Architectural Design Research Articles

Enhancement of pin‐bearing behavior of pultruded FRP profiles by multi‐directional fiber architecture design

AbstractThe low resistance of bolted joints in pultruded unidirectional (UD) fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) profiles limits the load grade of truss bridges due to shear damage along UD fibers. To address this issue, this study proposes multi‐directional (MD) fiber architecture in FRP profiles to improve the ultimate bearing strength of bolted joints. The digital image correlation shows that the addition of off‐axis fibers in MD FRP profiles prevents shear failure in the UD FRP profile. As a result, the ultimate bearing strengths of MD FRP profiles are enhanced attributed to “off‐axis fiber tie action”. Micro‐computed tomography shows that fiber damage in MD FRP profiles emerged from outer plies, including fiber breakage in 90° and ±45° fibers and fiber kinking in 0° and ±45° fibers. The off‐axis fibers break due to tension when resisting the bearing load in MD FRP profiles. The fiber kinking indicated strength contribution from 0° to ±45° fibers. The fiber breakage and fiber kinking in each ply are dominant in bearing failure instead of delamination, which increases the bearing strength of the pultruded MD FRP profiles. These findings facilitate controlling damage evolution in the pultruded MD FRP profiles and designing high‐resistance bolted joints.Highlights Multi‐directional fibers improved bearing strengths of FRP profiles by 28.5%–33%. Off‐axis fibers bent under pin‐bearing, forming a tie action until breakage. Fiber breakage and kinking in each ply contributed to the bearing failure. Strain localization and redistribution were observed using DIC.

Integration of Digital Repositories and Spatial Design within the Metaverse: the Evaluation of Features and Narratives to set Learning Environments on Cultural Heritage

Abstract. The Metaverse is rapidly advancing across cultural, professional, and service sectors, enhancing data compatibility and interaction. Its architectural design supports both visual interaction and information layers, characterising an ideal platform for the promotion of Digital Heritage. The digitisation of Cultural Heritage and the creation of Digital Repositories find complementarity in the Metaverse, which enables social interactions between Digital Heritage contents and virtual communities. This integration is pivotal for developing Learning Environments, where accessible virtual products can be combined with original digital storytelling and narratives.The paper presents methods and results from an Erasmus+ international school, which focused on using digital communication and 3D modelling tools to create immersive narratives on Mediterranean architectural modernity. Students from various Cultural Heritage disciplines designed virtual exhibitions within the Metaverse platform Spatial and open repository materials. The research concentrated on the application of Metaverse platforms for their spatial design and educational utility within the Heritage sector. The activities included developing digital narratives and interactive exhibitions enriched with multimedia data from digital repositories. The study discusses the limitations of customising visual materials, the importance of repository connections, user experience design, and the potential for future developments in Metaverse applications for Cultural Heritage learning environments and storytelling.

Proposing a course schedule for architectural basic design studio guided by Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy

The article moves away from the traditional architectural basic design education methods and approaches it within the framework of the discipline of educational sciences and learning models. The multi-layered education structure transforms into a new learning field under the guidance of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy, which proposes a course schedule for the architectural basic design studio. Taxonomy allowed us to discover the reflections and effectiveness of the interdisciplinary structure of architecture and design in the educational process and to be instrumentalized and used in the context of basic design education. The course schedule proposal presents a flexible schedule outline with the example of an interdisciplinary studio schedule. The trial created within the scope of this study can be appropriately organized for different Ecoles, schools, and values. The paper is significant for its interdisciplinary nature and develops a new discourse using Bloom's Revised Taxonomy. Using Bloom's Revised Taxonomy as a method in the studio has led to a paradigm shift in methodology.

