Building Performance Evaluation

Architecture has been an attractive career option for many people as a creative and prestigious professional field. However, in recent years, serious concerns and anxieties about the future of the profession have emerged. Particularly, economic difficulties, sector contraction, and disruptions in education are undermining architecture students' hopes for professional life. In this context, understanding the perceptions and expectations about the profession is crucial for laying the foundation for future solutions. This study aims to understand architecture students' professional perceptions and expectations. An online questionnaire was conducted via Google Forms with a group of 69 students from the 7th Term (4th Year) undergraduate class in the ARCH 4031-Construction Management and Economics course at Gazi University, Faculty of Architecture. The students' professional expectations, interest in the profession, and challenges they face regarding professional life were examined. The results of the study reveal that students are concerned about the future of the profession and are keenly aware of its declining prestige. This study, which is a continuation of the series, reveals the extent of these concerns among students over the years. Additionally, disruptions in education, lack of practical experience, and educational processes that are insufficiently integrated with the sector are negatively impacting architecture students' preparation for professional life. Based on the findings, various recommendations have been made to improve professional perceptions. These include enhancing the quality of education, controlling the number of architecture faculties, strengthening the academic staff, and emphasizing the importance of practical education. Furthermore, it is emphasized that professional guidance and societal support are necessary to improve the public's perspective on the profession. This study is part of a series of research aiming to contribute to solving professional issues in the long term on architecture students' perceptions, and raising awareness about the profession by laying the groundwork for an index of professional issues that will be developed through future studies.

In hot and tropical countries external walls and roofs receive solar radiation absorbing part of it and transmitting a substantial part to the internal ambient provoking thermal discomfort. In cold climate heat is usually lost to the external ambient and again causing thermal discomfort. In both cases the thermal energy load is increased. For these reasons many studies were dedicated to investigate techniques for improving the thermal performance of walls and roofs. One of the most viable techniques is the use of PCM as thermal insulation filler that increases the thermal inertia of the component at relatively low cost and without substantial increase of weight. The formulation of the problem of the PCM composite wall is based on one dimensional pure conduction model for the PCM and the walls. The numerical solution involves moving grid for the PCM. The computational grid was optimized to eliminate grid size effects. The model was extended to treat the roof problem. The numerical pr...

In this study, the seismic performance of the Merkez Efendi hospital building in Manisa is determined with SAP2000 computer program according to the Turkish Earthquake Code-2007. The building and its footings do not provide sufficient performance level. So the superstructure is rehabilitated by converting some of the brick infill walls to RC shear walls. The seismic performance of the building reaches to the satisfactory level. Secondly, the same infill walls are strengthened with steel profiles according to Turkish Earthquake Code-2007. Thirdly, the same infill walls are strengthened with CFRP plates to get the required seismic performance level. The seismic performances of the hospital building are compared for the four cases.

Rice is a indispensable food crop in Nigeria, yet domestic production lingers to decrease as demand increases, based majorly on post-harvest losses credited to ineffective threshing approaches. This investigation x-rayed the fabrication and performance optimization of a laboratory scale prototype of a rice threshing machine, fabricated by means of locally sourced materials to certify cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance for local farmers. The system encompasses a welded steel frame, hopper, pegtooth threshing drum, blower, grain and chaff outlets, and a V-belt driven electric motor. To permit data driven optimization, an Internet of Things (IoT) based sensing panel was integrated, integrating sensors for drum speed, paddy moisture content, feed rate, and throughput capacity. Operational data were gathered under changeable settings of drum speed, feed rate, pulley ratio, and grain moisture content. Three machine learning (ML) algorithms; Random Forest Regression, Support Vector Regression, and Arti cial Neural Networks were trained to determine threshing e ciency, grain breakage, and energy consumption. The Random Forest model succeeded in having the maximum forecast accuracy (R² = 96.4%, RMSE = 1.25) and was employed to ascertain optimal operating factors. Machine learning supported process enhanced threshing e ciency by 5.2%, decrease grain breakage by 22.4%, and dropped energy depletion by 9.8% compared to manual variations. The outcome established that incorporating machine learning based forecasting modeling with locally constructed threshing machines can signi cantly improve performance, reduce post-harvest losses, and encourage sustainable agricultural mechanization in resource restricted situations.

Practitioners who conduct design research as part of their work have much the same interest as academic researchers in receiving validation and credit for the quality of their research efforts. Currently, the credibility of academic research is judged on the basis of well-established protocols and peer-review processes generally associated with the publication of scholarly articles describing their research. However, this means of recognition is not normally available to design professionals, who tend to be focused on project delivery and business, and are less likely to prepare formal scientific reports. The response to this situation, developed by the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA), is the Certificate of Research Excellence (CORE) program. CORE is a structured evaluation program based on criteria-applied by trained experts-to confirm the quality of practice-based design research. Applications to CORE undergo a rigorous, double-blind review by an interdisciplinary panel of experts. Evaluations are based on two main dimensions: (1) Research Rigor-the use of recognized scientific approaches (research design, tools, and data collection) and techniques to produce valid results (data analysis and interpretation of findings); and (2) Research Value-the study's actual (or potential future) impact on the design industry and project stakeholders. CORE's unique evaluation framework: • Identifies practice-based environmental design research that is not only rigorous, but also offers measurable value, meets industry challenges, and advances design thinking; • Recognizes the importance of design research in practice; • Provides a compass to guide designers, researchers, organizations, and manufacturers in their design research and evidence-based design efforts; and • Builds on EDRA's tradition of inquiry, reflection, collaboration, and commitment to innovation. 2018 was the third and final pilot year for the EDRA CORE program, with seven projects earning CORE recognition.

