Performance and Parametric Design Optimization of Semi-Transparent Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Façade in Different Climatic Regions
The use of semi-transparent BIPV is on the rise. Much research has been conducted to determine how semi-transparent BIPV affect building thermal, visual, and electrical performance. From previous studies, no research has been optimized for maximizing energy generation and visual and thermal comfort while reducing building energy consumption, cost, and environmental impact; also, many focused on one single mode of BIPV application. Therefore, this research will examine the thermal, visual, electrical, cost and environmental performance of semi-transparent façade in the five climatic regions in China. While building performance simulation can be utilized to examine the thermal, visual, electrical, cost and environmental performance of a semi-transparent façade, carrying out such analysis for several design alternatives to determine the most optimized design can be time-consuming. Therefore, this research also seeks to develop a multi-objective parametric optimization tool that simplifies this process, reduces the simulation time and makes the results easier to interpret for easy decision-making for all the stakeholders.
The thermal, visual, electrical and environmental performance of the semi-transparent BIPV façade will be examined using a set of simulations encompassing different building types and climatic regions. The models will be calibrated using measured data from the different case studies with semi-transparent BIPV in China to validate the simulation results. The outcome of this research will provide information on how semi-transparent BIPV façades affect building energy efficiency in different climates. It would also provide information on the role of semi-transparent BIPV façades towards attaining net-zero energy and net-zero-carbon buildings in China. It would also create a parametric design optimization tool that helps designers quickly examine multiple objectives (façade radiation analysis, PV electricity generation, thermal and daylighting performance) to determine the best design option.
Fractal-Based Computational Design and 3D-Concrete Printing of Extra-Light Porous Panels for Building Applications
The quest for sustainable and efficient construction methodologies has led to the exploration of 3D concrete printing (3DCP) for architectural components. However, conventional 3DCP techniques have not fully realized their potential in prefab construction due to limitations in material optimization and structural design, especially when considering complex and intricate geometric forms . This research proposes an innovative approach to 3D concrete printing (3DCP) in architecture by integrating fractal geometry and space-filling curves to enhance the design of architectural components, specifically structural components such as walls, beams, and columns. The goal is to improve structural stability and sustainability by optimizing material usage and leveraging the inherent properties of fractals. Unlike traditional 3D printing techniques, where the path within a layer is uniform and limited, the introduction of fractal geometry allows for intricate printing paths and varied layer densities. This enables control over the porosity and microstructure of the printed panels, which can be fine-tuned to achieve desired functionalities such as improved thermal insulation, acoustic absorption, and reduced weight—thus pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with 3DCP in architecture. The study employs a literature review to explore fractal curves, followed by digital design using parametric tools; this also involves structural analysis and building environmental performance optimization. The panels are then fabricated using robotic 3D printing, with a focus on achieving a balance between structural requirements and sustainable performance. The expected outcomes include the creation of lightweight panels with controlled porosity, which contribute to material conservation and offer improved thermal and acoustic benefits. This research aims to advance digital design techniques, optimize fabrication processes, and innovate material usage, leading to a new standard in sustainable and efficient construction practices. In conclusion, the ability to control the printing path and layer density through fractal curves opens up new possibilities for architectural design, material science, and sustainable building practices, potentially redefining the construction industry’s approach to prefab components.
Enhancing Timber Construction Efficiency through BIM and Animation Technologies: A Sustainable Approach
Timber construction presents a promising avenue for sustainable building practices, particularly in rapidly developing regions like China, where urbanization drives demand for efficient and eco-friendly construction methods. The research will first investigate current trends and challenges in timber construction within the Chinese context, focusing on environmental impacts, technological adoption, and regulatory frameworks. Subsequently, it will look into the application of BIM in timber construction, emphasizing its role in optimizing design, reducing material waste, and improving construction management. Moreover, the project will explore integrating animation technologies such as AR and VR into the timber construction workflow. These technologies will be studied for their potential to enhance visualization, simulation, and on-site construction processes, thereby facilitating better stakeholder communication and decision-making. The expected outcomes include a comprehensive framework for implementing BIM and animation technologies in timber construction projects tailored to Chinese market conditions. This framework aims to streamline project workflows, enhance sustainability metrics (such as carbon footprint reduction), and improve overall project outcomes regarding cost-effectiveness and quality. This research seeks to contribute practical insights and guidelines that can empower stakeholders in the Chinese construction industry to adopt advanced technologies effectively, thereby promoting sustainable development.
