Architectural Point Of View Research Articles

An Architectural Viewpoint for Benefit-Cost-Risk-Aware Decision-Making in Self-Adaptive Systems

Abstract. Self-adaptation equips a software system with a feedback loop that resolves uncertainties during operation and adapts the system to deal with them when necessary. Most self-adaptation approaches today use decision-making mechanisms that select for execution the adaptation option with the best-estimated benefit expressed as a set of adaptation goals. A few approaches also consider the estimated (one-off) cost of executing the candidate adaptation options. We argue that besides benefit and cost, decision-making in self-adaptive systems should also consider the estimated risk the system or its users would be exposed to if an adaptation option were selected for execution. Balancing all three concerns when evaluating the options for adaptation to mitigate uncertainty is essential for satisfying stakeholders’ concerns and ensuring the safety and public acceptance of self-adaptive systems. In this paper, we present a reference model for decision-making in self-adaptation that considers the estimated benefit, cost, and risk as core concerns of each adaptation option. Leveraging this model, we then present an ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 compatible architectural viewpoint that aims at supporting software architects responsible for designing robust decision-making mechanisms for self-adaptive systems. We demonstrate the applicability, usefulness, and understandability of the viewpoint through a case study where participants with experience in the engineering of self-adaptive systems performed a set of design tasks in DeltaIoT, an Internet-of-Things exemplar for research on self-adaptive systems.

STEAM Architecture—A STEAM Project for Pre-University Studies to Connect the Curricula with Architectural Concepts

This article presents STEAM Architecture, a STEAM project for all educational levels, from pre-school to high school, a project that links the learning of subjects with architectural concepts, thus trying to generate meaningful learning in students. The project is the result of an ERASMUS+ project (DART4City (2020-1-ES01-KA227-SCH-095545) Empowering Arts and creativity for the cities of tomorrow) in which a methodology was developed to extract STEAM projects from European curricula. This methodology has two variants: “forward” and “backward”. The “forward” variant analyzes the curriculum and found the areas of opportunity with more connections among the contents while the “backward” methodology proposes a specific theme to look for the connections. The “backward” variant allows finding a topic that may be of social interest. This is the variant we use in this article. We explore the “backward” methodology in order to find an area of opportunity in society, in particular related to architecture. A questionnaire is distributed to different sectors of people in society to find out whether the learning of different architectural concepts at pre-university levels is interesting. The results of these tests show the potential of a STEAM project related to architecture. The design of the STEAM architecture project shows how the subdivision is carried out from an educational point of view, and also from an architectural point of view. Both worlds agree on dividing space into micro-, meso- and macro-space depending on the scale of what is being treated. For this reason, the STEAM architecture project is subdivided into Room, House, Neighbourhood and City for each educational level: pre-school, primary school and high school (which is 4 years of secondary school (ESO) and the last 2 years of high school). At the end of the article, we show the different workshops that were held in order to analyze the goodness of the proposal.

Reimagining Urban Spaces: The Role of Makerspaces in Regenerating 'Maker City Sewoon'

This study investigates the regeneration project of Sewoon Plaza, a historic hub of urban manufacturing in Seoul, South Korea, as a Maker City. Based on its existing manufacturing and distribution base and location in the city center, the plaza aims to be a Maker City that supports urban manufacturing, innovation, creation, and entrepreneurship. This study examines whether the four makerspaces are adequately positioned to spearhead urban regeneration, with a particular emphasis on the comprehensiveness of these makerspaces. Furthermore, it proposes policy implications for both makerspaces and urban regeneration within the Korean context. The study analyzed the management of the four makerspaces across seven components, including spaces and locations, tools and equipment, people involved, activities and programs, communities and networks, finances and business, and goals and initiatives. To conduct the research, a literature review, in-depth interviews, and fieldwork were employed. This study concluded that the makerspace was unable to effectively achieve the revitalization of the declining downtown manufacturing area. This research holds significance in its unique focus on analyzing Korea's inaugural mixed-use building through the lens of urban regeneration, diverging from a conventional architectural viewpoint. Additionally, the study delves into the examination of a prototypical maker city in Korea.

