Thermal Tectonics

<p><b>This thesis examines high performance architectural tectonics through theoretical studies, design experiments, and through the design of two case study houses in Christchurch, New Zealand. The thesis focused on formulating a theoretical framework for a practice-focused, environmentally sustainable architecture by studying three key themes, specifically Architectural Tectonics, Contemporary Residential Architecture Detailing, and Energy Efficient Envelope Design.</b></p> <p>The integration of these three fields was undertaken to address the role of architectural design as the construction industry transitions to a net- zero carbon emissions future.</p> <p>Thermal tectonics takes a critical position towards the contemporary approach to residential architectural detailing, which increasingly intensifies the divergence between the tectonic expression of architectural junctions and the performance considerations of energy efficient envelope construction. This divergence results from a number of factors, including the increasing complexity of construction methods, the growing specialisation of building trades, and the increasing specialisation of architectural design.</p> <p>The project aims to tilt the existing aesthetic traditions of New Zealand residential architecture towards a language that performs better thermally. The thermal tectonic approach to architectural design intends to re-integrate the tectonic and performance considerations of the external envelope through a system-based approach to architectural design.</p> <p>Two case-study homes are developed through a tectonic framework that highlights the expressive potential of high performance construction systems. ‘Four Peaks House’ seeks to align a prefabricated SIP system with the vernacular typology of the Bach, developing a detail language that connects the building to place without the need for extensive low-performing glazing. ‘Gallery House’ explores the novel material of Hempcrete, demonstrating how exposing insulative materials can produce rich interior spaces.</p> <p>The design research was conducted through a series of design-led experiments focused on the six key principles of the Thermal Tectonic framework; anatomy, tectonic-stereotomic, space, place, detail and intersection, representation and ornamentation.</p> <p>This approach creates an explicit relationship between building elements and their thermal function, by using thermal simulation software to generate tectonic diagrams that describe how building elements are configured to express the thermal performance of a building. This provides architects with a critical tool for understanding how their design decisions can impact energy efficiency, while also allowing them to make design judgments that prioritise other factors such as aesthetic or material concerns. In addition, the research outcomes provide a direction for sustainable future practice that will ensure architectural ideas are translated into the high-performing language of our future built environment.</p>

Investigation of Metaverse in cryptocurrency

Metaverse is an immersive 3D virtual environment, a true virtual artificial community in which avatars act as the user's alter ego and interact with each other. If we do not manage the hype for the metaverse, which has recently been receiving a surge in interest, the metaverse will fail to cross the chasm. This article conducts a comprehensive survey on computational arts, in which seven critical topics are relevant to the metaverse, describing novel artworks in blended virtual-physical realities. The topics first cover the building elements for the metaverse, e.g. Virtual scenes and characters, auditory, textual elements. Next, several remarkable types of novel creations in the expanded horizons of metaverse cyberspace have been reflected, such as immersive arts, robotic arts, and other user-centric approaches fuelling contemporary creative outputs.

The Revolutionary Role of Remote Sensing in Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is considered as the second oldest engineering discipline of the world. It deals with the design, maintenance and constructions of different structural and building elements like roads, bridges, dams etc. It comprises of many sub divisions like surveying, water resources, environment etc. Remote sensing plays a key role in acquiring and providing topographical data and 3D images. It also helps in examining existing structures and layouts. Thus remote sensing is indispensable in the field of civil engineering. This paper tries to give a brief overview of what remote sensing is and how it plays a vital role in making civil engineering more convenient, simple and efficient.