Holographic Construction in Design for disassembly inspired by Iranian timber structures
This project investigates holographic construction support for a structural digital model made from timber. Potential outcomes include a holographic construction framework tailored for circular design principles and a specific Augmented Reality (AR, henceforth) interface introducing Design for Disassembly (DfD) during the early design process. The project’s objective is to explore ways to construct by augmenting the physical world and digital data, with the main agenda of how these construction techniques can be incorporated into early design stages in Circular Design. With this in mind, this Ph.D. project serves as a point of departure to insert adaptation of CE in architecture design to the preliminary stage of the design phase.
Integrated design generation and optimization for early-stage building massing and spatial layout design
The application of computational design optimisation (CDO) has attracted considerable attention in the field of performance-driven building design research. Among the key areas of interest are the reduction of building heat loss through the optimisation of the building’s external design, allowing the building to benefit from the site environment and achieve self-shading. However, the majority of existing research has focused on the optimisation of building massing (the building’s external form). This narrow focus often results in compromises to other architectural elements, particularly the interior spatial layout of the building. Consequently, in order to utilise CDO in architectural design, further research is required to ascertain the most effective methods of doing so. It is important to promote the use of CDO for building environmental performance at the earliest stages of architectural design refinement, while integrating the treatment of the building’s building massing and interior spatial layout. This project focuses on an environmental performance-oriented CDO system that integrates the building massing and spatial layout of a building at an early stage of architectural design. The objective is to allow CDOs to modify the building’s exterior form to improve environmental performance while finding a rational design for the building’s interior spatial layout based on the building’s functional needs. This study initially examines architects’ perceptions of the connection between building form and interior spatial layout in the preliminary stages of architectural conceptualisation. The objective is to summarize the design strategies and principles employed by architects in the initial stages of conceptualizing buildings with different functional needs. This summary will then be used to create a CDO system. The system is designed to modify the building massing of a building to improve its environmental performance while simultaneously finding a rational design for the interior spatial layout according to the functional needs of the building. This process is expected to result in a series of design iterations with rich diversity and variability regarding building massing forms and spatial layout configurations. The ultimate outcome of this research will be the development of a design tool that will enable architects to explore optimal design solutions for both exterior form and interior spatial layout at an early conceptual stage, while being guided by the building’s environmental performance. This will assist architects in pursuing design development and improvement driven by building environmental performance, allowing them to explore creativity while navigating the building’s need for environmental performance.
Conversational Architecture: Artificial Intelligence Application in Human-computer Interaction-based Architecture
Human-computer interaction (HCI) has been explored in the architecture discipline since the 1960s. It stated that humans and architecture (as machines) are both designers.
Despite thriving technological development, essential HCI elements such as interactivity, complexity, and physicality are lost despite thriving technological development. The “Conversational” properties which Pask (1969) envisioned have not been developed practically.
By introducing AI into the architecture discipline, this research proposes Conversational Architecture from two perspectives: AI-integrated architecture (built environment) and AI-integrated architectural design process.
Architecture Assembly: Mobilizing a Community through Gamification
The research topic at hand focuses on the efficacy, utilization, and applications of gamification and game design in introductory design-based educational environments with special attention paid to factors related to student engagement, retention, and performance. The research posits an evidence based approach and design process centered around the conjunction of “game design” principles and “gamified” learning utilized in combination to teach and impart foundational design skills and experience. In addition, the efficacy and impact of advancing immersive technologies in the design space such as augmented and virtual reality are studied in order to aid future development of gamified tools. The thesis centers around studying, designing, and testing the impacts and effects of gamified and game based components through findings ascertained from a cumulative survey of existing literature and data-driven research conducted through a module-focused workshop. Overall, the thesis aims to contribute an understanding of the efficacy, utilization, and potential future applications of gamified and game-based aspects in the introductory design space.
Optimisation of Low-rise Prefabricated Lightweight Steel-Framed Residential Building Design in the Hot-Summer-Cold-Winter Region of China by Life Cycle Analysis
According to China’s policy and plan, the number of low-rise steel-framed residential buildings will keep increasing in China. On the other hand, the reduction of carbon emissions for the steel industry in China is asked to peak carbon emissions by 2030. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an efficient tool for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in buildings, ensuring the avoidance of burden shifting among different stages of the building’s life cycle. However, there is limited research focusing on how and what design variables of LSF houses can potentially contribute to energy saving and emission reduction in the whole building life cycle in the hot-summer-cold-winter (HSCW) region of China, where the number of low-rise LSF houses is expected to increase. Thus, this research aims to optimise the most significant design variables of low-rise LSF residential buildings in the HSCW region of China by using LCA.
