Perceptual Architecture

<p>In this thesis, perceived space is investigated in a high density architectural context. Understanding how to optimize the subjective space is an opportunity to provide perceptually informed high density architecture. The aims of this thesis are to (1) develop an understanding of the perceived space by establishing optimizable parameters of a volume, (2) form a research through design methodology utilizing virtual reality experimentation, and (3) to apply the research to provide perceptually informed architecture which increases the perceived spaciousness and size of a dwelling. Virtual Reality (VR) improves an understanding of the perceived space compared to conventional design technologies. Firstly, a virtual experiment defined the optimum high-density apartment parameters with the key variables of perceived spaciousness, liveability, and size. During the VR experiments it was discovered that ceiling height and average room width determined separate responses to the perceived space. These were, ceiling height altering the perceived size and average room width altering the perceived spaciousness. Secondly, a VR methodology was utilized to test and resolve the complex issue of perceived space which requires implementation of architectural principles. The defined optimum parameters of room height and width alongside the literature provided the architectural principles to produce optimum perceived spaciousness, size and liveability. The principles include, perceptual overlap, extending line of sight, and primary and secondary zones. Thirdly, design evaluation explored architectural interventions using VR to illustrate the subjective space. I draw on research in design, virtual reality and psychology to develop a methodology that can sufficiently resolve the issues presented by this thesis. The paper argues that to design high-density housing for occupants, architects must have an understanding of perceived space. This has the potential to be achieved with the adoption of my thesis methodology.</p>

Perceptual Architecture

<p>In this thesis, perceived space is investigated in a high density architectural context. Understanding how to optimize the subjective space is an opportunity to provide perceptually informed high density architecture. The aims of this thesis are to (1) develop an understanding of the perceived space by establishing optimizable parameters of a volume, (2) form a research through design methodology utilizing virtual reality experimentation, and (3) to apply the research to provide perceptually informed architecture which increases the perceived spaciousness and size of a dwelling. Virtual Reality (VR) improves an understanding of the perceived space compared to conventional design technologies. Firstly, a virtual experiment defined the optimum high-density apartment parameters with the key variables of perceived spaciousness, liveability, and size. During the VR experiments it was discovered that ceiling height and average room width determined separate responses to the perceived space. These were, ceiling height altering the perceived size and average room width altering the perceived spaciousness. Secondly, a VR methodology was utilized to test and resolve the complex issue of perceived space which requires implementation of architectural principles. The defined optimum parameters of room height and width alongside the literature provided the architectural principles to produce optimum perceived spaciousness, size and liveability. The principles include, perceptual overlap, extending line of sight, and primary and secondary zones. Thirdly, design evaluation explored architectural interventions using VR to illustrate the subjective space. I draw on research in design, virtual reality and psychology to develop a methodology that can sufficiently resolve the issues presented by this thesis. The paper argues that to design high-density housing for occupants, architects must have an understanding of perceived space. This has the potential to be achieved with the adoption of my thesis methodology.</p>

Investigation on the Effect of Platform Height on Smoke Characteristics of Fire Scenarios for Subway Stations

In this study, three full-scale experiments and a series of numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the influence of subway platform height and atrium ceiling height of subway stations on smoke control by mechanical exhausting systems. The smoke temperature variation with time, maximum temperature distribution, and smoke stratification were discussed. Results showed that the atrium had capacity to store smoke, especially at the early stage of smoke spread. However, the efficiency of smoke extraction did not increase simply with the rise in platform height and atrium ceiling height, and favorable smoke exhaust velocity was crucial for smoke elimination. The optimal smoke exhaust velocity was studied by numerical simulation and it was found that the area of smoke diffusion in subway stations with a higher platform was significantly smaller under the optimal smoke exhaust velocity. In addition, a prediction model of optimal smoke exhaust velocity with subway platform height was proposed. This study could provide on-site data and smoke spread characteristics for smoke control design, operation, and, significantly, guide safety evacuation of the exhaust system of subway stations.

