Architecture Commons^™

Building Services Engineering July/August 2026

Building Services Engineering

This issue of Building Services Engineering features heat pumps, propane usage, solar power, and ventilation for indoor air quality. Features include district heating, HVACR optimisation, lift retrofitting, EU water policy, and an interview with WiBSE Ireland Chair Heather Holt.

Building Resilient And Sustainable Built Environments Through Climate Adaptation, Digital Innovation, And Infrastructure Governance, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Mustika Sari, Perdana Miraj

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The built environment has become one of the most important arenas for responding to climate change, resource pressure, and rapid urban transformation. Cities, infrastructure networks, buildings, and construction projects are no longer expected only to provide physical services. They are also expected to reduce environmental impact, protect communities from disruption, support economic activity, and remain useful under uncertain future conditions. This expectation places resilience and sustainability at the center of infrastructure development.

Resilience refers to the capacity of built systems to anticipate shocks, absorb pressure, recover from damage, and continue functioning. Sustainability asks whether those systems can do so while …

Analysis Of Factors Influencing The Implementation Of Sustainable Project Management (Spm) In The Construction Industry In Indonesia, Ariq Farhan, Titi Sari Nurul Rachmawati

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The construction industry contributes significantly to economic growth but also carries substantial environmental and social costs. Construction activities generate carbon emissions, consume natural resources, and produce large volumes of waste. Despite growing theoretical development of Sustainable Project Management (SPM) frameworks, empirical evidence on the actual level of SPM implementation in Indonesia's construction sector remains limited. This study aims to identify the factors that influence SPM implementation and measure the level of implementation as perceived by construction professionals. A quantitative survey was administered to 99 professionals across infrastructure, building, and industrial construction sectors in Indonesia. Data were collected through a Likert-scale …

Analysis Of The Implemetation Of Enterprise Resource Planning (Erp) Sap S/4 Hana In Cost Control Of Light Rail Transit (Lrt) Construction Projects, Rizki Zulkarnaini, Bernadette Detty Kussumardianadewi

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Construction projects are expensive, complex, and difficult to keep on budget. Cost overruns are common. The consequences, including delays, disputes, and financial losses, appear repeatedly across the sector. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have been widely adopted to address this challenge, but evidence on how SAP S/4HANA performs in Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction is limited. This study analyzed the critical success factors of SAP S/4HANA implementation and evaluated its effect on cost control performance in an LRT project in Jakarta. Data were collected from two sources: a questionnaire distributed to 50 respondents involved in the project, and cost records …

Sheep Pen Improvements At City Farm Slo, Rylan Joseph Hickman

Construction Management

This project took place on a non-profit community farming space called City Farm SLO which provides opportunities for local small scale independent farmers to farm and provide crops to the community. Our project provided improvements to the livestock pen that they have on the farm which is home to chickens and a flock of sheep. The main goal of this project was to provide a better living environment for the sheep including a 50 cubic yard sheep hill, a vehicle access gate, a side gate, a front catch pen, a back corral, and protective fencing for a guava tree. Within …

Building Services Engineering May/June 2026

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Building Services Engineering March/April 2026

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

A Machine Learning Framework For Early-Stage Cost Estimation Of Transportation Projects, Pritom Paul

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To address the limitations of traditional planning-level cost estimating methods, such as reliance on statewide averages, heavy reliance on engineering judgment, and high levels of inaccuracy, this study developed two data-driven frameworks and corresponding tools. The first framework focused on resurfacing projects and used treatment-specific simple linear regression based on lane miles and geographic location. The second addressed a broader group of construction projects and used multiple linear regression with project length, route type, and right-of-way cost as key predictors. In both frameworks, the final estimates are computed by aggregating multiple estimates produced by county-, region-, and state-level models. The …

Building Services Engineering January/February 2026

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Femalized Kinesthetic Learning Model On African American Middle School Girls’ Career Interest, Mercy F. Fash, Andrea Ofori-Boadu

