Visible facade elements are important in the assessment of the age of residential structures. In this study a classificatory procedure is developed in which reference to combination of critical facade elements enable a house to be categorized according to its period of construction and also to be assigned a vernacular label. The case study is placed in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver, Canada. The housing forms of a community (other than a rural or primitive level) have often not been given the attention they deserve in relation to their numbers or their potential contribution to an understanding of the evolution of the North American urban landscape. Examination of architectural histories indicated a pre-occupation with prestigious and monumental architecture rather than the vernacular. In addition, the few general styles embrace too wide a period for use in areas of recent growth, and are not Immediately transferable to Vancouver which has only eighty-five years of building and a distinctive cultural history. Geographers who have attempted similar taxonomic exercises found that style alone was an insufficient basis for classification it was necessary to identify the variations of the salient characteristics of the styles. Therefore, a detailed description and classification of four elements - window style, roof lines, porch and entrance appearance, and external cover material - provided the basis for the identification of vernacular styles and their construction periods, A regression of actual year of construction against the four facade elements indicated their relative importance but did not yield weightings by which the individual year of construction could be consistently recognised. However, particular element sub-types appeared to be associated with general time periods, and time period boundaries based on building cycles in Vancouver were imposed on the data to examine the association of each, sub-type with particular years. Significant overlaps across the time boundaries prevented the allocation of individual facade element sub-types to discrete time periods; however, examination of the distribution of combination of three elements - window, roof, and entrance - indicated the concentration of the majority of houses in relatively few combination of element sub-types. A two-tier classification emerged, in which precise clusters of combinations based upon a roof sub-type core accounted for the majority of occurrences in specific time periods. By amalgamating adjacent clusters, the overlap of element sub-types from one small time period to another disappeared in a more general grouping. Using the architectural labels, the various three-element combination could be conveniently described, and their time-popularity assessed for the Vancouver case. The styles were: Swiss Chalet (1910-1918) and Bungalow Proper (1912-1925) equal Bungaloid (1912-1925); and Cottage-like (1926-1938) and Boxes (1938-1945) equal Bijou (1926-1945). Other architectural labels were then added to this basic grouping, with the place of Queen Anne, Sastlake, and Cubic Styles suggested for earlier Vancouver housing, together with the contributions of modern developments in split-level, ranch style and apartment design. Overlaps found in the examination of specific sub-type time spans could be explained through stylistic transitions from one style to another, since it was recognized that very few styles command a period In absolute terms. A summary description of the styles was presented, and also suggestions for increasing the resolution of the classification. Finally, potential uses of the key were suggested, focusing on three main topics where models of urban social structure might be tested: the impact of transportation technology on in fill patterns and process; the spatial pattern of different housing qualities to indicate differential mobility and status in various time periods; and structural modifications as a measure of changing land use and as an outward manifestation of the cultural mix of occupants. Mention is made of the classification's possible role in creating awareness of the everyday urban environment, and also its important value as a more objective approach to a theme in cultural geography where the use of artifacts as a data source has been venerable to criticisms that they were based on subjective interpretations. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate

Thesis. 1978. M.Arch.A.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography: leaves 122-124. / by A.D. Brady. / M.Arch.A.S.

Despite advancements in glass facade systems and rigorous building codes requirements, glass façades often sustain damage or breaches during extreme wind events. This study aims to establish a framework that identifies a multitude of characteristics in common glass façade systems that may contribute to performance of a buildings with glass facades during natural wind disasters. Through a comprehensive analysis of damaged structures, common characteristics susceptible to damage after such events were identified. These characteristics served as a catalyst to explore other characteristic that may affect the performance of a structure's facade during extreme wind events. The identified characteristics were categorized into three groups: architectural components, structural components, and environmental. Proposed quantifiable methods aim to obtain qualitative measurements of existing glass facades. In the end, this thesis contributes to the broader goal of understanding the performance of glass facades during extreme wind events. / Master of Science / Despite advances in building design and construction standards, glass on buildings remain vulnerable to damage during severe windstorms. This study aims to develop a system that identifies key factors that contribute to a building's glass façade system during natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes. By analyzing data from damaged structures, common characteristics were identified that are prone to damage during extreme wind events. These findings have led to explore other factors that may impact a facade's performance in such situations. These factors were categorized into three main groups: architectural features, structural elements, and environmental considerations. The proposed methods obtain a numeral value that is measured from existing structures. Ultimately, this research aims to improve the understanding of glass facades from challenges posed by severe weather events.

The main objectives of this research are (a) to investigate the thermal effect of double skin facades in office buildings in hot climates and (b) to propose guidelines for their efficient design based on this evaluation. The study involves the energy performance analysis of two buildings in India. A base case with the existing building skin was simulated for both the cities. The main source for the high cooling loads was found to be heat gain through windows and walls. This led to the evolution of a series of facade strategies with the goals of reducing heat gain, providing ventilation and day-lighting. The buildings were then simulated for their energy performance with the proposed double-skin strategies. Each of these strategies was varied according to the layers constituting the facade, the transparency of the facade and the orientation of the facade to which it is applied. Final comparisons of energy consumption were made between the proposed options and the base case to find the most efficient strategy and also the factors that affected this efficiency. The simulations were done using the building simulation software, Ener-Win. The double skin was simulated as per an approximate and simplistic calculation of the u-value, solar heat gain coefficient and transmissivity properties of the layers constituting the facade. The model relied on logically arrived at assumptions about the facade properties that were approximately within 10% range of measured values. Based on inferences drawn from these simulations, a set of design guidelines comprised of goals and parameters was generated for design of double-skin facades in hot climates typical to most of the Indian subcontinent. It was realized that the double-skin defined typically as a 'pair of glass skins separated by an air corridor' may not be an entirely energy efficient design strategy for hot climates. However, when used appropriately in combination with other materials, in the right orientation and with the right transparency, a double-layered facade turns out to be an energy efficient solution.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes special study report entitled: Façade: street-scape-stage in Causeway Bay. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes special study report entitled: Fashion and the building skin. Includes bibliographical references.