Retrofit of green architecture through adaptive reuse of heritage buildings in sustainable tourism management

ABSTRACT The adaptive reuse of cultural heritage buildings as tourist attractions is a growing trend. From an architectural point of view, this concept can be optimized with green architectural retrofit strategies, which help minimize construction waste and encourage environmental conservation. The challenge lies in technically implementing green architectural strategies to transform cultural heritage buildings to ensure safe and comfortable use as tourist destinations. This research uses method in-depth observations of several case studies to identify the subject’s strengths and weaknesses through SWOT analysis. The findings from this analysis are used to develop strategies for managing cultural heritage buildings through green retrofit architecture. The research results provide detailed insights into the effectiveness of management practices based on previous research, addressing issues such as limited awareness and capacity, challenges in interpreting and managing cultural heritage, data management, costs, and inadequate knowledge. Research recommends applying green retrofit techniques such as energy efficiency, water and waste management, landscaping, building material, and indoor air quality to cultural heritage buildings. This approach aims to optimize and increase energy efficiency by revitalizing buildings through landscape designs that consider environmental conservation and climate change.

TVGeAN: Tensor Visibility Graph-Enhanced Attention Network for Versatile Multivariant Time Series Learning Tasks

This paper introduces Tensor Visibility Graph-enhanced Attention Networks (TVGeAN), a novel graph autoencoder model specifically designed for MTS learning tasks. The underlying approach of TVGeAN is to combine the power of complex networks in representing time series as graphs with the strengths of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) in learning from graph data. TVGeAN consists of two new main components: TVG which extend the capabilities of visibility graph algorithms in representing MTSs by converting them into weighted temporal graphs where both the nodes and the edges are tensors. Each node in the TVG represents the MTS observations at a particular time, while the weights of the edges are defined based on the visibility angle algorithm. The second main component of the proposed model is GeAN, a novel graph attention mechanism developed to seamlessly integrate the temporal interactions represented in the nodes and edges of the graphs into the core learning process. GeAN achieves this by using the outer product to quantify the pairwise interactions of nodes and edges at a fine-grained level and a bilinear model to effectively distil the knowledge interwoven in these representations. From an architectural point of view, TVGeAN builds on the autoencoder approach complemented by sparse and variational learning units. The sparse learning unit is used to promote inductive learning in TVGeAN, and the variational learning unit is used to endow TVGeAN with generative capabilities. The performance of the TVGeAN model is extensively evaluated against four widely cited MTS benchmarks for both supervised and unsupervised learning tasks. The results of these evaluations show the high performance of TVGeAN for various MTS learning tasks. In particular, TVGeAN can achieve an average root mean square error of 6.8 for the C-MPASS dataset (i.e., regression learning tasks) and a precision close to one for the SMD, MSL, and SMAP datasets (i.e., anomaly detection learning tasks), which are better results than most published works.

Latvian Quantum Finite State Automata for Unary Languages

We design Latvian quantum finite state automata (LQFAs) recognizing unary regular languages with isolated cut point [Formula: see text]. From an architectural viewpoint, we suitably combine two LQFAs recognizing with isolated cut point, respectively, the finite part and the ultimately periodic part any given unary regular language [Formula: see text] consists of. In particular, both these LQFAs incorporate a sub-module discriminating strings on the basis of their length. Both the number of basis states and the isolation around the cut point of the resulting LQFAs for [Formula: see text] exponentially depend on the size of the minimal deterministic finite state automaton for [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the recognition of [Formula: see text] tends to becoming deterministic as the number of the basis states employed in the length-discriminating sub-module grows.

