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Despite the general acceptance of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to tackle environmental problems associated with the built environment, the literature shows that this complex assessment system presents limitations as a communication tool for decision-making process given that results are difficult to interpret. By trying to reduce the complexity of following multiple variables in LCA, a simplified and more straightforward process emerged to account for only energy using, Life cycle Energy Analysis (LCEA). However, LCEA has also inherited problems associated with LCA. Thus, discrepancies in calculation procedures, the lack of geographical considerations and ecological attitude and assumptions are criticized in both approaches. In this thesis, a Visio-Spatial Life Cycle Energy Model based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) was developed in order to bridge the gap of LCEA as a communication tool by displaying embodied energy intensities in thematic maps taking into consideration bioregional principles in its analysis. A new dynamic Input-Output model, which efficiently simplifies the extraction process of energy paths from IO tables enabled the integration of hybrid energy coefficients to account for economic establishments dedicated to produce goods and services in the construction sector as illustrated in a bioregional case study area in Mexico. The full capability of the Visio-spatial energy model was then applied to a specific study of fired clay brick production within the bioregion. The results obtained by process analysis methods (PA) had a variation of 33.6% with respect to IO procedures, which can be considered acceptable in hybrid methods. Embodied energy figures expressed in thematic maps helped to reduce geographical assumptions and expand the sense of place in LCEA by visualizing patterns in manufacturing processes within the case study area.

With the rapid development of interactive building materials that can react in real time, a new type of architecture is about to emerge. Buildings that can transform their selves and change their appearance are gaining popularity and could become the new norm in architecture. The potential convergence of artificial intelligence and adaptive building materials offers the possibility of having a lifelike building that is not only interactive but can also think and become social. A series of experiments are made using different virtual environments and placing participants in animated, interactive or seemingly intelligent structures. The justification is based on the wide spread use of virtual reality in architecture and an established body of literature showing that virtual environments are a useful tool in assessing how people might react to different experiences. Results presented indicate that when placed in a simulation of a lifelike building, people are more productive and feel more comfortable than a regular static one. Placing such a building in a social virtual environment showed that an interactive building can generate more visitors and interest than a static counterpart. This demonstrates the validity of animated, interactive or intelligent buildings and that they are not just a novelty item in the architectural world. A multiple measure approach was used and increased confidence in the use of virtual environments as an indicator of how people might react in similar real life scenarios.

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This thesis addresses issues related to the development of Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs) for architectural design use. Today a new level of complexity has been brought to the meaning of virtuality by the creation of network-based virtual communities and the use of avatars along with multimedia which provides the technology for remote presence and collaborative experience. Communication and especially collaboration among design teams are now key factors in making the design process faster and more efficient in order to achieve increased competitiveness in the construction market. The objective of this thesis is to present a tool that is capable of creating 3D shapes in a shared VR environment, therefore allowing the evolution of the design to be a shared process. Along with its companion thesis (Conti, 2002) it gives the description of a framework and software prototype which could help practitioners using Virtual Reality technology by being a new interface for collaborative design at the early stages of the design process. The prototype system that is described here is called Java™ Collaborative Architectural Design tool in Virtual Reality JCAD-VR) and this thesis presents a description of its collaborative architecture. This thesis gives a description of the phases and technical solutions in the development of the network architecture and collaborative features of the JCAD-VR system. In addition, several different communication tools were used to enhance communication and the flow of information among the design teams and they are integrated in a Virtual Environment specifically created for architects. After the description of the software development the results are given of a test of the collaborative architecture of JCAD-VR and its ease of use in a real multi participant design experiment which show the potential and efficiency of using CVEs in architecture.

