Historic Dwellings Research Articles

Machine learning-based prediction of indoor thermal comfort in traditional Chinese dwellings: A case study of Hankou Lifen

Traditional residential dwellings as architectural heritage holds substantial research value and significance for regional studies. This study investigates the indoor thermal comfort of traditional “Hankou Lifen” dwellings compared to new residences during summer through field measurements and questionnaires. The results demonstrate that the indoor thermal environment of “Lifen” houses is inferior, leading to lower thermal comfort for the residents. A linear regression model assesses summer residents' thermal comfort, considering psychological perspectives to calculate natural and acceptable temperature ranges. However, these models primarily rely solely on temperature and overlook other environmental and personal factors, due to their lack of accuracy in capturing complex non-linear relationships. To address these limitations, six machine learning models with high predictive performance are selected for analyses. Data preprocessing techniques, such as upsampling, and hyper-parameter optimization are employed to enhance prediction performance. The selection of algorithms is based on metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score, with further performance evaluation conducted using ROC curves and confusion matrices. Through evaluation, XGBoost and LightGBM show superior performance in predicting residential thermal comfort.Finally, SHAP(SHapley Additive exPlanations) values and PDP(Partial Dependence Plot) are used to interpret the models, revealing various factors influencing residents' thermal sensations in both new and old dwellings. These findings emphasize the significance of thermal comfort in the preservation and revitalization of historic dwellings and propose a novel framework for advancing the sustainable utilization of traditional dwellings.

Directions for the formation of «City Intelligent models» using artificial intelligence for the post-war reconstruction of historical buildings

Addressing the limitations of current digital simulations for historical buildings, this paper suggests a specific technical task for the development of a simulation analysis platform based on City Intelligent Modelling (CIM). The objective is to establish a systematic approach for digitally maintaining and managing historical dwellings. The technique presented in this paper focuses on constructing sophisticated parametric models that offer numerous modelling benefits, allowing for convenient updates to the Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM). The text discusses various applications and integrations of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in urban planning, construction projects, and historic building renovations. CIM is presented as a comprehensive digital platform that visually represents cities, aiding urban planners in decision-making for sustainable development. The text delves into the use of advanced analytical tools within CIM for diverse data analysis, predictive modelling, and simulation to forecast trends. The focus shifts to the evolution of BIM, progressing from 3D to 5D models, influencing construction project management and cost estimation. The integration of BIM in historic building projects is explored, emphasising the challenges and proposing innovative solutions using HBIM. The paper also introduces the concept of Infrastructural Building Information Modelling (InfraBIM) in construction management, incorporating Virtual and Augmented Reality for enhanced visualisation.

Evaluation Research on Energy-Saving Retrofitting of Roofs of Traditional Wood-Structured Dwellings Based on the Continuation of Historical Features: A Case Study of Guangdu Village No. 280 Dwelling in Zhejiang

China has numerous traditional wooden dwellings located in regions with hot summers and cold winters. The historic dwellings lack proper thermal insulation and have excessive energy consumption in the building structure, failing to suit the needs of modern people. Hence, it is crucial to enhance their energy efficiency through essential actions. Roofs, being the fifth side of the building envelope, are frequently neglected when it comes to enhancing their insulating capabilities. The study aimed to implement energy-efficient roof alterations while preserving the historical features of traditional structures. This study focuses on enhancing the energy efficiency of a traditional wood-structured dwelling in Guangdu Village, Zhejiang Province, China, by installing composite thermal insulation panels on the interior of the roof using an easy restoration approach. The actual risk of condensation and the impact of retrofit processes on historical features determine the choice and limitations of energy-saving retrofit materials and methods. This study evaluates the transformation using two indicators: energy efficiency and economic feasibility. The numerical simulation results indicate that traditional dwellings have an annual energy savings rate of 16.66% and an investment payback period of 7.25 years. This study demonstrates the feasibility of energy-saving roof renovation measures for these traditional wood-structured dwellings. The measures improve energy efficiency and are affordable for residents. This study can offer technical suggestions for enhancing the energy efficiency of traditional wood-structured dwellings.