Heating Performances of a Large-Scale Factory Evaluated through Thermal Comfort and Building Energy Consumption

Workshops with a large area and a high ceiling height without compartments, such as large-scale assembly factories, have an uneven thermal comfort during heating, making it difficult to establish an effective heating strategy. In this study, we evaluate the heating performance of a large-scale factory based on thermal comfort and energy flow and discuss effective heating methods. In addition, an analysis of the heating performance of a large-scale factory is attempted for the first time. To analyze the heating performance, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and building energy simulation (BES) were used to confirm thermal comfort distribution and energy flow in a large-scale factory. Temperature distribution and thermal comfort were evaluated through CFD, and the temperature of a large-scale assembly factory was compared with experimental data. Based on the CFD results, the current heating level of large factories was predicted to be 15.4 °C, and the ADPIrev was 70%. Moreover, the BES results show that the energy losses due to forced ventilation and the inflow of outside air contributed 35.5% and 27.8%, respectively. The heating strategy proposed in this study could improve thermal comfort by 79% compared to the same energy consumption. Therefore, to improve the heating performance compared to the heating energy consumption of large-scale factory, the imbalance in thermal comfort caused by the inflow of outside air must be resolved.

Humanising Housing: Exploring the relationship between the human mind, body, and architectural space

<p>Through the research and analysis of historical and architectural precedent, humanproxemic, behavioural, and psychological research, this thesis explores the potential ofimplementing evidence from these research areas in the architects’ design process forcreating residences. The aim of this evidence inclusion is to engage and enhance thewellbeing of occupants through design and the manipulation of space. The evidence isin the form of designable/iterative parameters known to influence the mind and/or bodythrough a users’ experience of space. The parameters include, proxemics, ceiling height,materiality, and connection to nature and natural light. Reimagining the essentialelements of a home separately, according to their function and use from a human-centricperspective, resulted in a modular design approach. As well as an outline of how theseparameters can be explored in design, an evaluative testing method utilising virtual reality(VR) and questionnaires has been developed and employed. The testing method attemptsto measure the impact of these parameters and their iteration on the user’s experienceof the space. The testing process revolves around the user experiencing a simulation ofthe designed spaces across iterations and answering relevant questions and ultimatelyscoring the spaces in terms of Comfort, Stimulation, Privacy, Social Connection andSpatial Balance. Scoring highly in these areas and providing a successful balance of eachfactor is the main design goal of this thesis. Achieving this goal in space is what this thesisdefines as spatial wellbeing. The main value of this design led research however comesthrough the development and findings from the testing and design processes. The aimwas to create a system that allows a more personally (user) responsive residentialarchitecture to be developed, and to overcome the abyss that sometimes exists betweenan architect’s design on paper, and the built home of a client. This design-based researchaddresses the role design plays in domestic architecture’s ability to improve peoples’wellbeing.</p>

Humanising Housing: Exploring the relationship between the human mind, body, and architectural space

<p>Through the research and analysis of historical and architectural precedent, humanproxemic, behavioural, and psychological research, this thesis explores the potential ofimplementing evidence from these research areas in the architects’ design process forcreating residences. The aim of this evidence inclusion is to engage and enhance thewellbeing of occupants through design and the manipulation of space. The evidence isin the form of designable/iterative parameters known to influence the mind and/or bodythrough a users’ experience of space. The parameters include, proxemics, ceiling height,materiality, and connection to nature and natural light. Reimagining the essentialelements of a home separately, according to their function and use from a human-centricperspective, resulted in a modular design approach. As well as an outline of how theseparameters can be explored in design, an evaluative testing method utilising virtual reality(VR) and questionnaires has been developed and employed. The testing method attemptsto measure the impact of these parameters and their iteration on the user’s experienceof the space. The testing process revolves around the user experiencing a simulation ofthe designed spaces across iterations and answering relevant questions and ultimatelyscoring the spaces in terms of Comfort, Stimulation, Privacy, Social Connection andSpatial Balance. Scoring highly in these areas and providing a successful balance of eachfactor is the main design goal of this thesis. Achieving this goal in space is what this thesisdefines as spatial wellbeing. The main value of this design led research however comesthrough the development and findings from the testing and design processes. The aimwas to create a system that allows a more personally (user) responsive residentialarchitecture to be developed, and to overcome the abyss that sometimes exists betweenan architect’s design on paper, and the built home of a client. This design-based researchaddresses the role design plays in domestic architecture’s ability to improve peoples’wellbeing.</p>

