Urban Morphology: The Classical and Modern Research Methodologies

This article aims to explore the Hungarian and foreign urban morphological studies as a basis for possible new investigation methods that can follow or innovate the existing methodologies. For this reason, the exploration of the currently known models is essential. The "classical" morphological studies dealt with the structural shapes, historical elements, and changes of the settlements, based mainly on empirical and manual research. In the 1980s, new "modern" research methods emerged with the help of computer software, statistical data and Geographical Information Systems, representing a quantitative approach. Today inter- and multidisciplinary morphological studies are also widespread, combining several areas like ecology, sociology or sustainability with urban studies providing new research directions.

An Extensive Review on the Viscoelastic-plastic and Fractural Mechanical Behaviour of ETFE Membranes

The present article is a review of ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) material, with emphasis on the mechanical and fractural behaviour, considering that the material is becoming one of the most promising façades and roof materials due to its advantageous properties. This paper examines the basic chemical makeup of this copolymer and details the elastic-plastic and viscous properties through selected studies in the field. The paper also reviews the available phenomenological, continuum mechanical or rheological constitutive models focusing on the engineering application to the corresponding phenomena. A separate part of the article covers the existing fractural mechanical research on ETFE.

Traditional Architecture of Maaloula

Maaloula is a Christian village with exceptional architecture and location. It has a world reputation due to its dialect; people converse and write in the Aramaic language. It is one of the Qalamoun’s three villages with Bakhaa and Jabaden. Consequently, the village has attracted linguists worldwide; moreover, it has been the goal of many travellers since the 19th century. Like many of the traditional sites, Maaloula was affected by modern lifestyles and changing needs. These factors altered the village's architecture and construction techniques. This paper highlights the main characteristics that have been identified by Maaloula(s situation. The article will cover various traditional features and the main typology of houses that are starting to disappear. Finally, the difficulties that Maaloula faced before, during and after the Syrian crisis.

Architecture as a Matter of Inclusion: Constructing Disability Awareness in Architectural Education

Environmental and anatomic factors determine the limits of an individual's participation in daily activities. Design decisions determine the inclusivity of the built environment. Within this respect, disability studies take place in the architecture curriculum. This study investigates the disability and design relation within the context of architectural education. It seeks to answer how the experiencing method affects the approach of architecture students to the disability concept. For this purpose, the experiences and activities of undergraduate students of the "Disability in Design" elective course in the Department of Architecture at Duzce University have been analysed and evaluated. Within the scope of the study, enrolled students were asked to form 3–5 membered groups, choose a disability type, and experience the campus according to the determined disability. Data sources of this study are video recordings, empathy maps, student groups' reports, and observation results. The students' work was analysed and discussed to identify the effects of experiencing on disability awareness. The participating students of this study showed that through experiencing, they could relate the designed environment to the physical, emotional, and social aspects of disability. This study reveals that the experiencing method can be a powerful tool to help students comprehend the influential role of design decisions in the participation of different user groups in daily life.

Impact of Conservation Planning and Implementations on Cultural Heritage Values in the Historic Urban Site of Kuşadası

The study aims to evaluate the impact of the conservation planning and implementations on the cultural heritage values in a cultural landscape: Kuşadası, Aydın, Turkey. The study is limited to the decisions published on the Internet: decisions between 2013 and 2016. The methodology includes literature research, archive research in the related Regional Commission on the Conservation of Cultural Property, the Regional Directorate of Foundations, and the local administration. A site survey comprehending base map revision and photographic documentation, visual analysis, historical research and comparative study, and evaluation of conservation activities regarding concepts of conservation is also part of the research. As a result, conservation issues stem from inappropriate conservation implementations threatening the integrity of cultural heritage. The majority of the conservation implementations have focused on a single building scale. Unlicensed constructions stemming from insufficient control by the local administration in the historic urban environment and the lack of implementation of the conservation plan to remove inharmonious buildings and masses threatening the integrity of the urban layout. Preparation of a management plan, revision of the twenty-five-year-old conservation plan, and determination in their application are considered as indispensable for sustaining authenticity and integrity.

