Showing 268 results for Type of Study: Research Paper
Zahra Sadat Zomorodian, Farshad Nasrollahi,
Volume 23, Issue 1 (6-2013)
Abstract
School buildings as a major part of public buildings are considered as one of the basic consumers of energy in Iran. Based on building typology and occupancy patterns, school buildings have a great potentiality for energy optimization while providing thermal comfort. This study investigates the architectural design parameters such as orientation, optimum window to wall ratio, space organization, sun shading, building shape etc. which have a great impact on the energy demand. For the purpose of this study a typical elementary school has been selected, modeled and analyzed by integrating different design measures using a dynamic simulation software tool. The optimum amounts for various architectural design parameters are calculated. The results reveal that through energy efficient architectural design the primary energy demand of the studied case has reduced by 31% while keeping visual and thermal comfort compared to the existing building.
Dr Asghar Mohammad Moradi, Dr Bagher Hosseini, Hamid Yazdani,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (12-2013)
Abstract
Abstract Today, due to the rapid growth of population, development of the construction industry is a necessity. All around the world, new subjects such as sustainable development, environmental pollution, conservation of resources, and reduction of CO2 emission have become the most important research topics among the scientific societies. In recent years, especially after 1997, new tools were invented to assess the building environmental impacts, including total life cycle, from production to demolition. National regulation of the buildings in Iran has a complete chapter on how to calculate and control energy consumption of the buildings during their operation phase, but unfortunately, construction and demolition phases are totally neglected. Absence of a practical regulation to control unpleasant impacts of the construction and demolition phases of a building could cause unsustainable development, as a silent crisis is currently happening and is going to appear in next decades when the buildings gradually reach the final phase of their life cycles. This paper will try to draw a framework for assessment of the environmental impacts of buildings during their entire life cycle using the ISO standards for life cycle assessment (LCA). According to this framework and by defining and measuring the numerical parameters representing the building environmental sustainability, it would be possible to compile regulations to estimate the optimum limit of these parameters and to keep them in a limited range. By doing so, it would be possible to provide for the current generation's needs without compromising the ability of the future generations to provide for their needs. This is an abstract meaning of sustainability itself.
Karim Mardomi, Mohammadreza Noghsanmohammadi, Mohsen Dehghani Tafti,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (12-2013)
Abstract
Abstract This study was carried out to investigate and shed light on the complex theoretical concept of place, as a continuing dynamic phenomenon, in architecture. To this end, it has looked into the historical evolutions and retrieval of the Shah Wali complex in Taft. Considering the topic and the goal of this research paper, the morphological analysis as a tool used in the interpretive-historical research the method and the process of change and continuity of form was selected. The findings of this study indicate that this place, as a form, has always been subject to change. These changes could be categorized into two groups: (a) the changes which have been gradual and have taken place over a long period and (b) those which have taken place over a short period. The gradual changes have taken place starting from the Timurid to the Safavid era, at which point the complex has reached completion and evolved as a complex. After the initial developments of the complex, the complex underwent some short period changes in its components and spatio-temporal structure. These short period changes coincides with the demolishment of the old Takiya and construction of the new Takiya. Following these short period changes, the gradual changes of the second stage starts. As an implication of this research, it is suggested that urban designers and conservationists in particular revisit the theoretical underpinnings of the terms and concepts in the process of continuity and change of the historic dynamic complex, in order to fully understand and apply appropriate strategies in the design and the conservation.
