Journal of Iranian Architecture & Urbanism(JIAU)

Assessing the impacts of academic education on sustainable architecture (Case study: Residential buildings in Tehran)

Peiman Pilechiha; Masoume Kazemi

Volume 13, Issue 1 , May 2022, , Pages 231-244

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2022.226552.1388

Abstract

Extended AbstractBackground and Objectives: Nowadays, one of the main concerns of architects and urban designers is environmental crises and high energy consumption in buildings, especially ... Read More Extended AbstractBackground and Objectives: Nowadays, one of the main concerns of architects and urban designers is environmental crises and high energy consumption in buildings, especially in metropolitan areas (specifically in Tehran city). According to other research conducted on all land uses, residential buildings have higher energy consumption than other building types, which indicates the importance of efficiency and management of energy consumption in residential buildings and shows the significance of providing solutions for this concern. Therefore, academic education in sustainable architecture strategies and principles requires a revision for implementation of these strategies by architects and designers. Since environmental crises are still a marginal field in academic architecture courses, the issue of sustainability has been included in the curriculum as a single course. Regarding the abovementioned issues, this study aims to investigate the position of university education in sustainable architecture in universities and higher education institutions, as well as the effectiveness of residential buildings designed in Tehran city based on sustainability principles.Methods: This research is a kind of applied research. In terms of methodology, it combines descriptive-analytical research and survey research methods. In this research, the researcher describes the real and regular objective characteristics of the study. This research is comprised of two main parts: qualitative and quantitative parts. In the first part, the qualitative part, the theoretical foundations of the research are studied. In order to obtain the desired results in this research, the information is collected through bibliographic studies. Questionnaires were given to twenty students and professors of architecture. In the questionnaire, the position and role of sustainable architecture education in universities were investigated based on three main components (quality of indoor environment, innovation in design, and community). Smartpls2 software was used to determine the validity of the questionnaire, and the Friedman test in Spss software was used to prioritize the data. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was also used to determine the normality or abnormality of the data.Findings: The priority of the variable components regarding the position of academic education in sustainable architecture was reported in order of importance using the Friedman test. Based on the findings, the order of importance for the component variables is “community”, “design innovation”, and the “indoor quality” components, respectively. Regarding the “community” component, the items of “increasing awareness for young architects and graduates to implement sustainable architectural solutions” and “providing incentive policies by officials and superiors (providing financial facilities)” were the most and least important items. Then, amongst the items of “design innovation” components, “using heating and cooling systems with the least energy consumption” was ranked as the most important item. Finally, regarding the “indoor quality” component, “thermal, visual, psychological, and health comfort” items received the highest scores.Conclusion: Based on the research results, it can be acknowledged that academic education in the field of sustainable architecture has been effective to some extent for the students. The sustainable architecture course introduces the environmental crises and explains the need to use sustainable architecture solutions in buildings. Therefore, effective measures have been taken to use materials compatible with the climate and heating and cooling systems with low energy consumption in the building. However, residential building design and implementing active solutions to reduce energy consumption remain the primary concern. Relying on active solutions for reducing energy consumption in sustainable architecture, such as using revolving windows, photovoltaic panels, etc., must be accentuated. Finally, the quality of the interior environment in the design of residential buildings, which is one of the important criteria of sustainable architecture, was the least considered item in designing sustainable residential buildings. In order to improve the effectiveness of this criterion in residential building design, higher authorities can provide incentive policies and special financial facilities to architects and urban planners to improve the quality of the building environment based on sustainable architectural approaches.

The impact of virtual reality (VR) technology on the results of green roof adoption in residential buildings; Case study: Qaemshahr

