ATTAINING THE APPROPRIATE SIMULATION PROGRAM TOWARDS BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS

Global Warming is one of the greatest environmental threats of the 21st century. Many parties around the world like governments, corporations, and researchers, etc. are working hard to find solutions. Architectural education is concerned with global warming issues, and trying to achieve reliable design related solutions for a sustainable environment. Majority of the students use simulation programs to determine with accuracy some variables that can support designers to take decisions about the best strategies to apply for any type of building. These simulation programs are usually selected based on their straightforward and user-friendly interface. The most common programs among architecture students at the Beirut Arab University are Ecotect, DesignBuilder and CFD. However, not all the results are precise nor are they based on an accurate scientific basis. This paper will discuss the scientific background, interface, and capability of these programs. In addition compare them in order to establish their differences, besides a brief overview about energy simulation concepts. In addition the research will conduct a survey measuring the awareness and benefit of the three programs among students as a design decision supporting tool. Furthermore students that already implemented these programs in their design will be selected, to show how they dealt with these programs and how these programs interfered with their design decision making. The selection of the students will show the appropriate year to add this program as a supporting tool for architectural design studio

MERGING EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY FOR LEADING A CREATIVE URBAN RECOGNITION INMIDDLE EASTERN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Despite the drifts towards globalization, regions and cities are emerging as the main arenas for international competitiveness. Cities are turning out to be as communities of knowledge, innovation, and creativity, yet becoming more complex, dynamic, diverse, and intangible. In this context, new strategies and approaches must be considered. Proposing a science park bridges the gap between education, research and industries. It could develop a creative urban regeneration processes, educational development and economic growth. Initiating the project with a sustainable approach will increase knowledge and develop innovated solutions in common areas as water management, alternative forms of energy, oil and gas extraction, industrial advancement, and sustainable urban development. The paper is going to discuss the feasibility of applying a science park in Lebanon as a case study for Middle Eastern developing countries. Applying these strategies on slum areas will improve the urban fabric and enhance the infrastructure of the neighborhood. Ten International case studies that augmented their regions around the world are analyzed to achieve the most efficient science park program that fits the local context. Furthermore, the adopted strategy could be applied in any developing country with similar contexts

Projecto Erasmus sobre Segurança na Construção com Recurso a BIM e a Ferramentas Digitais de Simulação

Os estaleiros das obras são ambientes dinâmicos e complexos, o que dificulta a realização de tarefas de controlo e de monitorização da segurança e da prevenção de acidentes de trabalho. As dificuldades a considerar na prevenção de riscos profissionais são especialmente significativas devido à falta de formação dos operários. Todos os estaleiros são diferentes, pelo que se torna necessário formar técnicos, trabalhadores e engenheiros para os riscos específicos e potenciais que podem surgir em cada tarefa ou em cada estaleiro. O projecto CSETIR surge da sinergia entre instituições de ensino superior e empresas de construção para implementar o uso de tecnologias digitais na formação de operários e de técnicos. As ferramentas digitais propostas simulam cenários de construção que permitem a identificação e a prevenção de riscos para operários, técnicos e engenheiros. O projecto CSETIR pretende gerar abordagens inovadoras na prevenção de acidentes de trabalho através da colaboração efetiva entre os investigadores na área da Realidade Virtual (RV) e as empresas de construção. Serão desenvolvidas soluções de Realidade Virtual e Realidade Aumentada (RA) baseadas em modelos BIM para prevenir acidentes e formar trabalhadores. O projeto visa ainda oferecer sessões de formação online, fornecendo acesso a material interativo e a recursos formativos. As ferramentas a desenvolver incluem aplicações para dispositivos móveis envolvendo ambientes de RV e modelos BIM de acordo com as necessidades de formação