Comparative Analysis of Neural Network Architectures for Automated Fracture Detection in Hand X-ray Images

The application of several neural network architectures—including Fully Connected Networks (FCN), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), pretrained ResNet, Vision Transformer (ViT-B-16)—for the classification of hand X-ray images into "Fractured" and "Not Fractured"—categories is investigated in this work. The main goals are to evaluate these models' fracture detection ability and determine which architectural design fits this work. Because transfer learning let the model use past information from big-scale picture datasets, the pretrained ResNet model emerged as the most effective with high accuracy, stability, and resilience. The bespoke CNN also performed well, displaying excellent feature extraction powers especially for medical imaging. But the non-pretrained ResNet model overfitted, meaning deeper networks find it difficult to generalize without pretraining. Though innovative, the Vision Transformer performed poorly since it depends on a lot of training data and finds difficult learning of intricate spatial properties from little datasets. Although acting as a baseline, the FCN's simple architecture and incapacity to detect spatial hierarchies in images meant it could not match the efficacy of CNN models. Emphasizing the important function of transfer learning in clinical applications, the results show that pretrained CNN architectures, especially ResNet, offer the most consistent and accurate method for automatic fracture diagnosis in medical pictures.

The digital twin framework: A roadmap to the development of user- centred digital twin in the built environment

With the prompt digital revolution in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), it is crucial to set the early practical steps for advanced digital technology namely digital twin technology. Although theoretical evidence on the potential of digital twins exists in AEC scope, the practical framework to the construction and operation of user-centred digital twin is yet to be investigated. Hence, this applied research investigates systematic methods and techniques for the construction and enablement of a user-centred digital twin paving the way to advanced digital applications in AEC centred on the user of the built environment. As a result, the framework unleashes a systematic roadmap to the creation and development of a city-scale digital twin centred on the human and capable of describing, analyzing, and assessing a built context per its users and usability manner. Further, the framework pours the foundations for a spectrum of digital twin applications in the scope of architectural design, building construction, infrastructure engineering, and facility management. The production of this research is foreseen to outline a systematic and transferable framework for the construction and enablement of a user-centred digital twin.

The Role of Sound in Shaping Architectural Spaces: A Multisensory Approach

The integration of sound within the built environment represents a pivotal yet often overlooked aspect of architectural design. This study explores the multifaceted dimensions of sound incorporation, emphasizing its potential to profoundly impact spatial experience and individual well-being. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the study elucidates the diverse roles sound plays in shaping human perception, social interactions, and environmental quality. Sound, as a fundamental element of sensory experience, significantly influences our perception of space and place. Whether through the subtle ambiance of natural sounds or the deliberate orchestration of architectural acoustics, sound has the power to evoke emotions, establish atmosphere, and define spatial boundaries. Incorporating sound consciously into architectural processes presents opportunities to enhance the quality of life for inhabitants. By prioritizing acoustic comfort and fostering sonic diversity, designers can create environments that promote relaxation, productivity, and social cohesion. Furthermore, leveraging technology and design strategies enables the optimization of soundscapes to mitigate negative sounds and improve overall environmental sustainability.

Exploring Students Awareness, Access and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Architectural Design

Artificial intelligence has become a trending topic in the last decade and has permeated all spheres of life and profession and Architecture is no exception. The use of artificial intelligence in architecture is still in its infancy as more research is still being carried out in the application of artificial intelligence in architecture to solve problems ranging from intelligent material design to architectural plan solutions. This study aimed to examine students’ levels of awareness, access, and use of artificial intelligence in architectural design at selected tertiary institutions in Southeast Nigeria. The three tertiary institutions selected are; The Department of Architectural Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, The Department of Architectural Technology Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and The Department of Architecture, Abia State University, Uturu. The main objective is to carry out a survey to investigate the awareness, access, and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in architectural design among students in selected tertiary institutions in Southeast Nigeria. This study adopted a descriptive research design of the survey method and employed a three-sectioned questionnaire to elicit information from the respondents. The sample size included a multistage sample of 300 undergraduates across three tertiary institutions in Ebonyi State and Abia State. The findings of the study were that the majority of the students are not aware of artificial intelligence and will use AI if they are aware of it and have access to it for their architectural design. Therefore, there is a need for integrating AI-related courses and workshops into the Architectural curriculum which can lead to better-prepared graduates who are proficient in using advanced design tools, potentially increasing their employability and innovation in the field. This study concluded that students' ability to explore digital resources such as AI for Architectural design is dependent on their awareness and access to digital technologies. A lack of these will result in a lack of use and lack of skill to use them.