唐劉知幾著有《史通》一書，當中總結歷代史籍的編撰情況，更提出史籍撰著建議予以後世，但見劉知幾學術之重點在於其史學。事實上，後世學者往往著眼於劉知幾「三入東觀」的經歷以及其僅存的史評論著《史通》，即冠以「史學家」之稱謂，討論其史學觀念，子玄之儒學背景及其於論著中如何受儒家經典影響，並未為過往一眾論者廣泛注意，但觀《全唐文》對子玄的評價，稱「子玄博識，誠則純儒」，由此可見，唐時人對於劉知幾的學術焦點並不在史學，恰正在其儒學。 / 晚唐柳璨指摘劉知幾《史通》議駁經典過當，為批評《史通》菲薄經典之始，至近人呂思勉猶稱其「邃於史而疏於經」，雖自梁啟超起意圖匡正歷來學者對劉知幾的誤解，但不論學者採取批評抑或肯定的論說立場，並皆以為劉知幾論說有悖儒家經典，甚至以為劉知幾貶抑經書以求推尊史學。但筆者嘗試蒐集書證，得見一眾論說其實未有深究劉知幾的經學內涵，即論斷其著述意圖，實有偏頗之弊。 / 本文欲從《史通》內外分篇準則的角度切入，析述《史通》內篇辨義、外篇言事之編排體例，且以此理解《史通》出現「詆毀」經書論說，旨在論史事真偽，非關經義，藉以肯定劉知幾殆非「離經叛道」之徒。 / 再以《史通》及相關史籍著述論及儒家經典的條目為研究對象，比對初唐相關經學論說，以歸納劉知幾的經學思想，當中包括了對《尚書》、《春秋》相關經學議題的闡發，以及詮釋三《禮》、《周易》、《詩經》的傾向與特點。 / 最後，將《史通》說經論述置於經學史的發展脈絡下審視，得見《史通》「疑古」「惑經」乃上承王充學說，又因唐初經學治學風氣崇尚自由，得以包容接納有異於《正義》的論見。其次，透過梳理唐以後相關經說，但見作為史書類之《史通》對經學方面的影響，包括《春秋》學派繼承「捨傳求經」之風，而後世經學論述對劉知幾學說之廣泛引用，因之，本文以為劉知幾學識在經學範疇亦有影響力，實需重新考量劉知幾於經學史上的地位。 / As a celebrated scholar in Tang Dynasty, Liu ZhiJi（劉知幾） expressed his thoughts in the works of Shi Tong（史通）. Shi Tong, an echo-making significance in the history of Chinese historiography. It does not only make a summary of historical records in the past, but also provide a guideline for the later historiographers. Therefore, the mainstream of research on Liu, is about the historical thoughts. However, we have to realize that, Liu’s thoughts on Classics studies have also been mainly included in Shi Tong. Moreover, Quan Tang Wen（全唐文） said "Liu is a knowledge man, can be called an absolute Confucian scholar." This has shown that the essence of Liu’ study is on Confucian Classic but not on history. / In Shi Tong, Liu points out the advantages and disadvantages of the historical records, even Saint Confucian Classic. Liu Can（柳璨） in later Tang Dynasty, reprimands it as "Absurd accusation of the sages and Saint". There are even more commentaries in Shi Tong in modern time, yet most held biased views. After reviewing the research of previous scholars, we found that, regarding the research of Classic study in Shi Tong still somewhat weak even Tang Dynasty, in the past decades. / This paper starts from discussing the writing system of Shi Tong. Shi Tong is divided into inside and outside parts. According to the research, the inside part is talk about the theory of historical writing, and the outside part focus on the historical fact. The differences between these structures, help us to understand Liu’s concept of Confucian Classic. He did not doubt about the value of Confucian classic, but use the paradigm of the history to seek the fact of history in the Classic writings. / The second part of this paper, is to analyze the thoughts of Classic in Shi Tong. It divides into 5 chapters to talks about Shang Shu, Chun Qiu, Li Ji, Zhou Yi and Shi Jing, These chapters attempt to show the deeply studies on Shi Tong’ explanations and interpretation of Classic. Through the discussion of Liu’s thoughts of Classic study, we can understand more clearly about Liu’s distinct mentality and academic survey. / In the third part of this paper, we re-examine the background of Liu’s world culture. Even some scholars may recognized Liu’s doubt about Classic, and simply labeled or explained this phenomenon, saying Said that Liu’s thought was deviated from authority unifying thought of Classics. Liu didn’t follow or opposed the predecessors blindly. At the same time, Liu created his own views of Classic study. He approved and developed the critical spirit of Wang Chong(王充), who said "Hate bitterly dishonest and absurd gossip." Meanwhile, the atmosphere of Classic study in the early of Tang Dynasty is quiet free comparatively speaking. That is the reason that Liu voiced his doubt on the Classic. / To find out Liu’s basic thoughts, or the reason he doubted about the classic, was pursuing the historical fact. He wouldn’t want to overthrow the authoritative status of Classic, and his inner intension was to renewal the Classic. It is closed to the proposition of new Chun Qiu party. Liu’s viewpoints on Classic issues were approved in Tang Dynasty. Furthermore, the views were also being adopted in the Classic works in the following decades. It shows that, Liu occupied an important position in the history of Classic study. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / 劉璐. / Thesis (M.Phil.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 214-235). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Liu Lu.

