Interior Space Research Articles

Emotional design in contemporary interior spaces: User experience and emerging trends

Emotional design in contemporary interior spaces: User experience and emerging trends

Research on the Effective Sheltering Rates of Public Buildings in Villages in Western Sichuan, China—A Case Study of Ganbao Tibetan Village

The western region of Sichuan Province, located in the Hengduan Mountains, is one of China’s most seismically active zones. Due to limited land resources, many villages in western Sichuan Province are situated in mountainous and valley areas, facing harsh climatic conditions, lagging economic development, and insufficient infrastructure. After experiencing seismic disasters, these villages often encounter challenges, such as cut-off mountain roads, difficulties in delivering relief supplies, and sharply a significant drop in nighttime temperatures due to the high-altitude climate. Consequently, in the case of the economic underdevelopment and limited resources, how to repurpose existing buildings for disaster relief has become a crucial issue for disaster prevention and mitigation in these villages. This paper takes Ganbao Tibetan Village, located in the alpine gorge regions of western Sichuan Province, as a case study. It evaluates the interior space utilization status of different types of existing public buildings during disasters, calculates the effective utilization rate of interior space disaster reduction conversion based on the spatial layout model, and extracts the typical interior space dimensions that are conducive to disaster relief and conversion of public buildings based on the interior space utilization characteristics of disaster relief. This study provides a reference for the design of public service buildings considering the requirements of disaster resilience transformation.

Placement Principles of Islamic Calligraphy in Architecture: Insights from the Al-Hambra and Al-Azem Palaces

This paper addresses a critical gap in the study of Islamic architecture by exploring the interconnected relationship between Arabic calligraphy and architectural design. Specifically, it examines the principles guiding the placement of Islamic calligraphy within the interior and exterior spaces of Islamic public buildings through a qualitative analysis of two notable case studies, the Al-Hambra Palace in Granada, Spain, and the Al-Azem Palace in Hama, Syria. This research elucidates fundamental principles that underpin the integration of calligraphy in Islamic architectural contexts. To enhance the robustness of the findings, interviews were conducted with three expert master calligraphers, providing skillful insights that enrich the understanding of calligraphy placement. This study reveals significant implications for the decoration of walls and ceilings in Islamic buildings. However, the findings are limited by the scope of the case studies and the subjective interpretations of the interviewed experts. This research contributes valuable knowledge to the field, informing contemporary architectural practices and the preservation of cultural heritage.

CHURCHES ON MINING DAMAGE - A CASE STUDY

ABSTRACT: Aim: The research objective is to analyze selected three churches by architect Professor Adam Lisik realized on mining damage. The research conducted on the basis of the creative output of the prominent Polish architect of religious buildings is presented. The research is intended to show how difficult design conditions and locations on mining damage affect the functional and solid form of the churches. Methods: The following research methods were used to conduct the study: in-situ research of the objects in question, literature analysis, analysis of conceptual sketches and design documentation of the objects, interview with the author of the projects. The research of the objects takes the form of an expert assessment by the author of the article. Results: All three examples of churches built on high categories of mining damage show different projection solutions: square, regular hexagon, ellipse. The shapes used make it possible to obtain a compact projection with interesting aesthetics of shaping the interior space. The architect also showed a lot of freedom in shaping the various masses of the buildings. Limitations of the decision of the OUG (District Mining Office) for the architect not only did not constitute an obstacle, but on the contrary inspired the search for new solutions, giving satisfaction to the creator of the sacred temple. Conclusion: The results of the study allow us to conclude that the limitations of high mining damage categories (III and IV) did not limit creative freedom. It can be summarized by saying: large-scale religious buildings can be successfully implemented on mining damage. Much depends on the knowledge, skills, creative workshop and vision of the architect. Originality: Limitations of mining damage can pose creative challenges to architectural and structural designers. By complying with the principles of structural safety, one can break stereotypes and create architecturally interesting masses and spaces and interiors. Constraint can become an inspiration for creating new forms of architectural expression. Keywords: architecture, churches, design, construction, construction, mining damage, symbolism.

