This thesis examines the British travelling fairground as a unique tradition and ongoing practice of the past, present and future, to create a wider dialogue with our understanding of heritage practices. The fairground is approached as a complex assemblage of objects and affects that has a sinuous historical trail, making its relationship to heritage practices a valuable insight in the wider environment of embracing our past. A key aspect of my work looks at, listens to, and explores the fairground and develops a detailed ontology of objects that set off a network of affects, making a major contribution to how the fairground is understood. This is then set out in a diachronic arrangement as the essence of change is investigated, understood as overlapping cycles connected to the content of the fairground, the space of the fairground, the music of the fairground, and the close synergy between accelerated popular culture and the visual presentation of the fairground. Central to this is the audience demographic, and the issue of when we most appreciate the fairground, and when we no longer feel a part of the fairground. This provides an understanding of our heritage seeking behaviour and expectations. Heritage of the fairground is identified in five key contexts: the static museum collection, the steam rally movement, the specialist vintage travelling fair, the living museum (examples that incorporate a period fairground), and the specific re-creation of a seaside amusement park. These heritage efforts are investigated with site reports analysed using a wide toolbox: spatial practice, situational aesthetics, textual analysis, and audience granularity (including the protagonist who sets up and controls the collection). Drawing on and synthesising the fieldwork from the fairground heritage sectors, I present case studies around notions of authenticity, vernacular flows, space and building, and future planning considerations. The thesis concludes by illuminating points of dialogue to the wider heritage field, addressing the growing uncertainty around the convergence of the museum and the theme park.

The design studio is an important part of design and architectural education, because of the unique approach of pedagogy used (Dutton, 1987, Salama, 1995, 2012). This research uses this space to examine the physical characteristics and properties of the design studio as a space, considering the ways it influences the behaviours and emotions of its users towards learning and collaborating with one another. Starting from the Sheffield School of Architecture, where the focus towards engaged and reflective learning. Trying to answer the research question ‘How do the physical characteristics of the Design Studio influence certain behaviours of the studio user, relevant to collaborative learning?. Ultimately, attention is directed towards looking at their experience, which is created with the influence of the space, and the curriculum of architectural education, with both referred to as the ‘design studio’ (Crowther, 2013). This research has ‘empowered’ users of the design studio (Literat, 2013), notably ‘students’ of four different universities in the context of the United Kingdom, through creating a hybrid research methodology that revolves around capturing their experience in relation to the physical space of the design studio. Under the umbrella of case study, using ethnography and focus groups, which were consisting of ‘Student Designer Engagement Map’, a method created based on a service design tool (Stickdorn and Schneider, 2011) to capture the current and aspired experience. These have then been analysed and interpreted through different lenses, i.e. the interior designer, tutor and the researcher. The findings of the research were themed around spatial features in terms of social aspects, environmental control aspects and in terms of design organisation and furniture. The findings were related to the emotions experienced in the design studio through the project phases and stages. The hybrid methodology used and the methods have helped in creating a framework of propositional guidelines of design considerations, which may be beneficial for the stakeholders of the learning design studio and beyond.