Space with Distinction: contextualizing the creative regeneration of industrial heritage in South China
This research explores the creative regeneration of industrial heritage in South China. Industrial heritage redevelopment in China has faced challenges in evoking place and cultural identities due to rigid cultural policies. In Shenzhen, a regeneration strategy integrating planning and spontaneity and driven by cultural events is effective in vibrantly reusing industrial heritage and transitioning to a post-industrial, information-based economy. The thesis uses Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of “distinction” to examine the relationship between space production and local culture. The theories help understand the valorization process of industrial heritage regeneration from a cultural and power relations perspective. By questioning deindustrialization and urbanization, the correlation between cultural production and consumption, heritage making and urban regeneration is revealed. The case study focuses on Shenzhen’s distinctive practice in the regional context of South China.
The Distinction between Epistemic and Pragmatic Actions in Digital Design Toolmaking
Language use, tool use and tool making are often-cited capabilities that set us humans apart from other animals. Accordingly, the activities of tool use in design and tool making for design are inextricably related to how we see ourselves. This PhD project investigates these activities by testing related theory. In particular, it tests a previously established distinction between pragmatic and epistemic kinds of action. In a seminal 1994 article entitled On Distinguishing Epistemic from Pragmatic Action, David Kirsh and Paul Maglio reject linear models of planning and execution in favour of a non-linear theory that recognises the purpose of some actions as epistemic (as opposed to pragmatic) and, in this way, as a part of planning rather than execution. Kirsh and Maglio derive their findings empirically in the context of closed-ended problem-solving. This study tests Kirsh and Maglio’s distinction between epistemic and pragmatic action in the context of open-ended problems, i.e. designing. A small sample of designers will be observed individually while completing a design task in the area of architectural geometry rationalisation. The study employs concurrent video protocol analysis to test if epistemic and pragmatic actions occur separately in the open-ended context of digital design toolmaking. Findings generated from this investigation are expected to inform academic research into digital design toolmaking as well as in architectural design practice, both informing and offering insights into an emerging industrial specialism.
Multi-scale Rapid Energy Modelling of Existing Residential Buildings in HSCW zone
Energy modelling of existing buildings has a number of applications, which include energy efficiency and sustainability diagnosis, assessment and certification, retrofit design, development and configuration of advanced control systems, smart city and smart grid applications, and building stock simulation to inform policymaking. One of its drawbacks is that geometry usually has to be modelled from scratch, resulting in increased working time and costs. If building plans are incomplete due to expansion and refurbishment, modelling can be complex and inaccurate. Furthermore, Urban Building Energy Modelling has always been challenging due to the huge number of buildings at the urban scale and the trade-off between accuracy and speed in the simulation process. The research aims to investigate multi-scale rapid residential building energy modelling in Jiangsu Province, and develop an innovative methodology which integrates UAV, photogrammetry and image processing while achieving low requirements for known data and a highly automatic process simultaneously.
Landscape Architecture between Identity, Place and Memory: Design Strategies for Recovering Obsolete Productive Spaces in Shanghai, China
The research focuses on urban regeneration strategies for recycling and reuse of obsolete productive spaces identified as “residuals”. The accelerated transformation of contemporary cities, especially in China, is producing changes in physical and cultural landscapes, generating complex relations between architecture and habitat. Residuals represent traces of social activities, although they are in a fragile and unfinished state. They offer opportunities for innovative design solutions that enable new sustainable forms of living. The research aims to analyse relevant academic discourse and case studies generated in the milieu of residuals regeneration with a landscape approach. Finally, aiming to bridge the gap between the theoretical discourse and the design practice by developing a set of possible actions and design strategies as a support tool in the design of future interventions in the context of China.
Learning from the Classical Chinese Garden: The Reintegration of Shiyi in Contemporary Chinese Architecture
The forces of rapid urbanization and globalization have made homogenous, low-cost, mass-produced housing the norm in contemporary China and beyond. Architects provide the design when commissioned and base their theories and strategies on a rational logic often alien to local traditions. As such, modern high-rise housing typologies have become the norm in Asia despite originating from elsewhere, and the dwelling experience in this part of the world has been greatly affected by the development. One protagonist of experimentation with new housing formats is Le Corbusier who advocated Functionalism in the 20th century.