Pitrufquén, Chile: the city as a strategy for territorial occupation

This paper analyzes the development of Pitrufquén (located in the Araucanía Region, Chile, and founded in 1897) from a historical, territorial, urban, and architectural point of view. It is proposed that the city’s development is framed in a new moment, where the Chilean State abandons military criteria and assumes economic-territorial factors where the railroad’s presence is a determining factor. The choice of the site, its particular layout, and the development of its architecture are evidence of this change. From the historical point of view, it is analyzed how, in Pitrufquén, the Mapuche society had cattle raising as the main economic activity, as it had pastures to feed the cattle, the land was suitable for crops, and there was a vital ford to cross the Toltén River. This strategic location was maintained and accentuated by the city’s founding and the railroad’s arrival in 1898, turning the town into a railhead for progress towards the south of the country. In the case of the urban layout, its peculiarity was addressed since, together with Lonquimay, these are the only sections in the La Araucanía region organized based on an ellipse, which, in the case of Pitrufquén, also coexists with a checkerboard layout. The study analyzed its squares, diagonal avenues, and the perimeter ring road. At an architectural level, the article explores the three layers or aspects of the city: The first one studies the wooden architecture with works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries; the second refers to public architecture, represented by buildings such as the municipality, public services, the post office, and others; and a third layer addresses the modern architecture, such as housing and stores from the period between 1940 and 1960.

Can Architectural Identity Be Measured?

The sustainable breadth of architectural identity is a remarkable phenomenon with many dimensions. These dimensions are melded together to produce an architectural form. Form as the final architectural product is shaped by the visual cues that produce symbols as a powerful tool in identifying a specific architectural trend. This study aims to construct a theoretical framework for the permanence of local identities to answer the main assumption, which is the following: Can identity be measured? It endeavors to clarify the main effective parameters that affect the permanency of architectural identity. It assesses the measurement variables of architectural identity based on multiple architectural perspectives and different points of view. The methodology of this study contains two broad approaches: a checklist and a questionnaire. The results provide a new model that includes three significant poles of architectural identity (mental images, originality, and building regulation). The findings enhanced the sustainability concept of architectural identity, which forecasts the permanency of architectural identity.

THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS IN CALCIFIC ROTATOR CUFF TENDINOPATHY OF THE SHOULDER

Calcific tendinopathy in the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder is an increasingly common and disabling pathology. Calcific tendinopathy is a common disease that mainly affects people aged between 40 and 60. Women seem to be more affected than men. It has been suggested that various factors play a role in the condition, such as abnormal thyroid gland activity, metabolic diseases (e.g. gout, diabetes) and genetic predisposition. Various aetiological hypotheses have been put forward: the degenerative and multiphasic theories are the two most widely accepted. Clinically, calcific tendonitis is characterised by severe, disabling pain, often occurring spontaneously, usually in the morning or following exertion disproportionate to subsequent symptoms. There may be concomitant stiffness, giving rise to a clinical picture resembling frozen shoulder or hyperalgesic painful shoulder. Conventional radiography of the shoulder is the most appropriate imaging approach, but perfectly complemented by soft tissue ultrasound. Most acute painful episodes resolve spontaneously symptomatically. Numerous conservative treatments have been reported in the literature with varying levels of evidence of efficacy. In the present study we tried to evaluate which therapeutic option could give superior results both from a functional, lesional architectural and causal point of view in terms of reduction of callus size, but also from an imaging point of view. The use of various therapeutic protocols have shown a significant benefit of the association of ESWT with conventional FKT, and intra-articular infiltration, with a plus for the association of Corticosteroids and Sodium Hyaluronate regarding the speed of achieving the desired results. Similar results were obtained with the intra-articular shoulder PRP technique, but with slower achievement of the desired results. Arthroscopic surgery is the orthopaedic specialist's last option. Keywords: Calcific tendinopathy, rotator cuff muscles, shoulder, intra-articular infiltration.

