Geocaching MOOC’s and the investigation of virtual places

Whereigo is a form of Geocaching; a GPS based treasure hunt game that is played throughout the world. Participants find hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS coordinates and then share their experiences online. The game started in May 2000, when the U.S. government turned off Selective Availability, a feature that limited the accuracy of GPS signals for civilians. Within 24 hours the first geocache had been placed and its coordinates were posted online. Today there are over 2,000,000 geocaches worldwide and 6,000,000 geocachers. A wide variety of geocache types allow the game to be played in different ways. One of the latest types of geocaches is the ‘Wherigo’ cache. This type of cache allows participants to interact with physical and virtual elements, such as a city walking tour. Wherigo geocaching enables people to communicate and participate online as they navigate virtual and or physical environments. Though geocaching is rarely described as a MOOC, it is perhaps one of the largest and widely used online open access learning adventures that draws people from a multitude of ages, languages and demographics. For the past two years at Huddersfield University, Year 1 architecture students have utilized traditional geocaching as a means to explore Butterly Reservoir (near Marsden in the Peak District) in preparation for a bothy design project. Next academic year it is intended to plant a Wherigo cache in Huddersfield as part of an urban analysis project. This paper argues that Wherigo geocaching is a type of MOOC, and seeks to explore how the game can be used as an engaging online tool to help architecture students investigate both actual and virtual places as part of their design projects

Improving the Environmental and Design Performance of Building Facades using “Artificial Intelligence”

The construction sector has changed thanks to the use of artificial intelligence in architectural design. To investigate abstract conceptual concepts and produce an infinite number of design ideas based on mathematically determined criteria, AI offers a wide variety of computational methodologies. An exploratory examination of the development of AI in architectural design is presented in this paper. Since its inception as a tool for functional optimization, Artificial Intelligence has evolved into an unmatched source of design inspiration. The mechanism technology is needed to deliver the best lighting possible, depending on the design requirements. The following steps are taken during the design process: design concept, modeling and pattern development, application and implementation of the parameters sun path, solar radiation, bulb temperature, and daylight, evaluation and simulation with the aid of the simulation program grasshopper/ladybug-honeybee, and lastly, conclusion. Finally, it is suggested to engage in digital fabrication and materialization. The suggested design, which was implemented in the Epic complex structure, improved the facade\u27s environmental and design performance by minimizing solar radiation on exposed facades and improving eye comfort by cutting back on glare from sunlight. This was done without altering the building\u27s existing façade design. The author stress the necessity of a well-rounded strategy, nevertheless, to guarantee that AI-generated designs are human-centric, environmentally conscious, and culturally aware. According to the study\u27s findings, AI can enrich and inspire architectural design, but it must be used ethically and responsibly to prevent harming human creativity and design ethics

Improving the Environmental and Design Performance of Building Facades using “Artificial Intelligence”

The construction sector has changed thanks to the use of artificial intelligence in architectural design. To investigate abstract conceptual concepts and produce an infinite number of design ideas based on mathematically determined criteria, AI offers a wide variety of computational methodologies. An exploratory examination of the development of AI in architectural design is presented in this paper. Since its inception as a tool for functional optimization, Artificial Intelligence has evolved into an unmatched source of design inspiration. The mechanism technology is needed to deliver the best lighting possible, depending on the design requirements. The following steps are taken during the design process: design concept, modeling and pattern development, application and implementation of the parameters sun path, solar radiation, bulb temperature, and daylight, evaluation and simulation with the aid of the simulation program grasshopper/ladybug-honeybee, and lastly, conclusion. Finally, it is suggested to engage in digital fabrication and materialization. The suggested design, which was implemented in the Epic complex structure, improved the facade\u27s environmental and design performance by minimizing solar radiation on exposed facades and improving eye comfort by cutting back on glare from sunlight. This was done without altering the building\u27s existing façade design. The author stress the necessity of a well-rounded strategy, nevertheless, to guarantee that AI-generated designs are human-centric, environmentally conscious, and culturally aware. According to the study\u27s findings, AI can enrich and inspire architectural design, but it must be used ethically and responsibly to prevent harming human creativity and design ethics