Buildings of historical significance, which were traditionally, constructed using locally sourced materials and adapted to regional climates, offer unique opportunities for improving energy efficiency while maintaining cultural heritage. This research focuses on analyzing the indoor environmental performance of Lawang Sewu, a historic structure completed in 1904 during the Dutch colonial period. The protected historical site Lawang Sewu stands as a Semarang symbol in its red-brick structure with its neo-Gothic architectural design. Temperature and humidity measurements at Lawang Sewu took place over one year across four different spaces that experienced varying occupancy and usage patterns. Temperature distribution patterns in rooms were heavily affected by the active number of building occupants and also by when they used and inhabited the spaces. Researchers examined different retrofit modifications as means to minimize energy usage. The combination of advanced glazing systems with roof-based photovoltaic panels generated impressive energy savings worth 90.46% compared to original scenarios annually. The study demonstrates that seasonal variation together with occupant actions and usage patterns substantially impacts the interior climate conditions. The research underlines that architects need to maintain equal emphasis on energy efficiency alongside thermal comfort coupled with architectural preservation throughout building retrofit processes.

This paper investigates the integration of Architectural Design Optimization (ADO) into architectural design to improve shopping mall layouts. It aims to address the research gap by developing a comprehensive framework for optimizing spatial legibility in shopping mall layouts. The methodology employed a multi-method approach, combining qualitative (researcher's checklist) and quantitative (genetic algorithm, GA) methods in data processing and statistical analysis. Seven shopping malls in Erbil City with different spatial layout typologies served as case studies. Results demonstrated significant improvements in spatial legibility through GA-optimized layouts, resulting in a substantial reduction in occlusivity, an increased visibility area, shorter path lengths, and reduced navigation times. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between visibility and navigation efficiency, and that functional aspects of layouts contribute more significantly to spatial legibility than intangible design elements. Surprisingly, linear layouts, rather than hybrid layouts, appeared more effective in accommodating diverse user preferences. The study concluded that the use of GA provides an effective, data-driven approach to improving architectural designs, going beyond traditional qualitative judgments. The novelty of this approach lies in its pioneering application as a systematic optimization technique for the spatial planning of shopping malls, providing quantitative improvements to design elements such as spatial visibility and wayfinding, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience.

This paper aims to endeavor to develop a holistic Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) framework, amalgamating the utilization of building facilities and Building Performance Attributes (BPA) for appraising the performance of Construction and Design Firms (CDFs) alongside building performance indicators such as occupant satisfaction within residential apartment complexes. The study adopts a tripartite research methodology encompassing theoretical exploration, on-site investigations, and analytical examinations. The theoretical component entails an extensive literature survey to integrate 15 identified BPAs seamlessly. Field inquiries involve rating building performance and gauging occupant contentment. The subsequent analytical phase establishes correlations between building per formance metrics and occupant satisfaction levels. This systematic approach synergizes user insights with building services, promising a rigorous and systematic building analysis. The outcomes underscore a robust correlation linking building performance attributes to occupant satisfaction, thus affirming the pivotal role of POE as an indispensable tool for appraising building performance. The analysis reveals ten highly correlated parameters, indicating a substantial 67% connection between the Building Performance Rating (BPR) and the Occupant Satisfaction Score (OSS). These influential parameters guide improvements and updates through Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POE). This process is a valuable learning tool for enhancing future organizational projects and improving building performance. The findings emphasize the pertinence of the criteria employed in evaluating building performance, which is relevant for assessing occupant contentment and CDF's effectiveness. Comparing the previous research, this research posits the potential for widespread adoption of POE in augmenting CDFs' performance and lays the groundwork for expanding its utilization. The scholarly exploration introduces novel perspectives and paves the way for a comprehensive integration of POE to enhance CDFs' operational proficiency.

The study investigates the use of local trees in the UAE to improve visual performance and lighting quality in typical classrooms. The methodology depended on analysis of luminance ratios and illuminance levels using simulation (Radiance.) The effect of two design variables (i.e., tree type: Ghaf and Neem, and tree spacing: 2m and 4m parallel to outside north wall, on task's illuminance levels and interior-surfaces' luminance levels were investigated. Lighting quality and visual comfort issues such as acute contrast, high brightness, and daylight distribution were discussed.

Natural lighting in residential buildings, especially student hostels, plays a critical role in promoting energy efficiency, visual comfort, and environmental sustainability. This study evaluates the performance of daylighting in selected private hostels in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, through an integrated methodological framework combining objective lux measurements, subjective perception surveys, and ethnographic observations of bioclimatic design features. Indoor and outdoor illuminance were recorded during daylight hours using a calibrated light meter, and daylight factors were computed in reference to CIBSE LG10 guidelines. Questionnaire data from 200 respondents were analysed using ANOVA and t-tests to explore student behaviours and satisfaction with lighting conditions. Observations revealed the prevalence of passive design features such as courtyards, large windows, and shading devices. The findings reveal a prevalent condition of poor daylighting performance, with DF values typically ranging from 0.0008% to 2.05%, significantly below internationally recommended minimums for conducive living and study environments. Despite these objective shortcomings, subjective occupant satisfaction exhibited variability, with a notable portion expressing contentment. Many students (43.0%) utilize their hostel rooms as primary study locations, frequently necessitating artificial light supplementation. Observed passive design strategies included internal courtyards, screening elements, shading provisions, fenestration characteristics, balconies, circulation corridors, and prepaid energy metering systems. The study concludes a substantial dependence on artificial lighting, driven by inadequate natural illumination design, and recommends targeted education and enforcement of building design regulations prioritizing daylight access to enhance energy conservation, visual comfort, and overall occupant well-being.