Blockchain for Healthcare Management Systems : A Survey on Interoperability and Security

In recent years it has been shown that the secure exchange of medical information significantly benefits people’s life quality, improving their care and treatment. The interoperability of the entire healthcare ecosystem is a constant challenge, and even more, with all the risks posed to the security of healthcare information. Blockchain technology is emerging as one of the main alternatives when it comes to finding a balance in the healthcare ecosystem. However, the constant development of new Blockchain technologies and the evolution of healthcare systems make it difficult to find established proposals. From an architectural point of view, the design of blockchain-based solutions requires trade-offs e.g., security and interoperability. This paper focuses on two main objectives, in the first one, it was carried out a Systematic Literature Review for exploring architectural mechanisms used to support the interoperability and security of Blockchain-based Health Management Systems. Taking into account of results, a series of scenarios were generated where these mechanisms can be used along with their context, issues, and various architectural concerns (interoperability and security). In the second objective, a high-level architecture and its validation were proposed through an experiment for the whole process of developing a Domain Specific Language, using the Model Driven Engineering methodology for specific Smart Contracts.

Photonic Gateway accommodating all types of wavelength paths for digital-coherent and IM-DD user terminals in all-photonic metro-access converged networks

In access and metro networks, there is increasing demand for guaranteed wide-bandwidth and stringent/deterministic end-to-end latency characteristics. Converging these networks by expanding dense wavelength-division-multiplexed metro networks to access areas is a promising approach to satisfy this demand. An All-Photonics Metro-Access Converged Network (APN) dynamically and flexibly provides a wavelength connection between any two points including user premises. This evolution in network architecture presents some technical challenges. First, from the access-node architecture viewpoint, conventional reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs) do not have functions for remote and in-channel user-terminal (UT) control or turn-back connection within the access area. Therefore, the APN cannot be achieved by simply adopting ROADMs as access nodes, which are defined as Photonic Gateways. Remote and in-channel UT controls are required to control the endpoints of a wavelength path beyond the carrier control-plane network. These types of control should be independent of the protocol and modulation/detection method for the main signal. In addition, the Photonic Gateway must flexibly and efficiently support a new type of wavelength path, specifically a turn-back connection within the access area, due to metro/access convergence. Second, from the viewpoint of the process for dynamic wavelength-path provisioning, the APN controller should autonomously discover physical connectivity between a UT and the Photonic Gateway connected via field access fibers. This paper proposes a novel Photonic Gateway architecture that flexibly and scalably provides various UTs with direct optical connections including turn-back configurations. This paper also proposes a method that autonomously recognizes physical connections between newly connected UTs and the Photonic Gateway. The proposed architecture and method are experimentally verified based on all types of wavelength-path provisioning that take at most 72 s using Photonic Gateway prototypes, 100-Gb/s digital-coherent UTs, and 10-Gb/s intensity-modulation direct-detection UTs. All types of wavelength paths that are provided over the APN architecture are considered including a turn-back connection between two UTs within the same access area and connections between two UTs that traverse the metro area with or without optical/electrical conversion.

Visualization of Digital Transformation Initiatives Elements through ArchiMate Viewpoints

AbstractDigital transformation stems from a mix of personal and corporate IT environments and involves integrating digital technologies and business processes in a digital economy. As such, organizations expect that digital transformation improves performance, increases their reach, and ensures better business results. However, there is still a lack of (i) conceptual models to provide an accurate representation of the digital transformation elements; and (ii) standard visualizations of such elements to specific stakeholders. In a previous work, a reference model to support digital transformation initiatives using ArchiMate was proposed. In this paper, we address the second part of this problem regarding the need for specific visualizations. We followed the Design Science Research approach to learn how to identify the needs of the stakeholders, extending and improving the reference model through the design of a set of architectural viewpoints. We used the well-known ArchiSurance case to demonstrate the application of the viewpoints and semi-structured interviews to evaluate the proposal, providing insights to the discussion of the results obtained.

