Building Design Research Articles

Automated building layout generation: Implementation and comparison of STREAMER Early Design Configurator and SDaC Layout Designer

When designing new buildings, various constraints must be taken into account. These constraints encompass factors such as the overall building size, the number, function, and size of required spaces, and even the surrounding neighborhood's existing buildings, infrastructure, and natural environment. Particularly the requirements of interior layout design are usually coupled with each other, making the design process more complex and time-consuming. This paper proposes a novel manner to consider the requirements, aiming to facilitate the generation process of building's interior layout during the early design phase. Besides, this paper aims to generate vectored output, which is more applicable to export BIM model, which also benefits the subsequent design and construct steps. This paper introduces STREAMER Early Design Configurator (EDC) and SDaC Layout Designer, both of which formats the user's requirements, semi-automatically generates interior layouts and exports IFC models of the floor plans. STREAMER EDC is used to discover the potential layouts of large-scale buildings with many rooms such as hospitals, while SDaC Layout Designer focuses on residential houses with comparatively fewer rooms. These drafts are enriched with additional data, including placement information, volume details, and space utilization. Ultimately, the floor plans are exported into three-dimensional objects and exported in the IFC format. This comprehensive step paves the way for more efficient and informed building design, promoting greater flexibility and adaptability in the early stages of the architectural process.

Evaluating the impact of high-resolution irradiation data on the daylight performance assessment of adaptive solar shading systems

Adaptive solar shading systems offer a dynamic solution to balance daylight availability and glare control in buildings. While building performance simulation methods are useful to understand the potential of these systems to improve daylight conditions in indoor spaces, it is unclear if established practices such as the use of hourly averaged climate data are sufficient to accurately estimate the benefits of adaptive solar shading in real-world conditions. This study investigates how the time resolution of irradiance data in simulation models affects the predicted performance of adaptive solar shading systems. To that end, a series of simulations for models with time resolutions from 1 to 60 min are run, and the results are compared to quantify the variation in daylight metrics between different resolutions. The outcome of this comparison study reveals that while hourly averaged irradiance data generally suffices for daylight performance estimations, it is also likely to overlook short-term periods of glare discomfort that would be present in high-resolution irradiance data. In the context of adaptive shading design, capturing these discomfort periods can be key to providing solutions that achieve specific visual comfort goals. This suggests that the need for high-resolution irradiance data is project-specific, which emphasizes the need for more tailored approaches in the representation of adaptive shading systems in early building design.

Gamified interaction and urban regeneration: an analysis of serious game participation in rural architectural transformation and its influential factors

ABSTRACT This study investigates the utilization of serious games in rural public building design and their impact on residents’ contentment with building renovations. It highlights serious games’ role as an interactive medium for education, training, and communication, specifically in enhancing residents’ approval of rural public building designs. Employing the concept of diegesis from narratology, the study develops a structural equation modelling (SEM) by dividing games into intra-diegetic and extra-diegetic components. This model examines the influence of Game Participation (GP) and Learning Participation (LP) in serious games on satisfaction with updated building designs, as well as the direct and indirect impacts of various factors on these dynamics. The research methodology encompassed creating and applying a serious game focused on architectural design, accompanied by thorough quantitative analysis of the gaming process and results. The study tested multiple hypotheses regarding the positive impacts of game interactivity, perceived creativity, immersive experiences, game quality, atmosphere, and environment on GP and LP. Notably, the beneficial effect of game engagement on learning engagement and the significant positive influence of GP and LP on design satisfaction underscore the potential of serious games in improving educational outcomes and satisfaction with building renovations. Additionally, enjoyment was identified as having a substantial positive moderating effect on the relationships between GP and Design Satisfaction (DS) and between LP and DS, underscoring the importance of enhancing the appeal and engagement of serious games in their design. Additionally, as the game advanced, participants increasingly aligned their opinions on various design aspects, particularly emphasizing the importance of integrating natural landscapes as a key environmental consideration in community redevelopment.

