The integration of windcatchers in the urban context of hot-arid context of Tehran needs to address two changes in the current utilization: 1) high density context which makes it harder to access to sufficient airflow in the urban context, and 2) sociocultural shifts towards dependencies on modern mechanical air-conditioning systems. Windcatchers are unique tools existing in the hot-arid regions in the Middle East. Windcatcher uses thermal mass, evaporation techniques, and stack effect to deliver human comfort to the residents of the building. Vernacular windcatchers are useful for moderating the indoor air temperature. Yet, using natural ventilation techniques as passive strategies are outdated in recent decades and there are a couple of reasons for that such as maintenance difficulties, lack of urban air filtration methods, decline of cooling efficiency due to modified airflow patterns, habitable space utilization modifications, and dependencies on mechanical cooling systems. On the other hand, tensile structures have the potential to be considered as a tool to upgrade the windcatchers and use them in the modern urban context which will also help reducing energy and reviving local textile industry. This research tries to propose a method that emphasizes on the adaptability of windcatchers and tensile structures, inhabitant control, airflow control and reuse of heavy thermal mass. Also, the proposed model offers improvements for environmental performance of lightweight textiles, such as particulate matter filtration, kinetic energy transformation, and photoresponse for passive shading or natural daylighting strategies. The main goal of this research is to define the parameters required to enhance inhabitant adaptability with the windcatcher and also natural ventilation cooling system. In this research, important characteristics of Sangelaj neighborhood in Tehran are considered such as existing windcatcher dimensions, micro-climate conditions, and urban morphology. Then, different methods are proposed to develop the heat transfer and airflow analysis of the integration between windcatchers and tensile structures. The research suggests methods for adaptation of windcatchers in existing buildings of Tehran using tensile structures. It also proposes methods for the new buildings in the urban context of Sangelaj neighborhood in Tehran.

This thesis presents an adaptive and reconfigurable mobile robot: the Dual Mobile Robot (DMR). It is driven by two adaptive track-wheel driving modules that combine wheels and tracks to allow real-time interchangeability according to terrain condition. The DMR can automatically convert from a wheel-based robot into a track-based robot by rotating the track-wheel driving modules by 90 degrees, either only tracks or wheels contact with the ground without any interference. It can be driven as a wheel-based robot when operating over a paved road to achieve higher speed and low energy consumption, and as a track-based robot over uneven terrain. In addition, unlike most state-of-the-art mobile robot designs that have an integrated architecture, this design provides a modular architecture which allows modifications and upgrades to be performed via simple replacements or local changes of modules. To establish the modular architecture, this research utilized a unique design paradigm, “Design for product adaptability”. A function-based design process for product adaptability has been conducted in the conceptual design stage. By following the design process, two types of design alternatives of the DMR have been created. After the best product configuration was chosen through evaluation and prioritization, the selected configuration has been implemented by detail design. The DMR prototype was developed and tested to demonstrate its adaptability and advanced mobility functions in real-world environments. The experimental results successfully validated the hypothesis of the proposed robot with its track-wheel interchangeable ability, significantly exceeding the capability of other existing systems.

This thesis presents an adaptive and reconfigurable mobile robot: the Dual Mobile Robot (DMR). It is driven by two adaptive track-wheel driving modules that combine wheels and tracks to allow real-time interchangeability according to terrain condition. The DMR can automatically convert from a wheel-based robot into a track-based robot by rotating the track-wheel driving modules by 90 degrees, either only tracks or wheels contact with the ground without any interference. It can be driven as a wheel-based robot when operating over a paved road to achieve higher speed and low energy consumption, and as a track-based robot over uneven terrain. In addition, unlike most state-of-the-art mobile robot designs that have an integrated architecture, this design provides a modular architecture which allows modifications and upgrades to be performed via simple replacements or local changes of modules. To establish the modular architecture, this research utilized a unique design paradigm, “Design for product adaptability”. A function-based design process for product adaptability has been conducted in the conceptual design stage. By following the design process, two types of design alternatives of the DMR have been created. After the best product configuration was chosen through evaluation and prioritization, the selected configuration has been implemented by detail design. The DMR prototype was developed and tested to demonstrate its adaptability and advanced mobility functions in real-world environments. The experimental results successfully validated the hypothesis of the proposed robot with its track-wheel interchangeable ability, significantly exceeding the capability of other existing systems.