On Using Generative Models in a Cognitive Architecture for Embodied Agents

Recent popularity of generative models brought research on a variety of applications. We take a more architectural point of view, where we discuss ways in which generative AI techniques and cognitive architectures can benefit each other for a more capable overall integrated system. We use a cognitive architecture, ICARUS, as the framework for our discussion, but most of the discussed points should carry over to other architectures as well.

Reading the Examples of Modern Mosques in Turkey Through Semiotics

Abstract In this study, three different mosques built after the modern period in Türkiye are analysed from an architectural point of view. The aim of the research is to make sense of the messages intended to be conveyed through worship structures and to read the messages conveyed through these structures within the framework of semiotic theory. Using the semiotic method, each building is analysed in terms of context and environment analysis, design principles and style, function, plan scheme, spatial analysis, structure, facade character and symbolic forms. In addition, the buildings are analysed in terms of Günther Fischer’s value criteria (location, size-measure, material, form, arrangement) and Ferdinand de Saussure’s semiotics. The method will help us understand the multidimensional meanings of architectural structures, and the importance of the study is emphasised by the fact that it provides a better understanding of the place of these structures in the cultural and social context. This research makes an important contribution to the understanding of the approaches followed in modern mosque designs and shows how the messages conveyed through architectural structures can be interpreted using semiotic theory. By shedding light on the design processes of modern mosques, it reveals the decisive role of context in this process. As a result of the evaluation, it is concluded that context is the most influential factor in modern mosque design, while other elements are shaped based on context.

Различие во взглядах на архитектурные решения при автоматизации и цифровизации

The material provides an introduction to preparing students’ teams to participate in the “Leaders of Digital Transformation” competition. An attempt has been made, from an architectural viewpoint, to consider the digital transformation of business, namely, the transition from automation architecture (Fig. 1) to digitalization architecture. The presentation is based on the material [1,2], which is expanded for students with drawings and links to additional literature.

The optimized form of building made from the reused elements

ABSTRACT A resource-effective society considers a circular economy, and this attitude enters the construction industry as well. Various circular building approaches and strategies are introduced to promote a circular economy. However, the design process is complex because it evolves from available components. To address such a gap, in this article, we address design adjustments with the aim of maximizing the reusing of components from an architectural viewpoint, utilizing an applied research method. To achieve the goal, mathematical programming is suggested to make the best use of available components bearing a system approach in circular design in mind. The objective function is the allocation of reclaimed building materials and the decision variables are the needed components. The issue was categorized as integer nonlinear programming (INLP) solved for global optimality utilizing a genetic algorithm (GA). Design variants define different component allocations; thus, the optimum allocation defines the evolved design. Mathematical programming permits defining component allocation variants and the constraints associated with the project. The result of optimization defines the optimum allocation; consequently, it defines the evolved design. The presented procedure is an innovative method that aims to simplify the complexity associated with adjusting the design based on available components. It promotes procurement efficiency because it makes the best use of available material. Moreover, the minimum energy consumption for transportation due to local material usage leads to reuse efficiency.

Judaism as Flowers: The Materialized Ideology of the New Synagogue of Szeged

The greatest architectural monument of Szeged’s Jewish community is the New Synagogue (1900–1903), designed by Lipót Baumhorn (1860, Kisbér—1932, Budapest). He designed twenty-six synagogues in the former Hungarian Kingdom and was known as the most successful synagogue architect in Europe. In Szeged, his most special buildings are the synagogue, the community’s headquarters, and the Jewish cemetery’s ceremonial hall. During the synagogue’s construction, Baumhorn worked closely together with Dr. Immánuel Löw (1854, Szeged – 1944, Budapest), rabbi and scholar, who applied his immense knowledge in the decoration of the synagogue. Löw belonged to the Neolog denomination of Hungarian Judaism and designed the synagogue garden as an organic part of the building, presenting the flora of both Israel and Hungary. The Neolog movement brought a transformation in the sacred spaces of the synagogue, moving of the bimah to the Eastern end of the synagogue, introducing the use of an organ and a choir, and defining towers on the outside. The synagogue and its garden stand alone on the global stage, thanks to its extraordinary botanical decoration system that is both distinctively designed and rich in symbolic meaning, drawing inspiration from motifs found in the Hebrew Bible, all due to the remarkable botanical expertise of the rabbi, representing a unique and materialized fusion of Neolog Jewish ideals, Hungarian heritage, and architectural excellence. In our study, we present Szeged’s new synagogue and its synagogue garden from an architectural and cultural-historical point of view, summarizing the emergence of Jewish ideas in the turn-of-the-century architecture and the transformation of the use of spaces.