When thermochromic material meets shape memory alloy: A new smart window integrating thermal storage, temperature regulation, and ventilation

Traditional windows have poor thermal insulation performance, resulting in significant indoor heat loss in winter and outdoor heat entry in summer. Thermochromic smart windows can effectively block solar radiant heat by automatically adjusting light transmittance, thereby reducing air conditioning loads and leading to significant energy savings. In this study, the poly N-isopropyl acrylamide (PNIPAm)-based thermochromic hydrogel, modified MXene nanoparticles, and NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) are integrated to endow the smart window with heat storage, temperature control, and ventilation. The smart window achieves 88.6% visible light transmission and 70% solar modulation. The inclusion of MXene nanoparticles further enhances photothermal response efficiency, while the ventilation system ensures efficient and fresh indoor air circulation. Compared to the common glass, the smart window reduces the indoor temperature by 8 °C, demonstrating its excellent temperature regulation ability. Simulation results indicate that in Shanghai, Cairo, Singapore, and Kuwait, the employment of thermochromic smart windows can reduce heating, ventilation, and air conditioning energy consumption (HVAC) by 32.6%, 49.9%, 42.7%, and 34.1%, respectively. This versatile thermochromic smart window is expected to significantly improve building efficiency and occupant comfort, offering a sustainable solution for future building designs.

Informative design exploration of tower building geometry typology and solar potential using SOM-MLPNN with generalized form-description-based parametric modelling

To synchronize designers early in the design process and help them understand the building forms and performance metrics needed to meet both qualitative and quantitative requirements is crucial for sustainable building designs. While the prevalent design exploration technique, which integrates self-organizing mapping with a Supervised Learning-based Agent Model (SOM-MLPNN), offers insights into design geometry and solar potential, it still has limitations in the range of the design exploration space, the efficiency and accuracy of data approximation, and the uncertainty in dealing with performance metrics related to more complex environmental factors. Using the solar potential of tower buildings as an example, this study proposes a method based on SOM-MLPNN by integrating a Generalized Tower Generator (GTG) and form description, testing its usability for the inclusion of complex surrounding environments, and improving its design exploration breadth as well as the efficiency and accuracy of data approximations. The results demonstrate improved efficiency and accuracy in data approximation across an expansive design space, facilitating visual and interactive exploration of design-performance relationships. The proposed method emphasizes the critical interplay between building geometry and environment-related performance, providing designers with a refined toolkit for discerning the correlation between design and performance, thereby enhancing their design decision-making abilities.

Experimental investigations on prefabricated interlocking prestressed tendon composite joint and its application to beam-column connection

This study proposes an interlocking prestressed tendon composite joint (I-PTCJ) that can be applied to a beam–column connection of the multi-story structure. First, the main structure and prefabrication process of the I-PTCJ were introduced. Next, three beam–column specimens using local and integral I-PTCJs (named specimens PT1 and PT2) and a traditional interlocking joint (I-J, specimen named TG1) were designed and manufactured. Furthermore, quasi-static experiments were performed on these three specimens to evaluate their seismic performance. In addition, the influence of the prestressed tendons (PTs) and the arrangement mode (local or integral) of the I-PTCJs were investigated in detail. Finally, a preliminary comparative analysis between the experimental and simulated results was carried out. The results showed that the introduction of the PTs reduced the degree of damage within the PT installation area, delayed the cracking of the interlocking interface, and improved the bond performance of the longitudinal rebar. However, it also aggravated the degree of damage outside the PT installation area and reduced the displacement ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the specimen. Compared with TG1 (using the traditional I-J), PT1 (using the local I-PTCJ) had a higher peak load, lower displacement ductility, higher shear deformation, gentler rigidity deterioration, and lower cumulative energy dissipation. Compared with PT1, PT2 (using the integral I-PTCJ) had a higher peak load, lower displacement ductility, lower shear deformation, lower cumulative energy dissipation, and better bond performance of the longitudinal rebar. Both the yield displacement angle and ultimate displacement angle met the deformability requirement of the existing building design codes. Thus, the proposed I-PTCJ can be applied to the beam-column connection of multi-story structures.

