published_or_final_version / Real Estate and Construction / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (M.Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographies. / Much of the historical discussion concerning the office building has operated at the level of image . In this reading architects, faced with specific program requirements and technical possibilities, adopt a language for the expression of the facade which refers to certain ideas considered to be important - whether these relate to structural expression or historical allusion. In the process the assumption is made that the planning of the interior space of the office is the solution of a rational equation whose terms are well understood. While issues like economy and flexibility have been the explicit basis for a rationalized approach to planning, these issues have often been interpreted in ways that produce a homogeneity and rigidity that does not have any real basis in the program of the office . At its most general level, the office presents us with an environment in which individuals work together in concert with a larger group . This relationship - of the individual to the collective - presents a range of conflicts between territory and needs for communication that must be understood if the physical organization of space is to respond to the nature of the institution served. An analysis of the development of the office which evaluates the degree to which this relationship has been considered and its manner of expression allows us to approach the problem of the design of the office with a critical perspective . A discussion of the development of the typical office before and after World War Two is combined with an analysis of two office buildings; Frank Lloyd Wright's Larkin Building of 1904 and Herman Hertzberger's Central Beheer of 1972. While the typical office responded to contemporary assumptions about the important determinants of spatial organization in the workplace, often sacrificing territoriality and variety to perceived needs for order and economy, the two buildings chosen as case studies are exceptional to the degree that their organization was developed, in large part, from a more conscious concern on the part of the architect for the social relationships which characterize the work environment. / by Linda Stewart Gatter. / M.Arch.

Thesis. 1978. M.Arch--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography: leaves 47-51. / M.Arch

Office buildings in hot humid Singapore appear to be designed for stable and uniform indoor conditions. It is proposed in this thesis that this is unnecessary, as occupant comfort expectations do not warrant it and energy is wasted as a result. A comfort-based approach to design is advocated, as a means of balancing user needs with the objective of energy conservation.This issue of how perception of comfort is linked with indoor stability emerged from the question, 'why do office buildings, despite Bioclimatic prescriptions for hot humid conditions, continue to be predominantly climate rejecting and active-run?' The literature was found to be polarised by arguments for architectural solutions that are climatically responsive and present lower energy costs, and those for engineered solutions that deliver greater, more consistent comfort, albeit through reliance on electro-mechanical systems.It is argued that comprehending the gaps in the literature, and between theory and application, requires a better understanding of occupant comfort. This would be an inside-out view of comfort and climate, predicated on how the occupant is affected by the building and the cognitive nature of comfort itself.Relying on a sample of office buildings, the thesis set out to establish the following:Prevalence of the climate-based approach, specifically Yeang's Bioclimatic ModelPrevalence of uniformity and stability of the indoor environmentOccupant perception of indoor comfort, both thermal and visual, particularly with regard to variability of ambient conditionsOccupant perception of various operational modes: passive, mixed and activeThese goals were addressed through observations of form, envelope and layout, occupant surveys and the monitoring of buildings in passive and active modes.It was found that the Bioclimatic approach is non-existent in the context of the Singapore office ++ / building. In the case of two Bioclimatic buildings in Malaysia, the Model is not consistently applied. This disparity appears partly due to conflicting priorities, in particular style, cost and client pressures, and partly due to assumptions about occupant comfort.The Singapore office building was found to be predominantly active-run, operating within a narrow bandwidth of temperatures across most spaces. Occupant perception of variability outside the primary workplace, however, is one of acceptance, even preference. It was found through analysis of user feedback that the office building, on the basis of comfort expectations, could be divided into three activity zones: Work, Support and Transit.This 3-tiered structure was subsequently tested through a large-scale, longitudinal survey carried out across three spaces, each representing an activity zone, within a single building. The survey was accompanied by adjustments to the building's temperature settings to test the limits of acceptance in each zone. Findings from this exercise support the notion of a three-zoned office building, in which thermal conditions for each zone could be varied without affecting comfort. Energy figures that were monitored before and after the resetting showed drops of 7.1 % in chiller consumption and 2.9% in overall consumption.These findings led to a comfort-based, tri-modal proposal for office buildings in hot humid conditions, defined as the Psychoclimatic Model for its basis in comfort expectations and the interaction between climate, building and the occupant.The implications of the thesis outcome on regulatory control in Singapore and thermal comfort theory are discussed. Recommendations are made for future research into other building types and national context, plus a parametric study into the full energy-saving potential of the Psychoclimatic Model.