Energy efficient retrofitting of the existing building stock is important because of the need to reduce CO2 emissions and improve building energy performance. The significance of refurbishing existing UK housing to help the government achieve its climate change targets has been widely recognised. However, the current practices for UK retrofitting, with one of the oldest domestic stocks in Europe, are still confronted by technical and social challenges such as late adoption of BPS tools, difficulties in effectively measuring energy consumption and disruption to users. Therefore, it is essential to improve the existing practices of the domestic retrofit process. Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers, potentially, a comprehensive and integrated platform for improving the retrofit process. Although BIM has been applied in many large-scale projects, it has not been used extensively for small-scale retrofit schemes in the UK. This study sort to test two common misconceptions – (i) BIM is only for complex large-scale projects; (ii) BIM is only for new projects - by investigating the potential implementation of BIM in energy efficient domestic retrofit in practice in the UK. This thesis has explored how the efficiency of the retrofit process could be improved through BIM implementation. A critical review of the literature was followed by a series of semi-structured interviews with professionals. An experimental study demonstrated why the existing simulation methods, such as ‘detailed modelling’, are not effective and why it is necessary to enhance the existing practices. One of the main barriers to improving the efficiency of existing practices is using Building Performance Simulation (BPS) tools too late in the retrofit process. Based on the experimental study, the results of detailed modelling, using DesignBuilder, were very accurate; however, such results are frequently used in an evaluative rather than proactive way in the existing practices. Running energy simulation is a lengthy process and putting architectural information into the BPS tools not only requires more time than is usually available at the early stage but, also, defining the thermal view by energy experts is subjective. Furthermore, evaluating the accuracy of ‘standards and procedures’ approaches, Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), illustrated that analysing energy performance based on the inaccurate or notional assumptions, regardless of the unique characteristics of the projects are often arbitrary, unreliable and inaccurate. Therefore, BIM simulation approaches were evaluated and tested through a real-world case study. The scope of this research is limited to energy performance modelling process; however, the basic methods and principles could be also applied to other types of performance analysis. The experimental project, evaluating two BIM simulation approaches, integrated and interoperable BIM, provided the opportunity to evaluate BIM’s usefulness in energy performance simulation and assess the accuracy and reliability of the outputs compared with the results of two-years of monitoring a house. Integrated BIM simulation approach, Graphisoft EcoDesigner Star, provided effortless interoperability and improved the effectiveness of the process. However, the integrated BIM approach requires intelligent guidance and depends on the vendors to integrate performance simulation tools into their BIM environment. The interoperable BIM, through gbXML, can facilitate the integration of BPS tools in the early design stage. By improving interoperability at the early design stage and adopting BIM, identified challenges could be addressed, such as, uncertainty about the quality of retrofit measure, lack of interoperability between BPS tools and BIM, and time-consuming iterative modelling. The main contribution of this research is in identifying the barriers and potentials of BIM in energy performance simulation to enhance the existing practices of the retrofit process through the experimental study. However, this research is a starting point, where an initial analysis of the problem and its solution has commenced.

BIM has solidified its position in bringing efficiency to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. However, the shift to its adoption and implementation in the emerging markets has brought distortion in both the business processes and environment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME architectural) in the industry. This is due to their limited resources to absorb the initial costs associated with such a shift. The starting point for this study was based on exploring the potentials in the development of Intellectual Capital (IC) of the SME architectural firms. This is because, even if the ability of these firms to mobilise the resources is small, the strategic decisions regarding their orientation towards a higher level of intensity in IC elements are under their control, and that can be a major catalyst for the BIM success. As a result, the study is built on Lu and Sexton’s (2009) Theory of Innovation in Small Professional Firms. Based on this theory, BIM adoption process is approached as a Knowledge-based Innovation which occurs with the development of four IC elements; Human Capital (HC), Relationship Capital (RC) and Structure Capital (SC) through Knowledge Capital (KC) to achieve BIM Business Value Creation (BBVC). This study investigates the theoretical link between the development of these four IC elements and BBVC in SME architectural firms in emerging markets; in this case Nigeria. The aim of the research is to use this evaluation framework to develop a viable business model for management and evaluation of the IC in SME architectural firms towards BBVC. The study is designed in three stages, namely through empirical enquiry, analysis, and synthesis. The empirical enquiry comprises theory formulation and fieldwork data collection; theory formulation is achieved through proposing an evaluation framework using a systematic literature review on the four elements of IC. The evaluation framework constitutes a set of independent variables comprising thirteen components categorised under the four IC elements. Each component is defined by a set of indicators, and the proposition aims to find the relationship between these indicators and components of the IC and a dependent variable concerning the BBVC capability of SME architectural firms. The evaluation framework is used to guide the collection of fieldwork data, which involves a questionnaire survey and case study interviews with a sample of SME architectural firms in Nigeria. Using multiple regression analysis on the survey data enables an evaluation of the framework. Each component and its sets of indicators represent an independent model of regression. The outcome provides statistical evidence of the relationship between the two main variables; it also gives the Relative Weighting Value (RWV) for each indicator on the components it represents and their effects on the BBVC. The case study analysis, involving six SME architectural firms identified from the survey sample as they have relatively significant BIM capabilities, is used to triangulate the data with the survey results and provide the RWV for the components and the fours ICs. The case study analysis uses two approaches: firstly, through an exploratory study of the semi-structured interviews, which is based on themes from the 13 IC components and helps to identify the different indicators employed by firms during the BBVC. Secondly, the Eigenvector method is applied to analyse a pairwise comparison judgement where each of the components discussed in the interview is compared and their relative importance weighted. The outcome helps to establish the reliability and validity of the survey data and provide the RWV of the 13 components and four elements of the ICs. The findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between the BBVC and the development of the ICs of SME architectural firms. This development occurs through fostering the motivation and capability of Human Capital, which is the most important aspect driving BBVC. The second ranked factor is the development of the support and capability of the Structure Capital, and the motivation and network resources resulting from the Relationship Capital. The least important aspect of the development is the resource management of the Knowledge Capital. The findings also involve the identification of the different RWV of each of the 13 components under the four Capitals, and the RWV of the various sets of indicators that define the 13 components. The findings enable the synthesis of a Strategic Business Model (SBM) using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) concept. The SBM depicts the prioritisation of the IC elements, based on the following four levels; Indicator, Component, Capital and Organisation Goal. The SBM enables the practitioners to manage, prioritise and optimise their IC amidst limited resources through identification and evaluation of the focus area of development. Through a focus group with experts from the industry, the SBM is further validated practically on three criteria, namely; implementability, usefulness and generality. The feedback is used to refine the model and describe its practical implications.