Studi Kelayakan Investasi Proyek Pembangunan Perumahan Citra Harmoni Desa Sukamakmur Kecamatan Sukajadi Kabupaten Lebak

Housing is a group of houses or other buildings built together as a single development. The form varies from country to country. Housing is usually built by a single contractor with only a few house or building design styles, so that the appearance is uniform. In Asian cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Seoul, housing includes high-density tower blocks with or without commercial facilities. Meanwhile, Indonesia is one of the profitable countries for housing development. Home investment is a form of investment that is profitable in the long term. So it's not surprising that many people are interested in doing it. Houses have a stable value when compared with other investment instruments. It will not decrease even if inflation occurs. Property investment is an investment aimed at getting a return on investment or return on investment by utilizing a property. Knowing the value of housing investment returns, many business people invest in property. So it is necessary to analyze the feasibility of investment and the parameters that influence investment in this project and also the characteristics of consumers. Citra Harmoni Housing, which is located in Sukamakmur village, Sukajadi subdistrict, Lebak Regency, is a housing project whose investment feasibility we will calculate. From the analysis results of this project, the NPV calculation value for the housing project is IDR 35,913,597,917, which is certainly greater than 0, indicating that this housing project activity has financial benefits. The calculated value of the internal rate of return (IRR) is 36.943%, which is higher than the interest value of 10.9%, indicating that this housing project has a high rate of return and can be a profitable investment opportunity. The results of the Payback Period (PP) calculation show that the time required to return the initial capital in this project or investment is 1 year 7 months.

Green Building Standard System and Key Technical Measures

Green building is a manifestation of actively responding to the national dual carbon strategy.With the large-scale promotion of green buildings, the country has successively issued multiple evaluation standards for green buildings.This article is based on the Green Building Evaluation Standards GB/T 50378-2019, and proposes key technical measures for green buildings in combination with reality, providing reference for green building designers.

BIM Integration with XAI Using LIME and MOO for Automated Green Building Energy Performance Analysis

Achieving sustainable green building design is essential to reducing our environmental impact and enhancing energy efficiency. Traditional methods often depend heavily on expert knowledge and subjective decisions, posing significant challenges. This research addresses these issues by introducing an innovative framework that integrates building information modeling (BIM), explainable artificial intelligence (AI), and multi-objective optimization. The framework includes three main components: data generation through DesignBuilder simulation, a BO-LGBM (Bayesian optimization–LightGBM) predictive model with LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations) for energy prediction and interpretation, and the multi-objective optimization technique AGE-MOEA to address uncertainties. A case study demonstrates the framework’s effectiveness, with the BO-LGBM model achieving high prediction accuracy (R-squared > 93.4%, MAPE < 2.13%) and LIME identifying significant HVAC system features. The AGE-MOEA optimization resulted in a 13.43% improvement in energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and thermal comfort, with an additional 4.0% optimization gain when incorporating uncertainties. This study enhances the transparency of machine learning predictions and efficiently identifies optimal passive and active design solutions, contributing significantly to sustainable construction practices. Future research should focus on validating its real-world applicability, assessing its generalizability across various building types, and integrating generative design capabilities for automated optimization.

Experimental study of an underground pipe gallery pre-cooled chimney ventilation system for a computer room

Natural ventilation is crucial for reducing the energy consumption and carbon emissions of buildings. However, it is often impossible to meet indoor thermal requirements in hot climates. In this study, an integrated natural ventilation system with an underground pipe gallery for pre-cooling and a built-in chimney to enhance the thermal pressure was proposed to cool a computer room. A full-scale experimental platform was constructed to confirm the feasibility of the system. The system performance was investigated by comparing two experimental scenarios, thermal pressure-driven natural ventilation and fan-assisted ventilation, during the transition season in a hot outdoor environment. The underground pipe gallery pre-cooled chimney ventilation system effectively provided a suitable indoor environment for the occupied area, with a mean temperature of 29.1 °C and relative humidity of 57.6 %. The proportion of hours in which the hourly average temperature around the server rack meets the Class C level for computer rooms specified in the national standard is 66.7 %. The maximum pre-cooling capacity of the underground pipe gallery was 3.5 kW. When the assisted fan was operated, the environmental stability of the equipment area further improved, and the system had the potential to operate continuously for 24h to provide a suitable indoor environment.This study provides a strategic solution to passive building design by demonstrating the viability of using an underground pipe gallery for pre-cooling in natural ventilation systems.

