Journal of Design and Built Environment

Thermal Performance Analysis of Conventionally Available Insulation Materials for Residences in Northern Areas of Pakistan

2024-05-07T12:42:39+08:00

The problem of energy shortages and changing climatic conditions has received a lot of attention in recent years. The building sector accounts for 60% of global energy consumption, with domestic buildings accounting for 20% to 40%. Most of this energy is used for heating, cooling, and ventilation. To address such energy shortages, the development of extremely energy-efficient buildings is a critical requirement for improving Pakistan's environmental status. Innovative building insulation solutions may be able to assist the country in coping with the crisis. The focus of this study was on the northern areas of Pakistan, intending to evaluate approaches for better thermal performance of buildings in cold climates. Insulation materials that are both innovative and cost-effective have the potential to minimize operational energy requirements and hence make buildings more efficient. In this study two commercially available insulating materials, polyethylene and polystyrene were assessed experimentally for a residential building in Murree, a hill station of Pakistan. The case study building was monitored using extruded polystyrene and polyethylene. Thermal data was recorded on hourly basis using a Testo Saveries System for 14 days in 2019 and for the current study 6 hourly data is used. Comparison of these two market available insulation materials in test room 1 and test room 2 are compared with the control room. The test materials were additionally compared based on their cost and minimum available thickness being applied. Polyethylene (PE) was observed to be five times cost effective than the other insulation material. In addition, the thermal performance of PE was comparatively better than extruded polystyrene (XPS), as in most of the days, the indoor temperature did not drop below 3°C, while Room with XPS had minimum 2°C and the control room showed more fluctuations in temperature from – 2°C to 2.5°C in that duration of the year. Polyethylene was also concluded to be the better material in terms of thickness necessary for optimum thermal performance and is hence suggested for use in buildings in Pakistan's colder regions.

Assessing the Influence of Ambient Features on Staff Satisfaction in the Healthcare Environment

2024-07-12T08:54:27+08:00

The influence of ambient features on staff satisfaction in a healthcare environment is gaining recognition as an essential component of overall well-being. While traditional healthcare design is largely focused on patient care, there is a growing emphasis on creating environments that support staff satisfaction. Although there is extensive research on the relationship between ambient conditions and outcomes in various healthcare settings, it is unclear whether these results are consistent across diverse settings. As a result, this study aims to holistically explore the relationships and interdependencies between ambient features and staff satisfaction in a healthcare setting, prioritizing the factors that most influence satisfaction. The literature review identified a wide range of ambient features that impact healthcare environment staff, including natural light, artificial light, smell, acoustics, temperature, humidity, air quality, and music. A mixed-method design was conducted, incorporating a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews administered across seven private hospitals. Quantitative data were gathered through surveys, whereas qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Statistical techniques such as ANOVA, correlation, and regression were used to examine the relationships between demographic factors and satisfaction. The results ranked the satisfaction factors as follows: smell, air quality, temperature, natural light, humidity, artificial lighting, music and acoustics. As a result, the study identifies ambient features that have a significant impact on staff and strongly recommends implementing interventions to increase satisfaction among healthcare professionals. Healthcare administrators and policymakers can utilize these findings to enhance ambient conditions in healthcare facilities, promoting high-quality treatment while improving satisfaction.

Developing Place Character Appraisal Tool through Phenomenological Inquiry on City Branding

2024-10-30T11:21:24+08:00

The research investigates the essence of place branding through the lens of phenomenology of the cityscape. Place branding is a subset of city branding, which is an interdisciplinary strategy involving multiple stakeholders. Identifying tangible and intangible attributes would help plan, design, develop and revitalize places in the city with its own uniqueness. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among key informants of urban professionals working in the design, planning and development of cities within the research protocol. The inquiries were based on their diverse experience in related fields of design, architecture, city planning, urban design, event management, branding, marketing and property development all in the context of the city. Data was analysed using multi-method urban analysis, content, thematic and cross-case analysis to achieve empirical results. The results reveal that in appraising place character, the thematic domains are categorized into comprehensive key areas namely Place Value, Integrated Design, Stakeholder Synergy, Sense of Belonging, Signature District, Archetypal Landmark, Public Interior and City Information Design. An in-depth finding from this research would assist in assessing a place’s uniqueness through appraising place character using a systematic tool. The place character appraisal tool could facilitate city branding strategies through holistic and sustainable urban design.