Elham Shokrinia Omrani; Raheleh Rostami

Volume 13, Issue 1 , May 2022, , Pages 327-338

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2022.229172.1408

Abstract

Extended AbstractBackground and Objectives: Today, the use of virtual reality in various fields is expanding rapidly. Although there is a lot of research on virtual reality technology ... Read More Extended AbstractBackground and Objectives: Today, the use of virtual reality in various fields is expanding rapidly. Although there is a lot of research on virtual reality technology in design and architecture education, the research on virtual reality (VR) technology in the architectural analysis as a tool in research methods is scarce. Due to the rapid growth of urbanization, cities around the world are becoming concrete jungles. Worldwide, the total urban population has surpassed the rural population. Rapid population growth and urbanization, coupled with limited biological resources, have been the cause of numerous environmental problems. Some solutions have been suggested to address urban environmental issues. The contribution of roof surfaces to environmental problems cannot be overlooked in this discussion because they cover many cities. Green roofs have been offered as an effective strategy for tackling these problems. Green roofs are very popular in many countries due to their sustainable benefits. Green roofs can help reduce the negative impacts of urbanization. This overview discusses green roofs and their effect on the energy consumption of buildings and living environments (aesthetic, ecological, and climate aspects), health, and quality of life — optimal parameters of green roofs.Methods: In the present work, we pursued two aims. According to the literature review, the first aim of this research was to identify and describe the effective factors of adopting green roofs for residential buildings. The following factors were observed: economic, environmental, and social benefit, type of plant, type of irrigation, and extensive green roof type. The second aim was to study the impact of VR technology on green roof adoption. Virtual reality (VR) has become a valuable tool to study. We conducted a VR experiment with a total of 374 participants. The research findings based on SmartPLS support that selected factors positively influence the adoption of green roofs in residential buildings. In examining the impact of factors on the adoption of green roofs for residential buildings, the advantage of this methodology is that researchers can observe actual behavior.Findings: Regardless of the type, green roofs have many advantages in urban environments, including aesthetic, ecological, climate-related, and health benefits, as well as improved quality of life. Furthermore, given that about 40% of global energy consumption is related to building construction and maintenance, green roofs can play a part in reducing the energy consumed for heating and cooling buildings. Moreover, while green roofs may use more energy for maintenance, there is evidence that their overall energy consumption is less than that of white roofs. Green roofs insulate buildings against the wind and sunlight, and the combination of the added insulation and evaporative cooling could decrease the cooling requirements inside the building. They also reduce the surface temperature of roofs, which can help ameliorate the UHI effect in cities. In addition, green roofs can help with stormwater management by reducing and slowing runoff and may help to reduce the pollutants that enter the surface water. Green roofs can also reduce lead concentrations in runoff and increase air quality, provide wildlife habitats for animal species, create beautiful city views, serve as cultivation spaces for food production, and reduce noise pollution from traffic. Urban green spaces can also have important benefits for social, mental, and physical health. People living in environments with more green spaces have better physical health and higher self-esteem and experience less stress, anxiety, and depression; as a result, they have better social and mental health than those with very few green spaces. Green spaces also provide opportunities to interact with nature and other people and can serve as recreational spaces. Finally, they can improve city residents’ well-being by reducing air pollution and facilitating physical exercise.Conclusion: Finally, it was concluded that the mentioned factors played a significant role in adopting green roofs. Also, the results show that VR has many positive effects on the results of green roof adoption in residential buildings by creating a sense of presence in a virtual reality experience.

Analyzing the Impact of Qualitative Components Affecting Residential Open Space Based on Cultural Ecology; Case study: Residential Buildings in Tabriz

