Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

The topic for the research is focussed on establishing a new working procedure to help universities improve the way they use and manage space. This research is important to the higher education sector for two reasons. Adopting this new procedure will help space planners achieve improved space efficiency with associated cost savings but more importantly it achieves the efficiencies in ways that complement how staff wish to deliver teaching and how students wish to learn. The current space planning methodology within the sector predicts and controls space use through a spreadsheet based application that calculates demand by multiplying student numbers by a space norm. Specifically the aim of the research is to develop a collaborative space planning methodology that engenders academic commitment to effect space utilisation efficiency. The central research question posed was to understand if such a radically different approach to space planning, that considers the variable concept of the learning interaction, can improve space utilisation. The research to develop the space planning framework is presented in the form of a case study within a university faculty. The ontological and epistemological position reflected by the methodology moves away from positivism’s experimental approach that attempts to prove through a quantitative assessment of space that a faculty has too much or too little space. The research strategy is positioned within a very different participatory paradigm. (Onwuegbuzie, Johnson and Collins, 2009, p.122) The methodology encourages the space planner to reflect on a much wider interpretation of the definition of an effective learning environment. The qualitative data gathered through the case study was developed through action research, specifically co-operative inquiry. The process of engaging the stakeholders is the new learning presented by this research. Overall the department that was the focus of the case study believes the resources provided and planned for in the immediate future will meet the requirements of the proposed curriculum plan. In addition, the net internal area proposed for the department will be significantly lower, 17% less than the base case assessment calculated through the use of traditional space norms. The research suggests that this different methodology can improve space efficiency and contribute to improving the planning procedures within an educational organisation. The findings of the research were subject to validation by space management practitioners within the University of Gloucestershire and external sector experts. Further research is proposed through the Association of University Directors of Estate (AUDE).

The objective of this research is the review and presentation of the history of the main choirs of Cyprus and their conductors. Behind this rational the history of the island is also overviewed in order to give an insight of the effect of the various conquerors on the culture, the civilization and therefore the traditional music of the island. The written evidence on the choirs of Cyprus is minimal and therefore this study will not only document the history of the choirs but it will also gather all the information in one source. To conduct this research, the major choirs of the island were found and their contact data was recorded. The primary data of the research was collected through questionnaires and the secondary data through intensive literature review. The research concluded that there are long living choirs in Cyprus that perform exceptional work and this work should be written and promoted. Moreover, many of the choirs were formed in order to keep the memories for the occupied area alive and this effort is rewarded. Finally, in the absence of any similar work, this research was very rewarding for the researcher and it is believed that the author hopes that it will help the new generations to know and respect the history and the evolution of the choirs of Cyprus through the years.

The transformation of urban waterfronts is one of the key urban design and planning stories of the late twentieth century. The decline of the waterfront in post-industrial cities meant the deterioration of both a physical and social nature of significant portions of urban fabric. Cities have reacted to this state of affairs with substantial regeneration programs, approaching the decline of waterfront as an opportunity rather than a problem. However, since the success of early regeneration programs in North America, changing urban waterfronts on a global scale has led to a manifestation of globalisation, becoming a synonym of uniformity and monotony of cities. The urban waterfront also has become a battleground for a number of intersecting forces and different interests and desires. This research aims to study the phenomenon of urban waterfront regeneration, specifically analysing how it has operated within the UK context since the late 20th century until the present. It focuses on investigating the process of transformation of the urban waterfront in the city of Liverpool. Liverpool has suffered from a serious urban decline following the degeneration of its seven miles of docks due to a number of internal and external factors. However, since the 1980s, the image of an abandoned waterfront has started to change with massive waterfront regeneration schemes that aim to improve the physical, environmental, social and economic conditions of the area. This research argues that by understanding the process and the context of this regeneration, several lessons can be learned and models of good practice can be identified. The research is based on a series of lengthy interviews with key stakeholders closely linked with the development in the city, a review of documents related to the regeneration of Liverpool waterfront, including urban design policies and guidance, a substantial review of relevant news articles that were written throughout the periods of the recent transformation of the city, and numerous site visits to reflect upon the development carried out recently. The research also identifies and discusses a number of key urban issues such as image and identity, cultural built heritage, place marketing and branding, urban governance. The research identifies three distinctive eras of waterfront regeneration and several key regeneration schemes. Each of these eras reflects the many factors that shaped the urban landscape. The research argues that there are no specific models that can create successful waterfront regeneration, yet, what is important is ensuring the complexity and the inclusiveness of the process of the regeneration. An inclusive and a complex process will result in attaining urban competitiveness besides securing distinctive, genuine and imaginative urban identity. The research also highlighted the central role of urban design as a mediator between the numerous processes and different forces that shape the urban landscape.

