Thesis (B. Arch.)--Roger Williams University, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on June 21, 2010) Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "December 2006." Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-182). Also available on the World Wide Web.

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The provision of housing in rural areas has been identified as crucial for the long term sustainability of rural communities. However, there are questions about how rural developers are responding to legislative requirements to reduce carbon emissions, whether the fulfilment of a need for affordable housing in rural areas can be reconciled with higher energy performance and whether higher energy performance will affect thermal comfort when climate change is taken into account. To understand these issues a review of published and monitored case studies in rural areas of the UK was undertaken which highlighted a number of development models that might be applied by house builders in the Welsh context. An analysis of two exemplar projects in Pembroke Dock, West Wales, examined the following: the social, economic and legislative context of rural development; the significance of energy and carbon used to construct rural houses; and the quantity of energy required to keep rural dwellings at a comfortable temperature in a typical year. Dynamic thermal modelling was then used to investigate a number of design approaches highlighted in the earlier studies as significant including: increasing thermal mass; increasing south facing glazing; adjusting building form and the layout of the site; and higher levels of insulation. The application of these approaches on a housing scheme in West Wales established the benefits of incorporating thermal mass into the building fabric, maintaining a compact form and, where reasonable, using passive solar gain, to reduce heating load. This study identified that these approaches, if carefully combined, could achieve significant (i.e. 16.4%-29.8%) reductions in heating load without compromising the affordability of the original scheme. However, the study also identified that one possible consequence of improving the energy performance would be a reduction in thermal comfort as a result of higher internal temperatures. To gain a better understanding of this further modelling examined the potential for overheating using the following: current and future climate files; an algorithm based on window opening behaviour; detailed simulation of airflow; and bivariate data analysis techniques. The results from this study identified that thermal mass and ventilation techniques could be employed to address the issues of overheating.

L’isolation thermique par l’extérieure (ITE) constitue une solution technique intéressante pour améliorer les performances énergétiques du secteur du bâtiment. Cependant, l’ITE peut venir modifier l’équilibre hygrothermique de l’enveloppe et affecter sa durabilité, notamment au regard de l’humidité. Dans ce contexte, un premier travail a consisté à étudier en laboratoire le comportement hygrothermique de trois systèmes d’ITE rapportés sur une paroi en parpaing : un système ETICS (PSE sous enduit mis en œuvre par voie humide) et deux systèmes sous bardage (mis en œuvre par voie sèche), dont un incluant des matériaux biosourcés (laine de bois et ouate de cellulose). Des expériences en enceinte biclimatique, combinées à des simulations numériques des transferts couplés de chaleur et de masse, ont permis d’appréhender le comportement hygrothermique de ces parois rénovées à différents stades : lors de la pose des solutions d’ITE, en usage « normal » et dans des conditions conduisant à des risques de condensation. Les résultats du système ETICS montrent le rôle important de la colle et la difficulté à appréhender numériquement son comportement. Les résultats des systèmes sous bardage soulignent l’intérêt d’utiliser des matériaux biosourcés dans des conditions à risques, mais également la sensibilité des simulations numériques aux propriétés hydriques des matériaux hygroscopiques. Un second travail portant sur l’analyse in situ d’un système d’ITE sous bardage a souligné l’absence de risques majeurs liés à l’humidité durant les deux années étudiées. Par ailleurs, la comparaison simulation/expérience a mis en évidence le rôle important joué par la lame d’air ventilée. / External thermal insulation (ETI) is an interesting technical solution for improving the energy performance of the building sector. However, ETI may change the hygrothermal balance of the envelope and affect its durability, especially with regard to moisture. With this in mind, a first work consisted in studying the hygrothermal behavior of three systems of ETI set on a hollow concrete block wall in the laboratory: an ETICS system (wet process) and two systems under cladding (dry process), with one of them composed with bio-based materials (wood wool and cellulose wadding). Experiments in a bi-climatic enclosure, combined with numerical simulations of coupled heat and mass transfers, made it possible to apprehend the hygrothermal behavior of these renovated walls at different stages: during the installation of ETI solutions, in "normal" use and under conditions leading to risks of condensation. The results of the ETICS system show the important role of the glue and the difficulty to understand numerically its behavior. The results of the cladding systems underline the interest of using bio-based materials under hazardous conditions, but also the sensitivity of numerical simulations to the hydric properties of hygroscopic materials. A second study on the in situ analysis of a cladding ETI system highlighted the absence of major risks related to humidity during the two years studied. In addition, the simulation / experiment comparison highlighted the important role played by the ventilated air.

The main task of any group attempting to provide proper housing for the aged is that of making it more than simply "a place to stay." The Mennonite community, too, is faced with this task as it looks for an answer to the housing dilemma of its older members. This study undertakes to survey one kind of answer – that of Menno Home. This survey of a Mennonite Home located in Clearbrook, B.C., indicates that this type of housing tends to cut its residents off from the stream of life. The participation of these elderly people in community affairs becomes very limited. The study begins with a discussion of the aging process in general. It describes some types of housing projects which have been undertaken on behalf of the aged. In the second chapter the development of Menno Home is reviewed, and a description of the housing unit is undertaken. In the following chapter the services that are offered are traced against the background of a strong and devoted church-oriented administration. A comparison is drawn with other homes for the aged. This is done through the use of several studies undertaken by Master of Social Work students in previous years. In the final chapter the needs of the residents of Menno Home are considered. This is followed by a discussion of what social workers would be able to do to make a beneficial contribution to Menno Home. Menno Home is found to be quite similar to other institutions dedicated to the same purposes. The variations that are evident consist in different policies of admission, different types of administration and some differences in the physical plant itself. However, the distinguishing feature of Menno Home lies in its strong kinship to the Mennonite church, and in the fact that it serves almost exclusively a rural, Mennonite, German or Low German speaking group. Menno Home would lend itself well to the influence of a capable social worker, as that worker cooperates with the Christian ministers now engaged in serving the residents of Menno Home. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate