Architectural Scheme Research Articles

The Consortium of Celestials: Cosmic objects equitable interactions

This speculative design study presents a provocative inquiry into the idea of an equitable society, addressed through the exploration of cosmic scale and celestial object interactions. The issues of injustice occurring in current society are influenced by the lack of access to resources and opportunities, where architecture also plays a part. Using a post-humanist approach, the study speculates on the scale of society, broadening the context of civilisation to develop an equitable society. The study creates a science narrative of a cosmic-scale civilisation as the basis of the architectural scheme between celestial objects in cosmic space that interacts in an equitable way. The narratives inform systems of architectural interactions that are designed to support an equitable life system, including communication, extraction, processing, and distribution of spatial and environmental resources. Five particular scenarios are outlined to demonstrate these interactions, from scenarios of resource exchange, climate calibration, and anticipation of destruction. This study demonstrates an important discussion on how design of an equitable society can be informed by the interactions between cosmic objects, systems, and resources. In doing so, this study introduces new narrative of architecture as a form of extraterrestrial built environment, expanding the current understanding of context and its environmental limitations.

Enhancing urban identity through the refined management of architectural styles: insights from Wuhan

ABSTRACT The shaping of urban features is profoundl influenced by the underlying urban context, and architectural features and style management are important parts of the protection and cultivation of urban identity. However, in China, oversight in managing the urban context often results in neglect of the cultural values embedded in architectural aspects at the micro level. This, in turn, contributes to the convergence and disorder of urban architectural features and styles. This study builds upon the significance of the urban context and takes the typical Chinese megacity Wuhan as a case study. First, the research systematically outlines the diachronic development of architectural features and styles in Wuhan and meticulously analyses the prevailing problems. Subsequently, an evaluation is conducted on the efficacy of existing architectural features and style management policies and the approval processes for architectural schemes. Finally, the research formulates a comprehensive architectural feature and style management and implementation system that harmonizes Wuhan’s urban cultural heritage and urban identification characteristics. This paper aims to contribute to the refinement of urban identity management and the preservation of architectural diversity to foster a more cohesive and culturally resonant urban environment in Wuhan.

The politics of public space at São Paulo’s Parque Minhocão

São Paulo’s Minhocão (Big Worm) is a 3.5 km elevated expressway that cuts across a dense part of the central city. Opened in 1971, it was controversial from the start, and widely held responsible for the decline of the city’s historic centre in the 1970s and 1980s. However, it has been gradually tamed over the years, first closed to traffic at night, and then at weekends and on holidays, becoming an impromptu park, the Parque Minhocão, which has had official status since 2014. Those informal closures have been accompanied by numerous architectural schemes over the years to make the Minhocão a permanent park on the lines of New York’s High Line. The Parque Minhocão in its present condition represents a stand-off between various interest groups, all of whom have claims on it as public space. The paper explores the history of the Parque Minhocão since 1969 through different forms of visualisation, arguing that its present condition, however imperfect, keeps multiple and contradictory interests in balance.

Intelligent design exploration method for complex engineered system architecture generation

ABSTRACT Owing to the discontinuous specificity and complexity of architecture design space, the issue of selecting and combining components comprising the engineered system, numerous constraints and associations need to be accounted for, adding up to a complex and substantial cognitive load on the system architects, which makes it challenging to tackle the current demand of adaptive improvements or innovative upgrading of the existing mature architectural solutions. To this end, this paper proposes an intelligent design exploration method for complex system architecture generation with reinforcement learning. The architectural design space (ADS) is identified by defining the dimensions of ADS, including model, quantity, and design chain, as well as the mathematical boundaries and representation to facilitate computable intelligent design exploration. On this basis, by adopting AI techniques primarily based on reinforcement learning, a massive and reliable architectural scheme is rapidly generated, and a more satisfying and robust architectural solution is selected by accessing the fuzzy Pareto frontier. Validation of the method is demonstrated through a case study of a launch vehicle's first and second-stage separation system. This research contributes valuable insights to overcoming the limitations of traditional techniques and enhancing the efficiency of the generative design and decision-making for complex engineered system architecture.

Double-coding in effect: the reception of the Piazza d’Italia

Architectural theorist Charles Jencks characterises post-modernism as double-coding in nature. Double-coding is an architectural scheme that seeks to communicate with both the general public and a concerned minority who care about architectural meanings, usually other architects, through the formulation of an inclusive building language. Given these parameters, Jencks considered the Piazza d’Italia, an iconic post-modern site created by American architect Charles Moore, ‘a monument of post-modern architecture’ and an epitome of his double-coding theory. Yet, the Piazza d’Italia was greatly controversial upon its completion in New Orleans in 1978. The local responses were mixed, and the site triggered debates in professional journals nationwide. This study considers the Piazza d’Italia in light of its mixed reception, supplemented by a contrast between Moore’s prospect of his design and my experience visiting the site. In comparing professional debates with public comments, this study sheds light on the roles and needs of architecture’s different audiences and re-evaluates post-modern architecture’s capability to communicate with them. Thereupon, I seek to illuminate the nature of double-coding and assess critically its promise and effect.

Understanding and Characterizing Side Channels Exploiting Phase-Change Memories

Recent advances in non-volatile memory (NVM), together with their performance-optimized architectural schemes, position NVMs as promising building blocks for future main memory. However, the security of such techniques has not been explored. This article performs the first study on information leakage threats in phase change memories (PCM). We propose an attack framework, R-SAW, that systematically investigates side channel vulnerabilities in representative read techniques under inter-line and intra-line interleaving for multi-level cells. Our evaluation shows that the new side channels can accurately leak program secrets (e.g., crypto keys) and are extremely robust to noise. Our work highlights the need to understand microarchitecture security for emerging memory devices.

Transforming Religious and Monarchial Power

The political landscape of the emergent medieval Georgian nation among the predominant Islamic emirates is a relatively new field for western scholars. The Medieval Georgian polity, led by King Davit IV (Aghmshenebeli), rose to power in the late 11th and early 12th centuries CE. As the crowning jewel of a new architectural scheme, King Davit IV constructed the Gelati Monastery as a symbol of political, social, and religious power in medieval Georgia. King Davit IV’s son, King Demet’re I, finished the monastery in the 12th century and added to its construction with one fundamental piece, the iron gates of Ganja. The gates, taken by King Demetrius I from the Islamic city of Ganja in 1139 CE as a spoil of war, were placed next to the grave of King Davit IV Aghmshenebeli. My paper investigates the symbolic importance of the gates from Ganja in its original context for the local Ganjans and what it later meant to the Georgians. I also address the types of peoples involved with the transformation of the gate’s power as it moved locations. These gates have an Arabic inscription on them that indicates the original purpose of the gates for the Islamic ruler of Ganja. A translation of the Arabic script on the gates is also given in my paper. Finally, I demonstrate how the meanings of the gates of Ganja changed as King Demet’re I moved them from Ganja to their final destination within the Gelati complex and how those meanings related to the political landscape that the Medieval Georgian Kingdom sought to create.

A Multi-Objective Time – Series Optimization for Optimum Planning Design of Integrative Power System with the Effects of Multi-Dimensional Sources of Uncertainty

Time series aggregation (TSA) procedures are used to simplify data entry and enhance solution efficiency. This study suggested a two-step multi-objective optimization framework for TSA strategy determination. TSA methodologies for optimum MES design and operation were used to create the multi-energy system’s preliminary design. In the second step, the system’s total annual cost, as well as loss of load probability (LSLP), were used as objectives, or the optimal combination of the several objectives was found optimal TSA strategy for the MES’s structure and performance. The ideal energy-storage MES design proved the method’s efficacy. TSA techniques were compared and analyzed for architectural schemes & system performance variations. The findings show that the initial full-time series data may be used to verify the viability of the best MES design schemes and quantify the departure of outcomes from alternative TSA procedures. LSLP decrease raises expenses. The TAC of the framework improves from $9.79 × 107 to $1.56 × 108 when the LSLP reduces to 7.90% to zero in the numerous grids method (TG1) with 730-time steps (TS). To fulfill energy system demand, the minimal LSLP approach must be chosen. The best TSA tactics for MES design may be chosen based on unique needs.

Review: Giuliano da Sangallo and the Ruins of Rome

Review: <i>Giuliano da Sangallo and the Ruins of Rome</i>

Built On-orbit Robotically assembled Gigatruss (BORG): A mixed assembly architecture trade study.

This paper explores a mixed assembly architecture trade study for a Built On-orbit Robotically assembled Gigatruss (BORG). Robotic in-space assembly (ISA) and servicing is a crucial field to expand endeavors in space. Currently, large structures in space are commonly only deployable and must be efficiently folded and packed into a launch vehicle (LV) and then deployed perfectly for operational status to be achieved. To actualize being able to build increasingly large structures in space, this scheme becomes less feasible, being constrained by LV volume and mass requirements. ISA allows the use of multiple launches to create even larger structures. The common ISA proposals consist of either strut-by-strut or multiple deployable module construction methodologies. In this paper, a mixed assembly scheme is explored and a trade study is conducted on its possible advantages with respect to many phases of a mission: 1) manufacturing, 2) stowage and transport, 3) ISA, and 4) servicing. Finally, a weighted decision matrix was created to help compare the various advantages and disadvantages of different architectural schemes.

Analysis of Relationships in the Virtual Space of Social Networks

The article is devoted to a brief review of approaches to the analysis of social relations in social networks using comments and credentials located in the profiles of social network users. The study is aimed at revealing the behavior of the user and understanding the nature of his relationship with others. The proposed architectural scheme of the system for the intellectual analysis of social relations will make it possible to better understand and identify social relations between users of social networks.

TP-GAN: Simple Adversarial Network With Additional Player for Dense Depth Image Estimation

We present a simple yet robust monocular depth estimation technique by synthesizing a depth map image from a single RGB input image using the advantage of generative adversarial networks (GAN). We employ an additional sub-model termed refiner to extract local depth features, then combine it with the global scene information from the generator to improve the GAN’s performance compared to the standard GAN architectural scheme. Notably, the generator is the first player to learn to synthesize depth images. The second player, the discriminator, classifies the generated depth. In the meantime, the third player, the refiner, enhances the final reconstructed depth. Complementing the GAN model, we apply a conditional generative network (cGAN) to lead the generator in mapping the input image to the respective depth representation. We further incorporate a structured similarity (SSIM) as our loss function for the generator and refiner in GAN training. Through extensive experiment validation, we confirmed the performance of our strategy on the publicly indoor NYU Depth v2 and KITTI outdoor data. Experiment results on the NYU depth v2 dataset show that our proposed approach achieves the best performance by 96.0% on threshold accuracy ( <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta &lt; 1.25^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ) and the second-best accuracy on all thresholds on the KITTI dataset. We discovered that our proposed method compares favorably to numerous existing monocular depth estimation strategies and demonstrates a considerable improvement in the accuracy of image depth estimation despite its simple network architecture.

Multi-Objective Optimization of Building Environmental Performance: An Integrated Parametric Design Method Based on Machine Learning Approaches

Reducing energy consumption while providing a high-quality environment for building occupants has become an important target worthy of consideration in the pre-design stage. A reasonable design can achieve both better performance and energy conservation. Parametric design tools show potential to integrate performance simulation and control elements into the early design stage. The large number of design scheme iterations, however, increases the computational load and simulation time, hampering the search for optimized solutions. This paper proposes an integration of parametric design and optimization methods with performance simulation, machine learning, and algorithmic generation. Architectural schemes were modeled parametrically, and numerous iterations were generated systematically and imported into neural networks. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) were used to predict environmental performance based on the simulation results. Then, multi-object optimization can be achieved through the fast evolution of the genetic algorithm binding with the database. The test case used in this paper demonstrates that this approach can solve the optimization problem with less time and computational cost, and it provides architects with a fast and easily implemented tool to optimize design strategies based on specific environmental objectives.

Research on the Application of Green Architectural Design Concept in Architectural Scheme

Research on the Application of Green Architectural Design Concept in Architectural Scheme

Концептуальные основы проектирования бэкенда сайта Национального атласа России с использованием микросервисной архитектуры

The author shows the possibility of using microservice architecture at designing the backend of the National Atlas of Russia (NAR) site, as part of the National Spatial Data System. The relevance of the study is due to the need to reliably reflect spatial information on the Russian Federation in the information field. The experience of foreign countries that periodically published national atlases and partially switched from printed versions to sites and geographic information systems on the Internet is considered. Creating the backend, the server part of the NAR site, was divided into stages, a programming language was chosen and a simplified architectural scheme of the service was proposed with the main components highlighted. Free and open source software is considered as components

Discussion on Design Principles and Key Points in the Process of Architectural Scheme Design

Discussion on Design Principles and Key Points in the Process of Architectural Scheme Design

WDM equipped universal linear optics for programmable neuromorphic photonic processors

Non-von-Neumann computing architectures and deep learning training models have sparked a new computational era where neurons are forming the main architectural backbone and vector, matrix and tensor multiplications comprise the basic mathematical toolbox. This paradigm shift has triggered a new race among hardware technology candidates; within this frame, the field of neuromorphic photonics promises to convolve the targeted algebraic portfolio along a computational circuitry with unique speed, parallelization, and energy efficiency advantages. Fueled by the inherent energy efficient analog matrix multiply operations of optics, the staggering advances of photonic integration and the enhanced multiplexing degrees offered by light, neuromorphic photonics has stamped the resurgence of optical computing brining a unique perspective in low-energy and ultra-fast linear algebra functions. However, the field of neuromorphic photonics has relied so far on two basic architectural schemes, i.e., coherent linear optical circuits and incoherent WDM approaches, where wavelengths have still not been exploited as a new mathematical dimension. In this paper, we present a radically new approach for promoting the synergy of WDM with universal linear optics and demonstrate a new, high-fidelity crossbar-based neuromorphic photonic platform, able to support matmul with multidimensional operands. Going a step further, we introduce the concept of programmable input and weight banks, supporting in situ reconfigurability, forming in this way the first WDM-equipped universal linear optical operator and demonstrating different operational modes like matrix-by-matrix and vector-by-tensor multiplication. The benefits of our platform are highlighted in a fully convolutional neural network layout that is responsible for parity identification in the MNIST handwritten digit dataset, with physical layer simulations revealing an accuracy of ∼94%, degraded by only 2% compared to respective results obtained when executed entirely by software. Finally, our in-depth analysis provides the guidelines for neuromorphic photonic processor performance improvement, revealing along the way that 4 bit quantization is sufficient for inputs, whereas the weights can be implemented with as low as 2 bits of precision, offering substantial benefits in terms of driving circuitry complexity and energy savings.

Review: Modern Architecture, Empire, and Race in Fascist Italy

Review: <i>Modern Architecture, Empire, and Race in Fascist Italy</i>

Northbrook Clock Tower and Ripon Hall: History and Architecture of Ghanta-Ghar Multan, Pakistan

Ghanta-Ghar has been considered a marked distinction of British Architecture indicating a symbolic centrality of imperial administration and reflecting the cultural, religious and political acumen of the imperial mind in the town planning of an administrative center. This symbolic erection has been used as means of expressing wealth, power, manifestation of authority and influence of empire. Multan as an important and central point of Southern Punjab came under the British empire in the mid of 19th century. The British erected urban and religious establishments to exhibit their power, authority, wealth and control. Multan has been a rich region with a strong legacy of architectural heritage from the oldest hindu times to the time of British’s Muslim predecessors. However, British contributed significantly to that heritage. Northbrook Tower and Ripon Hall (Ghanta-Ghar Multan) is one of the major Imperial administrative establishments in Multan constructed with a blend of the English and Indian (synthesis of Indian and Mughal) architecture between 1884 to 1888 CE. According to Francoise Dasques, the clock tower was built using Anglo Indian, Indo Saracenic and Greeko-Roman patterns. The purpose of this paper is analyze the structure, style and approach of the Ghanta-Ghar establishgment, along with exploring the tradition of clock towers in India by the British and amalgamation of native &amp; European built environment. Hence the paper highlights the elements and features used in architectural scheme of the building and explains the nature of its structure with a contribution-assessment of use and compatibility of native/indigenous and foreign techniques and materials The paper explains the advent of British in Multan and its construction in the area very briefly while it explains the history, construction of Northbrook Clock tower and Ripon Hall, its construction style, structural pattern, and decorative material in detail. The study analyses the elements of the building separately comparing with other colonial and Mughal structures. Drawings, photos of the building and terminologies has been used in the paper to make the study easier and understandable.

Dendritic Compartmentalization of Learning-Related Plasticity

The dendrites of cortical pyramidal neurons receive synaptic inputs from different pathways that are organised according to their laminar target. This architectural scheme provides cortical neurons with a spatial mechanism to separate information, which may support neural flexibility required during learning. Here, we investigated layer-specific plasticity of sensory encoding following learning by recording from two different dendritic compartments, tuft and basal dendrites, of layer 2/3 (L2/3) pyramidal neurons in the auditory cortex of mice. Following auditory fear conditioning, auditory-evoked Ca2+ responses were enhanced in tuft, but not basal, dendrites leading to increased somatic action potential output. This is in direct contrast to the long held (and debated) hypothesis that, despite extensive dendritic arbours, neurons function as a simple one-compartment model. Two computational models of varying complexity based on the experimental data illustrated that this learning-related increase of auditory responses in tuft dendrites can account for the changes in somatic output. Taken together, we illustrate that neurons do not function as a single compartment, and dendritic compartmentalisation of learning-related plasticity may act to increase the computational power of pyramidal neurons.Significance StatementThis study directly investigates whether information processing in neurons is compartmentalized within different dendritic regions. Our findings shed light on the learning-related changes that occur in dendritic compartments residing in different layers of the cortex (i.e. tuft and basal dendrites), illustrating that L2/3 pyramidal neurons are able to compartmentalize learning signals which leads to enhanced somatic output. The compartmentalization of experience-dependent plasticity supports flexible sensory processing and may increase the computational power of single pyramidal neurons. In addition, it highlights the special role of tuft dendrites, the target of top-down inputs, in modulating sensory encoding following fear learning.