Stability Analysis of High Rise Buildings by altering the Beam Members

A structure can be build with different building elements. These building elements are basic part to resist the various loads and stress acting on it. The Beam is on the basic and essential elements under it to resist the bending behaviour on the structure. The project deals with four different types of 17 storied structures are modelled by altering beam members having rectangular shape i.e. G+16 storied building with 3.50 meters height for each story is modelled and analysed. The plan dimension of all four buildings is kept same i.e. 15.15 m x 46.35 m each. These buildings are designed in accordance with the Indian Code of Practice for the design of earthquake resistant buildings. Base of the building were fixed. The height of the buildings is considered constant throughout the structure. The buildings are modelled using ETABSvr.2018. The model has been studied in the earthquake zone IV and soil type II. Keywords: ETABSvr.2018, Beam, zone IV, Soil Type II, altering beam members

Issues in specifying contrast in building elements for people with a visual disability

BACKGROUND: Standards writers, national and international, have used different contrast calculations to set requirements in building elements for people with visual impairments. On the other hand, they have typically set a single requirement (30%) for specifying the minimum contrast. The systems are not linearly related and 30%means something rather different in each system. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comparison of the various scales in order to illustrate the differences caused by multiple scales with a single compliance value, recommend a single scale for universal adoption and, if a new measure is problematic for implementation, to recommend the most perceptually uniform of the present methods. METHODS: We use the contrast between combinations of 205 paint colours to illustrate the relationships between the measures. We use an internationally accepted scale, with equal perceptual steps, as a “gold standard” to identify the most perceptually uniform measurement scale in the existing methods. RESULTS: We show that Michelson contrast is the most perceptually uniform of the existing measurement scales. We show the contrasts in the proposed method that equate to the various current requirements. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that CIE Metric Lightness could be used as the contrast measure. Alternatively, Michelson contrast is the most perceptually linear of the current measurement scales.

EEKSPLORASI ETNOMATEMATIKA PADA SONAF LAN TAOLIN KABUPATEN TIMOR TENGAH UTARA

Learning mathematics using a cultural approach is commonly known as ethnomatematics. Ethnomatematics is a mathematics learning approach that bridges mathematics learning through local culture. The purpose of this study was to explore the culture of Sonaf L.A.N Taolin and describe the mathematical concepts that exist in the building elements of Sonaf L.A.N Taolin. This type of qualitative research uses an ethnographic approach that aims to explore the mathematical concepts found in Sonaf L.A.N Taolin. The subject of this study was an informant, Raja Insana. The research instruments were human instruments, observation guidelines, and interview guides. Data analysis was carried out in three stages, namely data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing. The results of this study indicate that building elements such as poles, doors, and roofs from Sonaf L.A.N Taolin contain geometry concepts that can be implemented as a medium for learning mathematics on the material: flat shapes, spatial structures, similarities, geometric transformations (reflections).

"Ko Wai te Ingoa o Tenei Whare?" Architecture and Māori Identity

<p>The whare whakairo or traditional Māori meeting house plays an important part in Māori society and identity. These whare tell the tale of their origin, and in so doing, the origins of their people. The analysis of the meeting house, the histories expressed in its decorative carvings and structural elements are inextricably linked with and dependent upon the structure of the world created by myth and the Māori worldview. However, due to the deleterious effects of colonisation, the art of wood carving and associated architectural practices - central to Māori identity, suffered decline in many parts of the country, leading to the decline of Māori culture and identity. Sir Apirana Ngata instigated the National Institute of Māori Arts and Crafts to resurrect the dying art of Māori carving and carved houses would be a catalyst for the restoration of Māori culture throughout the country. Ngata saw these whare whakairo as being the heart of Māori communities by establishing a renewed sense of belonging and identification with space for Māori, through the telling of tribal histories and emphasising key geographical features. New threats in the form of global hegemony and urbanisation have further impacted on Māori notions of identity, creating a generation of displaced urban Māori youth. This research proposes to establish an architectural response to capture displaced Māori youth through the resurrection of the Māori carving school and return to them the lost stories of their cultural history and identity. This program will be developed within the complex challenges that exist within post-earthquake Ōtautahi/Christchurch, where many have lost homes and livelihoods, especially Māori youth in the Eastern Suburbs. The building elements of the proposed Māori carving school give reference to the historio-cultural features of the original Ōtautahi/Christchurch landscape that are situated in tribal song and myth. It is envisioned that the development of a Māori carving school will help restore Māori identity and a renewed sense of belonging, and allow for the telling of this generations stories through traditional narratives.</p>