Sanaz Litkouhi, Sanaz Esmaeili,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (12-2013)
Abstract
Abstract Climate has an important effect on operation of the traditional building architecture and its energy consumption in desert area of Iran. Absence of water and unpleasant climate of these regions compelled people to build their houses with some strategies based on effective energy expenditure. Therefore, builders try to use natural climatic strategies for confronting hard situations. Narrow and droughty streets, much lofty air traps, upland walls, big water reservoirs, and vaulted roofed chambers are the distinguished features of desert towns in Iran. Techniques and principles used in this architecture obviously have many new notions in themselves in sustainable architecture arena. Techniques and principles of this architecture show that considering the experiment in traditional architecture of desert regions is conceivable to create an ecological and sustainable architecture. The sustainable architecture that advances to a point in order to be permitted to attain its aims deems necessary the design of any building with the least detrimental effect on environment as well as the design compatible with nature. This study uses qualitative content analyzemethod and tries to extract features that have been used in Iranian traditional architecture in two different categories: urban texture and architecture. Iranian’s Hot-Arid zones architecture includes numerous unique features which comprehend aesthetic exigencies and environmental capacity.
Dr Maziar Asefi, Ms Shayesteh Valadi, Ms Elia Ebrahimisalari,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (12-2013)
Abstract
Abstract This paper by reviewing the main examples of small to medium-scale retractable roof structures covering building courtyards is to present an innovative rigid retractable roof system employing spatial frames for a courtyard of an existing building in Tabriz Islamic Art University. The courtyard is currently used for temporary exhibitions and gatherings whenever permitted by environmental conditions. The proposed retractable roof will extend the application of the building throughout whole year period and also adds to its beauty and functionality. One of the main advantages of this design that makes it as a good alternative for this building is the way that the roof is retracted in different segments separately in a regulated deployment process and its potential in being used in different stages of the deployment process. The proposed roof consists of four retractable zones all covered with transparent rigid material and a fixed central part being inspired by the patterns of Iranian historic architecture. The retractable parts are placed at four corners and composed of rigid panels sliding across each other. An actuating force is applied to the first panel of each module and consequently makes the other panels move throughout the associated fixed track.
Seyed Abbas Yazdanfar, Ali Akbar Heidari, Fatemeh Nekooeimehr,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (12-2013)
Abstract
Today, there are many concepts such as a sense of place and attachment to place presented in architecture and urban literature in the field of environmental studies. Meanwhile, relationship between the two is not much explained. This study defines the concept of sense of place and attachment to place and the factors influencing them followed by providing a four- dimensional model derived from social factors influencing the two concepts as the study theoretical model. This four- dimensional model was tested in case studies of Eram and Ghods dormitories of Shiraz University. In this study, depth interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data for process of testing. Spss software was used to analyze and interpret the survey results. After research questionnaires were completed, the data were analyzed via the software through appropriate statistical methods at descriptive and inferential levels. At descriptive level, relative frequency and cumulative distributions were used. At inferential level, taking into account the nature of the variables, correlation coefficient, regression and comparison of means were used. Finally, the paper presents hypothesis tests and discussion of the results. Given the variable measurement level, Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to support or reject hypotheses. Obtained results show that there is a strong relationship between sense of place and attachment to place. The findings also suggest that physical factors of the environment are important to create a sense of place and time as well as attachment to place. Moreover, time factor has lowest degree of importance in creating a sense of place compared with the creation of sense of attachment to the place. This factor is the most important after physical factors.
Dr Mahmoud Heristchian,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (12-2013)
Abstract
Abstract The decisions and personal preferences of the designer are vital for all aspects and stages of the design. To elaborate, the designer has the central role in creation, development, detailing and construction of the built forms. Also, the scientific/engineering evaluations of the design models are carried out under the directions and decisions of the designer. The paper explores the concept of ‘desirability factor’ as a method for incorporating the decisions and preferences of the designers within the digital design media. Desirability factors are assigned to the models and explicitly express the views of the designer on the level of desirability of various aspects of the design. The desirability factors direct the process of selection of design variants (that are obtained from the sole scientific/engineering analyses) in the direction favoured by the designer. The examples in the paper illustrate the methods of definition and application of desirability factors to architectural design. The concept may be used for various engineering disciplines encountered in architectural design.