The aim of the research is to explore what the rational logic of modern, Western architects might have suppressed in regards to the dwelling experience associated with a given space. It is especially the possibility of aesthetic experience as part of the dwelling experience that calls for attention since particularly this aspect would appear to fall short of the scientific method underpinning Functionalism and related orientations. The yi bu yi jing in the traditional Chinese literati garden and the promenade in Le Corbusier’s villas are chosen as case studies for a parallel study of aesthetic experience as part of the dwelling experience. Questions are raised about by which architectural means aesthetic experience based on movement and change might facilitate an extended contemporary dwelling beyond the confines of the everyday. The thesis aims to explore the possibility of a contemporary concept of dwelling in China and beyond that incorporates aesthetic experience as an integral part. It further intends to broaden the discourse on dwelling as an increasingly globalised practice and intellectual challenge.
Learning from Neuroscience: Strategies for Integrating User Experiences into the Architectural Design Process Using Electroencephalography and Virtual Reality
Embedded in a cross-disciplinary research project, involving researchers from architecture, computer science and psychology, the PhD research aims at developing strategies for the integration of empirical approaches to embodied cognition into architectural design processes. The research seeks to advance the discourse on embodied cognition in architectural environments from within design research. It will contribute to a human-centered approach to architectural design and the related discourse on embodied cognition that has been initiated by architectural phenomenology but so far has been primarily a dialogue between theorists and scientists. The methodology will involve quantitative and qualitative methods to test and evaluate the suitability of recent technology, i.e., biosensors, eye tracking devices, and body-worn cameras, to measure human responses to architectural contexts, comparing built environments with virtual environments and physical models as typically employed in architectural design processes.
The Transformation of Urban Public Spaces into Indoor Shopping Malls to Promote Tourism – A Case Study in the Emirate of Dubai
From the late 20th century to the present day, metropolitan cities worldwide have seen substantial changes in architecture and socio-cultural aspects, leading to a dramatic shift in public spatial interactions. The significant growth of international tourism is a major factor driving these developments. Additionally, advancements in technology and urban planning, particularly in the areas of sustainable development and smart city initiatives, have played a crucial role in shaping the modern landscape of public spaces. Dubai, one of the renowned city in the United Arab Emirates, acknowledging the crucial significance of tourism in its economic progress, has strategically established itself as a frontrunner in this revolutionary movement by constructing indoor shopping complexes that surpass conventional retail paradigms. These structures have transformed into adaptable public spaces, providing a wide array of recreational, cultural, and social activities within a thoughtfully curated environment. Nevertheless, this process of transformation is slowly replacing conventional public areas, into malls and commercial centers that entice international tourists. This academic inquiry employs an epistemologically pragmatic methodology, integrating historical analysis with both qualitative and quantitative empirical research to explore the many ramifications of Dubai’s spatial development within the tourist industry. Dubai endeavors to achieve an equilibrium between commercial expansion and cultural conservation to enhance its tourism and sustainability initiatives and preserve its status as a prominent global tourism hub.
Promenade and yi bu yi jing: movement, discovery and scenery in Le Corbusier’s villa and the traditional Chinese literati garden
The aim of the research is to explore what the rational logic of modern, Western architects might have suppressed in regards to the dwelling experience associated with a given space. It is especially the possibility of aesthetic experience as part of the dwelling experience that calls for attention since particularly this aspect would appear to fall short of the scientific method underpinning Functionalism and related orientations. The yi bu yi jing in the traditional Chinese literati garden and the promenade in Le Corbusier’s villas are chosen as case studies for a parallel study of aesthetic experience as part of the dwelling experience. Questions are raised about by which architectural means aesthetic experience based on movement and change might facilitate an extended contemporary dwelling beyond the confines of the everyday. The thesis aims to explore the possibility of a contemporary concept of dwelling in China and beyond that incorporates aesthetic experience as an integral part. It further intends to broaden the discourse on dwelling as an increasingly globalised practice and intellectual challenge.
A Parametric Form Language for Fibre Reinforced Concrete Prefabricated Elements Using 3D Printed Formwork
Recent advances in digital design tools and fabrication technology increasingly allow digital design practice and construction to outgrow small scale experimental prototype modelling. New possibilities in the manufacturing of full-scale architectural elements in turn require new approaches to digitally supported design that take into account material research. While previous studies have been focusing on specific fabrication techniques to expand the design space to include more geometric flexibility, additional considerations such as structural and environmental performance as well as cost efficiency have only recently gained importance within academic research. The proposed study focuses on the development of a parametric form language for prefabricated façade elements employing fibre reinforced concrete and 3D printing construction technologies. The form language will respond to construction requirements, environmental impact considerations and structural performance. Anticipated outcomes of the study include a parametric form language, physical prototypes, a system for assembling components and a structural performance database of digitally designed prefabricated elements. With its focus on cross-disciplinary research including sustainable construction, prefabrication and 3D printing, it also parallels the Chinese Government’s emphasis and encouragement of research related to digital tools use in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.