How occupant positioning systems can be applied to help historic residences manage energy consumption: A case study in China

Historic residences often suffer from low energy efficiency due to inadequate management and obsolete infrastructure. To ensure these buildings operate in an environmentally friendly manner, intelligent energy control and management are necessary. Accurate indoor user positioning is fundamental to realizing occupant-centric controls. However, historic dwellings, with architectural heritage preservation requirements and diverse operational modes, present multiple challenges in terms of occupant monitoring and energy management. This research proposes a BLE positioning system based on the SAE-CNN algorithm to realize the analysis and prediction of occupant locations in a cost-effective and minimally-intrusive manner. The process begins by dividing spaces based on the mapped BIM model and cluster analysis. The RSSI maps of wireless signals collected from the Bluetooth beacons in each space are then preprocessed by Gaussian filter and sliding window techniques. Lastly, a machine learning algorithm refines the prediction model, which is integrated into a digital twin platform designed for energy consumption management. The system was implemented in a traditional Chinese dwelling in Wufu town, Fujian Province. The results are promising, showing that the positioning accuracy reached 1.5–2 m (95 % confidence interval), while the platform effectively presented the real-time positioning results as well as realized occupant-centric energy management. Moreover, the collected location information shed light on occupants' spatial usage habits, offering valuable insights for devising decarbonization retrofit strategies.

Evaluating carbon emissions from the operation of historic dwellings in cities based on an intelligent management platform

Historic dwellings in cities are considered to be an important resource on the way to carbon neutrality because of their great potential for low-carbon renewal. However, in addition to obligatory heritage conservation requirements, there is no uniformity in historic dwellings’ operation mode and conditioning equipment, which means detailed carbon emissions accounting is critical but challenging. To estimate the spatio-temporal distribution of carbon emissions from historic dwellings and thus support the development of decarbonization retrofit strategies, this research proposed a low-interventional carbon footprint accounting system based on a digital twin management platform. Multiple digital technologies are applied to monitor and evaluate the occupants’ lifestyles, indoor environment, user location, and equipment energy consumption. Based on backend algorithms, the spatio-temporal distribution of carbon emissions is inserted into the building plan to graphically present the evaluation results. Compared with traditional simulation methods, the proposed system enables the automatic updating of energy accounting parameters by fusing multi-source data into one platform, improving accounting efficiency and accuracy simultaneously. A case study in China proves the outstanding performance of the accuracy of accounting results, with an approximate daily spatial error of 20 % and a total accounting error of less than 15 %.

Character contradiction: The exclusionary nature of preservationist planning restrictions

Preservationist planning broadly describes planning instruments that purport to preserve physical qualities of neighbourhoods by preventing demolition of historic dwellings. Here, we analyse land use conversion of almost 6000 lots in Brisbane, Australia, to understand if, and how, preservationist planning impacts the built environment. Results demonstrate that preservationist planning suppresses multi-family housing construction, even where increased density is encouraged by the planning scheme. We suggest that preservationist planning is exclusionary in nature and not solely focused on built heritage, particularly as substantial modifications to existing dwellings are allowed. These findings run counter to the purported aim of built heritage protection and suggest that the preservationist planning framework should be revised.

Evaluating the influence of old and new rental systems on the physical condition of historic mixed-use buildings: a case study of Lebanon

This article investigates the link between the physical condition of built heritage and official local authorities’ legislation in Lebanon. The research analyzed the impact of occupation on the physical condition of dwellings under the prevailing official inherited rental legislation, identifying the scale of the problem and the factors leading to it. The responsibilities of the Lebanese official bodies for rental legislation regarding historical buildings were thoroughly discussed. Moreover, a field survey for the condition of historical dwellings was conducted. To accomplish its objectives, the study employed a three-stage methodology. The first stage involved reviewing archival records, current legislation, and relevant literature to gain a comprehensive understanding of historical dwellings laws and regulations in Lebanon. The second stage was divided into two parts. First, the case study area of the Yacob Al Labban historical square in Tripoli, Lebanon, was selected and justified. This area was examined to understand the impact of local authorities’ legislation and rental regulations on the physical condition of its historical dwellings. Second, a field survey was conducted to gather specific information on building typology, physical condition, and building defects. This data will help establish a connection between legislation and buildings’ physical conditions. In the third stage, the findings were analyzed, interpreted, and compared with the existing literature to draw meaningful conclusions about the relationship between legislation and the condition of historical buildings in Lebanon. The research results revealed a strong relationship between the deterioration of historical dwellings and rental legislation. Additionally, the study found that low rental fees were directly associated with a lack of maintenance across all types of rentals.