Gholam Hossain Memarian, Anwarul Islam, Seyed Mohammad Farid Mousavian,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
Vaulted structure has been in use for nearly 4000 years and believed to have been studied by scientists and builders for nearly 2000 years. There are few publications about the geometry and constructional aspects of arches and vaults before Renaissance age. One of the most interesting works on this subject belongs to Jamshid Kashani known as a mathematician. Ghiayth Al-Din Kashani, has made some valuable contribution in the field of building construction in general and vaulted structures in particular. This paper aims to introduce and analyze a part of his work on building construction, that is on pointed arches. In this paper first we provide a short history of pointed arch. Then we will see a number of works from Roman period to Kashani age which had some contribution about arches. The third part of the paper deals with Kashani's book Meftah Al-Hesab or the key of mathematics. The final section of the paper has devoted to Kasahni's contribution to pointed arches. And finally showing one of the calculation charts which could be used to find different parts of the arches can be the best case in the point.
Jamaleddin Soheili, Kamelia Alimardani,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
Abstract
Creating suitable classrooms that can meet the educational needs of mentally-retarded students is vitally important. The present study explores the effect of three physical characteristics of classroom environment on the creativity of educable mentally-retarded children: window view, window size, and classroom size. The participants, one hundred 9-to-11-year-old girl students, took the Test of Creative Thinking-Drawing Production (TCT-DP). The results indicate that natural window view, larger window size (which provides a broader vision), and larger class size positively affected the creativity of the students. The findings of the study can be taken into account in designing psychology-oriented classroom environments that can improve the creativity of students.
Ahmad Hami, Suhardi Maulan, Manohar Mariapan, Mohammad Malekizadeh,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
Abstract Urban parks are important public multifunctional space used for a wide range of activities. The usage levels of parks depend on the spatial characteristics of the spaces, where its forms and occupancies are referred as the usage-spatial relationship. Natural elements spatial complexity and park usability is of interest in this study. A photo - questionnaire was conducted among 296 of park users in Tabriz, Iran to gauge the relationship between park usability dimensions and natural elements complexity levels. The result revealed three dimensions for park usability namely social activities, passive nature activities, and nature appreciation where passive nature activities received the highest preference. The results from SEM models addressed non-significant relationship between park usability and high complexity level of natural elements meanwhile there was a significant positive relationship between social activities and moderate complexity of natural elements. A negative significant relationship of nature appreciation and positive relationship of social activities with low complex natural elements were observed. Landscape designers should avoid suggesting crowded planting areas (high complexity), which obstruct visibility in urban park and probably reduce perceived safety. It seems that water features show positive effect on people’s desire to do activities in urban park. Spatial configuration of vegetation contributed in park usability level and a safe feeling in urban park which might be necessary for future researches.
Mahnaz Mahmoudi, Mehrangiz Kolbadi Nezhad, Mahboobeh Pourmousa,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
Human’s disregard to nature and consequently his living environment’s distance from natural endowments and potentials have caused many problems. Human’s living spaces are less desirable for him, and have destroyed his comfort in many cases, as man-made things. In this regard, public open spaces in residential areas can be mentioned because they are usually considered among the most vulnerable spaces due to having the least thermal comfort and spatial quality. This is because they are able to provide comfort only if they interact with nature and use natural energy sources such as sun, wind, plants etc. In this regard, this study focused on providing comfort specifically thermal comfort in residential public open spaces by using natural endowments and energies especially the sun and shade provided by solar radiation.
This study aimed to analyze the climatic factors in Yazd meteorological station, especially the temperature and radiation analysis and making this information meaningful regarding human’s thermal comfort in open spaces to introduce the climate potentials specifically the sun. Then, some traditional houses in Yazd were analyzed, their length, width and heights were surveyed, the real shade masks of the walls in yards were measured, and a logical relationship was observed between solar radiation and yard proportions and how the shade is formed in these yards. Therefore, it could be concluded what the role of these proportions and the best yard proportions is to provide the thermal comfort in open spaces.