Growth of nano-porous covalent organic frameworks on graphenic carbon hollow spheres; towards designing advanced multi-functional nanocomposites

For the first time, melamine-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) were synthesized in situ on the graphenic shells of carbon hollow spheres (CHSs) for achieving a hybrid nanomaterial with unique thermo-mechanical characteristics. To improve the thermal stability of CHS-COF nanostructures (NSs), Zn2+/sodium L-glutamate (ZG) inorganic-organic complexes were loaded in their porosities and interior spaces (denoted as ZG@CHS-COF). The fabricated epoxy nanocomposites illustrated enhanced thermo-mechanical and UV-shielding properties. The tensile strength of the epoxy coatings, filled with CHS-COF and ZG@CHS-COF NSs, increased by 185 and 168 %, respectively, compared to the blank epoxy. DMTA results revealed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the epoxy, filled with CHS-COF and ZG@CHS-COF NSs increased around 2.1 and 8.1 °C, respectively. Also, the lower height of tan(δ) peaks (HTP) in the presence of CHS-COF and ZG@CHS-COF NSs illustrated their better interactions with epoxy chains. The highest ash content (≈46.3 %) and superior thermal durability were acquired in the presence of ZG@CHS-COF NSs. TEM results confirmed the better dispersion and distribution of ZG@CHS-COF NSs than CHS ones. The ZG@CHS-COF-filled epoxy coating led to a 71 % reduction in color changes (ΔE) after 3 weeks of UV irradiation.

Mechanical behaviors and progressive fracture processes of dry basalt after Martian cryogenic freeze-thaw cycles

The steep Martian terrain features numerous notches and alcoves that could potentially be adapted as temporary shelters. By sealing their entrances and modifying the interior space, these alcoves can be transformed into habitable structures. Given their prolonged exposure to Martian temperature fluctuations, it is crucial to understand the mechanical properties of alcove rocks to design appropriate shelter parameters. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of basalt specimens subjected to Martian cryogenic freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles (−143∼35 °C) and subsequent uniaxial cyclic loading tests. The test results indicate that the longitudinal wave velocity, peak stress, and elastic modulus of basalt specimens degrade to varying degrees with an increasing number of F-T cycles. At higher stress levels, the ratio of dissipated energy density to elastic energy density in basalt specimens subjected to different F-T treatments converges to approximately 0.25. During the uniaxial cyclic loading tests, both cumulative acoustic emission (AE) counts and average maximum principal strains of the specimens increase stepwise. For specimens after F-T treatment, the spectral-domain characteristics can be classified into three frequency bands, with the middle and high frequencies predominating. The application of the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering algorithm enhances the analysis of AE results, facilitating the identification of tensile and shear cracks. As the number of F-T cycles increases, the percentage of shear cracks in basalt specimens decreases from 76.5% (0 cycle) to 53.5% (7 cycles).

Round Heaven and Square Earth, the Unity of the Pagoda and Statues—A Study on the Geometric Proportions of the Architectural Space, Statues, and Murals in Ying Xian Fogong Si Shijia Ta 應縣佛宮寺釋迦塔 (Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple in Ying County)

In Ying Xian Fogong Si Shijia Ta 應縣佛宮寺釋迦塔 (Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple in Ying County), Shanxi, there are statues set on each floor, and 26 exist in total, with six murals painted on the first floor. The pagoda was designed as a vertically rising Buddhist temple, and the interior space of each floor was customized for the statues. Based on previous research and through surveying and mapping of the architecture and statuary (including the murals on the first floor) combined with geometric design analysis, this paper proposes the following: First, there exists a clear geometric proportion among the interior space and statues on each floor of the pagoda. Second, clear proportional relationships also exist among the statues on each floor, and each of the 26 statues has ‘classical’ proportion rules. Third, the height of the giant Buddha statue on the first floor is the module for not only the height of the statues on each floor but also the construction of the whole pagoda such that the height of the statue on the first floor is 1/6 of the total height of the pagoda (excluding the base). And the ratio of the pagoda’s total height to the first floor’s diameter, the ratio of the total height to the top-story height under the column capital, and all the other geometric proportions are closely related to the architectural modeling. And finally, in the construction of the pagoda, statues, and murals, the scale is deduced to be 1 chi 尺 (Chinese foot) = 29.5 cm. These values give clear scale logics not only to the construction but also to the details of the statues. Accordingly, the most frequently used proportions in the architectural space, statues, and murals of the Pagoda of Fogong Temple are 2, 3:2, 5:3 (or 8:5), and 9:5, which are imbued with cultural messages, like Zhou Bi Suan Jing 周髀算經 (The Mathematical classic of the Zhou shadow-gauging instrument), Ying Zao Fa Shi 營造法式 (Treatise on Architectural Methods or State Building Standards), the ancient Chinese world view—tian yuan di fang 天圜地方 (the dome-shaped heaven and the flat, square earth) reflected from “ yuan fang tu 圓方圖 (rounded-square map)” and “fang yuan tu 方圓圖 (squared-circle map)”, ancient Chinese ideas that ”san tian liang di er yi shu 參天兩地而倚數 (‘three’ is the number of the heaven and ‘two’ is the number of the earth, and all numbers are based on them)” and “jiu wu zhi zun 九五之尊 (nine and five are the numbers of the honorable central position)”, and most probably related to the “mandala” of Esoteric Buddhism and to the Western “Golden Ratio”, which all need further research in depth.