From ‘On-stilts’ to ‘On-ground’: Spatial Form Development of Sarawak River Malay Houses in Kuching, Malaysia, 1840s-1960s

2024-11-19T12:45:47+08:00

The Malays in Sarawak have lived in riverine settlements since pre-colonial times, with the Sarawak River in Kuching housing the largest Malay population. Kampung Seberang, on the river’s north bank opposite Kuching Waterfront, holds the highest Malay concentration and historical significance, yet the architectural development of Malay houses in this area remains understudied. This paper investigates the most common house form and spatial layout of houses in Kampung Seberang, tracing its spatial form development. Using archival research, fieldwork observations and interviews, 47 samples were selected based on predetermined criteria. Samples were categorized into architectural types and mapped to uncover settlement patterns. The findings reveal four architectural styles: (1) bumbung panjang, (2) potong Limas, (3) limas Serani, and (4) hybrid limas Serani. Type 2 houses are most common near the Astana, while Type 3 houses are found further away- indicating newer settlements with differing lifestyles. The study concludes that Kampung Seberang’s architectural development is closely linked to socio-economic changes in the 1940s and infrastructure development in the 2000s, significantly altering spatial uses and house forms. As Sarawak's riverbank settlements face redevelopment, these findings can guide conservation efforts, inform preservation policies, and standardize the evaluation of architectural significance, to safeguard Sarawak’s rich architectural legacy for future generations.

Fenestration Requirements in Green Building Rating Systems: From the Perspective of Naturally Ventilated Buildings

2024-12-04T13:36:47+08:00

Efforts in the building industry toward sustainable development are exemplified by green building rating systems. These systems establish sustainability criteria for certification, encompassing various aspects of construction. In India, Green Building Rating Systems (GBRS) mandate fenestration requirements, including aspects like overhang depth, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of glazing, and minimum daylit area. When assessing cost considerations, many buildings opt for the SHGC parameter over overhang depth. For air-conditioned buildings, low SHGC values significantly curtail cooling loads and energy consumption. However, the benefit of reduced SHGC values is less pronounced in naturally ventilated buildings, where windows remain open for extended periods. This study employs building simulation to meticulously analyze the cost and advantages associated with implementing mandatory fenestration requirements in naturally ventilated buildings. The findings underscore that adopting low SHGC glazing in such buildings compromises daylight aspects with limited enhancement in thermal comfort, yet results in substantial cost escalation. Consequently, the study advocates for a relaxation of mandatory fenestration requirements in naturally ventilated buildings. Based on the above study the mandatory SHGC requirement was relaxed from 0.25 to 0.45.

Performative Architectural Skins: Towards a Performance-Oriented Theory

2024-08-20T15:30:45+08:00

The concepts of "performance" and "performative" are gaining significant attention in spatial design discourse. "Performative" is often linked with qualities such as open-form flexibility and scenic or theatrical attributes. It highlights the interaction between intentional and accidental elements, as well as the dynamic nature of environments. Some literature characterizes performative spatial design as the ability to execute multiple functions either simultaneously or individually, while others interpret it as a means of conveying content. Most discussions focus on three-dimensional spaces or architectural scales. This essay delves into the theories behind the term "performative" and its application in analyzing and describing the two-dimensional aspects of urban spaces, interiors, and architecture. It explores the semantic range and applications of "performative" and "performance" beyond simple analogies to the performing arts, aiming to articulate innovative and complex qualities of architectural skins and interior surfaces, including their capacity to communicate, narrate content, convey knowledge, and embed cultural references.

Developing A Conceptual Framework Integrating Risk Process Into Landscape Planning Project Lifecycle

2024-09-13T15:42:21+08:00

The management of landscape planning projects necessitates a high level of intuition due to their dynamic nature, complexity, and vast context; for this reason, risk management should be incorporated into project management as a unified process. Insufficient evaluations of the integration of risk procedures in landscape planning projects necessitate the development of an integration concept that will allow project practitioners to apply it effectively. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework integrating the risk process into the project lifecycle for the practitioner's benefit in practising the risk process effectively. A literature review is conducted to evaluate the idea, identify a concept incorporating the risk process into the project lifecycle, and formulate the conceptual framework. The concept suggests three risk process aspects for effective integration: completeness, process activity planning, and process activity flow. To improve risk management practices and achieve national sustainable landscape planning, a conceptual framework helps the project to manage project risks as planned, complete, and timely activities specified.