Transparency in Architecture and its Mutual Effects between Built and Natural Environment

This paper is concerned with studying the concept of transparency in architecture, which is not only limited to the physical aspect related to the penetration of natural light through transparent surfaces into the building, but is linked to the psychological and spiritual aspects of the building\u27s occupants through the virtual removal of barriers between them and the natural environment.by studying a variety of iconic buildings which Representing a group of different architectural schools till reaching the contemporary architecture, the paper deals with how the concept of transparency has been developed in conjunction with the development of the construction industry over the ages, so that transparency has become an essential part of the architectural design philosophy

Transparency in Architecture and its Mutual Effects between Built and Natural Environment

This paper is concerned with studying the concept of transparency in architecture, which is not only limited to the physical aspect related to the penetration of natural light through transparent surfaces into the building, but is linked to the psychological and spiritual aspects of the building\u27s occupants through the virtual removal of barriers between them and the natural environment.by studying a variety of iconic buildings which Representing a group of different architectural schools till reaching the contemporary architecture, the paper deals with how the concept of transparency has been developed in conjunction with the development of the construction industry over the ages, so that transparency has become an essential part of the architectural design philosophy

Identifying The Role of Project Management in Sustainable Refurbishment of Heritage Buildings

Cultural heritage is considered one of the major valuable resources that improve the quality of life. Therefore, protecting as well as enhancing its value through applying sustainable refurbishment process is a major challenge that needs to be properly managed. The problem is although there are a number of studies that are concerned with sustainable refurbishment, cultural heritage refurbishment management and its impact on reducing the probability of demolition remain under researched. In 2018, the UNESCO stated that 58% of the global cultural heritage buildings got demolished over the past 18 years. Moreover, in the same year, a research paper stated that there is a gap between urban development and cultural heritage conservation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is concerned with identifying the role of sustainable refurbishment management in reducing the probability of applying heritage demolishing principles that lead to facing the risk of demolition heritage buildings. In this regard, qualitative and quantities methods were used in this paper to gather secondary data (from of literature review), and preliminary data (from case studies of cultural heritage projects, and survey). Results of this paper identified the mutual relation between sustainable refurbishment principles, their relation to heritage value, and the impact of this relation on demolition principles in the form of extant literature and case studies

A guide for monitoring the effects of climate change on heritage building materials and elements

This report is concerned with advanced tools and methods for monitoring the effects of climate change in buildings. It addresses the expected changes, the effects on the fabric of a heritage building, and the mechanisms of deterioration. This will be addressed only using the data and measurements that is being collected as part of the HBIM process.This report was produced as a part of a Newton Fund-sponsored research project 'Heritage Building Information Modelling and Smart Heritage Buildings Performance Measurements for Sustainability

The search for an architectural language of dynamic space derived from changing relationships among material, structure, space and style

I cannot help searching for new images; and this I do, not for the sake of their novelty, but for the sake of finding an expression of the new outlook of the world around me. \sp1 In the historical development from a static to a dynamic perception of space, there are concomitant changes in the concept of architectural style. Materials become lighter, structures more kinetic; and spaces become less grounded, less bounded, and more energetic. The relationships among material, structural systems, space and style in the theories of Cesar Daly, Heinrich Hubsch and Viollet Le Duc are defined. Beyond those static perceptions, this dissertation examines the expression of movement in architecture; particularly through the ideas of Le Corbusier and the Russian Constructivists. It discusses more advanced concepts of equilibrium, (dynamic equilibrium) and a new sense of weight, (anti-gravity architecture), which finally lead to a new concept of space that expresses the essence of movement. The spiral structure and the inclined plane, are attempts in this direction, yielding a new concept of beauty based on movement and dynamism. The spatial solution and building theory that result from them diverge from the traditional horizontal and vertical architectural spaces, to create a dynamic, spiral space. This suggests a new ideology of movement and energy. The aim is to present a new theory of design, based on mathematical formulations and lines of force, i.e., a vector analysis as proposed by Moisei Ginzburg, Paul Klee and Kostantin Melnikov among others. This establishes a new spatial configuration, derived from models of dynamic concepts in architecture. Energy is the basic element of this language, since it is capable of articulating the emerging concepts of force and dynamic space in architectural form. It moves from a static to dynamic perception of space, and attempts to predict a new architecture whose major geometric expression is the spiral. In this new language, we begin to see the seeds of a new architectural style, in resonance with its time. ftn\sp1Naum Gabo. On Constructive Realism, in The Tradition of Constructivism, Stephen Bann (ed.). New York: Viking Press, 1974. P. 246