Sahel Ghasemi Baghdadi; Mozayan Dehbashi Sharif; Mohammadreza Pourzagar

Volume 13, Issue 2 , February 2022, , Pages 387-402

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2023.239379.1459

Abstract

Extended AbstractBackground and Objectives: In traditional Iranian architecture, the courtyard serves an important purpose of providing a secure and private space for family activities. ... Read More Extended AbstractBackground and Objectives: In traditional Iranian architecture, the courtyard serves an important purpose of providing a secure and private space for family activities. This is based on cultural and ritual practices that prioritize creating an enclosed and protected environment that is not visible to outsiders. Based on the definition of the relationship between open spaces and closed spaces, Iran’s traditional residential architecture is classified into two types: extrovert and introvert. In both extroverted and introverted types, the formation and quality of open spaces have been affected by natural conditions and social and cultural factors. During the second Pahlavi period from 1961 to 1971, the construction of modern houses and residential complexes became popular in Iran, which ultimately caused a complete transformation in the relationship between open and closed spaces in Iranian residential architecture, and as a result, the role and function of open spaces in residential buildings changed completely. Compared to traditional housing, the nature and function of open spaces in modern residential buildings has undergone significant changes. In traditional housing, open spaces were meant for communication with nature and provided a secure and private area for family activities. Therefore, this research deals with the qualitative investigation of open spaces and the identification of the relationship between culture and the environment in residential open spaces, and the analysis of residential buildings in Tabriz city.Methods: This study has an applied purpose and its methodology is based on a descriptive-analytical approach. The information required to extract the theoretical framework and identify the components affecting the open spaces of the residential building was collected using the bibliographic and document method. Moreover, in order to collect the required data in the field studies, two methods of questionnaire and observation were used. To evaluate the open spaces of residential buildings from the perspective of residents of Tabriz city, a questionnaire was designed based on a five-point Likert scale. Taking into account the statistics published by Iran Statistics Center, the number of households in Tabriz is 563,660, of which 518,187 live in Tabriz. Therefore, the statistical population of this research is equal to 518,187 people, assuming that every household owns a house. Taking into account the number of households living in the sample areas, which is equal to 1634 people, and the people who were able to answer the questionnaire, the sample size was calculated using Cochran’s formula, and the questionnaire was distributed among 196 residents. The sample spaces of the research were selected purposefully and according to three different models of current urban housing in Tabriz city. These three patterns are: apartment (south-north), residential complex, and tower. AVE and CR methods were used to measure the reliability and validity of the research.Findings: The physical components of the study were evaluated and the top six indicators with an average score of more than 3 were identified as follows: 1) enjoyment (3.92), 2) signs (3.53), 3) intersections (3.49), 4) natural elements (3.46), 5) pollution (3.42), and 6) boundaries (3.02). Additionally, in the section related to perceptual components, the two indicators of mobility and unreal spaces had the highest average of 3.46 and 3.36, respectively. In terms of emotional components, the results analysis showed that only the precognition index had an average higher than 3, while the excitement index had an average of 2.99, which is close to the centrality index. Comparing the total average of the indicators across the three components, it can be concluded that the physical component with a total average of 2.98 is ranked first, followed by the emotional component with a total average of 2.25, and finally the perceptual component with a total average of 1.85 ranked last.Conclusion: The main users of this research, which aim to identify the factors that influence the quality of residential open spaces from a cultural ecology perspective, are architects and landscape designers. The research findings offer valuable insights for these professionals to enhance the open spaces of residential environments. Considering that a complete framework for evaluating and measuring the quality of open spaces in residential buildings has not yet been defined, one of the main achievements of this research is to empower experts and designers to better understand the environmental and cultural characteristics of open spaces in residential buildings; which will be effective in increasing the quality of open spaces in the house. This research showed that physical-functional components and emotional components play an effective role in increasing the quality of open spaces and there is a direct relationship between the aforementioned components. According to residents, the quality of residential open spaces is greatly affected by the physical-functional structure (physical indicators) and cultural identity is created by paying attention to emotional and social concepts (emotional indicators) in residential open spaces. Giving consideration to cultural symbols, signs, and historical memory of residents, as well as ensuring a sense of security, liveliness, and vibrancy, can enhance the cultural aspect of open spaces in residential areas.

Developing Residential Building Typologies with Thermal Efficiency Approach for Residential Buildings in Babolsar City