People spend a significant portion of their lives indoors. Nowadays, windows are the essential architectural element that allows users to have contact with the outside world. This contact has an important impact on our physiology, psychology, well-being, and indoor environment. Understanding the physical and behavioral (social) characteristics of this element in the Palestinian residential building is still insufficiently explored. A cross-sectional survey of 272 respondents was conducted to investigate the openings’ characteristics and user’s behavior to assess their influence on residents’ satisfaction and indoor performance. This assessment was based on the concept that residents’ satisfaction with their homes is a measure of buildings’ performance in meeting users’ needs, expectations, and aspirations. The findings show that the physical properties (i.e. Window wall ratio, Window floor ratio, position, orientation, etc.) of windows do not meet the minimum threshold of sustainabl...

As mudanças climáticas apontam para um cenário futuro de projeções heterogêneas de aquecimento terrestre. Nesse contexto, os edifícios são responsáveis por uma parcela significativa do consumo energético global destinado à manutenção do conforto térmico dos ocupantes, especialmente quando não pode ser obtido por meio de estratégias passivas de condicionamento. O objetivo da pesquisa foi comparar o impacto das mudanças climáticas no conforto, no desempenho térmico e no consumo energético de uma edificação multifamiliar naturalmente ventilada à sua proposta de adaptação das esquadrias e dos sistemas de vedação vertical ao contexto climático local. Foram selecionadas Manaus, Vitória, Brasília e Porto Alegre para a realização de simulações de um Modelo Real (MReal) – representativo de edificações existentes – e de um Modelo Otimizado (MOt) – que incorpora recomendações da NBR 15575 e estratégias de condicionamento passivo. Os cenários climáticos considerados foram o período atual (com b...

A adoção de diretrizes para o condicionamento térmico passivo auxilia na minimização do consumo de energia de uma edificação, principalmente quando associada a componentes construtivos com características térmicas adequadas às estratégias previstas. Entre tais estratégias, para climas tropicais úmidos, a ventilação assume fundamental importância. Este trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar a influência da janela no desempenho térmico em edificações residenciais multifamiliares na cidade de Vitória, ES, considerando dois modelos de janelas com ênfase na ventilação natural. Foram estabelecidas três etapas: caracterização dos modelos usuais nas edificações multifamiliares; definição do método para análise do desempenho térmico em ambientes ventilados naturalmente com o modelo usual, considerando a frequência de desconforto térmico e os graus-hora de desconforto térmico para a estação do verão; e simulações com o software DesignBuilder. Para o diagnóstico final foi adotada a flutuabilidade e...

This paper presents the design of a passivity-based iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm for coupled temperature and humidity in buildings. Since buildings are subjected to repeating diurnal patterns of disturbances, ILC algorithms can significantly improve performance. Moreover, since it is a feedforward control scheme, it can be used in conjunction with either model-free or model-based approaches such as the popular model predictive control techniques. However, model-based control is challenging for buildings because of the difficulty in identifying building thermohygrometric models. Furthermore, the control law should be designed in such a way as to address both temperature and humidity set points. We propose a model-free ILC design approach facilitated by the inherent passivity of building thermohygrometric dynamics. We first demonstrate that the building dynamics are strictly output-incremental passive. This property is then exploited to design ILC laws that guarantee convergence in the iteration domain, while being robust to model uncertainty. Since we wish to control both temperature and humidity using only one input -mass flow rate of supply air, convergence to a point is not guaranteed; instead convergence to an ellipse on the temperature-humidity plane is shown. The controller performance is demonstrated through simulation examples.

This paper presents the design and instrumentation of a 3:5-scale physical testbed of an intelligent building. The testbed is designed to enable performance evaluation of various temperature control algorithms in a controlled and repeatable setting. Key features of this testbed include fully controlled mass flow and supply air temperature, a sensorrich environment (producing both temperature and energy measurements), control of the ambient temperature around the testbed, and a modular structure with multiple zones and varying degrees of thermal and mass flow coupling. The testbed is partitioned into 6 rooms; the interconnected structure of these rooms allows us to study the thermal coupling that occurs between adjacent zones and to explore the challenges associated with under-actuated zones. Air conditioning is provided by wall mounted thermoelectric coolers controlled wirelessly from a central computer. A unique feature of this testbed is its placement inside a larger temperature-controlled enclosure, which allows simulation of time-varying ambient weather. Precise control of ambient temperature provides a means for robust comparison and evaluation of control architectures. As a preliminary demonstration, we present experimental results comparing the performance of a decentralized proportionalintegral controller and a decentralized adaptive controller under time-varying ambient temperature.

