Design Intent Research Articles

Space, place and safety: user experiences of new school buildings

ABSTRACT Background This study investigated pupils’ and teachers’ experiences with newbuilt schools. The schools can be characterised as innovative learning environments, designed and built to support the development of a knowledge economy and the learning of twenty-first-century skills. The buildings had a flexible learning space layout and were equipped with modern technology and furniture to fit reformed teacher work practices and pupils’ learning. Purpose The study, which took place in Norway, sought to provide insights into pupils’ and teachers’ perceptions and experiences of their interplay with new physical school environments, following their move to newly built schools. We asked the following research question: How are pupils and teachers in primary and lower secondary school experiencing new school buildings? Method The study was conducted in four primary and secondary schools across Norway. Twelve groups of teachers and pupils (aged 10 to 16) took part in the research across these schools, which adopted a qualitative research design including photovoice – an approach where participants photographed spaces and interiors important to them and then used these to inform group dialogues. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse transcriptions and other qualitative data. Findings Moving into new school buildings was generally a positive experience for study participants, although with some challenges. Participants’ experiences coalesced around three major themes: significant spaces and places; perceived qualities of spaces; and design principles and intentions of spaces and places. Each of these themes contained sub-themes, the most relevant of which were having break-out spaces, flexibility and safety. Break-out rooms offered flexibility to plan for varied education and shelter for sensitive talks. Crowded areas, such as cloakrooms, were perceived as unsafe, while classrooms and the health nurse’s area were perceived as safe. Conclusion While the experiences of teachers and pupils were mostly positive, new learning environments cannot alone operationalise the concept of twenty-first-century skills to create effective learners. There appears to be a mismatch between daily school users’ and planners/architects’ understandings of flexibility.

Supporting First-Year Experience Students’ Academic Self-Efficacy with Intentional Instructional Design

Supporting First-Year Experience Students’ Academic Self-Efficacy with Intentional Instructional Design

A learner experience framework for microcredential design and online learning

Microcredentials enable a digital transformation of educational offerings that build skills of learners and the capability of organisations; however learners struggle with balancing study on top of work and family commitments unless they are motivated and self-regulated in their learning. Designing microcredentials that intrinsically motivate learners, enhance their ability to study independently, and build the skills they need, particularly in online and distance delivery modes requires intentional learning design approaches. However, limited research exists on innovative learning design approaches to microcredentials. To address this gap, a novel framework was developed, and learners’ experience (LX) was examined via interviews and survey data. The findings reveal that learners want their learning experience within a microcredential to facilitate career progression and help them apply their new skills in different contexts. Learners report that activities where they interact with working professionals, create portfolios of learning, and work through industry-relevant case studies motivates them to succeed.

Application of computer simulation technology in traditional building protection

Background: Computer simulation technology, especially virtual reality (VR) technology, offers an innovative solution for participating in architectural design by providing an immersive and interactive experiences. Aim: This research aims to provide the VR application for the protection of traditional buildings, focusing on how this technology can enhance stakeholder participation in the protection and preservation of historical structures. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of VR in facilitating a bottom-up approach to decision-making, thereby preserving cultural heritage. Method: To gather data, a random sample of 136 participants, including both local residents and architectural professionals, were engaged in VR simulations of renovation for traditional buildings. The VR environment presented two design schemes: one reflecting a traditional architectural style and the other featuring a modern approach. Participants interacted with both schemes using VR, and their feedback was collected through structured surveys. Statistical methods were employed to evaluate the quality of VR experiences and their impact on participant preferences and decision-making. Result: It indicate that VR technology significantly improves stakeholder engagement, with a majority of participants expressing a strong preference for traditional designs in terms of cultural protection. The immersive nature of VR was found to effectively replace traditional review methods, offering clearer insights into design intentions and facilitating informed decisions. Conclusion: VR technology proves to be a valuable tool in the protection of traditional buildings by enhancing participant engagement and supporting informed decision-making processes

Ethylene glycol co-reduced templating synthesis of PtRhTe nanotubes for polyalcohol electrooxidation