Enhancing Next-Generation Workplaces by Developing Office Interior Architecture with Biophilic Elements

In today's world, with the impact of Covid-19 on businesses, hybrid work models have become necessity, and healthand safety concerns have increased. Biophilic design has played a significant role, adapting to new requirements suchas social distancing and hygiene in interior spaces. Biophilic design boosts employee motivation, performance, andenhances workplace ambiance through nature interaction. This study examines how biophilic design can be utilized toadapt to hybrid work models and enhance employee health and well-being. Innovative design proposals based onbiophilic design principles, including plant arrangements, natural lighting, ventilation optimization, and flexibleworkspaces, have been developed. These designs adopt a human-centered approach, considering ergonomics,productivity, and employee well-being. Consequently, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of theimportance of biophilic design for businesses and how interior workspaces can be designed. Additionally, the use ofsustainable materials and energy efficiency was emphasized in the design process.

Privacy between Past and Present in Designing Jordanian Homes

This research aims to focus on the role that the interior designer plays in enhancing home efficiency directly and effectively that can be observed through the privacy of homes. The privacy of the interior design is completely affected, whereas the design of each home differs from the other according to the differences that follow individuals' behavior within Residential environments, or even the differences between the daily activities that they practice within their places of residence. The question in the research study is to mainly consider the role that privacy plays in interior design, influencing the composition and characteristics of Jordanian housing and how to design its internal environment between the past and present period, serving the requirements of the daily life of individuals and achieving their satisfaction with their homes. This research follows the deductive inductive and the comparative analytical method to write results. Results confirmed the importance and influence of privacy aspects in the interior design process, as it is a basic requirement that must be considered by the interior designer when carrying out the design process for any housing, where privacy is one of the important aspects and factors that effect on how people deal with their homes in which they live. The results also confirmed that the multiplicity of colors in the design of homes provides better privacy, and that the diverse furniture in the Jordanian homes ensures functional efficiency, which in turn ensures the achievement of privacy for individuals, and that appropriate lighting plays a major role in supporting the privacy of the home, and that the appropriate materials achieve privacy in components of the interior space of interiors, and finally, the well-thought-out spatial planning ensures the high privacy of individuals inside the home. Keywords: Privacy, Interior design, Jordanian housing

MODERNIST HERITAGE OF KARACHI: AN ARCHIVAL OF A COLLECTIVE MEMORY FROM AN ART DECO LENS

“To look at emotion and desire in architecture is not to discount the simple fact that most buildings have a practical purpose. But that practical purpose is rarely pursued with perfect detachment or indifferent calculation. To build and to inhabit are not small actions, and it is hard to undertake them with coolness.” Rowan Moore's text ‘Why We Build’ talks about desires shaping and giving form to the spaces we inhabit (Moore R. 20213). Practicality is always underlined by a necessity that gives rise to a desire. In my grandparent's house from the ’50s, all the interior spaces of the house were clustered around a sehen1. The spaces were connected by a seamless concrete floor, commonly present in most houses built in the ’50s and ’60s. This had a very practical purpose to it. Every summer the whole house was hosed down with water. Because of a seamless floor that connected all the rooms to the lounge and the lounge to the sehen, water could easily flow outside into a drain in the sehen. It proved to be sustainable in many ways as it lowered the temperature of the whole house for most of the day. There is a very simplistic desire behind a concrete floor. Domestic spaces of such a typology are nostalgic and a part of a collective memory of houses and apartments from the 50s and 60s. Many houses in Karachi within areas like North Nazimabad, P.E.C.H.S., and Bahadurabad are examples of a regional language that developed in these two decades. When it comes towards nostalgia and memory we often find the built spaces that preserved a memory were heritage from the colonialist period. A built reminiscent of power and dominance. But there is another kind of collective memory that talks about the simplistic details shared earlier. This detail is a part of a typology that speaks to another kind of heritage. A heritage that we reclaimed in post-colonial times. Using the lens of Art Deco homes, the paper studies the transformation of a global movement into a local aesthetic. By recording the narrative of the inhabitants of these structures, this research can create a conversation about the sensitivities we have towards these vernacular techniques that developed a modern and brutalist-inspired heritage for the city of Karachi. The city’s heritage is more than the colonial architecture found in the old town. These modernist structures present another kind of heritage, unique to the architectural vocabulary of Karachi, and represent a climatic sensibility that developed over the 20th century, building a modernist identity of Karachi’s architecture. Keywords: Modern Architecture, Art Deco, Post-Colonial, Collective Memory Nostalgia