“Re-evaluating the health performance of historical buildings using WELLV1 rating system”

The Southeast Tunisian cave dwellings of Matmata are a well-known historical model which amazingly adapt with cultural, environmental and climatic features of its surrounding. Many studies have discussed the sustainability of these dwellings but none has thoroughly discussed its performance on light of health and wellbeing of its dwellers. The WELLV1 rating system, established in 2016, is a first of a kind certification system that solely focus on the health performance of the built environment. It gives credit to designs that enhance and promote physical and psychological health of the users. The study examines the health performance of Matmata cave dwellings in the light of WELLV1 recommendations and features. The study revealed that these subterranean historical dwellings have proven good performance in relation to daylight saturation, indoor thermal relief, solar glare control, physical activity enhancement, exterior noise reduction, biophilic design and cultural enrichment. On the other hand, they lack sufficient performance in relation to air purification, social interaction, clean water supply, and altruism encouragement. Considering the scientific background, materials and technologies available for those who designed and built these dwellings, the health-related performance of their work seems unique and impressive.

Preservation of cultural heritage in Lezha city

This paper is oriented and is part of the research on the discovery, to discover and create a revitalization of Lezha which has been left in oblivion. Lezha is a city with historical and cultural values which have many years remained unrestored. This paper will focus more on how these cultural monuments can be brought back to attention. The methodology used shows how through new methods we will be able to revitalize the city of Lezha. The objective is how a network of identification of these values will be created and their restoration without intervening without breaking the history, but preserving and developing this history. The aim is how the city of Lezha will connect these points as a cultural network and as monuments that need to be restored because over the years nothing has been done about them. The restoration will be done after they are well analyzed where they have problems and how they should be repaired. These monuments play an important role in the transfer of cultural identity. When monuments or heritage buildings are degraded, damaged, or physically destroyed; could not function better; or require new design components, careful preservation is a key, ensuring that the original dignity of a structure is preserved. As a result, heritage is a concept that covers many areas, whether cultural or community, but is also related to the community. Especially in the city of Lezha, to make various interventions, there must be a well-thought-out plan of what will be restored and what will not. if it will be only historic dwellings which have been damaged or along with them and monuments. When we decide to restore the apartment, we will need to interact with the community.

A perspective of authenticity degree on the protection of traditional dwellings in ethnic community: The case of the Ma house in Songzhou ancient city

As a provincial level historic city, Songpan County in Sichuan Province has a history of more than two thousand years. Locating in the border of three provinces, Songpan was inhabited by multiple ethnic groups. The leading culture here has experienced the baptism and influence of various ethnic cultures such as the Diqiang culture, Mongolian culture, and Tubo culture, and it was not until the Tang Dynasty that the harmonious scene of the coexistence of various ethnic cultures began to be dominated by the Central Plains culture. This research took the Ma house in Songzhou ancient city in Songpan County as the object, which is a representative of local Hui people’s traditional dwellings with a history of three hundred years. Many factors have led to unsystematic protection and renovation to it, and the traces of time was superimposed on it. Therefore, starting from the authenticity degrees of historic building, this paper identified and analysed the timeliness value and spatial value of the Ma house by combining the full information cycle of historic building, which provided a new method and more rational view for the research of historic dwellings.

The building where I live: a social mapping of the city

This article describes the last 70 years of a building located in the centre of Naples. It draws on interviews as well as the author’s memories. A number of typical characteristics of this specific context have emerged from the analysis that will be presented here: the various sizes and quality of the apartments, which therefore host families from very different economic backgrounds (i.e. well‑off, middle-class, socially unprotected and poor families living in the same building) – a variety that also characterises lower-than-average rented houses in Naples; the large-scale prevalence of property that has been divided up; the role of certain organisations that protect vulnerable groups in the market system by managing a small number of dwellings; the tendency of families to put down roots in the apartments; the absence of developers investing in historical dwellings; the role played by immigrants. These structural factors allow for the identification of dynamics of slow yet active transformations in a city that is essentially open to plurality and capable of exceptional adaptability, as in the case of the building under examination. These transformations cannot be understood through categories used elsewhere, such as gentrification, polarisation or segregation, which neglect the cities of the south.