The AI-assisted Traditional Design Methods for the Construction Sustainability: A Case Study of the Lisu Ethnic Minority Village

In recent decades, economic and technical advancements have surged tremendously, accompanied by non-regulatory and unsustainable use of non-renewable assets. The ecological field of toxicology has garnered considerable focus on elucidating the impact of harmful substances on people's wellness. Environmental hazardous chemicals induce many illnesses, posing a heightened danger to youngsters, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with preexisting health conditions. Air pollution adversely impacts human health, leading to heightened morbidity and death, necessitating intensified toxicological investigations on industrial air pollution affecting the general populace. It is necessary to develop a computerized Ecological Toxicology-based Air Pollution Management System. Constructive social development is driven by cultural education. It can guarantee a sustainable future, protect national history, and unleash community potential. This study examines Chinese architects' perspectives and understanding of sustainability in village revitalization and conservation. It incorporates traditional Lisu building techniques and materials in Hunan, China. To close research gaps, this study looks at the contributions made by architects to traditional practice integration and environmentally conscious architectural design. This study proposes an IoT-enabled Environmental Toxicology platform for air pollution surveillance, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to mitigate the limits of standard monitoring systems and lower total costs, enhancing human wellness. The research examined the intricate interaction between architects' understanding of sustainability, Lisu building techniques and materials, and sustainable architectural designs in village preservation and revitalization programs using path analysis on data from 326 architects in Hunan Province. Lisu building practices and materials strongly correlate with architects' awareness of and attitudes toward sustainability. According to the research, these characteristics are necessary for sustainable architectural solutions that support village revival and preservation. This study has significant theoretical and practical ramifications for academics, lawmakers, and architects. To evaluate the air quality monitoring efficacy of the suggested approach, a comprehensive series of simulation analyses is conducted, and the results are assessed at durations of 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The experimental results demonstrate the superior efficacy of the suggested model compared to current methodologies. These findings could lead to the creation of sustainable design solutions that advance rural development. A thorough overview of upcoming studies on sustainable design approaches in Chinese contexts rounds out this talk.

Self-supervised learning from images: No negative pairs, no cluster-balancing

Learning with self-derived targets provides a non-contrastive method for unsupervised image representation learning, where the variety in targets is crucial. Recent work has achieved good performance by learning with targets obtained via cluster-balancing. However, the equal-cluster-size constraint becomes too restrictive for handling data with imbalanced categories or coming in small batches. In this paper, we propose a new clustering-based approach for non-contrastive image representation learning with no need for a particular architecture design or extra memory bank and no explicit constraints on cluster size. A key formulation is to learn embedding consistency and variable decorrelation in the cluster space by tweaking the batch-wise cross-correlation matrix towards an identity one. With this identitization loss incorporated, predicted cluster assignments of two randomly augmented views of the same image serve as targets for each other. We carried out comprehensive experimental studies of linear classification with learned representations of benchmark image datasets. Our results show that the proposed approach significantly outperforms state-of-the-art approaches and is more robust to class imbalance than those with cluster balancing.