Pengaruh Plafon Terhadap Tingkat Kenyamanan Penghuni Rumah Tinggal

Research on "Study of the rate ceiling Occupant Comfort House Live" aims to determine the appropriate standard ceiling height for the convenience of residents, to determine the effect of color on the comfort level of the household, to find a good material used for the ceiling of the house. The research was conducted by means of surveys, and the distribution of questionnaires to residents live to be studied, namely residents living that has a high ceiling, low, and medium. To achieve these objectives, the research methods used to study "Ceiling Study on Occupant Comfort Level House Live", namely: Observation is one of the methods of data collection techniques that not only measures the attitudes of respondents (interviews and questionnaires), but also can be used to record a variety of phenomena that occur (situation, condition). Questionnaire/ questionnaire was conducted data collection techniques by providing a set of questions or statements to others as respondents to answer. Research using this research tool gauges is distance meter ceiling height. Literature is a data collection technique in which researchers collected data on the theoretical basis associated with the object examined

Ventilation and detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2: elucidating high-risk spaces in naturally ventilated healthcare settings

Background: In healthcare settings in low- and middle-income countries, which frequently rely upon natural ventilation, the risk of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in naturally-ventilated hospital settings by measuring parameters of ventilation and comparing these findings with results of bioaerosol sampling. Methods: We measured outdoor and room CO2 to estimate absolute ventilation (liters per second [L/s]) from 9 hospitals in Bangladesh during October 2020 - February 2021. We estimated infectious risk across different spaces using a modified Wells-Riley equation. We collected air samples from these same spaces at 12.5 L/min over 30 minutes and performed RT-qPCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 N-gene. We used multivariable linear regression and calculated elasticity to identify characteristics associated with ventilation. Results: Based on ventilation of 86 patient care areas and COVID-19 case numbers, we found that over a 40-hour exposure period, outpatient departments posed the highest median risk for infection (5.4%), followed by COVID intensive care units (1.8%). We detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 18.6% (16/86) of air samples. Ceiling height and total open area of doors and windows were found to have the greatest impact on ventilation. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that naturally-ventilated healthcare settings may pose a high risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2, particularly among non-COVID designated spaces, but improving parameters of ventilation can mitigate this risk.

Cultural influence on the aesthetic judgment of architecture

Architects should consider the aesthetic experience of potential users when designingarchitectures. Previous studies have shown that subjective aesthetic judgment ofarchitectures is influenced by Structure features, and Western observers preferstructures that have curvilinear contours, high ceilings, and open spaces. The commonbuilding styles, however, vary across cultures, and may potentially influence observer'saesthetic preference. It remains unclear whether the preference for contours, ceilingheight, and openness is universal or culture dependent. To investigate this issue, thisstudy analyzes the aesthetic judgment of Chinese observers, and the results demonstratethat Chinese observers also prefer high ceilings and open spaces, similar to previousresults based on Western observers. Preference for curvilinear contours is also observedbut strongly interacts with ceiling height and openness. Post hoc analysis reveals thatChinese observers prefer curvilinear contours only when the ceiling is low and the spaceis closed. In sum, these results suggest that preferences for high ceilings and openspaces are observed in both Western cultures and in the Chinese culture. Thepreference for curvilinear contours, however, is less reliable in the Chinese culture.