Interrelations of Ancestral Textile Handicraft Weaving and Tangible Vernacular Karkhanehs (Workspaces) in the Historic Destination of Yazd, Iran

This research studies the traces of an ancestral textile produced in karkhanehs (workspaces) located in the historical city of Yazd, Iran. The case study undertaken here demonstrates how an intangible heritage of textile weaving through generations of families in Yazd, Iran, interrelates with tangible vernacular architecture and tourism at three different scales: (i) in everyday life in karkhanehs at home, (ii) in the neighborhoods, and (iii) the UNESCO World Heritage city of Yazd. The three scales related to the enactment of this vernacular handicraft are examined using architectural methods to examine structures ranging from 90 to 600 years in age. This was complemented by discussions with local weavers and residents, as well as direct observation in domiciles, neighborhoods, and the city. Actor-Network Theory helped to trace the networks of actors and relationships between the tangible built architectural heritage and intangible cultural practices of weaving, showing how different genders, ages, worldviews (beliefs) and practices came together to produce this heritage textile. Actor-Network Theory also helped to study the relationships between economy, culture, society and tourism, with respect to the evolution and transformations of the historic urban dwellings, vernacular architecture and vernacular weaving handicrafts through the three scales examined. Implications for sustaining and conserving this ancestral tradition of textile weaving and managing tourism’s positive as well as disruptive influences on cultural heritage conservation are discussed.

A cosmopolitical education: Indigenous language revitalization among Tuxá people from Bahia, Brazil

ABSTRACT The Tuxá people from Rodelas, in the Brazilian state of Bahia, traditionally live at the São Francisco riverbanks. Because of their historical dwelling in the place, many more-than-human relations have been established, especially with their ancestors, supernatural beings known as encantados who continue to live in the land. Nowadays, Tuxá teachers, working on a specific school curriculum, are revitalizing Dzubukuá, a language that they currently master only to a certain extent and within ritual contexts. Strengthening the relations with the encantados due to their continuous political struggle to guarantee Indigenous rights, the Tuxá have been emboldening their engagement with Dzubukuá revitalization through both the ritual communication with encantados and the linguistic studies based on a colonial bilingual catechism written in Portuguese and Dzubukuá. Here I demonstrate how Tuxá’s understanding of territoriality, inhabited along with other cosmological entities, can offer a view of Indigenous knowledge, education, and resistance in Northeast Brazil.

К вопросу изменения городского традиционного жилища (Сыхэюань) в историческом центре Пекина (на примере западной части района Дунчэн)

The article analyzes the reasons for the destruction and change of the traditional Chinese dwelling, Siheyuan, in the centre of Beijing. The author considers the current problems of the buildings` functioning in the area of the western part of Dongcheng district, which is outside the historical and conservation areas. The district is presently subjected to an unauthorized transformation of functional-planning, architectural, and structural solutions. There has been carried out a partial on-site survey of historical dwellings in the area investigated. There are traced some contradictions between the way of use and the historical and architectural potential of the area, as well as between the traditional and contemporary levels of demands.

Assessment of the heat loss coefficient of a renovated historical dwelling using a co-heating test

Twelve quasi-identical almshouses with an architectural-historic value were reno-vated, because of their high energy use, poor indoor comfort and numerous moisture problems. Aerogel plaster was applied for the hygrothermal upgrade of the uninsulated brick walls, while limiting the reduction of living space in these very small houses and keeping the monumental character of the facades in their original state. Several quality assurance tests were executed to evaluate the quality of the renovation of the building envelope and to compare the results with the initial theoretical design calculations. It appeared that the existing materials performed considerably better than the assumed conservative default values. On the other hand, the newly installed insulation materials performed somewhat less than declared, for example due to on-site processing. This resulted in a strong overestimation of the improvement in thermal performance by the renovation works. Field measurements of the existing situation can help to close this gap.

Spatial Development Process of the Turkish Historical Dwelings (Houses) and Interior Specifications

With the start of the history of civilization, the need for shelter occurred, people living in temporary and primitive shelters started to live in open areas with the improvement of climatic conditions, and with the formation of the settled order, architectural habitats began to form and common living spaces began to form. In the light of the researches, Anatolia has been inhabited intensively since the Paleolithic period, with the first settled order and many civilizations, it came under the sovereignty of the Byzantine and later Turks and had a rich cultural and architectural accumulation. It is known that Turks lived a nomadic life before settling in Anatolia and lived in easily established and detachable living environments that can produce solutions for different climates such as summer and winter. In this study, the spatial breaks that emerged as a result of the meeting of Central Asian nomadic life culture with Anatolian cultures are examined through physical and cultural references, and the development of the residential architecture, which is a product of Anatolian design heritage, with the main lines of the traditional Turkish house, and the interior space in these traditional houses, its setup and hardware are documented. Keywords: Anatolia, The Turkish Historical Dwellings (House), material culture, cultural heritage, interior space DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/6-07-14

