Architecture Commons^™

Reviving Cultural Heritage Identity In Historical Areas Through Leftover Spaces – Application Of A Cultural Park In Abu Ali River Region, Tripoli, Lebanon, Amna Trad, Mostafa Khalifa, Eslam M. Elsamahy, Khaled El-Daghar, Mary Felix, Ayman Afify

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Heritage being an inheritance from the past that is transmitted successively from one generation to the other plays a significant role in molding the memory of a country and forging its identity. As an element of heritage, architectural products are an expression of the cultural identity of communities. However, modern developments in historical regions ignore the presence of heritage buildings. Furthermore, the unorganized expansion of those areas led to the formation of leftover spaces. Abu Ali river is a historical region located in the city of Tripoli in Lebanon. Not long ago, this zone was considered the beating heart of …

Generating A Design Automation For Functional Relationship In Residential Building: Developing Plug In, Fatima Yahya Belok, Mostafa Khalifa, Nabil Mohareb

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Designers, architects, and students face many problems in finding the optimum zoning or exploring different alternatives during early design stages, which consumes time and energy. To solve this problem, a computer editing tool will be an added value that helps users at this stage. The optimization of functional relationship is very important as many factors should be considered such as orientation; vertical and horizontal relationship; areas, view, building regulations, opening to wall ratio, form-to-form relationship, spaces proportions, circulation, and other related issues. In computer generative design, recent research has reached a goal to generate functional relationship in residential buildings and …

Exploring Spatial Configuration For Effective Way-Finding In The Design Of Shopping Malls In Abuja - Nigeria, Jephthah I. Aigbe, Joy J. Maina, Musa L. Sagada

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Shopping malls are an integral feature of the urban environment. Abuja is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. With its thriving population, it has become a hub of urban activities. The presence of shopping complexes within the city is on a steady increase. Wayfinding is an activity that every shopper must engage in. The need for more wayfinding research in the Nigerian context is evident. A study was carried to explore spatial organization for effective wayfinding in shopping malls. Case study was carried out on three shopping malls in Abuja using a visual survey, questionnaire survey and Visibility …

Bim-Gis Integration An Innovative Tool To Enhance Urban Heritage Management In The Digital Era, Ali H. Misilmani, Ibtihal Y. El-Bastawissi, Hany Ayad, Samer El Sayary

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Due to the great loss of the cities’ ancient monuments and urban heritage resulting from either natural disasters or irresponsible human actions, it has become very urgent to find an innovative tool for restoring and conserving historical buildings in a smart and sustainable way. Furthermore, this tool can help in decision making regarding the selection of appropriate materials and intervention works. Such objectives have been realized through innovative integration of BIM & GIS to enhance urban heritage management. BIM data has been imported into the GIS environment to be visualized in 3D and analyse different scenarios for buildings’ sustainable development. …

Parametric Design As A Tool To Reduce Solar Penetration By Outdoor Shades In Hot Arid Climate, Rana O. Aboulfaraj, Iman O. Gawad, Mostafa Khalifa

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Conventional design methods and current tools infrequently link performance with the geometry of the design. These methods rarely enable backtracking through the design process and can't achieve full performance criteria. In this context, using both procedural geometry and information from numerical assessments and performance simulations should be discussed to support the search for effective solutions. Architects have gained control over the process of design by utilizing parametric methods to generate a sustainable design that interacts with sustainable, climatic, and environmental restrictions, particularly in hot arid zones where outdoor life is overlooked. This paper will discuss the performance-oriented design and a …

Urban Waterfront Revitalization As A Regenerative Tool Of Sustainable Cities, Nora M. Rehan

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Waterfronts are regarded as one of the most crucial components of urban development as they connect water elements to the urban fabric. They provide residents with opportunities to engage in essential waterfront activities, which contribute to the area's social, economic, urban, and environmental importance. Urban places with waterfronts are more valuable and help people visualize certain scenes in their mind maps. Egypt boasts numerous waterfronts with distinct locations, particularly Port Said city, which overlooks the Suez Canal along the city's tourist walkway. This significant site is considered the cornerstone of the world and the meeting point of the continents of …