Understanding human-obstacle interaction dynamics on staircases: Implications for emergency evacuation and fire safety in high-rise buildings

Interactions between system components, including human-obstacle, human-building, human-robot, and human-human, significantly impact public safety, system efficiency, and functionality. A deeper understanding of these systems is essential to enhance their resilience and effectiveness. Despite the significance of these interactions, empirical research is limited, particularly regarding behavioral mechanisms when interacting with obstacles on stairways. Our study examines the evacuation behavior of 90 evacuees on the staircase of a high-rise building under different temporary obstacle conditions to understand how key factors affect decision-making and motion behavior during stairway descent. The experiments considered obstacle shapes as control variables and analyzed evacuation time, inner and outer stair route choices, regional speed fluctuations, velocity-relative displacement, evacuation efficiency, and biomechanical analysis of occupants’ comfort. Results show that larger obstacle shapes, increased evacuation urgency time, and closer proximity to the wall lead to a higher proportion of the splitting to merging state before and after obstacle interaction. A strong inner stair route preference emerges in no-obstacle conditions, with significant mean speed differences in downward movements when encountering temporary obstacle. Three phases of average speed variations are observed: deceleration, acceleration, and continued deceleration for the outer route; and deceleration followed by uniform speed for the inner route. A method was developed to calculate regional speed fluctuation using average speeds from trajectories. Comfort analysis revealed that temporary obstacle on building stairways significantly impact safe evacuation. Overall, these findings enhance the understanding of crowd dynamics in high-rise building emergency evacuations, with implications for model development, architectural design, building operations, emergency preparedness, behavioral cognition, and fire safety.

Analysis of Landscape Architecture Planning and Design Under the Background of Multimedia Based on Swarm Intelligence Optimization Path Algorithm

Analysis of Landscape Architecture Planning and Design Under the Background of Multimedia Based on Swarm Intelligence Optimization Path Algorithm

Performance of Windcatchers in Improving Indoor Air Quality, Thermal Comfort, and Energy Efficiency: A Review

The growing concerns over climate change and energy scarcity have highlighted the need for building energy conservation. Windcatchers, renowned for their effective ventilation capabilities, have emerged as a pivotal solution for saving energy and improving indoor thermal comfort. Serving as rooftop installations, windcatchers harness high-altitude airflow to provide fresh indoor air while expelling stale air. This comprehensive review encompasses over 96 studies published between 2000 and 2024, examining the performance of various types of windcatchers. The review reviews previous articles and concludes that using different types of wind catchers in hot and arid areas can increase indoor air velocity by about 10–50%, reduce building energy consumption by about 20–50%, and increase thermal comfort duration by about 25–50%. The article combines the perspectives of multiple disciplines such as architecture, environmental engineering, and sustainable design, providing a new perspective for the study of windcatchers. The article not only summarizes the design and performance of existing wind catchers, but also provides 13 suggestions for the design of wind capture towers, while also identifying areas for future research, such as combining wind capture machines with other passive cooling technologies and evaluating their performance under different climate and urban conditions.

Channel estimation via compressed sampling matching pursuit for hybrid MIMO architectures in millimeter wave communication

ABSTRACT In recent times, there are considerable research efforts in utilising millimetre wave cellular system for meeting rising mobile traffic volume and escalating data rate demand. In this regard, several analytical models have been developed for obtaining Channel State Information (CSI) for the design of combiner and precoder architectures for millimetre wave communication. One prominent method that has caught the attention of most researchers is the Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) which performs poorly in noisy condition. As a result, this work introduces Compressed Sampling Matching Pursuit (CoSAMP) as alternative to OMP for obtaining CSI for the design of hybrid combiner. A comparative analysis of all the cases examined reveals that CoSAMP surpasses OMP and Least Square (LS) across SNR range of −30 dB to −10 dB, recording lowest Normalized Mean Square Error (NMSE), highest Spectral Efficiency (SE) and bit rate. For instance at −20 dB, NMSE of CoSAMP exhibits 95% and 86% gain over LS and OMP, respectively while SE and bit rate of CoSAMP are better than OMP and LS by 21% and 91%, respectively. It is therefore seen that CoSAMP is a better technique for estimating CSI and for combiner design in such condition.