Manufacturing globalization and sustainable development compel production enterprises to continuously seek improvements in their products performance, customization, environmental friendliness, cost, and delivery time. The challenges of this competition cannot be completely addressed through improving production processes because some issues can only be solved through more innovative design. This thesis investigates a new design paradigm called Design for Adaptability or Adaptable Design (AD) to address some of these challenges. The purpose of AD is to extend the utility of designs and products. An adaptable design allows manufacturers to quickly develop new and upgraded models or customized products through adapting existing designs with proven quality and costs. An adaptable product can be utilized under varying service requirements thus prevents premature product replacement. Design adaptability and product adaptability provide economical and environmental benefits of AD. <p> To make a product adaptable, its adaptability must be built-in during the design stage. Methods of design for predetermined adaptations are categorized as Specific AD; these methods design products for versatility, upgrading, variety, and customization. Several of these methods such as modular/platform design and design for upgrading have been studied for mechanical design. In the absence of predetermined adaptations, AD aims to increase the general adaptability of products. General AD involves fundamental research in design theory and methodology in order to develop practical design methods and guidelines. This thesis introduces several original concepts and proposes the subordination of a system to a rational functional structure as an approach for increasing general adaptability. Such a system would consist of a hierarchical assembly of autonomous functional modules, emulating the adaptable architecture of a rational functional structure. Methods and guidelines are proposed for making the design of mechanical systems closer to this ideal architecture. <p> Accordingly, the thesis proposes a methodology for AD in which specific AD is performed first to take advantage of available forecast information, and then general AD is performed in order to increase adaptability to unforeseen changes. Also, a measure has been defined for the assessment of adaptability. The application of this methodology has been demonstrated through several conceptual design examples.

Manufacturing globalization and sustainable development compel production enterprises to continuously seek improvements in their products performance, customization, environmental friendliness, cost, and delivery time. The challenges of this competition cannot be completely addressed through improving production processes because some issues can only be solved through more innovative design. This thesis investigates a new design paradigm called Design for Adaptability or Adaptable Design (AD) to address some of these challenges. The purpose of AD is to extend the utility of designs and products. An adaptable design allows manufacturers to quickly develop new and upgraded models or customized products through adapting existing designs with proven quality and costs. An adaptable product can be utilized under varying service requirements thus prevents premature product replacement. Design adaptability and product adaptability provide economical and environmental benefits of AD. <p> To make a product adaptable, its adaptability must be built-in during the design stage. Methods of design for predetermined adaptations are categorized as Specific AD; these methods design products for versatility, upgrading, variety, and customization. Several of these methods such as modular/platform design and design for upgrading have been studied for mechanical design. In the absence of predetermined adaptations, AD aims to increase the general adaptability of products. General AD involves fundamental research in design theory and methodology in order to develop practical design methods and guidelines. This thesis introduces several original concepts and proposes the subordination of a system to a rational functional structure as an approach for increasing general adaptability. Such a system would consist of a hierarchical assembly of autonomous functional modules, emulating the adaptable architecture of a rational functional structure. Methods and guidelines are proposed for making the design of mechanical systems closer to this ideal architecture. <p> Accordingly, the thesis proposes a methodology for AD in which specific AD is performed first to take advantage of available forecast information, and then general AD is performed in order to increase adaptability to unforeseen changes. Also, a measure has been defined for the assessment of adaptability. The application of this methodology has been demonstrated through several conceptual design examples.

Optimizing customer satisfaction is vital to maintain relevance as well as being competitive on a growing market. This research is aimed to explore what aspects of design and functionality that should be prioritized when developing solo tunnel tents for four season use within a European market. Since solo tents are small in size, users seem to prioritize purchasing a tent for two people because it provides bigger space for equipment, accompanied animals and is more reliable in bad weather. To examine the research questions, a design theory and human centered design method has been applied to optimize customer satisfaction. The study consists of literature study, survey, interviews, empathy mapping and prototyping, which resulted in an implemented prototype for a four season solo tent planned for future production. Furthermore, a prototype has been developed by data conducted from the survey, interviews and a design brief given by the partnering company. Conspicuous results have been shown through a survey and interviews, which explains the difficulties in development of tents to ensure a wider range of customer satisfaction. Findings in this research emerged that weight was not the most important aspect when buying a four season solo tent. A correlation has been investigated, there was an expectation from the producer that lightweight tents were preferred by the users, however this research exposed that it is not as important as imagined for a four season solo tent. In the sense of a solo tent for four seasons, the users desire space over weight. Furthermore, the results also showed that there was a difference in requirements related to the two different groups that had been investigated. It was found that experienced users had a higher preference of design and ergonomic aspects compared to the common users that did not rank it as important. Within this research a total of 55 people participated, where 44 people participated in the survey and 11 people participated in the interviews. For future research a larger number of participants, preferably women, could provide an interesting result and more on if people from a larger area outside Sweden participated in the research. Furthermore a physical test of the prototyped tent would ensure that this study results in a design that optimizes customer satisfaction.