Biomimicry As An Urban Challenge In Shaping The Future Of Cultural Communities, Nora M. Rehan

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

The cultural identity of urban communities is the main expression of historical privacy and shapes societies’ past, present, and future. It is an entity of cultural and knowledge accumulation stemming from the community's traditions and customs, which help to consolidate the social fabric and play an important role in the lives of individuals and the planning and development processes. Urban areas with cultural and heritage values are the most important competitive advantages of urban cities that are considered as a primary nucleus for achieving sustainability on a broader scale for the neighboring regions. One of the most important of those …

Embedding Virtual Reality In Architectural Pedagogy: Instructionism Versus Constructionism Approach, Marwa Charkas, Kareem S. Galal

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

As more related to the typology of architectural pedagogy, Instructionism and Constructionism theories are used to make more advancement in this domain. They are concerned with the role of both instructor and learner within the outline of a well structured pedagogical framework (education system). However, the developments in information technology and its imprints on all life aspects have profoundly influenced this system. Architecture pedagogy -as in many other domains- is now radically affected by information technology (IT) developments. Virtual reality is one of the leading applications of IT in architecture.

This paper is concerned with embedding virtual reality in architectural …

Urban Waterfront Revitalization Through Landscape Design Enhancing Social-Cultural Conditions Of El-Mina, Tripoli, Chirine Traboulsi, Mostafa Khalifa, Eslam El Samahy, Khaled El-Daghar, Mary Felix

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

The concept of waterfront revitalization has been a prominent notion in the field of urban planning and is considered an effective strategy to enhance deteriorated sites and inspire the identity and authenticity of communities. Nevertheless, there is no definite prescription for success when it comes to linking waterfront landscape design with improving the social and cultural site conditions in a deteriorating historical area. This paper examines the revitalization of the waterfront through greenway design in El-Mina, Tripoli, Lebanon in order to put emphasis on the local culture of the city and create socio-cultural opportunities for the area of study and …

Applying 3d Printing Technology In Constructing Sustainable Houses, Maged Youssef, Lena Abbas

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Innovation is advancing at an ever-expanding pace and has been for decades. Regular objects have gotten to be minimal in measure and cheaper to deliver. 3D printing technology (3DP), also known as additive manufacturing (AM), has gaining rapid development in recent years. is a method for turning a computer file into 3D solid objects of any shape or geometry. The creation is accomplished by building up layers of a certain substance until the full item is produced. The 3D printing technologies, comparing to traditional techniques of constructing the buildings, could be considered as environmentally friendly derivative giving almost unlimited possibilities …

Towards A New Paradigm In The Lebanese Urban Management System For Enhanced Master Plans’ Generation, Ali Srour, Baher I. Farahat

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

With the fact that 88% of the population living in urban areas, Lebanon is a highly urbanized country. However, this high urbanization undergoes the severe lack of the proper urban planning methodologies and approaches resulting in the sprawl along infrastructure paths. The weakness or even the complete absence of the plans escorting the urban growth made every city or town a single urban area confronted by plenty of challenges. Decentralization has been a recurrent theme in Lebanese politics for many years, yet it’s now limited by an administrative scale, and at the municipal level only. This administrative decentralization affects the …

Determinants And Outcomes Of Urban Land Use Succession - Case Study Of Upper Hill, Nairobi, Elizabeth M.K. Nguah, Owiti A. K'Akumu, Mary Kimani

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

This paper is based on a PHD research carried out to explore Urban Land Use Succession (ULUS) that is driven by private actors financed by local or global capital, referred to as property-led urban redevelopment. ULUS is manifested in indicators like land values, height of buildings, and migration. Its motive is profit taking contrasting it from ULUS that is driven by public and public-private partnerships (PPPs). ULUS has helped reimage cities, but in some cases, it has resulted in negative consequences such as pressure on existing infrastructure and patchwork land use patterns. A case study of Upper Hill is used …