Pathways of Foundational Diversity in Decorative Design Structure in Contemporary Interior Design

The foundational diversity pathways of the decorative design architecture in contemporary interior design. The founding of the decorative design architecture, arises from the creative will of the designer who collects and distributes his vocabulary objectively so that he realizes between several levels and in various shapes depending on the innovative side within the interior spaces of contemporary interior design .Also, the decorative designer and the contemporary interior designer have contributions in this field in terms of inspiring, adding to and developing heritage works, which increases its beauty and raises its contemporary artistic value,There is no doubt that each design has paths and principles that control it, and organizes the vocabulary mechanism and formative elements in order to add an expressive value, and a goal related to the function and aesthetic,Therefore, the designer’s interest in the art of decorative design is related to an attempt to find alternatives to express the design because it has a spatial structure that we can perceive through the sense of sight,In addition to adhering to the innovative framework of spatial reality, it was necessary to study this topic, which consists of four chapters .For the first semester, the researcher relied on formulating the research problem, which is summarized by the following question: What are the foundational diversity pathways for the decorative design structure in contemporary interior design? While the importance of the research lies in referring to the premises that are adopted within the designer's intellectual vision by meeting the design need while providing a distinctive decorative design product that is compatible with contemporary interior design .In light of this, the researcher focused the research goal in revealing the foundational diversity pathways of the decorative design structure in contemporary interior design.As for the limits of the research, the researcher specified objectively from the study of the foundational diversity paths of the decorative design structure in contemporary interior design.While its spatial and temporal limits included the study of contemporary interior design (of the entrances to the interior spaces of the hotels of the Kingdom of Morocco) implemented for the period 2009-2011 2011,While the second chapter relied on a study first: the structure of decorative design and its relationship in contemporary interior design and secondly

Reducing residential cooling demand in a sprawling desert city through vertical urban densification

Traditional desert cities used a compact urban form since it provides benefits in terms of thermal comfort both in urban and interior spaces. However, many current desert cities have shifted to a sprawling model with isolated low-rise buildings, leading to longer travel distances, increased land use, inadequate public space, and higher demand for building cooling. Our study aims to investigate how vertical urban densification can reduce residential cooling demand in hot-dry regions. To achieve this, we compared single-family houses with high-rise multi-family houses in Hermosillo, Mexico. Eight case studies of real houses were selected, representing the city's building stock, including one- and two-story single-family houses, and high-rise multi-family houses. We use dynamic energy simulations to assess the effectiveness of changing building's shape against improving its insulation. Our results indicate that increasing vertical density leads to a reduction in the envelope-to-volume ratio, resulting in a significant decrease in cooling demand. Moving from a one-story single-family house to a high-rise multi-family house can lead to a 72 % reduction in annual cooling demand. Matching the façade material properties of single-family houses and multi-family houses reduces the cooling demands of the single-family houses by 16 %–31 %. However, they still have higher cooling demands compared to high-rise multi-family houses, suggesting that building form has a greater impact on cooling than thermal insulation. Our findings highlight the substantial energy savings achievable by transitioning from detached single-family houses to high-rise multi-family developments in desert cities.

Renovation with height increasing of residential buildings of the 1960s made of precast concrete

For many years, an urgent problemin Ukraine is a technical renovation of the existing housing stock of mass-series buildings. Most of them were built with precast concrete elements inthe 1960s–1970s. The design lifecycle of such buildings was determined for 25 years. Therefore they have obsolescence and backwardness. That expressed in inconformity with modern design codes for residential buildings, the absence of elevators, the unavailability of engineering communications, low heat and energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of such buildings. On the other hand, the technical examinations of concrete structures of such houses showed that at least 80 % of them havenot depleted their bearing capacity resource. The problem of buildings renovation was especially emphasized by the destructive consequences of theRussian federation armed aggression in Ukraine. The paper describes the experience of renovation with reconstruction of the old 5-storey residential building into modern 9-storey multi-apartment residential building. Construction works included redevelopment of the interior space, elevator installation, and replacement of the utilities by the modern ones and using of up-to-date technologies to improve the energy efficiency of the building. The project provides increasing the number of stories.