The main objectives of this research are (a) to investigate the thermal effect of double skin facades in office buildings in hot climates and (b) to propose guidelines for their efficient design based on this evaluation. The study involves the energy performance analysis of two buildings in India. A base case with the existing building skin was simulated for both the cities. The main source for the high cooling loads was found to be heat gain through windows and walls. This led to the evolution of a series of facade strategies with the goals of reducing heat gain, providing ventilation and day-lighting. The buildings were then simulated for their energy performance with the proposed double-skin strategies. Each of these strategies was varied according to the layers constituting the facade, the transparency of the facade and the orientation of the facade to which it is applied. Final comparisons of energy consumption were made between the proposed options and the base case to find the most efficient strategy and also the factors that affected this efficiency. The simulations were done using the building simulation software, Ener-Win. The double skin was simulated as per an approximate and simplistic calculation of the u-value, solar heat gain coefficient and transmissivity properties of the layers constituting the facade. The model relied on logically arrived at assumptions about the facade properties that were approximately within 10% range of measured values. Based on inferences drawn from these simulations, a set of design guidelines comprised of goals and parameters was generated for design of double-skin facades in hot climates typical to most of the Indian subcontinent. It was realized that the double-skin defined typically as a 'pair of glass skins separated by an air corridor' may not be an entirely energy efficient design strategy for hot climates. However, when used appropriately in combination with other materials, in the right orientation and with the right transparency, a double-layered facade turns out to be an energy efficient solution.

This dissertation is the result of in interest in the progression of media-technologies within the urban context. Large media billboards scattered along major vehicular routes, also advertisements and information displayed on the facades of buildings have become synonymous with the urban fabric. The intent of this dissertation is to determine the relationship between media-technologies and the social organizations of the city. Can one consider these technologies as generators for social interaction and the broadening of the urban cultural content? Media-technologies are becoming increasingly popular in the use of public spaces, signifying the ability and opportunity for these systems to create an interactive relationship with the user. The theme of the discourse is the creation of a Music Television production centre in Prinshof, a neglected part of the Pretoria inner city. Establishing an entertainment based development in this already vibrant area, might contribute to the systematic rejuvenation of this lower to middle-income community. The design proposal aims at becoming a social tool, encouraging the development and sustaining of the local cultural identity and realizing the potential of media/interaction technologies within the African context. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Architecture / unrestricted

Many of the buildings along Robert Sobukwe Street have been renovated in an effort to regenerate the area, including the Sunny Park Mall. These renovations have improved the general perception of the street but not the overall accessibility to the interior spaces behind the facades. The building facades are a barrier between exterior and interior spaces with little integration. A decline in the pedestrian activity of the retail street stores has occurred due to these renovations in other areas. Consideration towards pedestrian users has shifted from the public street to the design for private interiors. Through the understanding of user behaviour, an intervention strategy can be formed to align social needs with the spatial needs of both the public and private users to inform a design which satisfies both. This intervention utilises the principles of way finding, activities and thresholds to build an interface linking the two environments based on the private needs for occupation and public need for interaction. It provides a strategy to incorporate exterior spaces into a design and not limit the field to the space between the walls of existing buildings. To extend the space and create a transition dedicated to engaging the needs of both users is beneficial to the development and sustainability of this context. / Dissertation (MInt(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / MInt(Prof) / Unrestricted

Passive radiative cooling has been extensively studied as a means to cool the exterior surfaces of buildings and reduce space cooling loads. This phenomenon is caused by thermal radiation that is continuously emitted from surfaces on Earth, and transmitted through the atmosphere to outer space (at approximately 3-4 Kelvin temperature scale). To gain a deeper understanding of how terrestrial objects can access this extraterrestrial cold reservoir, I use a theoretical framework derived from classical radiative heat transfer to investigate the radiative properties of surfaces and the atmosphere over a spectrum of wavelengths. In this dissertation, I demonstrate the theoretical cooling potential that can be achieved by surfaces with idealized radiative properties under various atmospheric conditions. While several researchers have optimized the optical properties of their surfaces to emit strongly in wavelength bands corresponding to high atmospheric transparency, I show that a high degree of spectral tailoring is only benefcial when humidity in the atmosphere is low or when a surface can minimize its absorption of solar radiation. Additionally, I prescribe appropriate sets of surface radiative properties that are required to achieve cooling under various solar and atmospheric loads. An evaluation of passive strategies on building envelopes would be incomplete without considering green facades. To that end, I propose a theoretical model to calculate the heat flux reduction offered by green facades. Unlike previously reported works that use the Pennman-Monteith approach to calculate evapotranspiration in a leaf canopy, my model takes a simpler approach in calculating the sensible and latent heat loss from a layer of leaves while preserving prediction accuracy. By extending the theoretical models for passive radiative cooling and green facades to building envelopes, my work provides insights into the appropriate passive strategy suitable for a particular climate. In dry conditions, surface coatings with optically-tuned radiative properties can perform better than green facades by maximizing their thermal emission through the atmosphere. However, the additional evaporative cooling benefits, insulation and aesthetic value offered by green facades may make them more favorable in cooler and more humid climates. Since the cooling performance of all passive strategies is strongly correlated to the local climate, my work indicates that variations in ambient air temperature, solar radiation and humidity must be considered when choosing an appropriate strategy for a building envelope.