Dr Mostafa Behzadfar, Mr Farzad Abdi, Ms Maryam Mohammadi,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
There are many evident that people are more interested in walking in attractive urban spaces and inappropriate physical and psychological condition can reduce their presence in a remarkable amount. The current research investigates the influence of physical design and psychological elements and their criteria on selective physical activity and specifically walking in urban public spaces. However there are some limitations in determining specifications of physical and psychological design which have effects on walking, meanwhile the urban planning elements, transportation and crime prevention via environmental design are developed strategies which have potentials for influencing the rate of pedestrian-oriented state of urban spaces. The research frameworks which are extracted from the complex of these elements include 5 applied criteria of safety, aesthetics, destination and (environmental) security which are specified by use of documentation and library method. In this paper, the public general spaces of Farahzad village were selected by field study and by help of questioning technique which its statistical community included 12 urban planning experts, the mentioned criteria were analyzed by Analytic Network Process.
The results indicates that the quality of physical design and the psychological elements have major effect on pedestrian-oriented state of urban spaces and the importance degree of each criterion in determining the rate of pedestrian-oriented state of urban spaces of Farahzad village included the aesthetics, security and applied indicators in a value level, destination and safety. Meanwhile, the most pedestrian-oriented spaces of Farahzad village were specified by considering the mentioned criteria and by use of Analytic Network Process. Cognition of this issue will help the above-mentioned options to overcome their challenges which are creating attractive and dynamic urban space via improving the condition.
Dr. Reza Akbari, M.a Samaneh Khosravaninezhad,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
Abstract
Environmental Justice (EJ) concept consists of multifaceted movements, community struggles, and discourses in contemporary societies that seek to reduce environmental risks, increase environmental protections, and generally reduce environmental inequalities suffered by minority and poor communities a term that incorporates ‘environmental racism’ and ‘environmental classism,’ captures the idea that different racial and socioeconomic groups experience differential access to environmental quality. This article explores environmental justice as an urban phenomenon in urban planning and applies it in peri-urban environment of a metropolis.
Tehran peri-urban environments which are the result of meeting the city- village- nature systems or "city-village junction" have gradually faced effects such as accelerated environmental decline, changes without land-use plan, and severe service deficiencies. These problems are instances of environmental injustice which make the planners to adjust the problems and use and apply the appropriate strategies and policies by looking for solutions and resorting to theories, techniques and methods related to environmental justice.
In order to access to this goal, try to define environmental justice through justice and determining environmental justice indices to analysis environmental injustice in case study. Then, make an effort to introduce some criteria to select case study in two micro and micro levels. Qiyamdasht town as the peri-urban environment of Tehran metropolis is chosen and examined to show the existence of environmental injustice by questionnaire analysis and SPSS software. Finally, use AIDA technique to design a strategic plan and reduce environmental injustice in case study by introducing the better scenario to be used in policy- and decision-making areas.
Dr Mehdi Khakzand, Abbas Azari,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
Lighting plays a key role in night escapes of urban spaces, in a way that it can be effective in giving identity to them. By considering this importance and inexistence of a process for composing urban Lighting strategy made this study to be conducted by the objective of providing process for compilation of context-oriented lighting strategy in urban spaces.
Reaching a suitable solution for Lighting in urban spaces, a process is needed which can encompass all different aspects in the context of lighting. In this way, a process is proposed via that this shortage can be compensated. This process, at first considers basic urban studies including historical, cultural, religious, social, ceremonial and land-use and then the design scenario is propounded and in order to investigate the urban spaces context via space syntax method, the integration parameter is used. Later on, guiding is propounded which can be analyzed by Intelligibility parameter from space syntax method. And also designing alternatives can be analyzed by space syntax method. By studying the organizer structure and its prioritizing, we could achieve the lighting originated from the context. The last part of process is based on observance of the topics related to light pollutions which has a very critical role in lighting. In this study the analytic-descriptive research method with modeling and simulation are applied to achieve a context-oriented lighting process in urban spaces.