With increasing concerns about the implications of climate change and urbanisation, there has been an increased public interest in the quality of urban open spaces in many countries because of its importance for daily people’s lives and urban environment. Recent studies in this field have shown that the microclimatic conditions are very important for people’s comfort in urban open spaces and, therefore, for the use of these spaces. Studying microclimate and thermal conditions in urban open spaces has been increased in the past years. The relationship between the microclimate, thermal comfort and the built urban form is still not understood very well. Further research in this aspect is needed. The courtyard is one of the open space types widely used in the countries of North Africa, Middle East and South Europe. The courtyard is often referred to in literature as a microclimate modifier. Because of this, many studies have been conducted in order to investigate its thermal environment. The majority of these studies dealt with the courtyard as a private space as a part of a building that can contribute to improve the indoor thermal conditions of the surrounding covered areas (its main function is to provide daylight and ventilation into the covered spaces). This study focuses on a particular type of courtyard. It deals with public enclosed courtyards which combine the features of the courtyards and public squares. This type of courtyard is not limited to provide only natural ventilation and natural daylight for the surrounding buildings, but it is mainly designed to offer a public place to perform a variety of activities for people such as social interactions, culture events, recreation, playing, business and many other activities. To the best of my knowledge, there have been no studies done on the microclimate and thermal comfort of courtyards with similar designs (function), particularly in hot dry regions. This study is conducted in Libya where the courtyard is the most common architectural pattern in its cities through all periods of the history. It is conducted in Libya where there is no published research on outdoor thermal comfort. This study investigated the microclimate, thermal comfort and the relationship with the built urban form of public enclosed courtyards in Tripoli city. The general purpose of this study was to develop a database of the thermal environment and subjective responses of people in existing public open spaces in a hot dry climate. The methodology used for this purpose was field studies. Two short-term field surveys were conducted in the two extreme seasons in Libya, one in the cool season day-time and the other one in the hot season day-time. A further field survey was performed during the hot season night-time, where no such study has been conducted in courtyards at this time in the past. In these field studies, extensive environmental measurements have been carried out in parallel to questionnaire surveys with the users of the selected case study sites. Six varied public enclosed courtyards representing three different architecture and urban-built forms of Tripoli city (old city, colonial city, and post-colonial city), were selected for the purpose of this study. The results showed that during both seasons, the microclimatic conditions in the studied courtyards were varied depending mainly on the amount of solar radiation received by their surfaces. Spatial characteristics (architectural form, geometry and surface materials and colours) had important roles in shaping the microclimates of the studied sites during both seasons. The results also showed that the distribution of thermal sensation votes, overall comfort votes and thermal preference votes were different for both seasons, as well as for the sites. Air temperature and then wind speed were found to be the most important determinants of people comfort. The findings of the study also revealed that summer night-time is considered to be of concern for urban thermal comfort in outdoor environments in Tripoli. In general, the findings confirmed a strong relationship between the built urban form (spatial characteristics of the sites), the microclimatic conditions and people’s comfort.

This research examines the hypothesis that more historic wrought iron minor architectural details (for example hinges, latches and brackets) survive than is often realised. It proves that they are often some of the oldest material in a building, having specific characteristics which are the result of their working and which influence design. Consequently, special consideration needs to be given to their conservation. They also demonstrate the skills of many unknown artisans who deserve greater recognition and appreciation for their roles in the country’s architectural and social history. The work is divided into three parts. The first part examines the development of the blacksmith’s craft, referring specifically to minor architectural details, the materials from which they were made, design development and the individuals involved in the craft. The second is a survey of a representative sample of extant historic ironwork details in Lincolnshire, examining their age, type and style, with an overview of their condition. The third is an evaluation of past and present methods of conservation of this material. The appendices show illustrations of some of the items discussed, and a gazetteer of historic ironwork identified in the survey. The original funding for this study was specifically for research in a field concerned with historic crafts or materials, with particular reference to Lincolnshire. It therefore concentrates on extant examples of wrought ironwork in the county from c1200 AD to c1860 AD, principally the work of individual craftsmen prior to their increased absorption into mass production industries. The significant role played by Cistercian monks and lay brothers of Lincolnshire monasteries in the development of the craft is considered, and some of the few records of Lincolnshire smiths which survive in local archives are examined, producing a greater insight into their involvement in this work than has been published previously.