Dynamic Analysis of High-Rise Buildings for Various Irregularities with and without Floating Column

In recent urban developments, the demand for column-free spaces in multi-story buildings has risen due to space constraints, population growth, and aesthetic considerations. To meet these requirements, floating columns are frequently incorporated into building designs. However, these structural elements pose significant risks in seismically active regions, as they disrupt the continuous load transfer path essential for earthquake resilience. This research focuses on the dynamic analysis of high-rise buildings with various irregularities, both with and without floating columns. The study aims to evaluate the seismic performance of these structures by analyzing parameters such as storey displacement, storey drift, and base shear. By using structural analysis software, we model and compare different configurations of high-rise buildings under seismic loads. The findings will provide insights into the impact of floating columns on the structural integrity of high-rise buildings and suggest design improvements for enhanced seismic performance. This research is essential for developing safer building practices in earthquake- prone areas.

An Investigation into the Variables Influencing the Structural Bamboo Architecture Using Filled Concrete and Cement Mortar

Bamboo, as a green building material, plays a vital role in construction. Bamboo has good properties and appearance, making it highly attractive for building structures and designs. Since the compressive capacity of bamboo is considerably lower than its tensile capacity, with the ratio typically ranging between 300% to 900%, this limits its application dimensions in construction. Therefore, filling the original bamboo structural members with specific materials or applying different connection methods can not only maintain the appearance of the bamboo structure but also improve its compressive capacity and overall durability, thus expanding the application range of bamboo structural members and enhancing the performance of the architectural design process. Two hollow bamboo specimens were among the eight BFC specimens tested for this paper. Key components such as transverse stiffeners, steel bars, filler materials, and bamboo nodes were examined for their influence on the specimens’ ductility, peak strain, ultimate bearing capacity, and failure mechanisms. The test results showed that the ratio of the ultimate bearing capacity of BFC specimens to hollow bamboo samples could reach up to 538%, while the peak strain differences were minimal. A non-linear finite element model was developed and its accuracy confirmed based on the test results. This work proposes a new approach to determine the final axial compressive capacity of BFC columns by creating an elastic model of transversely isotropic cylinders. As a result, the primary goal of this study is to establish a foundation for more scientific building design techniques and procedures by examining the axial compression mechanics of structural bamboo filled with cement and concrete (BFC) and how it influences building design.

Application Strategies of Modular Design in Assembled Teaching Buildings

As an efficient, environmentally friendly, energy-saving construction method, assembled buildings are now widely used in campus building construction. Modular design thinking is system-based design thinking, and its application to the design of an assembled teaching building project will comprehensively improve the rationality of the teaching building and component design. The paper focuses on the application of modular design thinking in assembled teaching building design, aiming to provide references for China’s architectural design units, giving full play to the advantages of modular design thinking in future teaching building design projects, and enhancing the level of design, for the construction of the teaching building and the basis of the technical guarantee.

The enhancement of water and energy conservation through condensed water reclamation for evaporative cooling towers

Although environmental groups have declaimed the application of greywater to alleviate water consumption, the progress of condensed water implementation for high-rise buildings was still sluggish. As greywater demands wastewater treatment before any application, the novelty of this study was to demonstrate the direct use of condensed water in an existing cooling water system without wastewater treatment. Considering there is barely any practical case study research to unveil the water-energy nexus in reclaiming condensed water for evaporative cooling tower systems, this research has signified that condensed water is a simple and low-budget application for water conservation and energy saving. Given that the condensed water possesses an intrinsic impurity-free property, the water-saving potentials have been amplified to the most tolerable total dissolved solids (TDS) of system water. Furthermore, it is beneficial that water quality control ameliorated the operating working conditions, the system performances were improved, and then less power was consumed. By getting rid of the wastewater treatment, consolidating the feasibility of practical direct-use application, and its sustainability for water and energy saving, this research may revive the attention of green building claimers to expedite its implementation and tie in the green building design. The condensed water derived from the electric ventilation system was reclaimed as an alternative water source for cooling without extra power consumption, which was ideal for concentration dilution and beneficial to descaling. An evaporative cooling system consumes tons of water, and the water losses are necessarily compensated by fresh water; this process occurs gradually over time and progressively escalates the TDS with time, which evocates water scale formations. Although the bleed-off (BO) that discharges the impurity-laden system water effectively lowers the TDS, it is not a water conservation measure, and the chemical effluent poses environmental hazards. The higher cycles of concentration (CoC) reduce the frequency of BO and sustain the full efficacy of antiscaling chemicals. Whenever water scales appear as a resistance of heat transfer deposit on the heat exchangers, the heat management capability is diminished and energy efficiency drops. The water and energy saving enhancement method was accomplished by reclaiming the condensed water and setting higher CoC.