Despite the global popularity of large-scale basketball arenas, research on their design performance and user experience, particularly in regional contexts, remains limited. This qualitative Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) study explores the interplay between design, user experience, and facility management practices in three prominent Turkish basketball arenas. Utilizing on-site observations, document analysis, and interviews with facility managers, the research uncovers how design choices impact user experiences and operational efficiency. The findings reveal recurring challenges related to HVAC systems, natural ventilation, multipurpose adaptability, and wayfinding. Additionally, the study highlights the influence of management structures on arena performance and the critical role of incorporating user feedback. By integrating facility managers' perspectives, this research offers valuable lessons and recommendations for creating future arenas that enhance both spectator satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Several case histories of lightweight structures performance during liquefaction from recent earthquake are reviewed. The review is focused on performance of lightweight structures in terms of liquefaction-induced vertical settlement, tilting, lateral displacement and their effects on occupancy and functionality of the structures. These case histories were reported during the 1997 M w 7.4 Caucete-

To this day, proper handling of uncertainties -including unknown variables in primary stages of a design, an actual climate data, occupants`behavior, and degradation of material properties over the time-remains as a primary challenge in an architectural design decision-making process. For many years, conventional methods based on the architects' intuition have been used as a standard approach dealing with uncertainties and estimating the resulting errors. However, with buildings reaching great complexity in both their design and material selections, conventional approaches come short to account for ever-existing but unpredictable uncertainties and prove incapable of meeting the growing demand for precise and reliable predictions. This study aims to develop a probability-based framework and associated prototypes to employ uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis in architectural design decision-making. The current research explores an advanced physical model for thermal energy exchange characteristics of a hypothetical building and uses it as a test case to demonstrate the proposed probability-based analysis framework. The proposed framework provides a means to employ uncertainty and sensitivity analysis to improve reliability and effectiveness in a buildings design decision-making process.

With the advent of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and its immense popularity in a wide range of applications, security has been a major concern for these resource-constraint systems. Alongside security, WSNs are currently being integrated with existing technologies such as the Internet, satellite, Wi-Max, Wi-Fi, etc. in order to transmit data over long distances and hand-over network load to more powerful devices. With the focus currently being on the integration of WSNs with existing technologies, security becomes a major concern. The main security requirement for WSN-integrated networks is providing end-to-end security along with the implementation of in-processing techniques of data aggregation. This can be achieved with the implementation of Homomorphic encryption schemes which prove to be computationally inexpensive since they have considerable overheads. This paper addresses the ID-issue of the commonly used Castelluccia Mykletun Tsudik (CMT) homomorphic scheme by proposing an ID slotting mechanism which carries information pertaining to the security keys responsible for the encryption of individual sensor data. The proposed scheme proves to be 93.5% lighter in terms of induced overheads and 11.86% more energy efficient along with providing efficient WSN scalability compared to the existing scheme. The paper provides analytical results comparing the proposed scheme with the existing scheme thus justifying that the modification to the existing scheme can prove highly efficient for resource-constrained WSNs.

As global warming intensifies, frequent and severe heat waves increasingly threaten indoor thermal safety, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly. While existing research has advanced the understanding of building thermal performance and human heat stress under current conditions, significant gaps persist in two critical areas: (1) the development of holistic frameworks to assess building thermal resilience under future climate scenarios and (2) the integration of occupant-specific health risks, especially for aging populations, during concurrent heat waves and power outages. This study addresses these gaps by proposing a novel, scenario-based framework to evaluate thermal comfort and resilience in a near-zero energy house in California. Field data and an automatic calibration technique (genetic algorithm) were applied to develop a validated Building Energy Model (BEM), which was then tested under IPCC's SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 climate projections for around 2050 and 2080. Three scenarios—baseline (current conditions), ideal (adequate energy supply), and emergency (power outage)—were simulated to quantify overheating risks. Sensitivity analysis identified active cooling, natural ventilation, and ventilation volume as dominant factors influencing thermal performance. Results indicate that by 2080, under high-emission scenarios, annual thermal discomfort duration for non-elderly populations will escalate to 220-270 hours, while elderly populations face 90-140 hours. Notably, HIHH for the elderly surpasses critical health thresholds (160-235°C·h) during power outages, and the thermal resilience index declines by 62%, signaling prolonged severe overheating. This study underscores the challenges homes will face during future heat waves and provides a robust framework that can generate technical guidance for improving thermal performance and resilience.

Subterranean structures, historically utilized as shelters, find application in civil engineering for both protection and energy efficiency. The soil, through solar heat absorption, regulates temperature, adapting to various environments. Its thermal consistency facilitates heat exchange, providing versatility for winter heating and summer cooling. This study evaluates the thermal and energy performance of single-family homes employing soil as a passive bioclimatic strategy in the Southern Region of Brazil. Simulations and thermal and energy analyses were conducted following the guidelines of NBR 15575-1, which sets thermal performance criteria at minimum, intermediate, and superior levels. The simulations took place in 40 cities in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná, aiming for a more accurate final result. The EnergyPlus program was employed to create models, including one at the surface and others varying the percentage of direct soil contact, such as a semisubterranean model (39.0% contact area) and an underground model (55.0%). For models with soil contact, natural ventilation and illumination were ensured through an external patio on the south façade. Simulations aimed to evaluate the percentage of hours with operative temperature, maximum and minimum operative temperature, and total thermal load reduction. Comparatively, concerning surface-built houses, 30.0% of semisubterranean homes did not meet the minimum thermal performance, 50.0% met the minimum, 15.0% reached intermediate, and 5.0% achieved superior levels. In underground houses, 60.0% did not meet minimum requirements, 22.5% met the minimum, 5.0% reached intermediate, and 12.5% obtained approval at the superior level. The northern, northwest, west, and east regions of Paraná, as well as the northeast of Santa Catarina, showed a higher concentration of approval in higher education. The state of Rio Grande do Sul did not obtain approvals at this level. Due to the predominant temperate climate in most of the Southern Region, the use of soil as a passive bioclimatic strategy is discouraged. It is concluded that soil protection measures in single-family homes are beneficial in areas with high temperatures.