Effect Of Green Facade On The Urban Microclimate With Different Street Canyon, Aya Mostafa Hassoun, Mary Felix

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Using simulation tools, this study investigates the effect of green walls (GWs) on the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon within different street sizes. It can be planted without taking up more area and could enhance the microclimate environment, which is why it has a wide range of use potential in urban areas. Because Mina City has a threat of UHI, it was chosen for this study. The temperature within various street sizes in the research region was evaluated using only software called ENVI-met that simulates climate, and three common scenarios were chosen. In the first experiment, green walls extending over …

Augmenting Landmarks: Extending “Places” In The Hybrid City, Mohab N. Moustafa, Shaimaa S. Ashour, Ramy A. Bakir

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Several recent technological advancements are substantially altering how we interact with urban spaces. The existing physical space as we know it now encompasses a plethora of emerging realities into which we shift in and out, resulting in what is called Hybrid Spaces. Augmented Reality (AR) today gives way to forms of hybrid realities that are accessible through our handheld devices, and which allow us to engage with our physical reality in a new way. These devices allow us to access and view digital information that is saturating our urban spaces, and yet appear invisible to the naked eye. When this …

The Virtuality Of Intelligent Cities - The Road To Hybridizing Our New Cities, Fatma A. Farrag, Heba Allah E. Khalil

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

The incorporation IoT into our social systems and the digitization of our everyday life has become the new norm for societies worldwide. This study posits that digitization should apply to our cities as well. The digital aspect of technology is not always tangible – even in the figurative sense of grasping a concept – and its allure lies in this virtual aspect. That is the starting point of discussion in this paper – the virtuality of intelligent cities, the intangible forces that make these new cities smart, and how said forces can be incorporated to create new smart hybrid cities …

Gamification In Urban Planning - Experiencing The Future City, Suedanur Özden, Esra Arslantürk, Mehmet Senem, İmdat As

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Virtual Reality (VR) systems have been commonly used in the game and entertainment industries and are also increasingly explored in architecture and urban planning. They assist designers to communicate design ideas to a wider public and can engage them in the design processes. In this paper, we explore gaming environments to allow users to learn about smart city applications, such as innovative mobility approaches, urban farming, drone delivery, etc. The project is part of a real-world project for a future city for 50,000 inhabitants in the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. VR technologies can offer a testing ground for testing …

Mindful Space In Sentences - A Dataset Of Virtual Emotions For Natural Language Classification, Han Tu, Chunfeng Yang

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Spatial emotions have played a critical role in visual-spatial environmental assessment, which can be assessed using bio-sensors and language description. However, information on virtual spatial emotion assessment with objective emotion labels and natural language processing (NLP) is insufficient in literature. Thus, designers’ ability to assess spatial design quantitatively and cost effectively is limited before the design is finalized. This research measures the emotions expressed using electroencephalograms (EEGs) and descriptions in virtual reality (VR) spaces with different parameters. First, 26 subjects experienced 10 designed virtual spaces with a VR headset (Quest 2 device) corresponding to the different space parameters of shape, …

Augmented Masonry Design - A Design Method Using Augmented Reality (Ar) For Customized Bricklaying Design Algorithms, Yang Song, Asterios Agkathidis, Richard Koeck

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

The Augmented Masonry Design project presents experimental research about developing and applying Augmented Reality (AR) technology for customized design algorithms, exploring a real-time, interactive, and spatial-free design method for the early architectural design stage. We aim to resolve the current 2D-based design limitations and provide architects with a 3D-4D immersive perception in AR for a practical and easy-to-use design method. Furthermore, with reference to the Covid-19 pandemic, we propose that this method could break through site accessibility and constraints by breaking the barriers of physical space. Towards this aim, we apply the Augmented Masonry Design into two prototypes: a) user …