The results of this study are showing that the provided process can be applied practically for lighting by considering the urban context. So this study has practical aspects and it can create a suitable strategy for lighting urban design and planning.
Mohammad Farrokhzad, Zohreh Nayebi Fahandari,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (12-2014)
Abstract
One of the most important methods of saving energy and providing indoor comfort conditions of buildings is the careful design of the façades. A “double skin glass façade” is optimally one of the best options that control the heat interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces. Two kinds of heating energy is usually transmitted through exterior envelope “conduction” and “radiation”. Double skin glass façades (DSFg) are designed to manage these energies and in some special conditions, can prepare determined convection. The total solar radiation energy that can be received into the interior space, is one of the most important parameters for estimating the cooling load of the building and its occupants’ thermal comfort. DSFg also provides flexibility in architectural design. Recently, it has been more attention to double skin glass façades opposed to the most typically curtain walls for its ability to efficiently reduce energy consumption and therefore save cost. The design of the double skin glass façade involves decisions of geometric parameters, glass selection, ventilation strategy, shading, daylighting, wind loads, and maintenance and cleaning cost expectations. In this article, the authors intend to investigate features of double skin glass facade in reducing air pollution, air conditioning, fire safety and in the optimal use of sunlight within the building. In another part, this article will pay attention to the effect of wind, shading, type of glass and ventilation in the space between skins on the performance of double skin glass façade and their effect on energy saving. Finally, the authors analyze the rate of energy transfer from the double skin glass facade and provide four case studies. In addition, this paper shall review previous studies done on DSFg systems in building for saving energy.
Mahsa Mirzakhalili, Mojtaba Rafieian,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (12-2014)
Abstract
According to several researches sustainable development is based on three different dimensions of sustainability social and economical dimensions and ecological or environmental sustainability. These dimensions are recognized as basic elements of sustainable development. This research tries to evaluate social sustainability at some neighborhoods in Karaj. Considering the fact that urban neighborhoods, as the smallest units of cities have a high importance in cities and their sustainability are a positive step toward sustainable development as well as social cohesion of city. In this research five neighborhoods have been selected with 320 questionnaires for sampling. Assessment of the related variables was made through determining a collection of indicators. The collected data via specialist questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software. The reason for which Kendall’s test was selected to study the meaningfulness relationship of the research variables and the concept of social sustainability is the largeness and qualitative feature of the N volume. The result of the research is the proving meaningfulness of the relationship between the defined variables and the notion of social sustainability except social participation. Level of social Sustainability in the neighborhoods are not the same and there is high gap between them (about 2.6).In addition education indicator has the highest level of sustainability between the neighborhoods (0.024). Access to the recreational facilities indicated the highest level of difference between sustainable and unsustainable neighborhoods (74%). This means that even in sustainable neighborhoods despite the dependency and happiness of the residents, the rate of participation has been at a low level and the residents do not have a positive view resulted from confidence to the performance of civil managers. In other words, there is a kind of homogenization in this component between urban neighborhoods.
Mostafa Abbaszadegan, Hooman Ghahremani, Eram Mojtahed Sistani,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (12-2014)
Abstract
It is claimed that perception is the result of objective measurement and subjective reaction, when people immerse in an environment. This statement is the main theme of this paper. This study tries to set a framework in analyzing built environment that is to comply with human perceptive processes. The approach of this article presents a methodology to assess the perceptual environment . The paper initially reviews the literatures that deal with perception theory and perceptual procedures. As a case study, a part of historic Noghan Bazzar in Mashhad has been examined to understand how people's perception and behavior can be directly influenced by landscape features. To explore this relationship a research technique has been employed that employs perceptual assessment survey by experts. Some measures introduced in this paper are useful to understand how environmental qualities, as well as patterns and combinations of particular qualities, affect people’s perceptions of landscape. The outcomes would be the identification of a connection between the designed, physical aspects and the subjective sense of environment. The result of this study could be employed as a research technique to analyze the built environment in order to recommend design solutions, especially for valuable old heritage fabrics of cities that encompass common memorable spaces and convey common social values.