The research focuses on the emerging domain of Big Data and the Internet of Things in the context of architectural design and operation. The profession of architecture relies on the use of data in almost all stages of the building cycle. However, this data is often utilised in a trivial manner, without clearly addressing how the data is utilised, when it is utilised, the value of such utilisation and the impact the data has on the design operations and the overall building. Data in architecture mainly serves as a medium of communication to generate a design. Data can only be as good as the technology available at the time it is gathered. Nevertheless, the role of data has changed with the advancement of digital data technologies such as Big Data and the Internet of Things. Digital data is now a driver for businesses and operations in other industries. The investigation of contemporary data utilisation in architecture design reveals that data is not utilised as a driver for the design in most cases and, when it is utilised as a driver, it is not exploited and is not explicitly addressed as part of the business. A knowledge gap in architecture in addressing the utilisation of data and addressing digital data as a driver in design operations is identified. This identification is supplemented by observing that data-driven operations provide the potential for better and more efficient design and business. To fill this knowledge gap and to build a foundation for data utilisation in architecture, this thesis proposes a Data-Driven Operational Framework for architecture, which is the main output of this research and its main contribution to knowledge. The Data-Driven Operational Framework reveals and explains the required components and operations for employing a data-driven design approach in architectural processes and business. In order to develop such a framework, an investigation of current architectural cases that utilise digital data was completed, which is a crucial part of the research. However, it was not possible to investigate these cases without having a thorough understanding of the state-of-the-art data technologies and an understanding of the existing taxonomy of data and the existing taxonomy of value in architectural operations. To build this taxonomy of data, a literature review investigating the terms data, digital data operations, Big Data and the Internet of Things was conducted. To build the taxonomy of value, a literature review of values, value creation and valuation methods in architecture was performed. Also, this value investigation led to the development of a Digital Value Equaliser, which is a conceptual representation that supports the analysis of values in architectural design cases. The case studies were analysed following the coding techniques of Grounded Theory Methodology. The coding procedures were followed systematically and continuously until data saturation was reached. Reaching data saturation led to the development of the Data-Driven Operational Framework for architecture. The Data-Driven Operational Framework has two theoretical applications, the Data-Driven Levels in architectural operations framework and the Data-Driven Impact on the AEC framework. These two theoretical frameworks are the findings of the second part of the research and add to the research contribution. The Data-Driven Levels framework reveals the different automation levels in utilising data in architectural operations. This framework classifies data operations in architecture into six levels according to how automated they are and the degree of human involvement in each operation. The Data-Driven Impact framework shows the anticipated impact of employing data-driven operations on the existing business and cultural models in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC). This shows the required business and cultural changes in operating an architecture business. The Impact framework supports architects to identify what measures and changes are needed to benefit from the use of data-driven operations in their practices and business.