Impacts of adjacent façades on cognitive performance and psychology of university students in long hours of indoor work

Despite extensive research on window views, those featuring adjacent buildings remain underexplored regarding their impact on window usage habits, cognitive performance, and psychological well-being during long hours of indoor work. To address this gap, we conducted a survey among Chinese university students during Spring 2022 quarantine measures, receiving 502 valid responses. Our study identifies specific characteristics of these views influencing viewing time and satisfaction levels. Furthermore, we find that visual aspects of adjacent façades – transparency, visible activities, brightness, and colour contrast at night – significantly impact academic performance, anxiety, and depression levels, mediated by viewing time and visual memory. Our findings highlight the significance of adjacent-building window views in shaping behaviour, satisfaction, cognitive performance, and psychological well-being indoors, with implications for architectural design and urban planning. We also discuss strategies to enhance satisfaction and mitigate negative effects.

Humanitarian Architecture in Service of a Vulnerable Community: Design of an Empowerment Center for Refugee Women in the Minawao Camp in the Far North of Cameroon

This article presents the design of an empowerment center for refugee women in the Minawao camp, located in a Sudano-Sahelian region. The study identifies opportunities to improve living conditions through vocational training and economic empowerment programs. The architectural design, using local materials such as earth, addresses the specific needs of women while respecting cultural norms. The project, involving community participation, emphasizes flexibility, sustainability, and cost-efficiency in a humanitarian context.

COVID-19, social media, algorithms and the rise of indigenous movements in Southern Africa: perspectives from activists, audiences and policymakers.

The COVID-19 pandemic, as a holistic event of cultural trauma, significantly influenced social structures and behaviors globally. Under its impact, social movements leveraged digital platforms to sustain and amplify their causes, creating new forms of solidarity and resistance, and fostering a rise in digital and hybrid collective actions. Concurrently, social media thrived as a transformative tool for social change, revolutionizing communication, mobilization, and advocacy. Platforms like WhatsApp and X redefined traditional activism by enabling rapid information dissemination and facilitating global grassroots movements. This technological evolution has provided marginalized communities, including the indigenous peoples of Southern Africa, with a powerful voice. These communities face challenges such as land rights disputes, environmental degradation, and socioeconomic marginalization. Social media allows them to raise awareness, galvanize support, and engage with a broader audience beyond their geographical confines. The paper hypothesizes that social media plays a multifaceted role in supporting indigenous movements, by not only providing a platform for activists to organize and advocate, but also enabling engagement with the general public and influencing the perspectives and actions of policymakers and other audiences. Through the lenses of rural or indigenous activists who leverage these digital platforms to drive change, audiences who consume and interact with digital content and feeds, and policymakers who are increasingly mindful of the power of social media narratives, this paper aims to understand the complex interplay of forces that shape the trajectory of digital indigenism (indigenous digital activism). The paper employs a mixed-methods approach to investigate the influence of social media on social movements among indigenous communities in Southern Africa. The methodology incorporates (a) netnography and in-depth interviews to explore the experiences and strategies of indigenous activists, (b) the counterpublics framework to understand the formation and dynamics of indigenous digital activism, and (c) the Technology-Media-Movements Complex (TMMC) as a theoretical anchor to analyze the interplay between technology, media, and social movements. The case study of the Community Leaders Network (CLN) of Southern Africa is used to contextualize the findings. Findings reveal that indigenous activists recognize the power of social media in amplifying their voices but use these platforms out of necessity rather than preference. They find social media solutions often misaligned with their contextual needs, citing concerns over platform constraints, privacy issues, cultural insensitivity, superficial engagement metrics, and breaches of consent. Additionally, they reckon that the global emphasis on social media engagement can divert focus from essential field activities that directly benefit local communities, causing social media fatigue. It was also revealed that trying to convey practical information to an audience with preconceived notions is incredibly time-consuming and often feels like an endless loop for indigenous activists. Subsequently, they expressed a desire for platforms that consider users' mental well-being in their architectural design and incorporate cultural and linguistic practices, suggesting a preference for digital environments that are more aligned with values and modes of communication that contrast with western models. The results underscore social media's complex role in indigenous movements, highlighting its empowering potential while also presenting significant challenges due to algorithms and platform dynamics. While the ability to share stories, disseminate information about rights abuses, and mobilize support has significantly transformed social movement dynamics in rural communities, social media's potential for advocacy and mobilization is tempered by challenges that can limit their effectiveness. The findings highlight a pressing need for social media innovations that resonate with indigenous cultural identities, ensuring that their narratives are disseminated in a manner that faithfully preserves their authenticity. The paper discusses the implications of these findings for policymakers, activists, audiences and technology developers, emphasizing the importance of creating digital spaces that are culturally sensitive and supportive of indigenous activism.