Publicação de cunho didático contendo a revisão de um conjPunto de oito instrumentos e ferramentas de avaliação pós-ocupação consagrados - walkthrough, mapa comportamental, poema dos desejos, mapeamento visual, mapa mental, seleção visual, entrevista e questionário – complementados por outros dois, produzidos pelos pesquisadores envolvidos com a avaliação pós-ocupação (APO) do grupo Qualidade do Lugar e Paisagem (ProLUGAR) do Programa de Pós-graduação em Arquitetura da FAU/UFRJ  - a matriz de descobertas e a observação incorporada.

This paper is a case study wich intend to carry out a Pos-Ocupational bio-climatic analysis of the Centro Empresarial Internacional Rio Building (RB1), symbol of the pos-modernism and "intelligent" architecture based on: (a) design targets od the aoutors (owner, architect and constructors); (b) conception studies comparing the building with the bio-climatic recommendations; (c) opinion survey concerning building users, and (d) direct observation evaluation. PALAVRAS-CHAVE Percepção; conforto; arquitetura bioclimática; análise pós-ocupação. INTRODUÇÃO Nosso intelecto criou um novo mundo que domina a natureza, e ainda a povoou de máquinas monstruosas. Estas máquinas são tão incontestavelmente úteis que nem podemos imaginar a possibilidade de nos descartarmos delas ou de escapar à subserviência a que nos obrigam. O homem não resiste às solicitações aventurosas de sua mente científica e inventiva, nem cessa de congratular-se consigo mesmo pelas suas esplêndidas conquistas. Ao mesmo tempo, sua genialidade revela uma misteriosa tendência para inventar coisas cada vez mais perigosas, que representam instrumentos cada vez mais eficazes de suicídio coletivo. CARL G. JUNG

The use of green walls has been showing itself not only as an architectural alternative, but an excellent option for the control of internal temperature in buildings, providing greater thermal comfort and quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate, during the winter, the thermal performance of the ceramic brick models, one conventional and the other with the insertion of the green wall, based on the small scale reproduction (1:12) of the S block from UTFPR Câmpus Londrina. For this reason, the WALLGREEN modular green wall system with 27 niches that shelter the substrate as a support for the plants was installed on the north facade of one of the models. To make up the wall, 9 seedlings of each of the respective species were chosen: Aspargos (Aspargus densiflorus), Clorofito (Chlorophytum comosum) e Singônio (Syngonium angustatum). The drip irrigation system was automated and controlled to provide 30minute watering at 7:00 am and 3:45 pm. With the aid of 15 sensors (model DS18B2) associated with an Arduino Mega, air temperature data were collected in the external and internal environment, as well as the external (SESP and SECP) and internal (SISP and SICP) surfaces of the models without and with green wall with a temporal resolution of 5 minutes. The results showed that the models met the thermal performance established in the ABNT 15220 and 15575 standards. It was possible to verify that the insertion of the green wall promoted a thermal damping of 4.5 ° C for the inside of the models for the hottest days and 5 ° C for the coldest days. It was also noticed a lower thermal amplitude in comparison to the model without green wall. For the external and internal surfaces, the green wall promoted superiority throughout the monitoring period, bringing temperature reductions of up to 9.5 ° C from SECP in relation to SESP at peak times. There was also a reduction of up to 5.5 ° C in SICP compared to SISP. Regarding the heat flow rates of the model with a green wall, an abrupt reduction in the rate can be observed, that is, a reduction of up to 16.1 W / m² in relation to the model without a green wall. All the chosen species showed a satisfactory reduction in the conduction rate: 22.32 W for Aspargos, 15.66 W for Clorofitos and 28.98 W for Singônios. In percentage terms these rates correspond to: 82%, 83% and 93% reduction, which shows an excellent thermal performance with emphasis on the species Singônio. Finally, it was noticed that even in the winter period when temperatures are not so high, the insertion of green walls on the north face of the model was efficient, providing greater thermal comfort inside and a potential for reducing energy consumption by consequence of less use of air conditioning.

Nigerians have been witnessing a class struggle among developers and investors competing for who builds the largest shopping centres. However, some of these shopping centres are being abused by a few patronisers who hide under the guise of shopping to engage in some indecent and criminal activities. The shopping centre business concept has not only boosted the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and created jobs but has provided recreation and relaxation centres for those who have the financial capacity to patronize them. A major challenge is that the building design and security planning phases of most of these shopping centres seem to be running independently of each other, as opposed to working together to achieve a fully secured building. This paper examines the effects of passive design features on active security installation in large shopping centres. To achieve the desired objectives, data obtained through primary and secondary sources comprised the use of structured obse...