The versatility of color in contemporary architecture

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Serra, J. (2013), The versatility of color in contemporary architecture. Color Res. Appl., 38: 344–355. doi: 10.1002/col.21734, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/col.21734/abstractIn the 21st century, there has been a noticeable move toward the versatility of color in architecture. This can be attested to through an analysis of the color of buildings designed by some of the leading modern and contemporary architects, and a critical review of works written about the colors used in their buildings. This analysis goes on to identify four concepts related to the term versatility: transformation, fragmentation, movement, and novelty. These four concepts help us to understand the way color is conceived and arranged in contemporary architecture. By doing so, we aim to re-establish the importance of color in the design of architecture, overcoming some former theoretical and practical preconceptions stemming from the modern era. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2012Serra Lluch, J. (2013). The versatility of color in contemporary architecture. Color Research and Application. 38(5):344-355. doi:10.1002/col.21734S344355385Sosa Sánchez RP Una reflexión sobre la noción de fragmentación en la sociedad de cambio de siglo: Revista de antropología experimental 8 Jaén (Spain) Universidad de Jaén 2008 397 401http://skinarchitecture.comMallgrave, H. F. (2005). Modern Architectural Theory. doi:10.1017/cbo97805114977282011 http://www.mvrdv.nl/#/projects/028silodamCarro R Le Corbusier nos hizo el regalo del muro blanco: VIA Arquitectura 13 2003 8 17http://www.arranz.net/web.arch-mag.com/5/homeless/05s.htmlArcagni SKoolhaas R Junkspace 100 Cambridge MIT press 2002 175 190Wigley Mark in Serra , J. 201

Exploring the Efficacy of Kinetic Facades in a Northern Climate [Rochester, NY]

The quality of a building is greatly influenced by the design of its facades. Essentially, it serves as a barrier between an interior area and the outside environment. This implies that the façade serves as a conduit for communication between the activities going] on within and outside the building. Façade design has an impact on the appearance of a structure, and consequently on the perception of its users. The adoption of Kinetic façades may dramatically reduce energy consumption in buildings, which accounts for around one-third of total energy consumption worldwide. This thesis will investigate a computational technique to improve building energy efficiency based on the design of kinetics on a building façade that can alter its thermal and visible transmittance for dynamically shifting climatic conditions. The kinetic façade design approach is powered by an automated optimization approach that combines building energy modeling software with an optimization strategy using a parametric design program. This thesis will examine case studies of buildings with kinetic facades that are controlled by automated control systems and the impact that this has on the building\u27s performance and attain the plausibility of this system working in Rochester. The conclusion of the thesis will attempt to illustrate whether these façade systems and techniques may be applied to the buildings in Rochester to improve daylighting and increase building performance by regulating solar gain. Finally, the study aims at incorporating dynamic facades into buildings as an environmental management system in order to create a sustainable design and achieve excellent energy efficiency in buildings

New York’s super-slender towers and European slender high-rise buildings: differences in the urban context

The latest construction technologies have enabled the erection of very slender skyscrapers. This phenomenon is developing significantly in New York, but very slender high-rise buildings are also being designed on other continents. The aim of this paper is to characterize existing and planned slender European skyscrapers. The study examined the location of slender high-rise buildings and their relationship with their surroundings. It sought differences and similarities in the location of slender European skyscrapers within the urban fabric compared to American skyscrapers. The presented examples of slender skyscrapers in Europe illustrate the diversity of their locations, the character of the areas in which they are designed, and the buildings themselves. The analysis of their relationship with the surroundings revealed many differences compared to New York's super-slender towers, such as the presence of open space, location at significant distances from other buildings, and even location in landscapes dominated by nature. Only some slender European high-rise buildings are designed in high-density development, which may resemble New York's super-slender towers.The latest construction technologies have enabled the erection of very slender skyscrapers. This phenomenon is developing significantly in New York, but very slender high-rise buildings are also being designed on other continents. The aim of this paper is to characterize existing and planned slender European skyscrapers. The study examined the location of slender high-rise buildings and their relationship with their surroundings. It sought differences and similarities in the location of slender European skyscrapers within the urban fabric compared to American skyscrapers. The presented examples of slender skyscrapers in Europe illustrate the diversity of their locations, the character of the areas in which they are designed, and the buildings themselves. The analysis of their relationship with the surroundings revealed many differences compared to New York's super-slender towers, such as the presence of open space, location at significant distances from other buildings, and even location in landscapes dominated by nature. Only some slender European high-rise buildings are designed in high-density development, which may resemble New York's super-slender towers

The Eco Office: Dynamic and Homeostatic Facades inspired by BIOMORPHIM, BIOMIMICRY, and BIOPHILIA

"Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher.” ~ William Wordsworth The focus of this dissertation research is to extend and increase an understanding of sustainable building envelope design strategies, with specific focus on transfer of light, air, and heat, within a tropical site setting/context. Biomimetic architecture is a process that is primarily driven by inspiration from natural systems and organisms. Designs and patterns found in nature are often resolved at the “macro” as well as at the “micro/nano” molecular levels, which prompts further investigation into present-day advancements in material science and nanotechnological concepts. Nanotechnology is a way of looking closer at systems and material structures and properties; the translation from biomimetic architecture to the nano-molecular scale of materials thus promotes sustainability in buildings, by providing ways and means to incorporate new technologies and novel material systems into the architectural design of building facades, that will further aid with the successful implementation of passive design strategies, in order to establish comfortable interior lighting, ventilation, and thermal conditions. Extensive literature reviews and material research are utilized for the bio-tonano design process and analyses. Performance of design modules created has been tested using design simulations and reiterative analysis processes. “Taking cues from Nature – creation of responsive (environment and human responsive) architecture” – is the idea that is the primary motivation behind the research focus. The key goal of this research is to propose alternative futures in building envelope design, for a site in Honolulu, which would serve as a digital prototype for similar such investigations into integrating nature-inspired macro and nanotechnology structures and materials into building systems design. Psychophysiology (the mind-body-interaction) and experimental testing is used as part of the final testing and analysis, to assess people’s responses to nature-inspired design and emerging building technologies

Urban Wood Architourism in Helsinki : phenomenological research of bodily experiences and authenticity

The idea for this master’s thesis came from my current work at ARCO Architecture Company. Different aspects of tourism and architecture were my inspiration for this tourism research, where I study the phenomenon of Architourism through authenticity and bodily experiences. The concept of Architourism has not been thoroughly studied in Finland from the perspective of tourism. Instead, researchers from the Department of Architecture have studied the history of Finnish tourism architecture. Professional planning has a key effect on the creation of a long-lasting tourist destination. In the history of tourism, attractions have been a key reason for choosing a travel destination. Architourism is a way to experience the traditions and history of the region. Löyly Helsinki was chosen to be the research location. It is locally and internationally known tourism attraction in Helsinki as well as a known wooden architecture site. The empirical material of my research consists of my own observations, my observations of the visitors and five semi-structured interviews. The starting point was to detect the meanings of the individual’s bodily experiences and to find relation of meaning from the perspective of existential and performative authenticity. In the analysis phase, I used the thematic analysis method. The results of the study showed that visitors' bodily experiences of wooden buildings influence to the experience of authenticity. Architectural tourism was a less familiar topic, and discussion about architecture was not considered natural. The experience of Löyly Helsinki through embodied performances is influenced by the visitor's own awareness, senses, body heat production and cultural capital. In addition to these, the weather and activities affect the visitor's sense of authenticity. Commerciality and the amount of money allocated for planning can affect the design of the facilities. The narrowness of the premises and embodied performances were felt to affect the sense of authenticity. Based on the research, it can be concluded that focusing on architourism could help cities to build authentic, sustainable, and meaningful experiences

Atmospheres: Shattering the Architecture to Generate Another Educational Discourse in Art Education

[Abstract] This article seeks to share the experience gained in the expository project Atmospheres for Educational Change, a curatorial proposal focused on education that took place at Normal, the cultural intervention space at the University of A Coruña, aimed at criticizing the position of contemporary art in education and society. Atmospheres reflected on the life and routines of individuals in collectivity. It invited the spectator to an interaction between the aesthetic artificiality of the created environment and the naturalness of the sensations generated within. These were environments that invited discomfort, with artistic installations that functioned as social agitators—politically incorrect and educationally transformative

Modes of Interaction in Computational Architecture

This thesis is an enquiry into the importance and influence of interaction in architecture, the importance of which is observed through different modes of interaction occurring in various aspects of architectural discourse and practice. Interaction is primarily observed through the different use of software within architectural practice and in the construction of buildings, façades and systems. In turn, the kind of influences software has on architecture is one of the underlying questions of this thesis. Four qualities: Concept, Materiality, Digitization and Interactivity, are proposed as a theoretical base for the analysis and assessment of different aspects of computational architecture. These four qualities permeate and connect the diverse areas of research discussed, including architecture, cybernetics, computer science, interaction design and new media studies, which in combination provide the theoretical background. The modalities of computational architecture analysed here are, digital interior spaces, digitized design processes and communicational exterior environments. The analysis is conducted through case studies: The Fun Palace, Generator Project, Water Pavilion, Tower of Winds, Institute du Monde Arabe, The KPN building, Aegis Hyposurface, BIX Façade, Galleria Department Store, Dexia Tower, and also E:cue, Microstation, Auto-Cad, Rhino, Top Solid and GenerativeComponents software. These are important for discussion because they present different architectural concepts and thoughts about interactivity within architecture. The analytical processes used in the research distinguished and refined, eight modes of interaction: (1) interaction as a participatory process; (2) cybernetic mutualism; (3) thematic interaction; (4) human-computer interaction during architectural design production; (5) interaction during digital fabrication; (6) parametric interaction; (7) kinetic interaction with dynamic architectural forms; and (8) interaction with façades. Out of these, cybernetic mutualism is the mode of interaction proposed by this thesis