BIM Based Time Management Among Construction Contractors in Turkey

In both developing and industrialised countries, due to numerous time-related problems of construction projects, BIM-based time management, 4D BIM, plays an increasingly critical role within the industry. This study investigates the planning and scheduling problems, BIM application level, and BIM-based scheduling implementation by the lead construction companies in Turkey. Despite the critical importance of the planning department in construction companies, the planning and BIM integration levels have scarcely been investigated from the contractor perspective in Turkey. This paper presents the outcomes of 16 semi-structured interviews (SSI) with managers of the leading Turkish contractors selected from 100 of ENR’s 2019 Top 250 International Contractors list; a list of issues are outlined. The current situation escalates problems like tendering with missing project documents, examining 2D project drawings while scheduling, fragmentation, project manager’s reluctance to use and follow the project schedule, issues with updating the schedule as per construction improvements and quantities, and a lack of investment for BIM implementation. The research findings, ultimately, aim to help contractors improve their processes. Although this study’s findings are obtained from interviews with lead Turkish contractors, it is not limited in terms of geographic context since the interviewed contractors work worldwide.

Architectural Travelers: The Role of Field Trips in Spatial Design Education

Architectural design and its education are physio- and socio-spatial activities. In other words, creating space is concerned with understanding the physical as well as the social/cultural context to produce meaning and values beyond determining and answering the right questions. Informal learning environments have always been an integral part of the profession even before its formal definition. Experiential learning or field trips play a significant role in architectural and spatial design education, yet procedural aspects of designing such a journey have not been discussed by educators regarding active and informal learning. This paper aims to understand the role of field trips and re-discover how they contribute to spatial design education at undergraduate level through the processes of learning by doing and research by design / design by research. The field trips, or the context, are discussed with a three-fold focus as an interdisciplinary design process: (1) Understanding the study field from macro to micro scale; (2) Experiencing and observing the society, culture and daily life; (3) Comparative studies through visits to buildings with similar programs. Case studies with local, national and international/foreign contexts from design studios of primary and secondary cycles are presented in order to illustrate this process.

Exploring New Forms with Parametric Patterns for Responsive Facades

Façades or building envelopes have always been the interface between the building and the environment. The effective and smart façades that are designed to adapt the environmental conditions date back to when windows and ventilators were designed carefully in response to the site conditions. Over recent decades, the emphasis on energy consumption and its reduction has increased drastically, as technology has evolved and increasingly new materials are used in buildings than ever. Due to the numerous significant roles that a facade plays, thermal comfort, aesthetics, acoustics and lighting, high-performance building facades have become one of the main focal points for researchers and designers. This study is based on the intersection of two main subjects of interest, the significance of jali/screens, as ornate architectural elements along with their functional importance and the integration of this knowledge with parametric design methods to achieve new design solutions in façade design. The study then demonstrates the kinetic façade concept through a jali. Two design exercises have been carried out and their kinetic systems explored, with the potential of a simple geometric design used as a module to generate the skin and its kinetic response. The investigations from this research open a gateway for further explorations in jali design, using parametric tools to develop kinetic responsive skins.

Critical Leadership Style Actions for Improving Construction Personnel Performance in South Africa

The successful performance of any enterprise is connected to adequate leadership. For construction, leadership is much needed to effectively manage the project team towards achieving the set goals. Hence, certain leadership actions are conducive for boosting the performance of the relevant stakeholders and personnel in any project undertaking of which will, in turn, contribute to timeous project delivery. This paper aims to investigate the critical leadership style actions essential for the enhancement of personnel performance in the South African construction industry. The primary and secondary research data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The survey was conducted in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Respondents were construction professionals selected using heterogeneity and convenience sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 software. Mean values and standard deviation were computed, and the ranks of the outputs were established. Findings from the study revealed that by giving proper instructions and clarifying procedures jobs are completed on time. Additionally, the involvement of team members in decision-making helps build trust and facilitates a good relationship in the work environment. Furthermore, the study revealed that recognizing personnel contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence is vital for optimum performance. Other notable findings include the provision of necessary resources while letting them do the work, and the ability to make quick decisions. The study findings add to literature particularly on certain style actions to be adopted which will aid effective leadership in construction project delivery in South Africa.

Identifying Retrofitting Strategies to Achieve Energy Efficient Building Design in Existing Buildings

Reducing the energy needs of existing buildings has a significant place in reducing global energy demands. High energy savings can be achieved with passive renovation suggestions in existing buildings. In this study, the effect of the proposed renovations for an educational structure in Safranbolu on the heating and cooling demands of the building was determined with a simulation program. Energy improvements of up to 70 percent have been achieved through passive improvement designs in orientation and insulation material. The highest energy saving (69.31 %) was realized through a scenario of rearranging spaces from the north side to the south side where the number of users is relatively high and selecting a 20 cm aerogel thermal insulation material. While the heating and cooling load, in accordance with the definition of a zero-energy building, could not be reached in this scenario, the study showed the importance of holistic decisions taken in the design phase of the building with respect to energy-efficient building design.