Este trabalho buscou identificar e analisar os empreendimentos produzidos pelo Programa “Minha Casa, Minha Vida” (PMCMV) em Sao Joao del Rei (SJDR), MG, na modalidade viabilizada com recursos do Fundo de Arrendamento Residencial (FAR) – familias com renda de ate R$ 1.600 mensais, em que esta mais concentrado o deficit habitacional –, verificando que o PMCMV, tambem em SJDR, vem garantindo a essa parcela da populacao o direito a moradia, mas nao o direito a cidade, deixando a desejar enquanto uma politica habitacional ao reproduzir imensas areas isoladas e monotonas e ocupacoes destituidas de qualquer preocupacao com uma alternativa mais humana e sustentavel de implantacao urbanistica e de construcao arquitetonica.

The relationship between users' perceptions of comfort and energy performance is an important integration of society with the environment which also have indirect implications to the economy. Achieving users' comfort in buildings involves the use of energy where multiple studies have associated energy use via heating and cooling as predictors of users' comfort. However, these studies have neglected the magnitude of energy needed to achieve comfort. Therefore, the current paper investigates the quantum of electricity used in a public university to achieve users' comfort. The investigation adopts the quantitative method of comparing electricity consumption and users' comfort via two different instruments namely; energy loggers and occupant survey. An energy logger was installed on three study buildings while an occupant survey was distributed to users of the same buildings. Benchmarking was used to compare energy indices of the study buildings. It was found that th...

This work is a product of the Built Environment Performance Evaluation (APO) subject (Master´s Degree in Architecture, PROARQ), taught by DSc. Giselle Arteiro. The article presents a qualitative and quantitative analysis, with emphasis on acoustic performance, of the Ginásio Experimental Olímpico (GEO) in Rio de Janeiro. The main objective of the work is to analyze the acoustic conditions of the GEO through the correlation of three APO instruments (Poem of Desires, Visual Map and Acoustic Measurements). The results showed a great user belonging and satisfaction with the analyzed school environment and pointed out some problems and annoyances that will serve to subsidize future interventions and projects.

Generation Networks (MNGN). It adds value to the mobile services and applications by integrating mobile network resources, such as location, billing and authentication. This is achieved by enabling a third party access to network resources. In previous work we have presented a testbed to be used as platform for testing mobile application prior to actual deployment. We have chosen a novel IMS based MObile Mass EXamination (MOMEX) system to showcase the benefit of designing an IMS based mobile application. We identify two aspects essential to of the application namely security threats and delay analysis. In this paper we identify MOMEX security threats and suggest strategies to mitigate system vulnerabilities. We then evaluate the performance of MOMEX system in terms of delay and security threats and vulnerabilities. The results presented show system performance limitation and tradeoffs.

Nigel Oseland With the second chapter, the author starts this section of the book by exploring how to overcome the barriers to uptake of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE). The author also explores how POE may be conducted in the future and become a shorter, ongoing, and integrated process rather than a one-off stand-alone exercise. Currently, POE appears to be more likely carried out pre-project as a part of the briefing process rather than just used post-project for understanding lessons learned; this represents a fundamental shift from POE to Building Performance Evaluation (BPE). In the third chapter, Vivian Loftness and colleagues propose that in addition to using occupants as sensors, providing "integrated multi-sensory evaluation", field measurements are also made. Using feedback and measurements is referred to as POE+M and the chapter outlines the additional benefits of such an approach. Quite often studies adopting POE+M will focus on one environmental parameter but Loftness et al. suggest a more holistic approach and recommend that six environmental parameters are recorded: spatial, thermal, acoustic, visual, and air quality along with long-term building integrity against degradation. The field measurements must be considered in alongside psychological, psychological, and sociological variables and their combined effect on satisfaction, productivity, and health. In the next chapter Persky, Farbstein and Farling cover the courthouse, an environment that tends to be evaluated less than other workplaces. The authors highlight the wide variety and number of stakeholders in courthouses, each with their own specific requirements: building owner, court staff, judges, litigants, attorneys, public visitors, jurors, and inmates. A toolkit for evaluating courthouses is proposed, one sufficiently flexible to apply to the different occupants. In addition to feedback the toolkit includes other pertinent measures such as maintenance requirements and technical performance plus safety and security. This chapter also highlights the importance of sharing the POE results.

This work provides a preliminary experimental investigation with a laboratory setup for proposing a novel enhanced thermometric method, for the thermal characterization of building walls, utilizing a non-contact approach based on infrared thermometry. The goal is a non-invasive application in building diagnostics, particularly in heritage and architecturally sensitive contexts.
This study aims to investigate two issues: (i) testing a procedure to automatically process data for determining suitable heat transfer coefficients when calculating heat fluxes when the thermometric method is applied; (ii) understanding the role of infrared thermometers in replacing contact temperature sensors in a proposed enhanced version of the thermometric method for heat flux calculation. Heat fluxes acquired through a commonly used sensor were compared with those computed through the proposed method based on convective and radiative heat transfer assessments.
The findings validate the viability of the indirect procedure for calculating heat flux. However, discrepancies in surface temperature measurements were observed between contact and infrared sensors, with differences below 0.5 ◦C. This suggests that infrared thermometers may require careful consideration as they can underestimate surface temperatures, potentially
necessitating corrections to obtain heat flux values comparable to those from conventional heat flux sensors.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate, through indexing techniques, the performance of Neo4j and OrientDB, both graph databases technologies and to come up with strength and weaknesses os each technology as a candidate for a storage mechanism of a graph structure. An index is a data structure that makes the searching faster for a specific node in concern of graph databases. The referred data structure is habitually a B-tree, however, can be a hash table or some other logic structure as well. The pivotal point of having an index is to speed up search queries, primarily by reducing the number of nodes in a graph or table to be examined. Graphs and graph databases are more commonly associated with social networking or "graph search" style recommendations. Thus, these technologies remarkably are a core technology platform for some Internet giants like Hi5, Facebook, Google, Badoo, Twitter and LinkedIn. The key to understanding graph database systems, in the social networking context, is they give equal prominence to storing both the data (users, favorites) and the relationships between them (who liked what, who 'follows' whom, which post was liked the most, what is the shortest path to 'reach' who). By a suitable application case study, in case a Twitter social networking of almost 5,000 nodes imported in local servers (Neo4j and Orient-DB), one queried to retrieval the node with the searched data, first without index (full scan), and second with index, aiming at comparing the response time (statement query time) of the aforementioned graph databases and find out which of them has a better performance (the speed of data or information retrieval) and in which case. Thereof, the main results are presented in the section 6.