Nooreddin Azimi, Mohammadreza Faroughi, Mona Tajbakhsh,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (12-2014)
Abstract
As a common space, urban entrance is the first place that introduces a city to its visitors and it is imprinted in the memory of people. This study aims to provide a detailed analysis of physical development and activity patterns along the main entrance of Rasht, Iran. Utilized data in this research comes from a questionnaire survey through which 707 land lots along the main entrances were studied. A number of statistical methods including nonparametric test of Kruskal-Wallis and crosscorrelation analysis were used to analyze the collected data. Findings indicated that entrance axes in Rasht present a low density pattern, in the form of single row shops with sporadic low rise buildings and uneven distribution of activities mainly by auto-related shops and services. dala aeatsysy aaaaataD a significant difference in the development of physical elements such as density of land lots, lot size, building age, quality of structure and land use/activity pattern among the main entrances. Data results also showed that density of development along the entrances is associated with land use type and ownership. Moreover, the data showed that the age of a building is correlated with quality of structure, land use type and ownership and quality of structure is related with land use type and ownership. Adopting a number of urban planning approaches such as density increase, encouraging mixed land uses, and employing local architectural styles in building design could enhance the exterior outlook, increase the land value, expedite investments and eventually improve the economy along the entrance axes.
Fatemeh Mehdizadeh Saradj, Amin Allah Ahadi, Nader Maleki,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (12-2014)
Abstract
Day lighting is one of the important qualitative factors in housing, which is also effective on health and well-being of occupants. Extensive glass surfaces and Transparency in building facades provides good daylight quantity for interior spaces. However, this lighting system is not appropriate for climates faced with higher sunlight radiation (Such as hot-humid areas), due to overheating and disturbing the thermal comfort. There are efficient day lighting strategies in the traditional Iranian architecture as one of the valuable remaining heritages of Human experiences, which are useful for contemporary architecture. This article intends to investigate daylight quality in the houses of Bushehr from Qajar period by modeling and simulating in daylight calculation software (Dialux) and identify day lighting strategies utilized in these houses. As Bushehr city is located in the hot-humid region of Iran, is faced with high sunlight radiation, making balance between receiving light and heat gain through windows needs careful attention. The houses of Qajar period in Bushehr are evolved samples of traditional architecture in the city and Rashidy house (built in 1893) is one of them which its form and details can reveal many lessons on coping with climate by merely using renewable energies.
Lida Balian Asl, Dariush Sattarzadeh, Francis Moran, Mina Gane,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (12-2014)
Abstract
The rapidly growing world energy use has already raised concerns over energy resources and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since the global contribution from residential buildings towards energy consumption, has steadily increased between 20% and 40% and as large openings have considerable energy and heat loss in dwellings, this paper establishes a coefficient of heat loss and air infiltration through large openings in 10 historic dwellings (Qajar and Pahlavi era) in Tabriz, Iran. The results show that although Qajar era houses have larger windows than Pahlavi era equivalents, the rate of heat loss of openings per square meter of facades (Ĥ) and the air infiltration per square meter of facades (FA) of openings for Pahlavi era houses is more than the Qajar era equivalents. Therefore Openings of Qajar era houses have been designed more efficient than those of the Pahlavi era. Although the generally accepted way of building energy saving houses in cold climate has been to use small windows, the results indicates that instead of exploiting small openings in facades, it is possible to enlarge the windows to get better lighting conditions and simultaneously decrease the area of openings per square meter of facades for lower heat loss through these openings.
