This research is about the role of sustainable urban design principles in delivering high density mixed use schemes in Amman. It builds on previous work developed in the 2010 Amman Master Plan to propose, a first for the city, sustainable high density mixed use (HDMU) development in three distinct geographical areas in the city. High density mixed use developments conceived as part of the master plan is a new approach for the city of Amman and for Jordan.

This thesis is an investigation into the implications that a warming climate has for the housing retrofit programme recently completed at Rushenden on the Isle of Sheppey that was the subject of the EU Interreg research project IFORE (Innovation for Renewal, 2010- 2014). The aim of this thesis is to inform UK public policy on social housing retrofit, as to whether we are pursuing the correct goal by retrofitting with insulation and air-tightness, a strategy to conserve heat, rather than one that would also combat summertime overheating. The community of Rushenden was used as a case study to develop a specific adaptation strategy for retrofitted social housing in the South-East of England. Gaps in knowledge were identified relating to the role that insulation and air-tightness has in reducing or increasing the overheating risk, and the analysis of a wider range of shading strategies. The measures were discussed with sixteen households during completion of the adaptations questionnaire and three focus groups. Six households completed daily a longitudinal comfort questionnaire, over a period of two months. Monitoring of internal and external temperatures was carried out as part of IFORE but in addition questions about overheating were included by the author within the three IFORE questionnaires that were submitted to one hundred households during the timescale of the project. Two models were built in ESP-r, a European standard building simulation tool: a singlestorey and a two-storey house type. Dynamic thermal modelling, incorporating future weather files, was used to evaluate different specifications of insulation and air-tightness and the climate change adaptation measures. Future heating and cooling loads were calculated and the overheating risk was assessed using the adaptive comfort algorithm. The first results from the simulations showed that the light type of retrofit installed by IFORE will reduce both the heating load and the cooling load in 2030s, 2050s and 2080s. On the other hand, a deeper type of retrofit that complies with the Passivhaus standard U-value for wall insulation, and air-tightness, will reduce the heating load but increase the cooling load. Despite reduction of overheating risk using the lighter type of retrofit, the living room of the single storey house will not meet the adaptive comfort set of criteria and should be classed as “overheating”. The installation of internal white, opaque roller blinds, will meet the adaptive comfort criteria and eliminate the need for cooling in both the single and two storey houses. The adaptation measures were discussed in terms of their practicality, affordability and the interaction between occupant and technology. The discussion arising from this work is to judge the wider application of its results as a guide to retrofit decision-making.

Architecture is a creative process that relies on representational tools (drawings, physical scale models, digital models etc.), which describe what is being designed. Such tools are useful in showing the position of the solid elements that make up a building, their shape and size, as well as the physical boundaries of the space. Even though these tools are “immaterial” representations, they are different to the immateriality that is associated with space when experienced by users. This research is interested in theoretical debates relating to immateriality as part of the users’ spatial experience and how these can inform the design process. Firstly, this study discusses the relationship between architecture as a creative process, and the lived experience of people as a way of consuming space. Space is seen as a product of the design process and the context in which architecture exists. The particular context that this research is interested in is that of Bahrain, as a typical example of a geo-cultural part of the world, whose economic conditions and cultural values are changing fast. Given that Bahrain is part of the Islamic world, the discussion of the context is extended to Islamic architecture. The thesis will delve into how Islamic architecture, which is informed by religious and cultural values, combines both material functions and immaterial aspects. However, the economic and social transformation that the Gulf region has seen over the last few decades has impacted on people and their relationship with the everyday space, the city, its design and the way it is experienced. Using both the place of dwelling, as a private space, and public spaces in the city, this thesis looks at the spatial experience of city dwellers to consider how that experience relates to the context in which those spaces exist. This thesis is particularly interested in the immaterial aspects of the users’ spatial experience, which is often overlooked or naively assumed to be part of the design brief. This study uses qualitative research approaches, as it aims to explore people’s lives and to identify and clarify its underlying meanings. Firstly, case studies from the literature were referred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding of architecture, culture, context and their impact on people’s lived experience. Subsequently, fieldwork-based primary research was undertaken using a variety of methods including semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion, organised walks with participants and observations. It is anticipated that the discussion would lead to a better understanding of some of the issues around immateriality in architecture that could inform architecture as a practice and a discipline. Such a practice would reflect the social, cultural and environmental conditions of this particular context. In this respect, the design process will be informed by both material and immaterial consideration of the users and their context.

My work, published essays and books listed below, provides new insights into architects’ approaches to housing design since the beginning of the twentieth century. Drawing on methods from both history and practice the work uses primarily drawn building studies familiar in professional journals for comparative analysis. Two interrelated issues, housing designed to be adaptable (or flexible) and housing designed for families other than the norm of the static, nuclear family, characterise the approach to the work implicit through the selection of case studies. A reflective essay considers the work in the context of attempts to introduce flexible housing typologies and the potential impact on the role of the architect and the consumer. Further context is provided in an appendix setting out an annotated chronology of relevant legislation, reports and recommendations, to raise questions about its complexities and the contemporary renewed focus on minimum space standards as the primary tool to improve housing quality.

Double skin façades (DSFs) are gaining recognition as a technology that, while giving a modern transparent appearance to buildings, have the capability to moderate the indoor thermal conditions and the potential to reduce energy demands. A typical DSF consists of an additional fully glazed external skin installed over the conventional building façade forming an air cavity in which sunshade devices are often installed to prevent overheating in the internal rooms. The majority of the existing studies on DSF are based on air-conditioned models under temperate climate conditions, where most DSFs are implemented. However, developments in warmer climate countries such as Brazil are also considering the application of this technology as a solution to improve thermal performance in buildings. Therefore, investigations to understand the DSF thermal and airflow processes and implication of its use in naturally ventilated buildings under such climates are needed. The aim of this study is to determine the thermal performance of office buildings with DSF under Brazilian climate conditions. Firstly, the key parameters affecting the thermal performance of buildings with DSF are identified through critical literature reviews. Using an office building as a reference model, computational thermal dynamic simulations are performed to demonstrate the influence of each individual key parameter on the building‘s thermal behaviour. From the findings of the parametric analysis, optimized models that utilise a combination of solutions to maximize the building thermal performance are developed and analysed. Finally, acceptable thermal comfort levels of the optimized model in different Brazilian climatic regions and periods of the year are determined. This study evaluated the key parameters affecting the thermal performance of buildings with DSF, including: the significance of material selections in design solutions to maximize airflow through the building; the prevention of unintentional reverse flow on the upper floors and maintenance of balanced airflow rates across all floors; the impact of solar incidence and wind conditions on the DSF‘s thermal performance. Results from the simulations of the optimized model under different bioclimatic zones of Brazil indicated that in most parts of the country the thermal comfort acceptance levels are as low as 60%, especially in the hotter areas of centre west regions, coastal areas and north of the country. The outcomes of this research provide insight and understanding on the functioning of the DSF in naturally ventilated buildings in warm and hot climates. DSFs in naturally ventilated buildings under Brazilian climates generally presented lower thermal acceptability when compared to single skin models due to the high outside temperatures and the airflow resistance caused by the application of the second skin. Their application will therefore not have direct benefit to the thermal performance.