Simulating Human Senses To Improve Thermal Comfort, Ahmed Marey, Nihal Alsabbagh

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Between the synergies of environmental perception and technological advancement evolves the parallel world of the metaverse. Evolutionary virtuality intends to aid humanity in envisioning the threatened future of cities under environmental risks through tailored features. Traditionally, the sense of sight – which is the focus of virtual reality – has dominated the architectural practice. However, architects and urban designers have begun incorporating other senses into their work over the recent decade. The expanding understanding of the multimodal nature of the human mind that has evolved from cognitive neuroscience research has received little attention so far in the architecture field. This …

An Evaluation Of Augmented Reality-Based User Interfaces In The Design Process, Feyza Nur Koçer Özgün, Sema Alaçam

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

The aim of this study is to evaluate the user interfaces that reflect different interaction layers in the context of Augmented Reality technology. Depending on the physical characteristics of human interaction with the computer, these layers were examined under four sections: Graphical User Interface (GUI), Tangible User Interface (TUI), Natural User Interface (NUI) and Spatial User Interface (SUI). In this context, a proposed Augmented Reality application interface has been developed to bridge the physical and digital environment. The use of AR-based applications in the design process provided a basis for evaluating the user interface in these interaction layers. In future …

Research Data Management And A System Design To Semi-Automatically Complete Integrated Data Management Plans [Position Paper], Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah, Frank Petzold

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Data is an integral part of modern scientific work. Good research data management (RDM) and the communication of the related information is extremely an important matter. It is not only crucial for the ongoing research and its claims but also for the future uses of data. In recent years some guiding principles, e.g. FAIR principles and initiatives at the national and international level, e.g. NFDI, NFDI4Ing have also been founded to improve RDM. The data and its metadata are often handled in file system like structures which are versioned and logged. The information relating to the data handling are documented …

From Passive To Immersive: Metaverse As A Pedagogical Approach In History Class - Presenting A Constant Reminder Of Historical Remnants And A Customizable Reality For Future Preferences; Beirut As A Case Study, Hiba Mohsen, Mohamad Tohme, Rawan Nashi

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

It is widely acknowledged that passive, non-immersive strategies of teaching adopted in history classes in Lebanon do not offer the right platform for knowledge retention in students. With that said, virtual reality and the use of Metaverse as a pedagogical approach is prophesied as the most apt to invoke a positive attitude from children towards the topic being studied, and thus, in this case, it increases their awareness of the existing built heritage they live amidst. This research sets out from a recent project implemented by Beirut Arab University, together with three UN agencies. The latter aimed for “developing children …

Memorability Of Spatial Features In Virtual Reality - Süleymaniye Experience, Asena Kumsal Şen Bayram, Orkan Zeynel Güzelci̇, Sema Alaçam

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

The goal of this study is to uncover and understand the user's perception of spatial features as they interact with cultural heritage in a virtual environment. The virtual reality (VR) experience adopted Kaufmann's three-fold imagery conception to structure the research methodology, which suggests that linguistic representation, visual imagery representation, and exploratory activity all have a strong relationship during the problem-solving/creative process. Since it has distinctive spatial features, the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul was chosen for the VR experience as part of the scope. Following the VR experience in two sessions, it was analyzed using semi-structured interviews, sketching, and route extraction. …

Urban Design Analysis Of New York City’S Virtual Model - The Case Of Tom Clancy’S The Division, Nima Sharafi Rohani, Ikhwan Kim

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

People have started spending time with digital tools and virtual worlds to escape reality's horrors. However, designed spaces are more than the players' needs, especially those digital games that their stories involve urban environments. This inefficiency causes spending futile efforts both in time and cost for the digital games' productions; The urban environments in these digital games are replicas of real-world cities. Some companies use some techniques for downgrading replicas. Therefore, this study aims to uncover the used techniques for designing Tom Clancy's The Division (2016). By using reverse engineering methodology and qualitative comparative analysis, the in-game map compared with …

How Metaverse Evolves The Architectural Design, Sheida Shakeri, Muhammed Ali Ornek