Development of the built environment needs to be addressed in a way that is socially and ecologically responsible. There is great urgency to make sustainable interventions in Iran, while built environments are being created without the above engagement. Lack of awareness and consensus on sustainable actions needs formulation of a framework set by scholars analyzing effects of its components in a comprehensive model. The need to develop an instrument for investigation of views of scholars has instigated the researcher to collect the necessary data through interviews and prepare a research questionnaire. Moreover, the exploratory factor analysis survey method was employed, so that structural equation can be used for modeling purposes. The results led to development of a theoretical model to describe views of sustainable architecture in Iran. Results show that environmental and productivity in the use of nature aspects of buildings is the cause of transition to sustainable architecture...

Lj. Vasiljević, Teodora Branković, Konzervirana plastika iz antičke zbirke Narodnog muzeja Požarevac, Požarevac 2024 (Prikaz), Archaeology and Science 19 (2023), Institute of Archaeology Belgrade  − Center for New Technology Viminacium, Belgrade 2024, 179-180.

A building façade is considered to form the first line of protection against adverse climate and environmental conditions in an urban area, such as wind and rain, leading it to be affected and eventually damaged by continued and direct interaction.

Kermanshah Province is the main producer of various chickpea cultivars in Iran. In this study, a laboratory peg-tooth thresher was employed for chickpea threshing. The effects of different cylinder speeds (9, 12, 15 m s -1 ), concave clearance (12, 14, 16 mm), feed rate (80, 160, 240 kg h -1 ) and seed moisture content (5, 10, 15% wb) were studied on percentage of grain damage, threshing efficiency, and percentage of germination. The experimental plan for optimization was prepared using response surface methodology technique with composite experimental design. The effects of all independent variables on the response variables were significant. The effect of cylinder speed was the most significant, followed by the moisture content. With increasing cylinder speed in the range of 9 to 15 m s -1 , the grain damage increased from 4.98 to 47.97%, threshing efficiency increased from 96.81 to 99.69%, and seed germination decreased from 85.75 to 55.98%. With increasing moisture content, grai...

Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) is a high technology digitization to enhance communication networks, organization and management, as well as production and processes across industries. The rate of changes and its convergence towards IR 4.0 would require new talent, knowledge and skills for current and future generations to retain and generate new workforces. As technology in the construction industry is evolving at a fast pace, the current teaching-learning syllabus and pedagogy should transform accordingly to accommodate future job requirements. Due to the rawness of this concept in the construction industry and to its education, this study aims to explore the state of the art as well as the state of practice of IR 4.0 and Education 4.0 from the perspective of construction engineering. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to analyze the relevant research papers related to IR 4.0 and Education 4.0 within the Scopus database, ranging from year 2011 until present. A bibliometric analysis has been outlined following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Findings from this study would provide a thorough understanding on the past efforts in advancing the construction engineering education aspect, subsequently highlighting gaps to be filled for future endeavors, particularly in equipping the construction engineering education for IR 4.0.

This study aimed to contribute to the limited literature on energy efficiency (EE) retrofitting of old buildings, focusing on urban and low-income districts. The case study considered a small zone consisting of approximately 80 old family dwellings in Amman city. The conducted field survey was designed to collect basic data about occupants’ demographics, building conditions, energy consumption, awareness, and willingness to invest in EE measures. A large fraction of residents confirmed that no- or low-cost measures, such as switching off lights and bulb replacement, are already implemented. However, most of them had not even considered investing in EE measures to improve the thermal performance of dwelling envelopes. Equally important, none of the interviewed residents indicated that they would consider replacing old inefficient household appliances in the near future or acquiring new highly efficient machines unless there is direct financial aid or a grant program supported by the government or local authorities to enhance EE. The small fraction of people who showed some understanding of EE remain reluctant to invest in costly items, such as thermal insulation of external walls or replacing windows, most likely due to their very limited financial capability. It is recommended to introduce a tailored scheme to cause a positive shift in current energy consumption behaviors toward more efficient practices, leading to greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in old residential buildings. This could only be achieved by creating and allocating a special fund to assist poor families in improving EE in their dwellings. Further investigations are highly needed to explore various subjects, including occupant psychological behaviors and responses related to energy use and EE in the residential sector.