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Aanuoluwapo Aderonke Oguntade
The use of semi-transparent BIPV is on the rise. Much research has been conducted to determine how semi-transparent BIPV affect building thermal, visual, and electrical performance. From previous studies, no research has been optimized for maximizing energy generation and visual and thermal comfort while reducing building energy consumption, cost, and environmental impact; also, many focused on one single mode of BIPV application. Therefore, this research will examine the thermal, visual, electrical, cost and environmental performance of semi-transparent façade in the five climatic regions in China. While building performance simulation can be utilized to examine the thermal, visual, electrical, cost and environmental performance of a semi-transparent façade, carrying out such analysis for several design alternatives to determine the most optimized design can be time-consuming. Therefore, this research also seeks to develop a multi-objective parametric optimization tool that simplifies this process, reduces the simulation time and makes the results easier to interpret for easy decision-making for all the stakeholders.
The thermal, visual, electrical and environmental performance of the semi-transparent BIPV façade will be examined using a set of simulations encompassing different building types and climatic regions. The models will be calibrated using measured data from the different case studies with semi-transparent BIPV in China to validate the simulation results. The outcome of this research will provide information on how semi-transparent BIPV façades affect building energy efficiency in different climates. It would also provide information on the role of semi-transparent BIPV façades towards attaining net-zero energy and net-zero-carbon buildings in China. It would also create a parametric design optimization tool that helps designers quickly examine multiple objectives (façade radiation analysis, PV electricity generation, thermal and daylighting performance) to determine the best design option.
Yuhan Li
The quest for sustainable and efficient construction methodologies has led to the exploration of 3D concrete printing (3DCP) for architectural components. However, conventional 3DCP techniques have not fully realized their potential in prefab construction due to limitations in material optimization and structural design, especially when considering complex and intricate geometric forms . This research proposes an innovative approach to 3D concrete printing (3DCP) in architecture by integrating fractal geometry and space-filling curves to enhance the design of architectural components, specifically structural components such as walls, beams, and columns. The goal is to improve structural stability and sustainability by optimizing material usage and leveraging the inherent properties of fractals. Unlike traditional 3D printing techniques, where the path within a layer is uniform and limited, the introduction of fractal geometry allows for intricate printing paths and varied layer densities. This enables control over the porosity and microstructure of the printed panels, which can be fine-tuned to achieve desired functionalities such as improved thermal insulation, acoustic absorption, and reduced weight—thus pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with 3DCP in architecture. The study employs a literature review to explore fractal curves, followed by digital design using parametric tools; this also involves structural analysis and building environmental performance optimization. The panels are then fabricated using robotic 3D printing, with a focus on achieving a balance between structural requirements and sustainable performance. The expected outcomes include the creation of lightweight panels with controlled porosity, which contribute to material conservation and offer improved thermal and acoustic benefits. This research aims to advance digital design techniques, optimize fabrication processes, and innovate material usage, leading to a new standard in sustainable and efficient construction practices. In conclusion, the ability to control the printing path and layer density through fractal curves opens up new possibilities for architectural design, material science, and sustainable building practices, potentially redefining the construction industry’s approach to prefab components.
Zhehui Chen
Timber construction presents a promising avenue for sustainable building practices, particularly in rapidly developing regions like China, where urbanization drives demand for efficient and eco-friendly construction methods. The research will first investigate current trends and challenges in timber construction within the Chinese context, focusing on environmental impacts, technological adoption, and regulatory frameworks. Subsequently, it will look into the application of BIM in timber construction, emphasizing its role in optimizing design, reducing material waste, and improving construction management. Moreover, the project will explore integrating animation technologies such as AR and VR into the timber construction workflow. These technologies will be studied for their potential to enhance visualization, simulation, and on-site construction processes, thereby facilitating better stakeholder communication and decision-making. The expected outcomes include a comprehensive framework for implementing BIM and animation technologies in timber construction projects tailored to Chinese market conditions. This framework aims to streamline project workflows, enhance sustainability metrics (such as carbon footprint reduction), and improve overall project outcomes regarding cost-effectiveness and quality. This research seeks to contribute practical insights and guidelines that can empower stakeholders in the Chinese construction industry to adopt advanced technologies effectively, thereby promoting sustainable development.