Accelerating the commercialization process of direct fuel cells (DFCs) is an important alternative to alleviate the current energy dependence. While the development of DFCs is limited by the sluggish kinetics and unsatisfactory durability of Pt catalyst used in the anode electrode material. In this term, the intentional design of Pt electrocatalyst with specific shape and composition is helpful for the mitigation of the situation. By employing the appropriate template, one-dimensional (1D) catalyst such as nanotubes can be synthesized. Due to the different reduction rate of Rh and Pt salts precursors, the incorporation of another metal such as Rh with a relatively high content still remain a challenge, regardless of the fact that Rh can promote the C-C bonds break thus enhancing the reaction kinetic. Herein, with Te nanowires act as the template, an ethylene glycol co-reduced templating synthetic approach has been developed for the synthesis of 1D PtRhTe nanotubes with a comparable Pt/Rh ratio. Due to the enhanced polyalcohol electrooxidation kinetic promoted by the Rh, and the 1D porous structure, the resultant PtRhTe nanotubes present a better catalytic activity and stability for polyalcohol electrooxidation compared with PtTe nanotubes and Pt/C catalysts. The synthetic approach developed herein may also useful for controllable synthesis of other Rh-based materials.

Web Design and Consumer Repurchase Intention: The Roles of E-Satisfaction

Objective: Repurchase Intention (RI) becomes one of the frame aspects of customer retention. This study aims to investigate the impact of Web Design (WD) on customers Repurchase Intention (RI) and to evaluate whether E-Satisfaction (ES) serves as a mediator in this relationship. Methods: The research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing purposive sampling to gather data sourced from 124 students from several colleges in Semarang. It conducted a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis using SmartPLS. Result: The findings of this research show that Web Design (WD) has a significant and positive effect on Repurchase Intention (RI). Additionally, E-Satisfaction (ES) positively influences Repurchase Intention (RI) and serves as a mediator for the beneficial impact of Web Design (WD) on Repurchase Intention (RI). Novelty: The findings of this study provide recommendations for Bukalapak to enhance its Web Design (WD) and ensure high levels of user E-Satisfaction (ES). These strategies can help boost user interest in making repeat purchases on the Bukalapak platform. The novelty in this study lies in the use of diverse range of objects and research methods that are different from previous studies.

Preserving conceptual design integrity: strategies for enhancing interoperability in architectural digital design workflows

AbstractThis research addresses the persistent challenges of data loss and inefficient workflow integration between 3D digital design tools (Rhinoceros) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) platforms (Revit) in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. The study investigates how design integrity can be preserved during the transition between these platforms, focusing on ensuring compatibility while maintaining the original design intent. The research aims to answer the question: How can design integrity be preserved when transitioning from 3D design tools to BIM platforms while ensuring seamless interoperability? Using an inductive bottom-up approach, empirical data were collected from 35 student projects over three years at The American University in Cairo. Observations were used to classify challenges encountered in transitioning from Rhinoceros to Revit, synthesising the results into evidence-based best practices. Surveys and statistical analyses were conducted on the participants’ (students’) responses to validate the findings from the analysis and observations of their digital workflow experiences. This study fills a gap in existing literature, which often overlooks the technical integration between 3D design tools and BIM platforms during the creative design phase. The research offers practical solutions for improving workflow integration, reducing data loss, and enhancing collaborative efficiency. The findings are expected to impact both professional practice and education, offering pathways to more efficient design transitions and equipping students with skills to navigate digital design challenges in future AEC projects.

The Effect of Additive “Depositional” Reprofiling of Compressor Blade Leading Edges on Engine Performance

Abstract A common problem for gas turbine engines after ingesting atmospheric dust is compressor fouling, where small particles adhere to component surfaces. By sampling components from both a test engine and a service engine, deposits that are hard and sintered were observed to have formed on the leading edges of compressor blades and stators reprofiling their leading-edge geometry. Sectioning of the components showed that the deposits consist of layers of different chemical compositions and that new minerals have crystallized within the deposits. The change in geometry caused by the deposits suggests that they negatively affect the operating incidence range, surface pressure distribution, and profile losses from the design intent of the original component, changing the compressor working line and reducing surge margin, efficiency, and pressure ratio.