Statistical analysis of trends in Battery Electric Vehicles: Special reference to vehicle weight reduction, electric motor, battery, and interior space dimensions

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly being used, as they are more environmentally friendly than conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) can be said to have zero exhaust emissions only if the electricity used to drive these vehicles is obtained in an environmentally friendly way. It is common knowledge that BEVs have a significantly higher overall mass than conventional vehicles. The significantly higher total vehicle weight of BEVs can have various adverse effects on energy consumption during movement and the vehicle's dynamics. In contrast to the negative aspects of BEVs, there are also positive aspects that are primarily related to the comfort of drivers and passengers, considering the main fact that they do not require the presence of a floor tunnel. In this paper, trends related to BEVs in the previous five years were statistically analysed. Changes in average sizes related to BEVs are shown, primarily internal dimensions that can be of crucial importance when deciding between BEVs and conventional vehicles. In the paper itself, other important trends are presented, both for the electric motor itself and for the batteries used in BEVs.

Development of mathematical correlations to predict performance of forced ventilated Photovoltaic-DSF system in hot composite climate

Performance of Photovoltaic-double skin façade (Photovoltaic-DSF) system in summer has been critical. Owing to high solar ingress, cooling requirement of a building significantly increases. Photovoltaic-DSF system provides a shield and controls the heat gain through fenestration in the interior spaces. In the present article, mathematical correlations are developed to analyse energy behaviour of forced-ventilated Photovoltaic-DSF system in India’s hot summer zone, that is, Jaipur. The Photovoltaic-DSF system has been installed and monitored for Jaipur’s summer months (May to July). L25 Orthogonal array of design parameters (air cavity thickness, air velocity and PV panel’s transparency) and their respective levels have been developed using Taguchi design to perform experiments. Based on experimental results, multiple linear regression has been used to forecast solar heat gain coefficient, PVs electrical power and daylighting illuminance indoors as function of design factors. The statistical significance of mathematical relationships is supported by variance analysis, which is found to be in good accord with field measurements ( R2 > 0.90). The proposed correlations are pragmatic in designing Photovoltaic-DSF systems for hot summer conditions. The Photovoltaic-DSF system with 30% transmittance and air velocity of 5 m/s in 200 mm air cavity thickness achieved maximum energy performance in hot summers.

Geometric Parameters to Enhance the Perception of Architectural Spaces

The challenge in obtaining objective parameters for evaluating the aesthetic appeal of buildings is what we try to explain through a case study, presenting a pioneering methodology that can be applied and adapted to different architectural styles. Our focus is on a substantial investigation of Romanian Orthodox churches in the Wallachia region, which exhibit striking similarities from their early stylistic developments in the 16th century to contemporary examples. By examining the geometric relationships within their interior spaces, we aim to derive objective insights that enable an alternative classification. This classification, in turn, helps us measure the emotional impact these spaces have on users or visitors, influencing emotions based on spatial proportions. Through these relationships, we can evaluate the importance of different buildings of the same category, classify them and, objectively explain their differences. Applying the findings of this study, along with specific variables, to other architectural contexts allows us to address user preferences more effectively to enhance architectural designs by improving comfort and the quality of life.

Hugo Ehrlich and Villa Karma

The authorship of the Villa Karma is as a rule ascribed to Adolf Loos. The villa was formed by taking an existing structure and extending it upwards and sideways, in the period between 1903 and 1906, according to most accounts. In fact, however, in this time the construction of the new parts and the transformation of the existing building had only just begun. The period in which the Zagreb architect Hugo Ehrlich was involved in the design and building of Karma stretched from 1908 to 1912; it was then that the villa took on its final external appearance. At the same time the grounds were landscaped, and the interior spaces were defined according to Ehrlich’s designs. The hall and the library are an exception, for Ehrlich produced them in line with Loos’s approach and in part with materials already sourced. An examination of the documentation kept in three countries has shown that the claim that Ehrlich was just the contractor for the building of designs previously defined by Loos is untenable. The original style can be correlated with a series of formal motifs in the works of Hugo Ehrlich or Viktor Kovačić at the time they were working together, which was contemporaneous with the period in which Karma was being finished. The most telling confirmation of the work of Ehrlich consists of several hundred drawings from Ehrlich’s personal papers.