Farkhondeh Vahdati
This project investigates holographic construction support for a structural digital model made from timber. Potential outcomes include a holographic construction framework tailored for circular design principles and a specific Augmented Reality (AR, henceforth) interface introducing Design for Disassembly (DfD) during the early design process. The project’s objective is to explore ways to construct by augmenting the physical world and digital data, with the main agenda of how these construction techniques can be incorporated into early design stages in Circular Design. With this in mind, this Ph.D. project serves as a point of departure to insert adaptation of CE in architecture design to the preliminary stage of the design phase.
Ziyue Zeng
Integrated design generation and optimization for early-stage building massing and spatial layout design
The application of computational design optimisation (CDO) has attracted considerable attention in the field of performance-driven building design research. Among the key areas of interest are the reduction of building heat loss through the optimisation of the building’s external design, allowing the building to benefit from the site environment and achieve self-shading. However, the majority of existing research has focused on the optimisation of building massing (the building’s external form). This narrow focus often results in compromises to other architectural elements, particularly the interior spatial layout of the building. Consequently, in order to utilise CDO in architectural design, further research is required to ascertain the most effective methods of doing so. It is important to promote the use of CDO for building environmental performance at the earliest stages of architectural design refinement, while integrating the treatment of the building’s building massing and interior spatial layout. This project focuses on an environmental performance-oriented CDO system that integrates the building massing and spatial layout of a building at an early stage of architectural design. The objective is to allow CDOs to modify the building’s exterior form to improve environmental performance while finding a rational design for the building’s interior spatial layout based on the building’s functional needs. This study initially examines architects’ perceptions of the connection between building form and interior spatial layout in the preliminary stages of architectural conceptualisation. The objective is to summarize the design strategies and principles employed by architects in the initial stages of conceptualizing buildings with different functional needs. This summary will then be used to create a CDO system. The system is designed to modify the building massing of a building to improve its environmental performance while simultaneously finding a rational design for the interior spatial layout according to the functional needs of the building. This process is expected to result in a series of design iterations with rich diversity and variability regarding building massing forms and spatial layout configurations. The ultimate outcome of this research will be the development of a design tool that will enable architects to explore optimal design solutions for both exterior form and interior spatial layout at an early conceptual stage, while being guided by the building’s environmental performance. This will assist architects in pursuing design development and improvement driven by building environmental performance, allowing them to explore creativity while navigating the building’s need for environmental performance.
Yue Zhu
Lok Hang Cheung
Human-computer interaction (HCI) has been explored in the architecture discipline since the 1960s. It stated that humans and architecture (as machines) are both designers.
Despite thriving technological development, essential HCI elements such as interactivity, complexity, and physicality are lost despite thriving technological development. The “Conversational” properties which Pask (1969) envisioned have not been developed practically.
By introducing AI into the architecture discipline, this research proposes Conversational Architecture from two perspectives: AI-integrated architecture (built environment) and AI-integrated architectural design process.
Abeeha Awan
The research topic at hand focuses on the efficacy, utilization, and applications of gamification and game design in introductory design-based educational environments with special attention paid to factors related to student engagement, retention, and performance. The research posits an evidence based approach and design process centered around the conjunction of “game design” principles and “gamified” learning utilized in combination to teach and impart foundational design skills and experience. In addition, the efficacy and impact of advancing immersive technologies in the design space such as augmented and virtual reality are studied in order to aid future development of gamified tools. The thesis centers around studying, designing, and testing the impacts and effects of gamified and game based components through findings ascertained from a cumulative survey of existing literature and data-driven research conducted through a module-focused workshop. Overall, the thesis aims to contribute an understanding of the efficacy, utilization, and potential future applications of gamified and game-based aspects in the introductory design space.
Yang Yang
Optimisation of Low-rise Prefabricated Lightweight Steel-Framed Residential Building Design in the Hot-Summer-Cold-Winter Region of China by Life Cycle Analysis
According to China’s policy and plan, the number of low-rise steel-framed residential buildings will keep increasing in China. On the other hand, the reduction of carbon emissions for the steel industry in China is asked to peak carbon emissions by 2030. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an efficient tool for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in buildings, ensuring the avoidance of burden shifting among different stages of the building’s life cycle. However, there is limited research focusing on how and what design variables of LSF houses can potentially contribute to energy saving and emission reduction in the whole building life cycle in the hot-summer-cold-winter (HSCW) region of China, where the number of low-rise LSF houses is expected to increase. Thus, this research aims to optimise the most significant design variables of low-rise LSF residential buildings in the HSCW region of China by using LCA.
