abstract: The poor energy efficiency of buildings is a major barrier to alleviating the energy dilemma. Historically, monthly utility billing data was widely available and analytical methods for identifying building energy efficiency improvements, performing building Monitoring and Verification (M&V;) and continuous commissioning (CCx) were based on them. Although robust, these methods were not sensitive enough to detect a number of common causes for increased energy use. In recent years, prevalence of short-term building energy consumption data, also known as Energy Interval Data (EID), made available through the Smart Meters, along with data mining techniques presents the potential of knowledge discovery inherent in this data. This allows more sophisticated analytical tools to be developed resulting in greater sensitivities due to higher prediction accuracies; leading to deep energy savings and highly efficient building system operations. The research explores enhancements to Inverse Statistical Modeling techniques due to the availability of EID. Inverse statistical modeling is the process of identification of prediction model structure and estimates of model parameters. The methodology is based on several common statistical and data mining techniques: cluster analysis for day typing, outlier detection and removal, and generation of building scheduling. Inverse methods are simpler to develop and require fewer inputs for model identification. They can model changes in energy consumption based on changes in climatic variables and up to a certain extent, occupancy. This makes them easy-to-use and appealing to building managers for evaluating any general retrofits, building condition monitoring, continuous commissioning and short-term load forecasting (STLF). After evaluating several model structures, an elegant model form was derived which can be used to model daily energy consumption; which can be extended to model energy consumption for any specific hour by adding corrective terms. Additionally, adding AR terms to this model makes it usable for STLF. Two different buildings, one synthetic (ASHRAE medium-office prototype) building and another, an actual office building, were modeled using these techniques. The methodologies proposed have several novel features compared to the manner in which these models have been described earlier. Finally, this thesis investigates characteristic fault signature identification from detailed simulation models and subsequent inverse analysis. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Design 2013

No description available.

This thesis re-examines the implications of skin as an architectural analogy. The metaphor of skin has a long history o f usage in architecture, particularly regarding the building enclosure system. This thesis focuses on the role o f the built skin as a place of interaction between the inside and outside, rather than a simple physical barrier. Through an examination of the structure and functions of human skin and building enclosures I investigated issues o f permeability in the design of a center for cartographic research in Miami Beach. I explored layering and interdigitation as strategies for controlling the passage of air, light and views across boundaries at different scales.

Includes bibliographical references / The Cape Town city border is expanding due to rapid urbanisation and further expansion is not the solution. The growth is destroying agricultural land and the provision of transport and services is becoming increasingly inefficient. The new suburbs on the edge of the city are comprised of mostly low density housing and present a dull urban environment. There is a need to find alternate ways to accommodate a growing population with efficient use of services and facilities. Denser environments present greater vibrancy. This dissertation addresses the issues around high density housing and how to change South African's negative perceptions regarding density which are based on the lack of parking space, privacy and desire for one's own garden. Perceptions can be changed through transport-orientated design, designing for privacy and the inclusion of balconies or patios. This project also looks at ways to increase a sense of community, which is often lacking in low density areas. The project is sited within the Two Rivers Urban Park, in Hazendal by the Black River. This area offers a unique opportunity for Cape Town to densify existing areas near the city and redefine how Capetonians perceive rivers, which are often viewed as the 'backyard' space of the suburb. Rivers are neglected, polluted and used as dumping grounds. This dissertation attempts to change this perception and to provide opportunity to celebrate the rivers. The outcome of this dissertation is an infill project and a catalyst for potential density development in the area. The project surrounds the Hazendal train station. It includes a social housing section with community facilities; a new train station entrance with a community hub; private plots, and market-related housing facing the Black River. The proposed design for the dissertation could set a precedent for ways in which to densify existing low density suburbs near to the city centre.

Includes bibliographical references / Our cities to a great part consist of a large amount of already built fabric and this dissertation shall address this as an area of concern, encouraging the transformation of existing buildings, rather than building anew. Furthermore, the dissertation focuses on the universal issue of 1960's concrete frame buildings and investigates the potential for their continued re-use rather than demolition. This falls within the current discourse around the negative impact of the built environment and its contribution to climate change, and forms the backbone of the intended research. While progress has been made towards achieving urban sustainability in practical and conceptual terms, cities are still unsustainable. Buildings have a large negative impact on the environment in terms of the natural resources and energy that they consume, as well as the CO2 emitted throughout their lifespan. For environmental, architectural and economic reasons this dissertation investigates the applicability and process for the transformation and/or rehabilitation of existing buildings - to retain the existing embodied energy, while also focusing on adapting buildings to become more energy efficient. It is difficult to develop a fixed set of rules for retrofitting or rehabilitating existing buildings as they are all unique by definition. However, the general idea of retaining the embodied energy and actively engaging with the existing should be apparent throughout, encouraging environmental consciousness and bringing new life and purpose to the building. In the case of the Christiaan Barnard Hospital, this was done through retaining the bulk of the existing concrete frame (86%), while enhancing the internal quality of the building through the incorporation of light wells and various cuts and punctures throughout. While increasing occupancy wellbeing, this also allows for a comfortable interior climate through passive means and will improve the energy efficiency of the building, which is coupled with the energy savings from retaining the concrete frame. Additionally, a lightweight modular steel frame structure with movable mesh screens was incorporated into the building's façade to provide a fresh new look and allow for an interplay between the old and the new, while providing natural light, ventilation and shading. The functional changes in the building also allow for the reintegration of the building into the Cape Town CBD as a building that will now contribute to its surroundings. Thus, the design explores and strives to serve as a precedent for a methodology for sustainable building refurbishment.

Man is increasingly assuming conscious control over his physical environment. The impact of rapidly accelerating scientific and technological progress has resulted in the environment being increasingly man-made and man-influenced. The growing urban population has necessitated building at a rate and quantity greater than ever before. Enormous resources, both human and material, are being channelled on an unprecedented scale into the planning, designing and construction of new environments for human use. Whilst this tide of energy and activity continues to surge forward, creating vast urban and suburban. developments, very little energy and resources have, by comparison, been directed towards critically assessing the impact that these built environments have on people, and the extent to which they are responsive to human needs and aspirations. It has become critical for the architect to be made fully aware of the human implications of the physical environment he is creating. Concern for the human element has been eclipsed by the current pre-occupation of the design profession with technology and economics which have become the dominant design imperatives.

Thesis (B. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architectural Engineering, 1907. / Accompanying drawings held by MIT Museum. / Sam A. Marx. / B.Arch.

Thesis (B.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architectural Engineering, 1923. / by Ernest N. Gelotte & Robert T. Colburn. / B.S.

Thesis: B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architectural Engineering, 1936 / William L. Timmerman. / B.S. / B.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architectural Engineering

Thesis: B. Arch., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architectural Engineering, 1923 / Includes bibliographical references (leaf vi). / Robert Wales Reno. / B. Arch. / B. Arch. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architectural Engineering