A life cycle study was undertaken to assess the economic impact arising from internalised embodied greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) costs for a commercial office building. A limited range of design and materials re-cycling strategies were investigated for their abatement potential. GGE quantities were determined by a hybrid process analysis where input-output data was supplemented with national average data to increase completeness whereby all upstream emissions arising from material inputs to the point of extraction, as well as non-material inputs (e.g. goods and services) into the design and construction process are accounted for. The hypothesis proposed abatement potential of 30%, as measured against the Benchmark Design (BM) would be economically viable in absence of the benefit of early-action credits. The hypothesis was disproved with 15% abatement shown at zero additional capital cost. A Stretch Technology (ST) scenario was investigated which showed 32% abatement potential however the associated marginal capital cost could not be determined. The GGE intensity per meter square of Net Lettable Area (m2 NLA) for the case study building was found to be 5,258 kg CO2-e. The theoretical value of abatement credits was determined at $12 to $1,031 / m2 NLA (depending on price) and is shown to present a reasonable economic and market transformation opportunity at medium range values. The results demonstrate that the cost-push inflation risk posed to commercial office construction is large where the price of embodied GGE is internalised in the economic system. Gross Construction Cost (GCC) increase per square meter is shown to be between 1.5% and 61% (with associated negative IRR impacts between -0.1 to -7%) depending on the GGE price level. An unsustainable cost impact is demonstrated at GGE prices greater than AUD$50 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (AUD$50/ tonne CO2-e). Internalised GGE studies have been largely limited to the operational cost impact arising from GGE of direct end-use rather than from the perspective of total embodied final demand. The results demonstrate the critical nature of embodied abatement strategies for commercial buildings if the internationally accepted 60% global GGE abatement is to be achieved within the relevant timeframe. An average kg CO2-e intensity per dollar of GCC is proposed for the three building models that may be applied to general scenario planning. The scale of economic benefit available for embodied credits is significant and the determination of viable credit mechanisms worthy of further research.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Office is a blooming building type in rapidly developing China. Most of the current Chinese office layouts and work patterns are following the mode from western countries and cities are now becoming the same as any big city in the world. Beijing is the capital city of China keeping unique Chinese culture for thousands of years. It is time for thinking more about preserving regional characters rather than pursuing for the international style. Design can get inspirations from traditional buildings – the right scale, the courtyard space combination, the typical materials application and so on. Thus, for the future office design of Beijing, preserving its own characters and creating an environment fitting for its own culture and people is the keystone. Based on those research and analysis about Chinese office development history, culture background, current office layouts and so on, I provide a prototype – a novel office layout that can respond to emerging work pattern requirements and Chinese culture-work relationship. Then apply the prototype into a specific site to complete a test based on the real scenario. / text

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

This thesis project began with an interest in how architecture provides for both permanence and temporality and how contemporary conditions may impact upon architectural form. An, office building was chosen as the subject of exploration due to its ubiquitous nature and the requirement that it be adaptable to the changing needs of its occupants. The need for a flexible and economic architecture also presented the problem of anonymity and a lack of experiential richness. The intention of the investigation was to discover in what ways, if any, the permanent and temporal elements of a building might act in conjuction to create an enduring artifact which could respond to and register the complexities of everyday life. The project was inspired by observations in the city of Vancouver where development has occurred in a rapid and often irregular manner. The eastern part of the downtown centre and Yaletown were identified as particular areas of study. Patterns of development exhibit many smaller sites left empty or used as parking until being developed. These sites revealed an opportunity for the design of a medium-sized building which might maintain the smaller grain characteristic of these areas. As a "type", it could be adapted to the particularities of its location as well as the changing requirements of its occupants. A number of sites from four to six lots in width were identified in the study area. Various configurations were then devised to adapt the building model to particular site conditions including double party-wall versus corner locations and different orientations. The final project consists of the adaptation of this type to a site located on Homer Street near Pender Street. It is adjacent to an alley which marks the change in grid orientation in the area and allows three elevations of the building to be explored . The building employs an asymmetrically situated atrium and a core divided into two separated pods which would allow for increased penetration of natural light and ventilation. Structure, envelope and space dividing elements operate independently. The building envelope is separated out into two layers: the interior layer consists of a four foot wide grid of openings which may be filled with birch clad panels, bookcases or glazed panels or fitted with operable louvered windows. Random placements of panels allow the human inhabitation to be registered on the exterior of the building. The exterior skin then superimposes a composition of glazed panels which responds to the scale and order of the city and deals with environmental elements. A carved out entry lobby and two storey terrace along with landscaped roofdeck provide gradations of public and private common areas.

Thesis (MAppSc Project Man) -- University of South Australia, 1993