Thermohydraulic Performance and Flow Structures of Diamond Pyramid Arrays

Abstract Surface features are a common heat transfer enhancement method used in a myriad of applications including gas turbines and heat exchangers. One such style of surface feature is diamond pyramids, which offer significant heat transfer augmentation for moderate increases in overall pressure losses. This study investigated a suite of additively manufactured pyramids in a variety of sizes and arrangements at relevant scale contained in test coupons. Designs were printed with low surface roughness relative to typical additive components (Ra < 5 μm), and pyramids were printed within 100 μm of the design intent. Experimental and computational results indicate that the pressure penalty and heat transfer increased as the pyramids increased in size with aligned pyramids on both channel walls having higher values than staggered pyramids. It was found that implementing the pyramids onto a rough surface had a lesser impact on the friction factor than implementing it on a smooth surface, but that the relative increase in heat transfer was the same regardless of the roughness of the endwall. The greatest enhancement to local heat transfer and pressure loss was offset from the location of the minimum flow area due to local acceleration around the wake regions. The vortices formed in the wake of the pyramid structures enhanced the endwall heat transfer and shear stress. The performance of the pyramids investigated in this study follows a similar trend to prior studies investigating smooth rib geometries, though certain rib designs had higher heat transfer at lower pressure losses.

Classroom Interaction Management in Achievement-Related Diversity: A Conversation Analytic Examination

This research delves into the intricate dynamics of classroom interactions, focusing on how students perceived as potentially high- and low-achieving demonstrate their epistemic status within these interactions and how teachers respond to and manage these displays. By employing a micro-analytical perspective, this study meticulously examines the interactional strategies and features utilized by both students and teachers throughout the research process. The data were collected from Turkish science and mathematics classrooms as part of a comprehensive, long-term professional development course aimed at enhancing teaching practices. The findings reveal that students employ specific interactional tools, referred to as epistemic stances, which vary according to their perceived epistemic status. These stances serve as indicators of their knowledge, understanding, and engagement within the learning environment. Furthermore, the study highlights how the intentional design of classroom interactions, grounded in the concept of epistemic access, equips science and mathematics teachers with the means to effectively manage the diverse achievement levels in their classrooms. This design not only fosters inclusive participation but also ensures that both high- and low-achieving students are actively engaged in the learning process. The implications of this study extend beyond the immediate findings. It underscores the need for further research into the ways epistemics are displayed and managed in classroom settings. Additionally, the insights gained from this research have the potential to significantly contribute to the fields of science and mathematics education. They offer valuable guidance for teachers, teacher trainers, and educational policymakers in designing professional development courses aimed at enhancing the quality of classroom discourse.

Bistatic RCS Pattern Synthesis With a Receiver–Transmitter Metasurface and a Phase Distribution Optimization Algorithm

ABSTRACTThis paper proposes a metasurface design method to achieve bistatic radar cross‐section (RCS) pattern synthesis in space, based on a receiver–transmitter metasurface (RTMS) and a genetic algorithm for phase distribution optimization. Due to the slots on the ground between the adjacent metasurface elements, the unwanted interunit coupling effect is significantly reduced. Based on the theoretical analysis model of the phased array, the corresponding phase distribution of the required RCS pattern is optimized by a genetic algorithm. According to the required phase distribution, the corresponding RTMS units are designed, and the overall RTMS structure is finally constructed. The simulated results demonstrate that the electromagnetic (EM) waves scattered by the proposed RTMS are concentrated in the desired directions of 0° and ±49° which is consistent with the design intention. Both simulated and measured results verify that the proposed RTMS design methodology can realize the bistatic RCS control in space with a customized shape.

