A Framework for Augmenting Building Performance Models Using Machine Learning and Immersive Virtual Environment

Building performance models (BPMs), such as building energy simulation models, have been widely used in building design. Existing BPMs are mainly derived using data from existing buildings. They may not be able to effectively address human-building interactions and lack the capability to address specific contextual factors in buildings under design. The lack of such capability often contributes to the existence of building performance discrepancies, i.e., differences between predicted performance during design and the actual performance. To improve the prediction accuracy of existing BPMs, a computational framework is developed in this dissertation. It combines an existing BPM with context-aware design-specific data involving human-building interactions in new designs by using a machine learning approach. Immersive virtual environments (IVEs) are used to acquire data describing design-specific human-building interactions, a machine learning technique is used to combine data obtained from an existing BPM, and IVEs are used to generate an augmented BPM. The potential of the framework is investigated and evaluated. An artificial neural network (ANN)-based greedy algorithm combines context-aware design-specific data obtained from IVEs with an existing BPM to enhance the simulations of human-building interactions in new designs. The results of the application show the potential of the framework to improve the prediction accuracy of an existing BPM evaluated against data obtained from the physical environment. However, it lacks the ability to determine the appropriate combination between context-aware design-specific data and data of the existing BPM. Consequently, the framework is improved to have ability to determine an appropriate combination based on a specified performance target. A generative adversarial network (GAN) is used to combine context-aware design-specific data and data of an existing BPM using the performance target as guide to generate an augmented BPM. The results confirm the effectiveness of this new framework. The performance of the augmented BPMs generated using the GAN-based framework is significantly better than the updated BPMs generated using the ANN-based greedy algorithm. The framework is completed by incorporating a robustness analysis to assist investigations of robustness of the GAN regarding the uncertainty involved in the input parameters (i.e., an existing BPM and context-aware design-specific data). Overall, this dissertation shows the promising potential of the framework in enhancing performance of BPMs and reducing performance discrepancies between estimations made during design and in performance in actual buildings

Restorative Properties of Semi-Outdoor Space in the Workplace: Towards an atmospheric quality of architecture

The biophilic design philosophy embraces the creation of dynamic multi-sensory built environments through the incorporation of nature for its restorative properties, including the restoration of attentional capacity, reduction of stress, and improvement of mood. However, current literature focuses almost exclusively on the visual experience while neglecting the thermal sense. This thesis argues for the central role played by thermal sense in occupants’ restorative experience of nature within the built environment. Experimental methods are used to address the question “To what extent does the thermal realm contribute to the multisensory experience of nature and its restorative benefits in semi-outdoor environments?” A pre-and-post-test experiment was conducted to compare the restorative effects of a workplace semi-outdoor space presenting two distinct thermal scenarios, one devoid of adaptive opportunities, just direct sunlight exposure, and the other condition including the adaptive opportunity for subjects to select between direct sunlight or shade. The experiment used a multisensory virtual reality method to simulate the dynamic environmental conditions of an actual semi-outdoor space. Significant associations between thermal pleasure, thermal adaptive opportunities, and restorative benefits were found. This study observed cultural differences in participants’ thermal preferences and restorative outcomes. Relationships between the thermal realm and psychological restoration were proposed based on the empirical findings. This project brings empirical evidence to the architectural discourse and critique of ‘ocular-centrism’ and advocates the key role of thermal pleasure and delight within the biophilia theme in contemporary architecture. The methodological innovation and findings from the project invite new lines of inquiry that focus on the psychological benefits of thermal pleasure in the outdoor urban context

INTERACT 2015 Adjunct Proceedings. 15th IFIP TC.13 International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction 14-18 September 2015, Bamberg, Germany

INTERACT is among the world’s top conferences in Human-Computer Interaction. Starting with the first INTERACT conference in 1990, this conference series has been organised under the aegis of the Technical Committee 13 on Human-Computer Interaction of the UNESCO International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP). This committee aims at developing the science and technology of the interaction between humans and computing devices. The 15th IFIP TC.13 International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction - INTERACT 2015 took place from 14 to 18 September 2015 in Bamberg, Germany. The theme of INTERACT 2015 was "Connection.Tradition.Innovation". This volume presents the Adjunct Proceedings - it contains the position papers for the students of the Doctoral Consortium as well as the position papers of the participants of the various workshops

Activation of the pro-resolving receptor Fpr2 attenuates inflammatory microglial activation

Poster number: P-T099 Theme: Neurodegenerative disorders & ageing Activation of the pro-resolving receptor Fpr2 reverses inflammatory microglial activation Authors: Edward S Wickstead - Life Science & Technology University of Westminster/Queen Mary University of London Inflammation is a major contributor to many neurodegenerative disease (Heneka et al. 2015). Microglia, as the resident immune cells of the brain and spinal cord, provide the first line of immunological defence, but can become deleterious when chronically activated, triggering extensive neuronal damage (Cunningham, 2013). Dampening or even reversing this activation may provide neuronal protection against chronic inflammatory damage. The aim of this study was to determine whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation could be abrogated through activation of the receptor Fpr2, known to play an important role in peripheral inflammatory resolution. Immortalised murine microglia (BV2 cell line) were stimulated with LPS (50ng/ml) for 1 hour prior to the treatment with one of two Fpr2 ligands, either Cpd43 or Quin-C1 (both 100nM), and production of nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were monitored after 24h and 48h. Treatment with either Fpr2 ligand significantly suppressed LPS-induced production of NO or TNFα after both 24h and 48h exposure, moreover Fpr2 ligand treatment significantly enhanced production of IL-10 48h post-LPS treatment. As we have previously shown Fpr2 to be coupled to a number of intracellular signaling pathways (Cooray et al. 2013), we investigated potential signaling responses. Western blot analysis revealed no activation of ERK1/2, but identified a rapid and potent activation of p38 MAP kinase in BV2 microglia following stimulation with Fpr2 ligands. Together, these data indicate the possibility of exploiting immunomodulatory strategies for the treatment of neurological diseases, and highlight in particular the important potential of resolution mechanisms as novel therapeutic targets in neuroinflammation. References Cooray SN et al. (2013). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110: 18232-7. Cunningham C (2013). Glia 61: 71-90. Heneka MT et al. (2015). Lancet Neurol 14: 388-40