrete structures; inthis paper, we have analysed the carbon emissions and assessed the carbon footprint of selectedconcrete structures in a tropical city. For this purpose, the carbon footprint has been evaluatedusing Life-Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) approach at different stages concretestructures’ life-cycle, which are production, construction, operation, and demolition stages,where the CO2 footprint of two residential buildings in Malaysia have been analysed as casestudies. The findings indicated that the energy consumption, and the production phase in thelife-cycle of a concrete structure are the main contributors of CO2 emission. In addition,detailed analysis of the carbon cycle in structures and their interaction with other componentsinvolved in the regional eco-system can lead to a significant reduction in CO2 emission, andthus to the improvement in reducing environmental deterioration and its consequences.Moreover, optimised design and customisation to the constituents of concrete, as well asimproving citizens’ consumption agenda can significantly reduce the carbon emission ofconcrete structures.