Funktion als Gestaltungsbegriff - eine Untersuchung des Funktionsbegriffs in architekturtheoretischen Texten

Die architekturtheoretische Arbeit untersucht, welche Merkmale dem Funktionsbegriff anhaften und ihn vom Zweckbegriff abgrenzen. Vorstudien in Etymologie, Mathematik, Biologie und Soziologie zeigen, dass Funktion mit drei Merkmalen umschrieben werden kann: Aktion, Relation, Ganzheitsbezug. Diese dienen als Matrix in der Untersuchung der architekturtheoretischen Texte von u.a. Carlo Lodoli, der um 1750 das Begriffspaar “funzione - rappresentazione“ einführt, Gottfried Semper, der im 19.Jh. zwischen Ornamenten des Zwecks und der Funktion unterscheidet, und Hannes Meyer, der in den 1920er Jahren “Zweck ist Funktion“ und “Leben ist Funktion“ postuliert. Die Interpretation des Funktionsbegriffs nach den drei Merkmalen erweist sich als sinnvoll für die Reflektion von Gestaltung. In der Auslegung dieser Merkmale, also in den Fragen, was Aktion, Relation, Teil und Ganzes meinen kann, liegt der Spielraum des Begriffs, der so dem Diskurs über Gestaltung stets neue Impulse gibt.The thesis in architectural theory examines, which aspects adhere to the term function and draw a distinction to the term purpose. Prestudies in etymology, mathematics, biology, and sociology show, that function implies three aspects: activity, relation, and reference to an entity. These serve as a matrix for the examination of architectural texts, among others of Carlo Lodoli, who introduces the pair “funzione – rappresentazione” around 1750, Gottfried Semper, who differentiates between ornaments of purpose and function in the 19th century, and Hannes Meyer, who insists on “Zweck ist Funktion” and “Leben ist Funktion” in the 1920s. The interpretation of function with regard to the three aspects can be recognized as useful for the reflection of design. The scope of the term is located in the construing of these three aspects, that is in the questions, what action, relation, part and whole can signify. This scope can give impulses for the discourse about design again and again

Environmentally Conscious Architecture: Local–Global, Traditional–Innovative, and Cultural Challenges

The editorial introduces the articles brought together in this Special Issue of Buildings, particularly their interpretation of the meaning, content, and goals of environmentally conscious architecture. The special issue goes beyond addressing mere energy efficient building by reflecting on the relationship of architecture to context, ethics and aesthetics, and to specific climate, cultural and/or economic conditions. The contributions cover various perspectives, which partially arise from the fact that the authors come from diverse locations and cultures around the world, from Korea, China, Egypt, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, and the United States. They discuss the topic from different disciplines such as cultural sciences, socio-economics, legislation, professional practice, building technology, and aesthetics. The articles touch on the diverse scales environmentally conscious architecture can have, from detail to urban planning. Some have a global approach, meaning that the conclusions they provide are adaptable to many industrialized countries. Others have a highly local approach, looking for solutions for a specific problem at a particular place, such as the sea-level rising in the Nile-Delta. Finally, theoretical articles can be distinguished from those with a practical approach, elaborating on built work or specific building elements. [...

Urban Microclimate, Outdoor Thermal Comfort, and Socio-Economic Mapping: A Case Study of Philadelphia, PA

Urban areas are often warmer than rural areas due to the phenomenon known as the “urban heat island” (UHI) effect, which can cause discomfort for those engaging in outdoor activities and can have a disproportionate impact on low-income communities, people of color, and the elderly. The intensity of the UHI effect is influenced by a variety of factors, including urban morphology, which can vary from one area to another. To investigate the relationship between outdoor thermal comfort and urban morphology in different urban blocks with varying social vulnerability status, this study developed a geographic information system (GIS)-based workflow that combined the “local climate zone” (LCZ) classification system and an urban microclimate assessment tool called ENVI-met. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this methodology, the study selected two different urban blocks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania–with high and low social vulnerability indices (SVI)–to compare their microclimate conditions in association with urban morphological characteristics such as green coverage area, sky view factor (SVF), albedo, and street height to width (H/W) ratio. The results of the study showed that there was a strong correlation between tree and grass coverage and outdoor air and mean radiant temperature during hot seasons and extremely hot days, which in turn affected simulated predicted mean vote (PMV). The effects of greenery were more significant in the block associated with a low SVI, where nearly 50% of the site was covered by trees and grass, compared to only 0.02% of the other block associated with a high SVI. Furthermore, the investigation discovered that reduced SVF, along with increased albedo and H/W ratio, had a beneficial impact on the microclimate at the pedestrian level within the two studied urban blocks. This study provided an effective and easy-to-implement method for tackling the inequity issue of outdoor thermal comfort and urban morphology at fine geographic scales