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Architects have long relied on visualization tools to develop their concepts for specific design problems. From the early traditional drawings to the three-dimensional visualizations and virtual environments, all have enabled architects to demonstrate design outputs relatively early in the process. Real-world projects are similar to what architects imagined from the beginning. In other words, the design process has always started by creating the digital representation of a project and then attempting to replicate it in real life. Once the digital representation of design parts is complete, architects prepare their design for construction. However, the final visualization emerges from actual architectural …

Moisture-Harvesting Lizard Skins As An Inspiraton For Performative Building Envelopes In Arid Climates, Aly Ibrahim, Walid Omar, Sherif Ebrahim, Sherif Abdelmohsen

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Research on shape-shifting adaptive architectural skins has recently focused on bio-inspired programmable materials. Only a few studies however examine the microstructure of living organisms, especially in terms of morphological adaptation in harsh climatic conditions. This paper explores the microstructure of moisture-harvesting lizard skins, specifically the Trapelus species of the Agamidae family in North-East Africa, as an inspiration for programmable materials in adaptive building skins in the arid climate of Egypt. The paper investigates the ability to improve the durability and morphological capabilities of programmable materials based on surface formation, utilizing digital fabrication techniques. A series of physical experiments were conducted …

Construction Based On Man-Machine Collaboration - A Case Study Of A Bamboo Pavilion, Yuan Sun, Zhu Wang

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

With the development of advanced digital design approaches and mechanical facilities, architectural intelligence liberates conventional construction from conventional paradigms. Computational design and digital fabrication have achieved progress in space innovation, construction efficiency, and material effectiveness. However, those high-tech manufacturing techniques are not widely available in developing countries, where the locals used to carry construction experience from age to age in a nonacademic way. This study explored a collaborative workflow of complex structural design and machine-aided construction in Chinese rural areas. First, we designed a bamboo pavilion parametrically in an irregular site on a hill. Second, its primary structure was optimized …

Developing A Design Framework For The Mass Customisation Of Housing In Saudi Arabia - A Critical Review, Abdulwahab Abdulmajeed, Asterios Agkathidis, Theo Dounas, Davide Lombardi

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

This paper explores the suitability of mass customisation (MC) technologies and techniques in order to provide affordable housing solutions for Saudi Arabia. In particular, the paper analyses ten articles filtered through 1.165 publications searched by using the keywords ‘mass customisation housing or off-site construction’ in the databases Scopus, CumlnCAD, ScienceDirect, and Engineer village and categorised them based on their suitability for the Saudi Arabian context. Our findings include a comparative analysis chart evaluating workflows, tools and technologies on their suitability for the MC design and an MC workflow proposal for including parametric design and digital fabrication tools and techniques.

Beyond Flat Surfaces Parametric Derivations Of Historical Islamic Geometric Designs, Mostafa Alani, Sema Alaçam

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

This paper sets out to identify a guiding methodology and define algorithms to extend the existence of Islamic geometric designs beyond flat surfaces. The paper discusses two computational approaches to deriving various non-flat geometric compositions: Euclidean Point Extrusion and Curved Surface Fitting. The paper examines historical precedents, conducts an in-depth analysis of patterns employed to generate those elements, then establishes a computational process to explore the potential of translating 2D Islamic Geometric Designs into 3D non-flat surfaces.

Adapting Digital Architecture Vocabulary To Reformulate Geometric Compositions Of Islamic Facades - Case Study: Proposed Model For Islamic Façade Through Digital Vocabulary, Sarah I. Hassan

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Islamic architectural facades characterized by many distinguished vocabularies that formed its character; as arches, ornaments, al-Muqarnas and mashrabeya etc. However, during the modern era, the Islamic heritage regions faced many changes and transformations of its character, either by new buildings that were built according to modern or unplanned styles, or by random and unplanned developments. However, recently and with the beginning of the twenty first century and with the great breakthrough in the digital tools and techniques, it facilitates new horizons in the architectural form generation. Accordingly, the research focuses on how to investigate the positive impacts of digital technologies …