Research of Modeling Skyline of Hongkong Central with OpenSCAD and Blender

Hong Kong, as an international financial center, is widely admired for its iconic Central skyline. Central is not only the heart of the economy but also a hub for global financial activities, gathering numerous international banks and financial institutions. This study aims to explore the feasibility and efficiency of using OpenSCAD for 3D modeling of some buildings in the Central district of Hong Kong, thereby providing a new tool for architectural design and urban planning.In this study, this paper selected three representative buildings for 3D modeling: the Bank of China Tower, the International Finance Centre II, and the Hong Kong Ferris Wheel. These buildings are not only distinctive in their own right but also occupy significant positions in the Central skyline. Through their modeling, we demonstrated how to generate complex geometric structures using a programmatic approach, fully reflecting the efficiency and flexibility of OpenSCAD as a modeling tool. The results show that OpenSCAD has a clear advantage in handling regular geometric bodies and repetitive structures, especially in parametric and modular model design. In addition, by using OpenSCAD's scripted modeling capabilities, we can easily create buildings with different design intentions and styles, further enriching the three-dimensional visual effects of the city.

Overview of Semantic Segmentation Algorithms Based on Threshold Method and Deep Learning

With the development of hardware, the technology of artificial intelligence is more and more developed, and computer vision is once again a craze. Semantic segmentation is an important issue in computer recognition. Semantic segmentation makes the computer recognize the objects in a given image and classify and present them, which can save huge human time and cost, and the mature algorithms are more accurate than manual. The paper will focus on four sections: Firstly, different semantic segmentation algorithms were introduced. Then, the performance, advantages, and disadvantages of representative algorithms in each method were compared and analyzed, and the applications of semantic segmentation were listed. Finally, the optimization of semantic segmentation algorithms was introduced. The aim is to clarify the idea of the algorithms, the design intention, and the correlation between them, to understand the limitations of different algorithms, to enable the researcher to choose the most appropriate method, and to gain further new inspiration.

Identifying interest of pharmacy faculty for formal cultural competence training or credentialing

Background: Accreditation standards in the United States acknowledge the link between health disparities and cultural differences while going beyond recognising that health disparities exist with higher expectations. Pharmacy trainees must practice cultural competence; however, faculty are unprepared to teach this content. This project aims to assess pharmacy faculty's perceived need and interest in targeted and specialised training in cultural competence. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using an electronic survey which was built with items based on study objectives. The survey collected information on demographics, cultural competence terminology, and perceptions of training and resulting credentialing. Results: The survey had 398 respondents. The mean response regarding interest in an advanced credential was 3.09 on a scale of one to five. The most common response was “probably yes”. A theoretical model emerged from the analysis of qualitative comments that describe respondents’ perceptions of cultural competence training. Conclusion: Intentional design when developing a cultural competence credential and/or training is necessary to ensure value. Pharmacy faculty have strong differing opinions regarding the need for a credential in this space. Additional reflection on the design and structure of any potential training is necessary before moving forward.

Microstructural Analysis of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes Toward Improved Manufacturing Sustainability

Improvement of lithium-ion battery (LIB) energy density is necessary to increase adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and curb transportation emissions. Within the LIB, the cathode structure controls the flow of ions and electrons, and thus is a major driver of battery performance.1 Intentional design of LIB cathodes for facile ionic transport will enable rapid charging of thick cathodes for increased cell energy density. Here, we have the opportunity to prioritize sustainability by reimagining traditional cathode manufacturing processes in tandem with advancing understanding of cathode microstructure. To this end, we leverage insight gained by the careful study of slurry-cast cathode carbon-binder domain (CBD) structure to facilitate the transition to solvent-free cathode fabrication, which promises a significant reduction in the use of toxic solvents, energy, and capital in the manufacturing process.2 In this talk, I will first discuss relationships we have uncovered between slurry-cast CBD nanostructure and cathode performance. The use of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) with solvent contrast variation in combination with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and plasma focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (PFIB-SEM) allows us to analyze cathodes in both wet and dry states, at the nanoscale, and across representative volumes. Using SANS, we identified the expansion of CBD agglomerates upon addition of an electrolyte solvent and after calendaring. Further, we determined separate binder and carbon surface areas, allowing us to correlate a decline in cathode cycling performance to increased electrolyte-accessible carbon black surface area. Together, these findings inform the design of the CBD for improved cycling stability.We now utilize our understanding of slurry-cast CBD to improve the design of dry-processed electrodes. The dry CBD microstructure is distinct from and even less understood than that of slurry-cast electrodes, though facile ionic and electronic transport remain crucial. We employ the tools presented here to explore the microstructure of dry electrodes fabricated via the formation of binder fibers under applied shear. Binder fibers create a uniform and stable CBD matrix to support the active material, which allows us to reduce the fraction of binder and expand the cathode thickness, increasing cell energy density. Our study of both dry-processed and slurry-cast cathodes advances fundamental understanding of ionic and electronic transport mechanisms in diverse microstructures and across manufacturing processes, while the transition to dry-processed electrodes reduces cost and environmental impact.

