Education 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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Conceptual Process Model For Metaverse Architecture - Ssadt’S Design Process, Meriam Djerad, Sonda Kammoun

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

At the articulation of the two themes: “Virtual Environments and Emerging Realities” and “Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication,” our proposal subscribes at the intersection of innovative technologies in architectural practice, such as blockchain, collaborative platforms and digital twins. Our purpose is to propose a conceptual design process model for architectural digital twin as a compound of metaverse architecture. The challenge is to achieve a Shared and Secure Architectural Digital Twin (SSADT). To model our SSADT’s design process model we are based on blockchain approach. To do this, we will firstly start by defining the principal compounds of an architectural digital …

Computational Design Approach For Applying Neuro-Architecture Principles In Healthcare Facilities, Ayman Assem, Merna Safwat

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Neuroscience tools’ advancements have paved the way for neuroscience and architecture collaboration, spawning "Neuro-architecture." Neuro-architecture studies in various settings have been tentatively translated into design principles to improve the mood, perception, and satisfaction of healthcare facility users, as well as patient wellbeing and recovery rates. Integrating such principles into computational design methodologies should benefit users’ mental health and reduce the gap between computational design and human mental needs. The research was conducted in two phases: in the first phase, typologies used in evidence-based design research (EBD) were applied in order to determine neuro-architecture design principles for the interior environment of …

Application Of Immersive Technologies In The Early Design Stage In Architecture Education - A Systematic Review, Mohammed Faraj Al-Suwaidi, Asterios Agkathidis, Adonis Haidar, Davide Lombardi

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

This paper reviews existing research on the use of immersive technologies, Virtual Reality in particular, in various stages of the architectural design process. Nine research papers were systematically reviewed and analyzed. They were filtered down by using the keywords: ‘Virtual/Augmented Reality, Architectural Education, Gravity Sketch, Unity and Virtual Environments’ from two main databases that focus on digital and computer-aided design research: Cumulative Index about publications in Computer Aided Architectural Design (CuminCAD) and Elsevier's abstract and citation database (Scopus). The selection of papers was filtered down based on relevant approaches which investigate architectural design, creative thinking and teaching methodology using immersive …

Low-Cost Portable Wireless Electroencephalography To Detect Emotional Responses To Visual Cues - Validation And Potential Applications, Ahmed Marey, Sherif Goubran

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

This paper validates the using a low-cost EEG headset – Emotiv Insight 2.0 – for detecting emotional responses to visual stimuli. The researchers detected, based on brainwave activity, the viewer’s emotional states in reference to a series of visuals and mapped them on valance and arousal axes. Valence in this research is defined as the viewer’s positive or negative state, and arousal is defined as the intensity of the emotion or how calm or excited the viewer is. A set of thirty images – divided into two categories: Objects and Scenes – was collected from the Open Affective Standard Image …

A Methodology For Material-Based Computational Design Supported By Mobile Augmented Reality Application, Esranur Karacif, Sevil Yazici

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

To represent design, both physical and digital models are utilized in the process. However, they usually don't function in unison. In order to synchronize these two types of models, the changes made in one model are generally translated into the other one later. This study intends to provide a conceptual framework for a simultaneous and synchronized model for the use of material, structure, and performance in the preliminary design stage. The methodology of the study includes evaluating material attributes, structural systems, and building performance of a physical model in the digital environment by using a Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) interface. …

Solar Energy Control Strategy Using Interactive Modules, Zahraa Falih, Mohammadjavad Mahdavinejad, Deyala Tarawneh, Hamza Al-Mamaniori

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

The concept of interactive canopy emerged as a notable manifestation of smart buildings in architectural endeavors, using artificial intelligence applications in computational architecture, interactive canopies came as a potential response for living organisms to combat external environmental changes as well as reduce energy consumption in buildings. This research aims to explore architecture with higher efficiency through the impact of environmentally technological factors on the design form by introducing solar energy into the design process through the implementation of interactive curtains that interact with the sun in the form of an umbrella. The main objective of the umbrellas is to protect …

Qualitative Knowledge Graph For The Evaluation Of Metaverse(S) - Is The Metaverse Hype Or A Promising New Field For Architects?, Abeeha Awan, Šimon Prokop, Jiří Vele, Theodor Dounas, Davide Lombardi, Asterios Agkathidis, Lukas Kurilla

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

With the advancement of augmented and virtual reality technologies both in scale as well as accessibility, the Metaverse (Stephenson, 1992, Hughes, 2022) has emerged as a new digital space with potential for the application of architectural creativity and design.With blockchain integration, the concept of the Metaverse shows promise in creating a “decentralised” space for design and creativity with rewards for its participants. As a platform that incorporates these technological components, does the Metaverse have utility for architectural design? Is there something truly novel in what the Metaverse brings to architectural computing, and architectural design? The paper constructs a qualitative knowledge …

A Framework For Creating A Hybrid Experience For Nft Artworks Through 3d Printing, Gozde Damla Turhan, Selen Cicek

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Technology has become a fundamental part of our environment, yet the borders between the physical and virtual realms become even more blurred. The introduction of the Metaverse is one of the most recent and notable innovations. It, just as any other technological advances, adapts to evolution in user needs serving as a link between the real and digital realms. While people can buy goods and services with a certain currency in the physical realm, cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are used for transactions in the Metaverse. NFT provides customers a certificate of ownership, which means that their virtual commodities or …

Metascapes | Architectural Quests In The Metaverse, Michail Georgiou, Odysseas Georgiou, Ioulios Georgiou

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

The paper investigates the appropriateness of CAAD software and computational design tools for the creation of metaverse content along with the workflows and limitations involved. In parallel the research aims to assess the validity of architecture design studio research in the context of the metaverse, and its capability to produce results that justify further explorations in such direction.