Maria Kordjamshidi

Volume 11, Issue 1 , August 2020, , Pages 95-114

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2020.131915.0

Abstract

Extended Abstract Regarding the substantial increase of energy consumption in the building sector, it is necessary to consider construction characteristics in the policymaking processes ... Read More Extended Abstract Regarding the substantial increase of energy consumption in the building sector, it is necessary to consider construction characteristics in the policymaking processes in order to improve the building energy efficiency. Basically, it is infeasible to improve the energy efficiency of the building industry based on the energy characteristics of individual buildings. Political strategies are developed based on the study of building typologies following the climatic conditions of each region. There are limited studies on the types of residential buildings, most of which emphasize on architectural concepts and building formation. Lack of research in the field of housing typology in Iran highlights the necessity to develop an approach toward energy-efficient residential buildings. This study aims to recognize the typologies of residential buildings, focusing on the parameters affecting energy consumption, in Babolsar City, which is selected as a city representative of the humid and mild climate in North of Iran. This paper also tries to evaluate and improve the thermal performances of the recognized typologies based on the Iranian National Building Code (Part 19: Energy Efficiency). The methodology is completed into four main sections: 1) Reviewing the literature in order to identify and select the criteria for developing residential building typologies 2) Conducting a survey on a number of residential samples based on the statistics and distribution of residential buildings in Babolsar city 3) Classifying buildings and presenting plan typologies based on statistical and pictorial analyses 4) Investigating the heat transfer coefficient of the recognized typologies and introducing the optimal patterns according to the Iranian National Building Code (Part 19: Energy Efficiency). Using a descriptive-analytical strategy, this research is based on statistical methods of quantitative analysis and simplifies residential building plan concepts. The data are collected on the field by investigating 384 residential buildings constructed in a period between 1963 and 2016 in Babolsr City. Each sample is scrutinized by completing a questionnaire. The questionnaires are created in two parts: 1- the building general information including, the architectural type (apartment or villa), the age of the building, the number of families, the neighborhood type, the building gross area, the number of bedrooms and building type (flat/apartment, attached/ semi-attached); and 2. the construction details including, the physical parameters of the building such as materials, windows/glazing type, overhang size, thermal insulation, indoor space height, area of external surfaces / controlled / uncontrolled spaces, heating and cooling system, and building envelope details. In other words, all required information and parameters affecting the building energy consumption are included. The residential building samples are classified into ten categories based on the number of families, building type, and neighborhood unit. Typologies are divided into two groups of “villa” and “apartment” housing. Each group has four subsets numbered as A, B, C, and D which differs in terms of total plan area and the position of conditioned/ unconditioned zones. In order to determine a typical plan for each category, all possible plan concepts for each group were designed and codified. Then, the plans of all 384 samples were simplified and codified and categorized in their relevant groups. Finally, a group of higher frequency was chosen as the group representing the typical plan. The eight recognized typologies of this research can be used as reference in any research on housing for evaluating and predicting thermal performance, cost, and energy analysis. The analysis of the thermal performance of the building typologies demonstrated that none of the typologies comply with the Iranian National Building Code (Part 19), in terms of conformity with heat transfer coefficient. Adding a 5-cm thermal insulation, with a heat transfer coefficient of λ = 0.041, to the external wall, and also replacing windows with double-glazed ones are necessary to improve their energy efficiency and achieve the minimum requirement of the building code. The results of this study can be used as a basis for further investigations on energy-efficient building design, in order to improve the thermal performance of buildings rather than developing a regional energy efficiency building code for building construction in the mild climate in north of Iran. The presented typologies can be used as a reference for energy auditing, retrofit actions, and refurbishment measurements, and for quantifying the energy-saving potentials of existing buildings. They can be applied to the existing buildings stock to increase energy performance by considering the optimal tradeoff between policymaking and cost. The results are also important for developing and modifying regulations. Further studies are required to make the result of this study applicable to other climatic regions in Iran.

The Effect of Physical Features of Window Protective Covers on Thermal Performance of Tehran’s Residential Buildings

Vida Vahabi; Mojtaba Mahdavinia

Volume 9, Issue 1 , September 2018, , Pages 75-90

https://doi.org/10.30475/isau.2018.68581

Abstract

Traditionally, among sources of renewable energy, solar energy has played a great role in providing heating and lighting for the building. The heat gain from solar energy, especially ... Read More

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Keywords = Residential Buildings

Assessing the impacts of academic education on sustainable architecture (Case study: Residential buildings in Tehran)

Abstract

The impact of virtual reality (VR) technology on the results of green roof adoption in residential buildings; Case study: Qaemshahr

Abstract

Analyzing the Impact of Qualitative Components Affecting Residential Open Space Based on Cultural Ecology; Case study: Residential Buildings in Tabriz

Abstract

Developing Residential Building Typologies with Thermal Efficiency Approach for Residential Buildings in Babolsar City

Abstract

The Effect of Physical Features of Window Protective Covers on Thermal Performance of Tehran’s Residential Buildings

Abstract