Multimodal Discourse Interpretation of the Paris Olympics Mascot

Background: This study aims to analyze the design intention of the mascot of the Paris Olympics from a multimodal perspective. As the host of the 2024 Olympic Games, Paris' mascot carries rich meanings. With globalization and technological advancement, information spreads multimodally, and multimodal discourse analysis is important to understand how the mascot interacts with different audiences, conveys meanings as well as bridges cultural differences, and spreads the Olympic spirit and cultural heritage of the host country. Methods: Taking Kress and Van Leeuwen's visual grammar as the theoretical basis, based on multimodal discourse analysis under the perspective of social semiotics, and combining with the analysis indexes in the multimodal image analysis software, the mascots of the Paris Olympic Games are visualized and interpreted to explore their image characteristics, design concepts and social significance. Results: the mascot is analyzed from three aspects: reproduction meaning, composition meaning and interaction meaning. In terms of reproduction, the mascot is related to the Olympic Games and French culture; in terms of composition, the emblem and other elements are the core information carrier, and the color and other elements play an important role; in terms of interaction, the mascot has a variety of interactions with the viewers and so on. Conclusion: Olympic mascots are important components of Olympic culture. The multimodal discourse analysis comprehensively and accurately interpreted the connotation of the mascot of the Paris Olympic Games, reflecting the information of the organizing country and integrating it with the Olympic movement, reflecting the spirit of sports. The study has deficiencies, and the mascots can be further explored in the real context.

The "Embodied approach" in design: the way to the East

The article subject is dialogue about the development prospects of the so-called “embodied approach” in design, conducted by Western researchers for the past ten years. Some of the Western researchers indicate the fundamental impossibility of creating the theory of somatic-oriented design in view of the fact that such a theory will have to rely on the “silent” knowledge of the body. The author of the article sees the exit in, firstly, to turn to the experience of Chinese and Japanese designers, for whom “embodied cognition” is deeply rooted in the regional tradition; and secondly, to form a categorical apparatus necessary for the development of the theory of somatic-oriented design, based on the category of traditional eastern philosophy, allowing to fix the experience of the body (we are talking about the image “хiang” and the intentions “yi”). In the course of the study, the author focuses on the specifics of the body's perception in the East, since oriental experience does not lead to the expansion of involved perception channels (use in addition to vision, for example, smell and hearing), but to understand the project as a spontaneous process, form as an “open” for the embodied meanings. For oriental designers it is important not to “gestalt” of previous experience, but an embodied intuition of the future, aimed at creating a product later in demand by society. In conclusion, based on the categories of eastern philosophy, the author of the study introduces the concepts of “embodied image” (spontaneously arising figurative-scheme of human interaction with the environment) and “embodied design intention” (the direction of the thought to the transformation of reality, based on the somatic relations of the designer with the world).

Design of Shape Forming Elements for Architected Composites via Bayesian Optimization and Genetic Algorithms: A Concept Evaluation.