Journal of Global Education and Research

Engaging African American middle school girls in out-of-school-time (OST) Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) programs can boost interest in male-dominated AEC careers. This study adopts Lent’s Social Cognitive Career Theory to evaluate the impact of an OST feminized AEC kinesthetic learning model (fAEC-KLM) on the career interests of this demographic. Through a qualitative research approach, fourteen (14) African American middle school girls from Guilford County, NC, completed pre- and post-interviews on how fAEC-KLM interactions influenced their AEC career interests. Inductive thematic analysis was carried out on transcribed interviews. Results show that effective components, such as lectures on AEC, bridge construction …

Skip The Grid 25-26: A Safety-Driven Solar Installation Project In The Navajo And Hopi Nations, James R. Wall

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service-learning project that provides sustainable energy solutions to families with school-aged children living in the Navajo and Hopi Nations. In March 2026, a team of 23 students from five academic disciplines at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) partnered with Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and NextPower to complete the fifth year of the program. The project's purpose was to improve quality of life and support educational success by providing reliable access to electricity, lighting, and refrigeration in underserved communities. Participants were organized into five installation teams consisting of Cal Poly students, faculty, industry …

Slo Botanical Garden Lean-To Carport, Saul Gracian, Sergio Gonzalez

Construction Management

This paper documents the planning, design, funding, and construction of a lean-to carport for the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, completed as a student-led Construction Management senior project by Saul Gracian and Sergio Gonzalez. The purpose of the project was to provide a functional storage structure for garden equipment while applying construction management principles in a real-world, nonprofit setting. The project methodology included site evaluation, collaborative design development, cost estimating, funding acquisition, regulatory review, and hands-on construction. Design decisions were informed by site constraints, county code requirements, budget limitations, and stakeholder input, resulting in a final 10’ x 12’ structure …

Inspect: Intelligent Node-Based System For Ifc Processing And Evaluation, With Conversational Tool Support —Llmassisted Natural Language Ifc Querying, Basel Abdelshaheid

Theses and Dissertations

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) enables the open exchange of Building Information Models, yet effective validation of real-world IFC deliveries remains challenging. Project models frequently contain incomplete, inconsistent, or incorrectly exported metadata, and explicit IFC relationships are often missing or degraded during conversion from proprietary formats. Many validation questions are inherently spatial, including connectivity, containment, proximity, and clashes, and therefore cannot be answered reliably from properties alone. As a result, federated model validation is often slow, fragmented across tools, and dependent on specialized IFC expertise.

This challenge is increasingly important for coordination, quality assurance, and information management across disciplines and lifecycle …

Nahb Production Home Competition As A Learning Tool Towards Incorporating Business Skills In Construction Management Programs, George Berghorn, Chandler Jones, M.G. Matt Syal

The Professional Constructor

There is a growing realization in the construction industry that the traditional focus of Construction Management (CM) education on technical competencies (such as scheduling, estimating, and construction methods) is insufficient in preparing graduates to meet the strategic and leadership demands of the modern construction profession. A successful construction company requires more than project execution; it demands expertise in business development, financial management, marketing, risk management, and organizational leadership. The disparity between the technical and business aspects of CM education has produced graduates who may succeed in project management yet find it challenging to engage with comprehensive business operations.