Timber-concrete composite (HBV) floors are widely manufactured by many construction companies. Cross laminated timber (CLT) elements are an effective way to produce more homogenised timber building elements. In this thesis, the applicability of measurement-based prediction methods to calculate the apparent sound reduction index (R’) for these two types of elements was investigated. A prediction model using Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) was developed and validated to calculate the airborne sound transmission of a HBV floor. There was additional complexity in modelling this floor system compared with other SEA models found in the literature therefore two types of model were compared. To determine the stiffness of the floor it was proposed that bending stiffness predicted using the theories of Huffington and Troitsky provide a more suitable and flexible approach than that of Kimura and Inoue. All SEA models predicted a weighted sound reduction index to within 2.0dB of the measurements. For CLT plates, an accurate measure of the elastic moduli was sought to determine direct sound transmission. A low-frequency stiffness can be determined by modal measurement and optimisation of the material constants (≤ 100Hz a thin plate model is adequate). At mid to high frequencies (>300Hz) sound transmission of CLT was predicted using a frequency-dependant modulus determined from directly measuring the bending wavespeed. Elastic moduli were extracted from wavespeed data (the Young’s modulus was measured to be approximately 50% less stiff than the low-frequency stiffness) and in the y-direction the value of the shear modulus Gyz determined that a thick plate model should be applied in this direction. Finite Element Method (FEM) models of CLT plates and junctions using the elastic moduli determined using the methods described above were validated using measurements of freely and simply supported plates and three simple junctions (L-junction, rotated L-junction and T-junction). The contribution of residual modes (higher than the frequency range of interest) to the calculated point mobility was assessed. The transition to thick plate theory occurs within the frequency range of interest (100-5000Hz). This resulted in a modal density which increases with frequency and some implications of this are discussed. The best agreement between FEM model and measured data was obtained for the simplest (unrotated) L-junction. Finally, measurement based prediction methods to assess the flanking performance of CLT combined with the HBV floor were investigated. Agreement was obtained between the structure-borne and airborne methodologies if a correction factor, which accounts both for the thick plate properties of the CLT and the fit of measured results to the HBV model, was used. The Df path was the strongest transmission path and the most accurately predicted and hence it was possible to predict the apparent sound reduction index (R’) by summing the paths.

Recent changes to the Building Regulations aimed at improving energy efficiency have resulted in significant increases in the amount of insulation incorporated into building envelopes. As a consequence, composite (sandwich) panels have become deeper, considerably improving their structural capability in terms of strength and stiffness. This however has largely been ignored in the design of building structures, so this study has sought to ascertain the degree to which more efficient solutions, that take advantage of the improved capabilities of panels, may reduce the embodied carbon of building structures, and indeed of whole buildings. The research focused on single-storey industrial buildings. A series of studies were undertaken to evaluate the opportunities, and to quantify the benefits and trade-offs associated with structural solutions that fully exploit panel capabilities. The studies addressed a) long span sandwich panels to reduce the number of supporting structural members, b) diaphragm action to stiffen the frame and c) frameless buildings. Results suggested that the greatest potential benefit (up to 60% steelwork saving) arises from the use of long span systems, particularly for trussed roof frames with northlight construction. The study identified that further realistically achievable improvement in the spanning capabilities of panels would provide significant additional benefits. An improved long span sandwich panel design was therefore developed using theoretical investigations, structural testing and a Pareto-optimisation process. The optimal solution in terms of embodied carbon and panel strength was defined. Optimised frame arrangements combined with enhanced long span roof sandwich panels were compared with traditional portal frame solutions. This comparison demonstrated the considerable savings in terms of both embodied carbon and cost that can be achieved over traditional construction. The study demonstrated that exploiting the increased insulation depth of composite panels can deliver solutions with greater structural efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

The imperative to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings will inevitably require adopting higher levels of insulation and on-site low and zero carbon technologies. This will significantly increase the embodied carbon of materials and products that have been used in the building. With buildings requiring less operational energy, future low and zero carbon buildings could see equivalence between operational and embodied carbon. It is essential therefore that embodied carbon is factored into carbon reduction strategies. Hence, this research has established an assessment methodology based on a combined operational and embodied carbon analyses as means of providing more representative assessments of life cycle carbon burdens and cost appraisals for low and zero carbon building technologies. The methodology has been applied to a series of case studies of low and zero carbon building technologies to provide exemplar quantified appraisals of selected products. The case studies include insulation materials (Polyurethane, mineral wool, VIP and hemp) and renewable technologies (Photovoltaics and Transpired Solar Collectors) applied with different operational scenarios to selected industrial (small and medium warehouses and retail sheds), residential (semidetached house) and office (typical 4 storey) buildings. The application of the methodology identifies how the inclusion of embodied CO2 in carbon reduction equations can suggest ‘death points’ (points beyond which associated embodied carbon outweighs the operational carbon savings) for conventional building technologies and ‘birth points’ (points beyond which novel technologies are required to offset the carbon disbenefit of conventional technologies) for novel products. This for the first time introduces sensible ‘maximum’ level of insulation that can be incorporated into buildings or required by standards, and sets limits to the amount by which current approaches to carbon thrift can be escalated. The study demonstrates the absolute significance of combining operational and embodied carbon analyses in demonstrating the effectiveness of carbon reduction strategies and requirements to shift away from ‘operational carbon only’ methods. The approach must be an integral part of any holistic appraisal of low and zero carbon performance.

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