Determination of Temperature-Moisture Relationship by Linear Regression Models on Masonry and Floor, Kruja, Albania

Kruja is a middle range city located in the center of Albania. The city of Kruja dates back to its existence from the V-VI century and extends to the city around the VI and IX centuries. It becomes the first capital of Albania in the XI-th century, specifically in 1190. This paper is going to deal with only two groups of buildings which are an integral part of the historical city of Kruja, the historical dwellings (XVIII century) and socialist ones (1960-1970).The aim of this paper is to analyze through linear regressions the relation between two parameters: moisture level and temperature of the indoor walls and floors of the historic and socialist buildings in the city of Kruja. Three types of historic dwelling and three types of socialist apartments have been analyzed, relatively uniformly oriented. The measurements with specific instruments are done in the same day, during three hours. The degree of reactivity is different for both groups of buildings. The historical buildings are more sensitive to temperature rise. They respond invers to it (as the temperature rise, the level of the moisture decreases), with a higher coefficient than socialist ones and appear to be more efficient in reducing the moisture level, despite the average humidity level is higher. This paper takes into consideration also the analyze of the materials of the construction for both categories. If the level of the moisture is reduced, the buildings will be improved and the quality of life indicators of the inhabitance will be improved too.

Determination of Temperature-Moisture Relationship by Linear Regression Models on Masonry and Floor, Kruja, Albania

Kruja is a middle range city located in the center of Albania. The city of Kruja dates back to its existence from the V-VI century and extends to the city around the VI and IX centuries. It becomes the first capital of Albania in the XI-th century, specifically in 1190. This paper is going to deal with only two groups of buildings which are an integral part of the historical city of Kruja, the historical dwellings (XVIII century) and socialist ones (1960-1970).The aim of this paper is to analyze through linear regressions the relation between two parameters: moisture level and temperature of the indoor walls and floors of the historic and socialist buildings in the city of Kruja. Three types of historic dwelling and three types of socialist apartments have been analyzed, relatively uniformly oriented. The measurements with specific instruments are done in the same day, during three hours. The degree of reactivity is different for both groups of buildings. The historical buildings are more sensitive to temperature rise. They respond invers to it (as the temperature rise, the level of the moisture decreases), with a higher coefficient than socialist ones and appear to be more efficient in reducing the moisture level, despite the average humidity level is higher. This paper takes into consideration also the analyze of the materials of the construction for both categories. If the level of the moisture is reduced, the buildings will be improved and the quality of life indicators of the inhabitance will be improved too.

The impact of historic preservation policies on housing values

Historic preservation dwellings offer qualities that benefit both owners and society. At the same time, preservation policies might include some costs and restrictions. Although many studies have aimed to assess the impact of historic preservation on housing values, this study, to our knowledge, is the first to investigate whether the historic preservation premium is due to the changed juridical status (a policy effect), or the qualities observed by the buyers that are unobserved in the model. By using a unique data set that combines data of preserved historic dwellings in Oslo, Norway, and data from the housing market from 1990 to 2017, we study sales prices for the same dwellings both before and after historic preservation. The higher prices of preserved historic dwellings seem to be caused by qualities in the dwellings that correlate with the forthcoming historic preservation, and not by the policy itself.

Physical Changes in World Heritage Sites under the Pressure of Tourism: The Case of Cumalıkızık Village in Bursa

Bursa, the first capital city of Ottoman Empire, was inscribed into UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 with Khans Area, Sultan Complexes (Kulliyes) and Cumalıkızık village representing the relationship between urban and rural areas of Early Ottoman Period. Cumalıkızık Village is one of the most popular rural settlements in Bursa which maintains its urban fabric, road pattern, and traditional houses. Under the pressure of increasing tourism, traditional houses began to be used for commercial purposes with the interventions made by their owners which threatens the sustainability and preservation of their authenticity and integrity. This paper aims to determine the interventions in historic dwellings and courtyards due to tourism. For this purpose, three historic houses on the most visited sightseeing route starting from the village square, continuing along the nodes of the settlement following the mosque and the hammam (public bath) to examine the physical changes under the effect of tourism. Keywords: cultural tourism; rural heritage; world heritage sites; Cumalıkızık; Bursa