This study …

Construction Industry Preparedness For Generation Z And Millennials: Aligning Industry Characteristics With Workforce Job Preferences, Ameenullah Amiri, Dhaval R. Gajjar, Jason D. Lucas

The Professional Constructor

The construction industry in the United States suffers from workforce shortages, partly due to younger generations being hired more slowly than baby boomers retire. Generation Z’s (Gen Z) lack of interest in joining the construction industry, coupled with the retirement of older workers, has amplified the problem. This paper investigates existing literature to identify the work and career preferences of Gen Z and Millennials and determine where the industry may focus efforts to attract these two generations. Through a systematic literature review, this study identified overlaps and gaps between the current construction industry workforce’s perceptions of the industry and the …

Heat-Related Injuries And Fatalities In Roofing: Osha Investigations From 2003-2024, Kenneth S. Sands Ii, Benjamin Marshall

The Professional Constructor

This study examines 52 heat-related roofing incidents recorded by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) between 2003-2024 to describe patterns in outcomes and identify trade-specific prevention opportunities. Researchers built a structured dataset from OSHA investigation summaries and analysed frequencies of the incidents and their associations with month, time of day, project type, end use, and age to complement a thematic review of narrative abstracts. Fifty-eight percent of cases were fatalities, with the remainder split between hospitalized and non-hospitalized injuries; these statistics underscore the consequences of heat events that trigger OSHA reporting. There was a clear relationship between number of …

The Professional Constructor, Full Issue

The Professional Constructor

Full Issue, Winter 2026

Volume 50, Number 01

The Development Of A Convenient And Consistent Methodology For Flight Proficiency To Certify Multi-Rotor Uas Pilots For State Departments Of Transportation, Colin H. Dees, Joseph M. Burgett

The Professional Constructor

To fly an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), commonly referred to as a “drone,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires pilots to pass a knowledge test. There is no requirement at the state or federal level for drone operators to demonstrate the ability to operate a UAS. The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) has created an exam for public and private entities to assess basic UAS flight proficiency. It is the only nationally recognized flight proficiency protocol. NIST does not provide a scoring recommendation and leaves it to the user to determine the minimum criteria to pass. There is …

Moving From Feasible Solutions To Sustainable Systems In The Built Environment, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Mustika Sari, Perdana Miraj

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The built environment plays a crucial role in global sustainability efforts. Buildings, infrastructure, and cities consume large amounts of energy and materials that shape social behavior, and lock in environmental impacts. Over the past two decades, research has produced a wide range of technical solutions to reduce these impacts. Renewable energy systems, energy-efficient buildings, alternative construction materials, and new construction methods are no longer experimental concepts. Many have proven technical and economic potential. Yet, real-world transformation remains slow and uneven. This gap suggests that sustainability challenges in the built environment are no longer driven by a lack of technology. Instead, …

Barriers To The Adoption Of Modular Construction Technology In South Africa, Mokete Matoba, Christopher Amoah

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Construction, mining, and manufacturing are the most significant contributors to South Africa's GDP. While manufacturing and other industries utilise advanced technologies to enhance productivity, he construction industry continues to lag behind in technological adoption. This study examines the barriers that hinder the South African construction industry from leveraging the benefits of modular construction technologies (MCT). The study employed a quantitative research method, using closed-ended questions to collect data. The questionnaires were emailed to South African construction industry professionals selected through a combination of purposive and convenience sampling. A total of 98 questionnaires were distributed, of which 46 were returned. However, …

Enhancing Health And Safety Practices In Construction Site In Developing Nations Through Technology Advancement In South Western Nigeria, Mubaraq Lawal, Abba Mahmud, Ismail Gbolahan Dere, Thankgod Agbo Owoicho

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The construction sector plays a critical role in urban development and economic growth, yet it continues to face major challenges that threaten worker health and safety. Traditional safety measures are not always sufficient for the complex conditions found on construction sites, which creates a need for technology‑based solutions. This study investigates the relationship between technology adoption and health and safety practices in the construction industry in Lagos, Nigeria. The study identifies the major causes of site accidents, examines the level of technology use on construction sites, and reviews existing literature through both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected …

Exploring The Horizontal Static And Dynamic Shading Devices To Minimize Cooling Load In Tropical Buildings, Hilmi Fitriatulamal, Ova Candra Dewi, Miktha Farid Alkadri, Kartika Rahmasari