Indoor environmental quality in WELL-certified and LEED-certified buildings

International building certification systems, such as the WELL and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, play a pivotal role in the design of healthy and sustainable buildings. While LEED adopts a holistic approach to designing healthy and sustainable buildings, the WELL standard has a strong emphasis on human health, comfort, and well-being. Although prior research has revealed inconsistent results for occupant satisfaction in office buildings with WELL certification compared to buildings without WELL certification, or are certified using another certification system (e.g., LEED), most of these comparisons tend to lack methodological rigor. This study used a statistical procedure to match and compare 1634 occupant surveys from LEED-certified buildings to 1634 surveys from WELL-certified buildings. Six important architectural and experiential parameters were matched, masking their influence on the outcome. Overall building and workspace satisfaction was high in both WELL-certified buildings (94% and 87%) and LEED-certified (73% and 71%). We found that there is a 39% higher probability of finding occupants who are more satisfied in WELL-certified buildings compared to LEED-certified buildings, indicating occupant satisfaction is higher in buildings with WELL certification. Although we were unable to pinpoint the reason for higher occupant satisfaction in WELL-certified buildings, the results consistently showed that perceived indoor environmental quality was enhanced across all parameters except for the amount of space.

A comparative study of SPT-based liquefaction potential estimation methods from three sites in India

ABSTRACT In the present study, four different SPT-based methods for liquefaction assessment namely Seed and Idriss (S–I), Tokimatsu and Yoshimi (T–Y), Japan Road Association (JRA), and Chinese code for Seismic Design of Buildings (CSDB) method has been discussed in detail. The present study compares the liquefaction potential estimation of S–I, T–Y, and JRA methods, respectively. The S–I method predicts 9.29 and 3.42 times higher liquefaction occurrence compared to JRA and T–Y methods respectively. Different damage indices such as liquefaction potential index (LPI), liquefaction risk index (LRI), and ground settlement have been evaluated for an earthquake magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale and peak ground accelerations varying in the range of 0.1–0.36 g respectively. LRI provides a more precise estimation of the liquefaction damages compared to LPI. The gradation of liquefiable soil has been presented and compared with the established limits of liquefiable soils.

Strategic Approaches to Design Teams for Construction Quality Management and Green Building Performance

Buildings exert a profound influence on the environment, with the design phase recognized as the pivotal determinant of a building’s overall performance. Green building design, in particular, introduces heightened complexity, where the attributes of the design team play a pivotal role in shaping performance outcomes. Consequently, the characteristics of the design team emerge as crucial factors in the enhancement of both green building design performance and client attributes. This study aims to empirically examine a model formulated to gauge the extent to which Effective Design Team Attributes contribute to the enhancement of performance in designing green buildings and influencing client attributes. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive questionnaire survey was administered to professionals within the architecture and engineering domains actively engaged in the design and consulting sectors of the building industry. The collected data underwent meticulous scrutiny for authenticity and dependability using the WINSTEPS 5.2.5 software before undergoing subsequent analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 19, with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach implemented through Amos version 18 to derive the most robust model. The findings underscore the pivotal role of an adeptly managed design team in significantly improving both the performance of green building designs and the qualities of clients. Rasch’s analysis confirmed the validity of our 5-point Likert scale for Design Green Building Performance (DGBP), Effective Design Team Attributes (EDTA), and Client Qualities (CQ). All items demonstrated excellent reliability, separation, and discrimination, ensuring robust data quality. Dimensionality tests revealed the appropriateness of response categories, indicating satisfactory scale performance. The Effective Design Team Model, validated through Principal Components Analysis (PCA), exhibited a satisfactory fit, supported by significant chi-square statistics, high goodness-of-fit indices, and acceptable root mean square residual values. Client attributes displayed a strong association with effective design team management, validating key model elements. The intricacies inherent in the design process can be mitigated by adopting the green design charrette approach. Consequently, the establishment of an effective design team, coupled with green design leadership, active participation, and clarity in roles and responsibilities, emerges as a potent strategy for elevating the performance level of green building designs.

