The research question this thesis asks is what accounts for the intra state variation of mosque building projects in Western Europe, using as case studies Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Two mosque projects are considered in each case study state and two theories are proposed and tested: resources mobilization theory and opportunity structure theory.

This thesis explores the notion of site as a generative basis for architecture. Site is conceived not only as a plot of land where a building is located, but also as something that is the result of agency: the architectural intervention. Site is thus constructed with architecture; it is as much a consequence as a thing. Still Creek was chosen as a provocative site in which to explore this idea. Once Vancouver's largest salmon-bearing stream. Still Creek now exists in a barren, degraded state — the result of a century of urbanization. In its fragmented course from its headwaters to Burnaby Lake, Still Creek flows above and below ground through a diversity of site conditions, ranging from a primeval ravine to a polluted industrial area. Recently, sensibilities about the stream have changed. There are presently a variety of groups interested in Still Creek, not only as a public amenity, but also as an urban ecosystem. In response, it was proposed that (1) an urban trail be located along the discontinuous course of the stream, and (2) a facility be located along the stream that addresses some of the needs of these interested groups. The Still Creek Interpretive Facility marks both the beginning of the stream and the start of the urban trail. Located at the edge of the Renfrew Ravine where the stream first emerges from a subterranean culvert, the building makes apparent the many forces present on the site. An initial gesture of excavation reveals the culvert and demarcates a constructed and a natural edge. The constructed edge of the excavation is heightened with a veil of translucent solar panels that diffuse sunlight and help power the building. A wood screen along the natural edge of the excavation acts as a foil to the alder forest, allowing the building to maintain a quiet presence in the ravine as well as creating shimmering views of colour and light. The stream fills the lowest part of the excavation, mitigating high runoff flows and making a reflective pool for light, precipitation, and sound. The excavation and screen walls form a vessel into which mute volumes are inserted, creating a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, some relating more to site, others relating more to programme. Exterior building circulation winds through the whole assembly — an extension of the urban trail — forming a rich experiential descent from street...through building...to stream beyond...

Computer building energy simulations are an important tool in the design of low-energy buildings. Building energy modeling is used to predict annual energy consumption, determine peak loads for sizing equipment, complete cost-payback analysis to select appropriate energy efficiency measures, and show compliance with standards. While energy modeling is a cost effective tool to assist in design, there are a number of challenges in the current building energy modeling industry. Most energy modeling programs are too technical to be used by architects, and too complex for early design when many system parameters are not known. Programs that are easy to use lack accuracy and the ability to model new, innovative systems. Programs that allow the simulation of new systems are very complex and have a high learning curve for engineers. In this thesis, a computer program that was developed to model building energy loads and energy consumption of mechanical systems is presented. The program, entitled “Building Energy and Loads Analysis” (BELA), has a transparent, open architecture to allow additions and changes, and it facilitates the simulation of simple early design and detailed later design. BELA is currently a simple, single-zone model but it could be expanded at a later date. The program consists of two stages: the loads model and the systems model. In the loads model, users define a building through a series of inputs. The program uses these inputs to calculate the total heat transfer acting on the space, which is the total heating or cooling load on the space. The systems model calculates the total energy consumption of the building. These calculations are performed hourly for one year. Two heating and cooling systems models have been created, radiant heating and cooling, and fan coil units, both with a dedicated outdoor air system to provide ventilation. The output of the loads model can be used to view the loads on the buildings, and to view how enclosure design parameters such as amount of insulation or type of window affect the building loads. The output of the systems model shows the total energy consumption of the building for one year. It can be used to compare different mechanical systems and evaluate various design parameters within the systems. The BELA program is used to create a natural ventilation model in order to demonstrate the implementation of an innovative system, and to compare the energy consumption of a naturally ventilated building to a mechanically ventilated building. The case study model showed that natural or hybrid ventilation can reduce building energy consumption when designed properly, however when used incorrectly it can significantly increase energy consumption. For scenarios where opening sizes were not restricted to provide only the necessary airflow, energy consumption of natural ventilation was higher than with the dedicated outdoor air system. This was due to the increased space heating and cooling loads from excessive unconditioned air entering the building. When opening sizes were limited to provide only the required airflow rates and to take advantage of free cooling, energy consumption for a year was reduced by 3.5%. This simulation showed that natural ventilation may save a small amount of energy when designed correctly. However, designers should evaluate it concurrently with other energy efficiency measures that may provide greater energy savings.

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The problem of determining an appropriate procurement form for the management of a construction project has been surrounded by controversy and strongly held opinions. The work reported here attempts to indicate some rational basis for choice in this decision by identifying those factors which significantly affect project performance, with particular reference to the distinctions between design build and traditional procurement forms. Two basic propositions are addressed by the work. The former is that design build forms perform better than traditional forms. This view is based on the conventional, construction industry view of the factors which affect performance. The latter is that contextual factors and the management and organisation of the construction process are the major determinants of project performance. This view stems from the application of management theory to the construction process and takes into account more and diverse variables than the conventional view. The factors which affect construction project performance are identified by reviewing three basic areas which are fundamental to the research. The first is the construction process and the way it has been treated and analysed in the past, which has been based around the traditional form of organisation. The second is the perceptions held concerning the design build process and how this procurement form has developed over recent years. A taxonomy of design build organisations is presented. Finally, the literature concerning project management, in general and specifically applied to the construction process, is reviewed and those factors which have been identified as affecting project performance identified. Following on is a review of performance measures which have previously been adopted. Based on this review a number of measures are chosen to compare performance (a mixture of objective and subjective measures). The foregoing leads to the situation where two research models are proposed and tested, by the formulation of related hypotheses, in two separate phases of the research process. A sample of 47 projects was used in the initial phase of the work and this was followed up by 27 detailed case studies in the subsequent phase. The data collected are analysed using partial correlation analysis as the principal analytic tool and the main results are reported below. The primary conclusion to be drawn is that procurement form is not a good predictor of performance. In general, the management, organisation and contextual variables are found to be more strongly associated with performance. Specifically, increased client complexity and dependence are found to be associated with reduced performance, as are increased project complexity and uncertainty. Document certainty and completeness and the degree of competition in letting construction works are all factors found to affect performance. Familiarity and differentiation are organisational factors which are found to be strongly associated with performance. Finally, it is shown that different procurement forms can be located on a structure grid and that those organisations which are appropriately located are associated with higher levels of performance.

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