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Shading devices are essential for reducing solar radiation and cooling loads in buildings located in tropical climates. In the Jakarta region, the highest solar factor is observed on west- and east-facing facades, followed by north- and south-facing orientations. National building policy in Indonesia encourages facades to face north–south to reduce solar heat gain. This study explores horizontal static and dynamic shading devices on north-facing facades and evaluates their impact on cooling load reduction and daylight performance. The methodology includes calculating and simulating energy use intensity (EUI) using EnergyPlus and conducting illuminance analysis using Radiance and Grasshopper. Key parameters considered in …

Smart Building Rating System: A Comparative Analysis Of National And International Rating Systems, Amanah Hamidah, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Mustika Sari, Gunawan Saroji

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Smart buildings have become a key part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by the need for efficient, sustainable, and adaptive built environments. Their importance is growing alongside Indonesia’s effort to develop smart cities. This study compares Indonesia’s national smart building certification system, established under Ministerial Regulation No. 10 of 2023, with two international systems: the European Union’s Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) and the SmartScore certification. The analysis uses a literature review and comparative method to examine each system’s assessment criteria, scoring method, and certification tier. The findings show that Indonesia’s regulation includes six parameters, such as cybersecurity and operational …

Large-Scale Experimental Study On The Impact Of Air Cleaning & Ventilation On Indoor Air Quality And Student Illness-Related Absenteeism, Daud Nosham

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This large-scale randomized experimental field study investigated the effect of portable air purifiers (PAPs) on classroom’s air quality and student’s illness related absenteeism. PAPs were installed in 317 classrooms from various school districts located in Eastern Nebraska. The classrooms were randomly assigned into four conditions: three treatment conditions (T1, T2 & T3) and one control condition (device without any filter). T1 was equipped with HEPA filters, T2 added Activated Carbon (AC) layer to HEPA, and T3 further integrated Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) alongside HEPA and AC filters. The measured variables were carbon dioxide (CO2), fine particles (PN2.5) and coarse particles (PNcoarse), …

Building Services Engineering November/December 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Traffic Related Air Pollution Effects On Indoor Air Quality In Educational Buildings, Ahmed Gouda Mohamed, Mohamed Sherif Dr., Fahad Alqahtani Dr., Yousif Deeb Eng.

Civil Engineering

This study assesses the impact of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on indoor air quality (IAQ) within a Riyadh school. The main objectives are to pinpoint factors influencing IAQ and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing ventilation and filtration systems. Air quality Egg sensors monitored nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10) levels both indoors and outdoors over 30 days. Findings revealed average indoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations of 14.09 µg/m3 and 18.15 µg/m3, respectively, while outdoor concentrations averaged 20.63 µg/m3 and 27.88 µg/m3. A strong positive correlation was observed between indoor and outdoor PM levels, …

Mass Timber Construction: Products, Performance And Design, Anthony Harvey

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

Due to their high strength, dimensional stability and positive environmental performance, mass timber building products are quickly becoming materials of choice for sustainably‐minded designers. This presentation will provide a detailed look at the variety of mass timber products available, including glue‐laminated timber (glulam), cross laminated timber (CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), heavy timber decking, and other engineered and composite systems. Applications for the use of these products under modern building codes will be discussed, and examples of their use in U.S. projects reviewed. Mass timber’s ability to act as both structure and exposed finish will also be highlighted, as will …

Building Services Engineering September/October 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Building Services Engineering July/August 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Building A Sustainable Home On The Central Coast: An Owner’S Perspective, Austin Chase Anderson

Construction Management

As awareness and technology increase, sustainability as a focus in home construction is also increasing. This case study based research project seeks to understand the process of building a home on California’s Central Coast with sustainability in mind. An interview was conducted with an owner who built their home in Templeton in 2019. The interview was in a semi-structured format which included specific qualitative questions but mostly focused on an open-ended discussion which allowed the owner to share their own experience. The key challenges learned from this interview were that the owner believed price to be the main factor that …