Architectural design strategies based on climatic zoning and thermal comfort indices (Case study: Qazvin)

Architectural design strategies based on climatic zoning and thermal comfort indices (Case study: Qazvin)

ARQUITETURA BIOMIMÉTICA: COMO A NATUREZA É EXPLORADA NOS PROJETOS ARQUITETÔNICOS

The present work aims to analyze how biomimetic architecture draws inspiration from nature and how this contemporary approach has been applied to architectural projects worldwide. Through an exploratory research study, with bibliographic research procedures and a qualitative approach, the purpose of the investigation was achieved. Based on the information gathered throughout the research, the results obtained include: understanding how biomimetic architecture adapts architectural designs, the strategies and knowledge that transform the concept of architecture and nature, as well as the correlation between nature and biomimetic architecture in the contemporary world. Additionally, an analysis of projects that employed the biomimetic concept was conducted to understand how this methodology is applied in practice.

The Spatial Form of the Traditional Residences of Shanxi Merchants: A Case Study of Pingyao Ancient City, China

The Shanxi merchants were one of the top ten merchant groups in Chinese history. From the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the Republic of China, they contributed significantly to the prosperity of China’s financial industry while also developing traditional residences adapted to the local living environment. Nevertheless, current research lacks a thorough investigation into how Shanxi merchant culture influenced the spatial forms of these residences. This study aimed to analyze the spatial forms of three types of Shanxi merchant residences in Pingyao Ancient City through a case study approach, exploring the factors influencing their spatial forms and their relationship with local culture. The focus is on how the shop residence, workshop residence, and courtyard residence types reflect the interplay between commercial activities and the sociocultural background through their spatial arrangements. The findings indicate a high degree of integration between commercial and residential functions, highlighting the profound impact of Shanxi merchant culture on social hierarchy and family structure. This research provides new insights into the spatial forms of Shanxi merchant residences, offering implications for the adaptive reuse of residences in modern urban planning and architectural design, as well as providing a theoretical basis and reference for the preservation and regeneration of architectural heritage.

Design process of ruins of the Great East Japan Earthquake: Nakahama Elementary School

PurposeThis study clarifies the design process for preserving and opening Nakahama Elementary School, damaged in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, to the public in 2020 as a museum facility that allows visitors to view the interior and learn about what was experienced here on March 11, 2011.Design/methodology/approachThere are several unique aspects of the processes for preserving Nakahama Elementary School and the design for reopening it as a disaster ruins and museum facility. This paper explains the significances of the processes and results and provides detailed insights from involvement in the design process and includes a detailed chronology of the process. It also deals with important questions raised regarding the preservation of disaster remains and what lessons should be conveyed to visitors based on the reality of the disaster experience on this site.FindingsOver 10 years, storytelling, committee recommendations, a master plan, regulations and renovation design were developed through a layered, step-by-step process to determine the meaning of the ruins. Rather than emphasizing earthquake threats or reconstruction achievements, it was important to understand the latent meaning of the site through stakeholder discussions, capture details of the disaster experience for visitors to relive and express the region’s unique disaster culture.Originality/valueThis original case study comprehensively describes administrative procedures and community relationships in preserving and utilizing disaster remains. As the author served on the initial study committee and continued to be responsible for the basic planning, architectural renovation design, exhibition planning and actual production of the guidebooks, the paper presents rare insights from the real experience of practical involvement in the planning and design process of the preservation of this heritage site.