International Energy Agency Solar Heating & Cooling (IEA SHC) programme states the fact that space/water heating and cooling demand account for over 75% of the energy consumed in single and multi-family homes. Solar energy technology can meet up to 100% of this demand depending on the size of the system, storage capacity, the heat load and the region’s climate. Solar thermal collectors are particular type of heat extracting devices that convert solar radiation into thermal energy through a transport medium or flowing fluid. Although hybrid PV/T or thermal-alone systems offer some advantages to improve the solar heat utilisation, there are a few technical challenges found in these systems in practice that prevented wide-scale applications. These technical drawbacks include being expensive to make and install, inability of switching already-built photovoltaic (PV) systems into PV/T systems, architectural design etc. The aims of this project, therefore, were to investigate roof integrated solar thermal roof collectors that properly blend into surrounding thus avoiding ‘add on’ appearance and having a dual function (heat absorption and roofing). Another objective was to address the inherent technical pitfalls and practical limitations of conventional solar thermal collectors by bringing unique, inexpensive, maintenance free and easily adaptable solutions. Thus, in this innovative research, unique and simple building integrated solar thermal roof collectors have been developed for heating & cooling applications. The roof systems which mainly based on low cost and structurally unique polyethylene heat exchanger are relatively cost effective, competitive and developed by primarily exploiting components and techniques widely available on the market. The following objectives have been independently achieved via evaluating three aspects of investigations as following: • Investigation on the performance of poly heat exchanger underneath PV units • Investigation on the performance of a Building Integrated PV/T Roof ‘Invisible’ Collector combined with a liquid desiccant enhanced indirect evaporative cooling system • Investigation on the build-up and performance test of a novel ‘Sandwich’ solar thermal roof for heat pump operation These works have been assessed by means of computer simulation, laboratory and field experimental work and have been demonstrated adequately. The key findings from the study confirm the potential of the examined technology, and elucidate the specific conclusions for the practice of such systems. The analysis showed that water temperature within the poly heat exchanger loop underneath PV units could reach up to 36°C and the system would achieve up to 20.25% overall thermal efficiency. Techno-economic analysis was carried out by applying the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) method. Evaluations showed that the estimated annual energy savings of the overall system was 10.3 MWh/year and the cost of power generation was found to be £0.0622 per kWh. The heat exchanger loop was coupled with a liquid desiccant enhanced indirect evaporative cooling unit and experimental results indicated that the proposed system could supply about 3 kW of heating and 5.2 kW of cooling power. Lastly, the results from test of a novel solar thermal collector for heat pump operation presented that the difference in water temperature could reach up to 18°C while maximum thermal efficiency found to be 26%. Coefficient Performance of the heat pump (COPHP) and overall system (COPSYS) averages were attained as COPHP=3.01 and COPSYS=2.29, respectively. An economic analysis pointed a minimum payback period of about 3 years for the system.

Having arguably led the world in the transition to a high carbon economy, much of Wales today is economically and socially deprived. Even so, a devolved Welsh Government has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions in the devolved areas, while creating employment and economic opportunities, reducing fuel poverty, thereby helping to solve Wales’ entrenched social and economic problems. A low carbon transition in the built environment is critical to achieve such targets. This PhD study aims to provide theoretically informed and empirically grounded insights into the development of low carbon building technologies in Wales through examining how the functions of the innovation systems of two selected emerging technologies i.e. ‘Welsh grown timber for construction’ (WTC) and ‘building integrated solar energy systems’ (BISE) have been fulfilled. Having first established a bespoke analytical framework, the functional patterns of the two technological innovation systems (TIS) are documented, assessed and compared. The study further explores how the functional analyses may offer a bottom-up perspective on the policy implications for regional governance in Wales, which might alter the functional patterns, and improve the innovation capability of relevant Welsh organisations. The functional analyses of the WTC and BISE TIS shows that, although both TISs have reached their formative phases in Wales, there is no guarantee that either system will eventually move onto the phase of market diffusion, due to the inherent system weaknesses and uncertainties likely arising in technology, policy-making, and market. Whereas regional governance in Wales can introduce policy interventions, they matter only when breakouts from certain forms of institutional ‘path-dependence’ are induced. In this respect, the thesis concludes by discussing four streams of policy-thinking that may instigate different pathways in Wales, namely: technology foresight; the regulation-induced innovation hypothesis; demand-oriented policy measures; and, support for small business innovations through, e.g. R&D consortia.

This thesis explores the importance of the United Kingdom’s composition as a multinational state to the decoration of the new Houses of Parliament, constructed by Sir Charles Barry following the destruction of most of the old Palace of Westminster by fire in 1834. Over seven chapters, it examines the decorative schemes undertaken between the 1840s and 1860s by Barry and the Fine Arts Commission, followed by later, individual programmes, the last of which was completed in 1928. This study develops the twin notions of the art of union and the art of disunion to analyse the complex relationship between the Union and Parliament’s decorative schemes. The art of union is used to identify the elements of the New Palace of Westminster’s planned or completed decoration that validated and promoted the Union. Meanwhile, the art of disunion is deployed as a means of analysing the works of art that caused disunity and division. Examples of the art of union in the Houses of Parliament have led to it being described as a very British building. However, this thesis argues that this is an inadequate description. Though Scotland, Ireland and Wales are represented in the building’s decoration, it is England that dominates. Therefore, this study argues that Anglo-British is the most accurate term with which to describe the sense of national identity embodied by the Palace of Westminster. However, the Anglo-Britishness presented over the lengthy period covered in this thesis is not a consistent and homogenous vision, but one that is varied, complex and, at times, contradictory. There is also a clear development in the general form that it takes: beginning with a relatively inclusive Anglo-Britishness that gives some recognition to the UK nations other than England, it becomes increasingly Anglocentric and imperialist over the period examined.

The work reported in this thesis addresses the problem of structure-borne sound transmission from impacts on lightweight stairs. The primary aim was to provide a laboratory method for characterisation of lightweight stairs as structure-borne sound sources, which will give input data for prediction of the sound transmission in heavyweight building situations. By treating the stair system, combined with impact source(s), as an active component, available methods for active sources could be adapted. The component powers of a timber staircase attached to a solid wall in a staircase test facility have been determined in-situ by use of a reciprocal method. It was shown that the force perpendicular to the wall surface is dominant, moments can be neglected. The force induced power can be predicted from contact free velocity and mobility or by the blocked force as stairs constitute high mobility sources in heavyweight buildings. A practical characterisation is proposed that is based on the reception plate method. It is demonstrated that real walls and floors can be used as reception plates along with a power calibration that circumvents problems in estimating the plate mass, mean squared velocity and total loss factor for non-isolated reception plates. The sound transmission is predicted using EN 12354 and it is confirmed that the prediction gives values within acceptable engineering accuracy. A deterministic model that accounts for the modal coupling of structure and room is used to predict the sound transmission at low frequencies. For the case considered, a major difficulty was found in the modelling of the wall vibration field, mainly due to the boundary conditions that do not correspond to idealised conditions, such as pinned or free edges.

A brief introduction defines the aims of the thesis in which thatching is analysed in Cambridgeshire as a living craft. The first chapter sets the historical context of thatching as a means of providing a waterproof roof in England and more particularly in Cambridgeshire, and how, over the years, this form of roof is now largely restricted to small houses in the countryside. Most of Cambridgeshire's thatched houses are small, were built for agricultural workers and small yeoman farmers, and have a form, though not necessarily a fabric, which is five centuries old. They are mostly thatched in wheat straw, but a significant minority is thatched in water reed. These houses are now increasingly owned by people employed in towns who, thanks to the motorcar, choose to live in villages and like the idea of living in a thatched cottage. Practically all of these houses are listed and protected by conservation laws and regulations. Chapter 2 examines the various materials used for thatching in Cambridgeshire, particularly wheat straw and water reed. How they are grown, harvested and prepared for use is explained, together with an analysis of their specific qualities and life expectancy. How the age of a thatched roof may be judged is set out in detail, and the method of doing so was applied to the thatched roofs of twenty-five parishes, and also to a number of old photographs of thatched roofs. Chapter 3 examines the characteristics of Cambridgeshire roofs, specifically those that were designed for a covering of thatch and what obstacles modern roofs present to the thatcher today. Chapter 4 then examines the training of the thatcher, most particularly the traditional form of apprenticeship still in use, why this continues and how it has been little affected by attempts to introduce government-sponsored training schemes. The methods of working are then analysed, and this again shows the continuing survival of traditional practices. Chapter 5 provides a detailed explanation of precisely how Cambridgeshire roofs are thatched in the three main ways using long wheat straw, combed wheat reed and water reed. This encompasses preparation on the ground and how such obstacles as dormers and chimneystacks are overcome, from eaves to ridge. Chapter 6 analyses the results of an extensive survey of about half of the 700 surviving thatched roofs in Cambridgeshire, and endeavours to explain the distribution of the various types of thatch. It accounts for the survival of a significant quantity of thatching material from the late Middle Ages, and examines the life-expectancy of a long-wheat-straw roofs, which is demonstrated to be on average between 35 and 40 years. This result is compared with the expectancy for water reed, and also for wheat straw in other parts of the United Kingdom, concluding that the quality of thatching in Cambridgeshire, as well as its climate, are particularly favourable to longevity. The Conclusion draws together these results and underlines the problems of a traditional building skill practised in what are more or less ancient ways in the current climate of conservation and economic prosperity based on the efficient use of material and human resources. The thesis is supported by a catalogue raisonne of all the thatched roofs in twenty-five Cambridgeshire parishes (and three in neighbouring parishes), and by appendices, one of them giving the responses to a questionnaire sent to all the thatchers known to be working in Cambridgeshire.

Too often, buildings do not correspond to the original design aspirations of designers. This PhD project aims to investigate whether or not buildings branded as exhibiting ‘design excellence’ perform well in practice, focusing on the quality of the indoor environment and the satisfaction of occupants. It also intends to explore how to ensure that buildings with design quality achieve good performance in use. Buildings which won reputable design awards are assumed as exhibiting design excellence acknowledged by the architectural profession. With the need for sustainable schools with design quality, the Post-occupancy Evaluation (POE) studies of five RIBA Award-winning schools were conducted in this research, using the case study approach for two years, in order to investigate actual performance of the schools branded as exhibiting design excellence. The POE studies which measured building performance, i.e. environmental performance and energy performance, and architectural performance, i.e. user feedback, handover issues, management and maintenance, were carried out in each of the case studies. The evaluation results were then compared with the latest environmental standards and the corresponding benchmarks. The case studies show that not all the schools studied achieved good performance in practice. Common issues emerged in four of the five schools, related to daylighting, overheating issues, the use of low carbon technologies, gaps between predicted and actual energy performance and occupant experience – use of controls. It indicates that receiving architectural excellence awards cannot assure good performance in use, and hence the ‘performance gap’ between the original design intention of the designers and actual building performance. The performance gap was found due largely to the inappropriate design decisions related to environmental design issues and improper operation and maintenance in use, besides the issues related to construction process which was not studied in this research. The design-related factors – design process and aftercare service – were inferred to have a great impact on building performance. This research project results in three contributions to existing knowledge and practice. The first contribution is to provide guidance for the evaluation of building performance of non-domestic buildings, especially schools. The guidance is composed of three key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be further divided into seven performance indexes, allowing the evaluation undertaken in a holistic manner rather than simply relying on an individual asset. The second contribution is to summarise challenges and constraints in conducting POE studies of schools. Specific recommendations regarding how to collect meaningful data for POE studies of schools were provided, which can be used as a reference for others. The third contribution is the analysis of the impact of design process and aftercare service on building performance and the corresponding suggestions of judging building performance in the RIBA Awards. As it is difficult to judge actual performance of a project in design award schemes due to the ‘time’ effect of awards, the awards submission is suggested to stress on documentation related to these elements in order to assist the jury to judge building performance in a sensible manner. This research highlights the importance of understanding and assessing building performance in determining design excellence. Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) should be made mandatory for all entries for the RIBA Awards and other architectural excellence awards. Alternatively, architectural design awards could be judged on actual performance of the buildings which received the awards after a few years of occupation through a valid POE study. With the technical nature of POE studies, it suggests POE studies for award-winning buildings to be done by a third party.