Yifei Li
This research explores the creative regeneration of industrial heritage in South China. Industrial heritage redevelopment in China has faced challenges in evoking place and cultural identities due to rigid cultural policies. In Shenzhen, a regeneration strategy integrating planning and spontaneity and driven by cultural events is effective in vibrantly reusing industrial heritage and transitioning to a post-industrial, information-based economy. The thesis uses Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of “distinction” to examine the relationship between space production and local culture. The theories help understand the valorization process of industrial heritage regeneration from a cultural and power relations perspective. By questioning deindustrialization and urbanization, the correlation between cultural production and consumption, heritage making and urban regeneration is revealed. The case study focuses on Shenzhen’s distinctive practice in the regional context of South China.
Chitraj Bissoonauth
The Distinction between Epistemic and Pragmatic Actions in Digital Design Toolmaking
Language use, tool use and tool making are often-cited capabilities that set us humans apart from other animals. Accordingly, the activities of tool use in design and tool making for design are inextricably related to how we see ourselves. This PhD project investigates these activities by testing related theory. In particular, it tests a previously established distinction between pragmatic and epistemic kinds of action. In a seminal 1994 article entitled On Distinguishing Epistemic from Pragmatic Action, David Kirsh and Paul Maglio reject linear models of planning and execution in favour of a non-linear theory that recognises the purpose of some actions as epistemic (as opposed to pragmatic) and, in this way, as a part of planning rather than execution. Kirsh and Maglio derive their findings empirically in the context of closed-ended problem-solving. This study tests Kirsh and Maglio’s distinction between epistemic and pragmatic action in the context of open-ended problems, i.e. designing. A small sample of designers will be observed individually while completing a design task in the area of architectural geometry rationalisation. The study employs concurrent video protocol analysis to test if epistemic and pragmatic actions occur separately in the open-ended context of digital design toolmaking. Findings generated from this investigation are expected to inform academic research into digital design toolmaking as well as in architectural design practice, both informing and offering insights into an emerging industrial specialism.
Mengfan Jin
Energy modelling of existing buildings has a number of applications, which include energy efficiency and sustainability diagnosis, assessment and certification, retrofit design, development and configuration of advanced control systems, smart city and smart grid applications, and building stock simulation to inform policymaking. One of its drawbacks is that geometry usually has to be modelled from scratch, resulting in increased working time and costs. If building plans are incomplete due to expansion and refurbishment, modelling can be complex and inaccurate. Furthermore, Urban Building Energy Modelling has always been challenging due to the huge number of buildings at the urban scale and the trade-off between accuracy and speed in the simulation process. The research aims to investigate multi-scale rapid residential building energy modelling in Jiangsu Province, and develop an innovative methodology which integrates UAV, photogrammetry and image processing while achieving low requirements for known data and a highly automatic process simultaneously.
Daniela Marilu Pico Perez
Landscape Architecture between Identity, Place and Memory: Design Strategies for Recovering Obsolete Productive Spaces in Shanghai, China
The research focuses on urban regeneration strategies for recycling and reuse of obsolete productive spaces identified as “residuals”. The accelerated transformation of contemporary cities, especially in China, is producing changes in physical and cultural landscapes, generating complex relations between architecture and habitat. Residuals represent traces of social activities, although they are in a fragile and unfinished state. They offer opportunities for innovative design solutions that enable new sustainable forms of living. The research aims to analyse relevant academic discourse and case studies generated in the milieu of residuals regeneration with a landscape approach. Finally, aiming to bridge the gap between the theoretical discourse and the design practice by developing a set of possible actions and design strategies as a support tool in the design of future interventions in the context of China.
Siqi Deng
Learning from the Classical Chinese Garden: The Reintegration of Shiyi in Contemporary Chinese Architecture
The forces of rapid urbanization and globalization have made homogenous, low-cost, mass-produced housing the norm in contemporary China and beyond. Architects provide the design when commissioned and base their theories and strategies on a rational logic often alien to local traditions. As such, modern high-rise housing typologies have become the norm in Asia despite originating from elsewhere, and the dwelling experience in this part of the world has been greatly affected by the development. One protagonist of experimentation with new housing formats is Le Corbusier who advocated Functionalism in the 20th century.