Given the urgent needs to reduce carbon emission and energy consumption, green retrofit provides a sustainable solution to improve existing buildings' performance and contributes to a low carbon urban development. Accordingly, studies on the promotion of green retrofit technologies (GRTs) and green retrofit policies (GRPs) have received great attention globally. However, few research efforts have been done to study the implementation of GRTs and GRPs for particular regions such as Hong Kong. This paper aims to perform an empirical investigation on the promotion of GRTs and GRPs adoption within the context of Hong Kong. The findings of the paper are very useful for various stakeholders to have a better understanding of the GRTs and GRPs, such as their applicability and importance in the local applications. The priority guide provides a valuable reference for the local government to review their current policies, develop the future GRPs, and nurture a healthy environment for green retrofit. This study is significant for providing a fundamental guide for future research and development of green retrofit in local and global contexts.

To build a sustainable building, we need to assess a range of sustainability aspects and design them correctly, which is why building performance simulation (BPS) at an early stage of project development is critical and relevant for many professionals. This paper presents an extended analysis
of the monitoring results of the first single-family Passive House (LT-PH3) in Vilnius, Lithuania, certified by the German Passive House Institute in 2015 for 2016–2020. It was based on measured data on heat pump electricity consumption and outdoor and indoor air temperature. This  study evaluated the seasonal performance (SCOP) of the heat pump using the Passive House Design Package 8.5 (PHPP 8.5) and Aquarea Designer Online Simulation Software Tool 2013 (Aquarea 2013) and compared the performance of the building with the PHPP 8.5 designed in 2013 and Swegon ESBO Light 2.4.0.3 (Swegon 2.4.0.3), Aquarea 2013, and the results obtained using the Lithuanian National Building Energy Performance Certification Programme NRGsert edition 3 (NRGsert 3).
The analysis showed that the heat consumption of the building modelled during the design process is close to the operational heat consumption, which increases the confidence in the BPS modelling software, the modelling process itself, and the results.

Historic buildings have genesis in the uniqueness of usage, quality, materials, art and architecture of such buildings besides long duration and time span of existence at a particular location. With the passage of time, advent of new technologies and changing context of buildings in terms of energy, water, resource, global warming and waste, existing buildings require change in their structure and fabric. Changes are also necessitated by ongoing wear and tear which buildings face not only due to natural forces of weather and climate but also by the disasters caused both by men and nature. Accordingly, buildings need to be altered, repaired, upgraded and maintained , so as not only to make them healthy but to increase its life span. This process is known as Retrofitting. Process of Retrofitting become all the more important and relevant in the case of historic buildings, which, because of their historicity, must be retained for communities, to showcase their past. Process has applicability in all typologies of buildings both historical and current.

Os Datas Centers tornaram-se um ambiente tecnológico cada vez mais presente no cotidiano da sociedade, gerindo sistemas que são responsáveis pela organização estrutural de corporações e até países. Com o aumento da produção de informações, para administrar tais sistemas o consumo de energia tende a aumentar significativamente nos próximos anos. Este trabalho apresenta uma análise de eficiência energética através da implementação de enclausuramento de corredores frios em Data Centers a fim de reduzir os custos totais com a refrigeração do sistema.

Excessive solar radiation negatively affects classroom occupants' performance and thermal comfort, especially in buildings with West and East-facing glazed openings. This study utilises fixed external shading devices and tripleglazed low-emissivity windows to optimise a classroom building in Nigeria. Employing hybrid ventilation mode in EnergyPlus simulations, the optimised model shows a 44% reduction in discomfort hours, a 23% decrease in cooling load, and a 16% drop in energy demand compared to the original design. Comparative analysis of the optimised model with the as-built and West-East oriented classroom reveals a 16% and 10% reduction in energy consumption per conditioned area, along with 56 KWh/m² and 32 KWh/m² savings in cooling demand, respectively. Despite the effectiveness of fixed shading in curbing solar gains, occasional glare persists. This research underscores that shading alone may not fully meet thermal comfort requirements, emphasising the importance of building fabrics, building orientation and climate-sensitive design. This is an open access article under the CC BY license.

This study investigates the mechanical and dynamic properties of high-volume fly ash (HVFA) concrete modified with nano-silica, comparing its structural characteristics with conventional concrete. By partially replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with fly ash, HVFA concrete reduces carbon emissions, while the addition of nanosilica enhances strength and durability. This paper presents results from compressive, tensile, and flexural tests across different curing periods, focusing on the effect of varying nano-silica percentages on HVFA concrete's performance under both static and dynamic loads.

Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is a platform for the systematic study of buildings once occupied, so that lessons may be learned that will improve their current conditions and guide the design of future buildings. Various aspects of the occupied buildings ’ functioning and performance can be assessed in a POE, both chemo-physical (indoor environment quality (IEQ), indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal performance) as well as more subjective and interactional (space use, user satisfaction, etc.). POE draws on an extensive quantitative and qualitative toolkit: measurements and monitoring, on the one hand, and methods such as walk-throughs, observations and user satisfaction questionnaires on the other. POE may seem a necessary, indeed, axiomatic phase of the design and construction process, and exactly the kind of integrated assessment essential for the design of more sustainable buildings. Yet POE researchers have often been regarded with suspicion and even hostility, since their wor...

Visando analisar o papel da arquitetura à formação escolar, elegeu-se como objeto de estudo e análise o Centro de Educação Integral Fernando Henrique Lucena. A pesquisa envolveu a relação entre arquitetura e educação, com base em levantamentos bibliográficos e na coleta de dados qualitativos por meio de entrevistas com os próprios alunos, além de visitas de campo e registros fotográficos. O estudo tem em vista compreender como a arquitetura escolar influencia o desenvolvimento educacional, favorecendo o desenvolvimento pedagógico e social dos estudantes.