Energy-Scape Web-Based Application is an Effective Tool to Overcome the Basic Knowledge of Architects Toward Renewable Energy Properties

In last few years, research on renewables were shifted from integrating renewable energy (RE) with buildings into integrating renewable energy (RE) within urban environment due to the large occupies of urban areas in comparing to the building foot print. Urban areas such as urban landscape areas have a great potential in generating huge amount of energy that could satisfy the needs of urban neighbor-hoods. The presented research identify the properties of a new elements called Energy-scape elements (ESE) that integrates RE devices with urban landscape el-ements. This research focuses on analyzing the efficiency of web-based applica-tion called “Energy-scape software” (ESS) and compare its efficiency with Ener-gy-scape database (ESD) through a qualitative method. The research concludes that Energy-scape software (ESS) application is an effective tool for implement-ing Energy-scape elements (ESE) and it overcome the basic knowledge of archi-tects and landscape designers toward renewable properties. Moreover, it identi-fies the optimum type and location of Energy-scape elements (ESE) within a spe-cific project, and it calculates the impact of using Energy-scape elements (ESE) in term of energy-savings

Optimization of plastic waste integration in cement bricks

Abstract Implementing plastic waste in construction materials is a sustainable disposal method to overcome plastic pollution. The current study aims to optimize the integration of plastic waste in cement bricks regarding their thermomechanical properties in order to develop an eco-friendly building material. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) partially substituted cement with different ratios (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 20%). The type that achieved better thermomechanical performance further replaced the other brick components; sand and coarse aggregates to determine the optimum replacement scenario and best design mix. Laboratory experiments have been carried out to measure the compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, bulk density, and thermal conductivity of the new composites. The measured results revealed better performance for the samples with HDPE than PET. A boost in the compressive strength and indirect tensile strength was noticed for the samples obtaining a limited amount (up to 7.5%) of HDPE. However, a reduction in the tested mechanical properties occurs with higher substitution levels. With respect to thermal conductivity and bulk density, they decreased with the increase of plastic waste. The best mechanical behavior and the highest thermal resistance were obtained by partial replacement of coarse aggregates with 7.5% and 20% HDPE respectively. The results represent a good contribution to energy conservation, waste management and sustainability

Semiotic analysis of contemporary Coptic Orthodox church architecture; A case study of Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist church in Bab El Louk, Cairo, Egypt

Within the quest of better understanding of architecture, interpretation of signs and symbols play an important role. An article was presented earlier to analyze an ancient Coptic Orthodox church, within the course of an ongoing PhD, studying the visual message of this architecture (Guirguis et al., 2016). Now, a contemporary case study is being examined, to investigate whether the modern architecture of the same building type carries a message as its counter in the antiquity, and what the meanings projected might be. The study uncovers meanings imbued by the building showing that this contemporary architecture is an offspring of the Coptic heritage and that it delivers a message to the congregation. Keywords: Semiotics of architecture, Coptic architecture, Meaning in architecture, Semiotic analysis, Interpretation of architecture, Contemporary Coptic architectur

Challenges and Opportunities for Integrating RE Systems in Egyptian Building Stocks

The twentieth century started with engineers’ new concepts and ideas to develop the built environment, with ideas ranging from reducing weight to automated industrialisation, enhancing energy efficiency, etc. However, they failed to predict the negative impact of automation on the environment and its resources. Therefore, future technologies proposed by engineers should consider the adverse effects on nature and the surrounding ecosystem. Using the science of ecology and integrating it into building typology can help avoid unwanted scenarios. Such technologies prioritise the performance of buildings and cities by using simulation tools to explore more ideas for designing and testing their performance. This work explores the obstacles and challenges opposing the plan to successfully supply Egypt with clean, renewable energy that reaches 42% of its total electricity. Furthermore, some solutions are proposed to tackle those barriers, such as installing thermal cooling systems and ball wind turbines in residential buildings