EXPLORING THE INTEGRATION OF ADAPTIVE REUSE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: A CASE STUDY OF CALEB UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING

Adaptive reuse in interior design entails repurposing existing structures or spaces to serve new functions while preserving their architectural, cultural, and historical significance. The research explores the integration of adaptive reuse principles in interior design at Caleb University to address the recognized need for comprehensive understanding and guidance in effectively implementing adaptive reuse within educational institutions. The qualitative study employed interviews and on-site observations to explore adaptive reuse in interior design within Caleb University's administrative building, aiming to gain insights from stakeholders and document physical spaces, behaviours, and interactions, analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings of the qualitative study on adaptive reuse in Caleb University's administrative building reveal strategies focused on preserving historical context, integrating modern functionality, optimizing space utilization, enhancing user experience, and prioritizing cost-effectiveness within interior design, showcasing a comprehensive approach to sustainable adaptation and transformation. In conclusion, Caleb University's adaptive reuse integration in its administrative building exemplifies a holistic sustainability approach, balancing heritage preservation with modern functionality and financial prudence, offering a model for resilient built environments in educational settings and beyond. Keywords: Adaptive Reuse, Caleb University, Interior Design, Interior Space, Repurpose

Geotechnologie stosowane w konstrukcjach antropomorficznych: Wykorzystanie georadaru do wykrywania problemów strukturalnych, przyczyn i skutków - studium przypadku w Coimbrze w Portugalii

One of the recurrent problems in civil construction concerns the wear and deterioration of structures due to their use over time. There should be a plan for monitoring the structures to assess and quantify anomalies, which will allow the minimization and rehabilitation measures to be carried out in advance. This study aimed to use geotechnologies, specifically the Ground Probing Radar (GPR), to identify and quantify the damage caused using a swimming pool inserted in a structure built on a residential property. The methodology comprised the use of georradar Sensors & Software PulseEKKO GPR for data acquisition. The data were processed in the software EKKO Project considering the following parameters: 1- Grain/Filter: Dewow + SEC2 Gain (Attenuation:10.00 Start Gain:4.00 Maximum Gain: 950). Seven acquisition profiles were performed: 3 on the East side, 2 on the South side, and 2 on the West side of the pool, with a spacing between 0.8 m. From the visualization of the processed radargrams, and the slices elaborated for each profile with a color palette corresponding to the obtained reflectance values, it was possible to identify the underlying structures of the pavement of the edge of the pool such as beams, beam frames, slope, interior space of the support structure and, most importantly, the degree of subsoil materials alteration, depth, and dispersion of water infiltrations. On the East side, the pool is inserted into the rock formation; it is possible to identify up to 1 m depth of the water infiltration and dispersion. To the West and South, the pool is supported by a built-up structure; underneath there is a hall and the engine room. In these places, the infiltration and dispersion of water were identified until approximately 0.7 m depth, as well as the existing structures and their condition. The 0.7 m corresponds to the thickness of the existing slab and beams. Based on these results, an intervention plan was prepared for the rehabilitation of the deterioration of the materials and the minimization of water percolation through the waterproofing of the pool's surrounding areas.

The Use of Transparent Structures to Improve Light Comfort in Library Spaces and Minimize Energy Consumption: A Case Study of Warsaw, Poland

Light plays a key role in shaping the quality and atmosphere of interior spaces, and its importance and contradictions are amplified in the design of libraries. This study focuses on the problems associated with both insufficient natural light and excessive light. In both cases, visual discomfort is the result. The reason for these problems lies in the use of translucent structures with different parameters and properties in library architecture. This study analyzed the lighting environment in the main reading rooms of two university libraries in Warsaw. The research methods were based on a field survey of objects and an analysis of the architectural and construction parameters of the premises, as well as the physical and mechanical properties of various types of translucent materials used in the reading rooms. The results of this study shed light on the relationship between the interior space of the reading room and the geometry of transparent structures, as well as the effectiveness of daylighting in libraries in the natural conditions of Warsaw. The key point of the present study was to recognize the critical role that transparent materials and structures play in mitigating potential operational problems in library spaces. Wise selection of these elements at the design stage can help minimize problems related to thermal energy regulation, ventilation control, acoustic insulation, and increased visual comfort. The importance of this research area lies in its potential to optimize library buildings by increasing energy efficiency and reducing reliance on artificial lighting, heating, and air conditioning. Careful consideration of transparent materials at the design stage promises long-term benefits in the form of sustainable library spaces that not only meet functional requirements, but also contribute to a more environmentally conscious architectural landscape.