The Effect of Basic Building Materials and Their Paving Shapes on the Thermal Performance of Walls in Iraqi Residential Buildings

ABSTRACT Iraq's high climatic temperature affects buildings' thermal performance, leading to increased electrical energy consumption due to population growth. Researchers are exploring methods to reduce this consumption, such as heat gain reduction, heat transfer prevention, thermal insulators, high-thermal resistance materials, positive building design, useful orientation, and clean energies. The study investigates solar heat transfer in Iraqi air-conditioned spaces using nine models to analyze the impact of building elements on residential walls and their cross-section shape. The aim is to determine the best model for the Iraqi climate and the optimal approach for achieving optimal solar heat transfer. The study reveals that Model A has negative thermal performance, while Model C and I offer superior thermal performance. Model C offers 47.34% energy savings and Model I 43.99%, aligning with the global trend for green buildings and low energy expenditure in Iraqi residential units.

Sustainable Living: Young Adults Prolonging the Material Life Cycle of Objects Through the Appreciation of Used Furniture, Interiors, and Building Design

AbstractYoung adults acquire furniture from retail stores, second-hand shops, flea markets, and online marketplaces; they also inherit items from family members. While scholars have focused on consumers who acquire second-hand objects and appreciate inherited furniture, limited attention has been paid to the meanings of second-hand and inherited objects as elements of sustainable home interior decoration. Based on qualitative data, we analyze how young adults living in three northern European cities value used interior-decoration objects and how this enhances sustainable ways of using goods. Our study shows that young people appreciate architectural structures and interior-design aesthetics as well as inherited and recycled items in their homemaking. The building and home-decor style of the era shape the way consumers acquire used interior-design materials and objects. Moreover, young adults engage with inherited and purchased second-hand furniture by incorporating narratives about social ties during their acquisition. The durability of materials is valued in both inherited and second-hand furniture. Thus, young adults prolong the life spans of home-decor items, and they contribute to a sustainable, low-speed circular economy linked to homemaking.

Structural response of half-scale pumice concrete masonry building: shake table/ambient vibration tests and FE analysis

Seismic performance evaluation of masonry structures is of paramount importance for ensuring the safety and resilience of buildings in earthquake-prone regions. There are limited number of studies on pumice elements in the literature. In addition, there are almost no studies investigating the earthquake behavior of pumice masonry building as a whole structure. In this context, a comprehensive understanding of their seismic response and dynamic characteristics has been lacking. To address this knowledge gap, a shake-table experimental campaign was undertaken, wherein half-scale pumice masonry building was exposed to simulated seismic forces. To enhance the experimental findings, numerical simulations were performed to confirm and expand our comprehension of how the pumice masonry structure responds to dynamic forces. Integrating both experimental and numerical outcomes provides a holistic understanding of how pumice masonry buildings behave during seismic events. At the end of the experimental study, the frequency values of the pumice model were observed to decrease up to 23.5% in the modes compared to the undamaged state. In the numerical model, this value decreases up to 19.85%. For the undamaged and damaged model, the first three experimental mode shapes were similar to the numerical mode shapes. Both experimental and numerical results show that the expected damages occur in the same regions. These results show that nonlinear FE models can be helpful in determining potential damage model locations. The findings have implications for the seismic design and retrofitting of similar traditional masonry buildings, facilitating the development of resilient and sustainable engineering solutions in seismic-prone regions.