Integration of Latent Ideas & Apparent forms to Create Sustainable Architecture: A Theoretical Exploration

Sustainability is a concept that addresses the growing environmental problems on the planet. From an architectural point of view, it is affected by the thoughts of architecture that comes from the community which faces environmental problems. A community can have a different understanding of it, leading to architectural formations that will affect the culture of the society and sense of its identity. In architecture, the images represent the meanings and the materials that produce them. A building expresses identity and the ideas change the potentials of architecture. With the emergence of global architectural trends, societies are subject to the concepts of ‘one architecture’ and ‘one culture’ by means of ideas and technologies. Such a new universal identity makes alternative memories and unique places to lose their identity. By losing their essence, the products could become far from being sustainable. Architecture / the sensory circle, and the potential of architecture / psychological circle lead to sustainable architecture. It is subject to sensory and cognitive perceptions, and the use of the senses for extrapolation to extract and generate concepts and transfer them to achieve the goals of architecture. This integration is dependent of the mind being an examiner and a mastermind. This research revealsthe nature of the relationship between the latent and the apparent aspects in sustainable architecture. The research employs the descriptive-analytical study and a case study method as a means of testing. Data for the case study were collected from published studies on the project or from the self-description of the project designer himself. One of the most important conclusions is that environmentally sustainable architecture is the result of the union of two forces, the power of thought and the power of matter, and the creative interaction between them.

Evaluation of the Effect of Change in Support Conditions on the Seismic Behavior of a Historical Masonry Bridge

It is believed that the Yılanlı (or Leylekli) Bridge (bridge with stork or snake figures) in Tokat, a city with high seismicity, was built during the Roman or Byzantine period. Although no structural damage was found on the bridge, which is still open to pedestrian traffic, it is very important to determine the seismic behaviour of the bridge considering the possible earthquakes to which the structure will be exposed. This article presents the seismic response of the historical Yılanlı (Leylekli) Bridge, which has been subjected to unfavourable human-made changes in geometric shape over time. The original and modified shapes of the bridge were modelled using the macro modelling approach in ANSYS finite element software. The structural performance of the models was evaluated in terms of stresses, deformations, and especially cracks on the arch and spandrel walls using nonlinear static and time history analyses. The results of the analysis show that the change in shape, which is not desirable from an architectural and aesthetic point of view, adversely affects the seismic performance of the historical bridge and makes it more vulnerable to possible earthquakes. In addition, the analyses clearly showed that both models are subject to serious structural damage that could lead to a collapse in the event of a potential large magnitude earthquake.

Absolute configuration assignment of marine natural products in Brazil

Brazil is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with a coastline that stretches over 7,000 km including various marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, among other habitats. These diverse environments provide a rich source of compounds, derived from primary or secondary metabolism, which may have countless biological activities. Research on marine natural products (MNP) in Brazil has been ongoing for several decades and led to the discovery of numerous bioactive compounds with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and cosmetics. These MNP are structurally complex, both from an architectural and stereochemical point of view. However, even with all the well-established techniques for the absolute configuration (AC) assignment, this stage of structural characterization of natural products is still under-explored and remains a challenge. This review presents an overview of natural product chemistry in Brazil, focusing on the stereochemical assignment of marine chiral compounds. The main goals are to describe the techniques employed in the assignments as well as to highlight the importance of choosing the appropriate methods for chiral natural products AC determinations.