The aim of the research is to explore what the rational logic of modern, Western architects might have suppressed in regards to the dwelling experience associated with a given space. It is especially the possibility of aesthetic experience as part of the dwelling experience that calls for attention since particularly this aspect would appear to fall short of the scientific method underpinning Functionalism and related orientations. The yi bu yi jing in the traditional Chinese literati garden and the promenade in Le Corbusier’s villas are chosen as case studies for a parallel study of aesthetic experience as part of the dwelling experience. Questions are raised about by which architectural means aesthetic experience based on movement and change might facilitate an extended contemporary dwelling beyond the confines of the everyday. The thesis aims to explore the possibility of a contemporary concept of dwelling in China and beyond that incorporates aesthetic experience as an integral part. It further intends to broaden the discourse on dwelling as an increasingly globalised practice and intellectual challenge.
Fatemeh Taherysayah
Embedded in a cross-disciplinary research project, involving researchers from architecture, computer science and psychology, the PhD research aims at developing strategies for the integration of empirical approaches to embodied cognition into architectural design processes. The research seeks to advance the discourse on embodied cognition in architectural environments from within design research. It will contribute to a human-centered approach to architectural design and the related discourse on embodied cognition that has been initiated by architectural phenomenology but so far has been primarily a dialogue between theorists and scientists. The methodology will involve quantitative and qualitative methods to test and evaluate the suitability of recent technology, i.e., biosensors, eye tracking devices, and body-worn cameras, to measure human responses to architectural contexts, comparing built environments with virtual environments and physical models as typically employed in architectural design processes.
Manju Bala
From the late 20th century to the present day, metropolitan cities worldwide have seen substantial changes in architecture and socio-cultural aspects, leading to a dramatic shift in public spatial interactions. The significant growth of international tourism is a major factor driving these developments. Additionally, advancements in technology and urban planning, particularly in the areas of sustainable development and smart city initiatives, have played a crucial role in shaping the modern landscape of public spaces. Dubai, one of the renowned city in the United Arab Emirates, acknowledging the crucial significance of tourism in its economic progress, has strategically established itself as a frontrunner in this revolutionary movement by constructing indoor shopping complexes that surpass conventional retail paradigms. These structures have transformed into adaptable public spaces, providing a wide array of recreational, cultural, and social activities within a thoughtfully curated environment. Nevertheless, this process of transformation is slowly replacing conventional public areas, into malls and commercial centers that entice international tourists. This academic inquiry employs an epistemologically pragmatic methodology, integrating historical analysis with both qualitative and quantitative empirical research to explore the many ramifications of Dubai’s spatial development within the tourist industry. Dubai endeavors to achieve an equilibrium between commercial expansion and cultural conservation to enhance its tourism and sustainability initiatives and preserve its status as a prominent global tourism hub.
Yaqin Zuo
The aim of the research is to explore what the rational logic of modern, Western architects might have suppressed in regards to the dwelling experience associated with a given space. It is especially the possibility of aesthetic experience as part of the dwelling experience that calls for attention since particularly this aspect would appear to fall short of the scientific method underpinning Functionalism and related orientations. The yi bu yi jing in the traditional Chinese literati garden and the promenade in Le Corbusier’s villas are chosen as case studies for a parallel study of aesthetic experience as part of the dwelling experience. Questions are raised about by which architectural means aesthetic experience based on movement and change might facilitate an extended contemporary dwelling beyond the confines of the everyday. The thesis aims to explore the possibility of a contemporary concept of dwelling in China and beyond that incorporates aesthetic experience as an integral part. It further intends to broaden the discourse on dwelling as an increasingly globalised practice and intellectual challenge.
Deyan Quan
Recent advances in digital design tools and fabrication technology increasingly allow digital design practice and construction to outgrow small scale experimental prototype modelling. New possibilities in the manufacturing of full-scale architectural elements in turn require new approaches to digitally supported design that take into account material research. While previous studies have been focusing on specific fabrication techniques to expand the design space to include more geometric flexibility, additional considerations such as structural and environmental performance as well as cost efficiency have only recently gained importance within academic research. The proposed study focuses on the development of a parametric form language for prefabricated façade elements employing fibre reinforced concrete and 3D printing construction technologies. The form language will respond to construction requirements, environmental impact considerations and structural performance. Anticipated outcomes of the study include a parametric form language, physical prototypes, a system for assembling components and a structural performance database of digitally designed prefabricated elements. With its focus on cross-disciplinary research including sustainable construction, prefabrication and 3D printing, it also parallels the Chinese Government’s emphasis and encouragement of research related to digital tools use in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.