This article presents the first use of shape forming elements (SFEs) to produce architected composites from multiple materials in an extrusion process. Each SFE contains a matrix of flow channels connecting input and output ports, where materials are routed between corresponding ports. The mathematical operations of rotation and shifting are described, and design automation is explored using Bayesian optimization and genetic algorithms to select fifty or more parameters for minimizing two objective functions. The first objective aims to match a target cross-section by minimizing the pixel-by-pixel error, which is weighted with the structural similarity index (SSIM). The second objective seeks to maximize information content by minimizing the SSIM relative to a white image. Satisfactory designs are achieved with better objective function values observed in rectangular rather than square flow channels. Validation extrusion of modeling clay demonstrates that while SFEs impose complex material transformations, they do not achieve the material distributions predicted by the digital model. Using the SSIM for results comparison, initial stages yielded SSIM values near 0.8 between design and simulation, indicating a good initial match. However, the control of material processing tended to decline with successive SFE processing with the SSIM of the extruded output dropping to 0.023 relative to the design intent. Flow simulations more closely replicated the observed structures with SSIM values around 0.4 but also failed to predict the intended cross-sections. The evaluation highlights the need for advanced modeling techniques to enhance the predictive accuracy and functionality of SFEs for biomedical, energy storage, and structural applications.

Leveraging Uncertainty as a Means of Facilitating Sensemaking Within a Digital Wildfire Curriculum

AbstractThe changing landscape of geoscience learning has initiated growing interest in engaging science learners with climate data. One approach to teaching climate is the application of broadly accessible digital science curricula, which often include data tools such as visualizations, data representations, and simulations embedded within digital science curricula. We are specifically interested in how students and teachers grapple with scientific uncertainty in digital curricula. Our paper therefore examines how a 7th grade science class and their teacher leverage moments of uncertainty in their work within a digital geohazard curriculum to learn about wildfire risk and impact. We analyzed episodes of learners’ interactions, and those included scientific uncertainty related to key ideas about wildfires. We also attend to how the teacher orchestrates across class members’ ideas and the representations they were using. Our findings suggest that the digital curriculum elicited important sensemaking about wildfires and climate, including the interpretation of trends (Episode 1), working with simulations as a means of scientific investigation (Episode 2), and making meaning across disparate climate maps (Episode 3). Importantly, our analysis highlights the imperative work of the teacher in creating and leveraging productive sensemaking around the climate representations and simulations, yet outside of the predetermined curriculum. Our findings illustrate that maximizing students’ learning about climate in digital science curricula demands attention beyond teachers’ ad hoc adaptation, and rather, the intentional design of tools that support sensemaking about uncertainty as a dialogic process that is negotiated in response to students’ ideas.

Connect, care, create: practical framework for physical environment design for person-centred palliative care.

This article aims to explore architectural-rich insights derived from users' experiences within everyday practice in palliative environments and provides a practical framework for healthcare organisations, architects and researchers involved in (re)designing palliative environments for person-centred care. An ethnographic study involving participatory observation was undertaken to gain insight into the influence of palliative environments on the diverse users' subjective experiences. This immersive research took place across multiple palliative environments, encompassing a palliative care unit, a day care centre for palliative care and a hospice located in Belgium. Also, informal conversations and photo-elicitation interviews were conducted with residents, family members, healthcare professionals, volunteers and maintenance staff. Analysing the subjective experiences yielded a practical framework of four architectural atmospheres (proximity, support, engagement, comfort) intended to serve as guiding principles for designing palliative environments. To shape these atmospheres, this article elaborates on 17 spatial aspects and aligns them with real-life experiences of users within palliative environments, thereby enriching and contextualising these insights. This study presents a practical framework encompassing atmospheres, spatial aspects and overarching insights. It is augmented by supplemental material featuring real-life user experiences, all directed towards guiding the design of palliative environments in pursuit of person-centred palliative care. This article advocates for a collaborative, interdisciplinary, holistic design approach that acknowledges these considerations' interconnectedness and considers the users' multiple perspectives. Ultimately, this approach serves as a means of bridging design intentions and actual experiences encountered by users in their real-life contexts to assist healthcare organisations and architects in creating environments for person-centred palliative care.