MArch, Faculty of Architecture, University of the Witwatersrand, 2002

The integration of windcatchers in the urban context of hot-arid context of Tehran needs to address two changes in the current utilization: 1) high density context which makes it harder to access to sufficient airflow in the urban context, and 2) sociocultural shifts towards dependencies on modern mechanical air-conditioning systems. Windcatchers are unique tools existing in the hot-arid regions in the Middle East. Windcatcher uses thermal mass, evaporation techniques, and stack effect to deliver human comfort to the residents of the building. Vernacular windcatchers are useful for moderating the indoor air temperature. Yet, using natural ventilation techniques as passive strategies are outdated in recent decades and there are a couple of reasons for that such as maintenance difficulties, lack of urban air filtration methods, decline of cooling efficiency due to modified airflow patterns, habitable space utilization modifications, and dependencies on mechanical cooling systems. On the other hand, tensile structures have the potential to be considered as a tool to upgrade the windcatchers and use them in the modern urban context which will also help reducing energy and reviving local textile industry. This research tries to propose a method that emphasizes on the adaptability of windcatchers and tensile structures, inhabitant control, airflow control and reuse of heavy thermal mass. Also, the proposed model offers improvements for environmental performance of lightweight textiles, such as particulate matter filtration, kinetic energy transformation, and photoresponse for passive shading or natural daylighting strategies. The main goal of this research is to define the parameters required to enhance inhabitant adaptability with the windcatcher and also natural ventilation cooling system. In this research, important characteristics of Sangelaj neighborhood in Tehran are considered such as existing windcatcher dimensions, micro-climate conditions, and urban morphology. Then, different methods are proposed to develop the heat transfer and airflow analysis of the integration between windcatchers and tensile structures. The research suggests methods for adaptation of windcatchers in existing buildings of Tehran using tensile structures. It also proposes methods for the new buildings in the urban context of Sangelaj neighborhood in Tehran.

Thesis--Tekniska högskolan, Stockholm. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement and errata slip inserted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-72 (3d group)).

This research project explores the Hosh house typology, a historic dwelling type in Baghdad facing rapid decline and extinction. The study critically examines historic documentation and employs a wide range of methods to expand knowledge and understanding of the Hosh house. By building an archive around selected architectural objects, the research provides insights in various fields, including architectural anthropology, heritage, craftmanship and sustainable construction. The study draws from scarce and dated documentation, providing new translations of German books on Iraqi architecture, while simultaneously questioning and challenging these findings. The study explores the reasons behind the disappearance of the Hosh house, including urbanization, preference for modern technology and social attitudes. The findings highlight the characteristics and layouts of the Hosh house, presenting the ideal and compromised versions of its design. It also incorporates contemporary sources, such as interviews with local enthusiasts, to fill knowledge gaps and provide a contemporary perspective on the vanishing architectural tradition. Overall, this project contributes to the understanding of the Hosh house's cultural significance within Iraqi architecture and cultural heritage, while emphasizing the need for updated sources and in situ inventories.

Detta examensarbete inom utbildningen Civilingenjör arkitektur inriktning husbyggnad vid Luleå tekniska universitet har fokuserat på att anpassa Le Corbusiers Unité d’Habitation till ett skandinaviskt klimat för att skapa en nära nollenergibyggnad, tänkt att placeras i Norrbotten. Unité d'Habitation är en multifunktionsbyggnad som innehåller element från den sovjetiska kollektivismen och Le Corbusiers idé var att designa en byggnad som innehöll en hel stads funktioner, såsom lägenheter, butiker, en restaurang, ett konstgalleri och ett bibliotek mm. för att minska restiderna och inge en större gemenskap bland de boende. Med hjälp av sina radikala idéer skapade Le Corbusier genom detta projekt, en ikonisk brutalismbyggnad och en arkitektonisk referens av stor betydelse för hans arkitekturarv som jag har studerat genom mitt examensarbete.  Projektet begränsades till att designa och konstruera en modern version av Unité d'Habitation anpassad till ett skandinaviskt klimat och vara byggd i hållbara material, som kunde godkännas enligt BBR som en nära nollenergibyggnad, vilket verifierades genom beräkningar med stöd av statistiska data från andra energieffektiva flerbostadshus i norra Sverige. Det har tagit Boverket över fem år att implementera ett fungerande ramverk för nära nollenergibyggnader, vilket används idag genom BBR 29 i Sverige. Slutsatsen av en grundlig forskningsprocess blev att man med tjock isolering, installation av ett FTX-ventilationssystem för återvinning av värmen i frånluften och genom att installera solpaneler för lokal energiproduktion mm. skulle kunna möjliggöra en sådan byggnad, inspirerad av tidigare referensexempel av t.ex. Ralph Erskine och andra moderna energieffektiva byggnader i Sverige. Beräkningarna visade att byggnaden är ca 89 % självförsörjande på energi med hänsyn till värme- och varmvattenbehov. Det är därför troligt att minimivärdet i BBR om EPPET  = 0,75 kwh/ kvm per år uppfylls med marginal. Minimikravet på Um värde i BBR 29 om 0,4 W/ (m2 K) skulle sannolikt också vara lätt att nå med tanke på att väggarnas uppbyggnad och de energibesparande åtgärder som vidatagits liknar ett passivhus, vilket mina beräkningar också visat.  Byggnaden ritades med ett betongpelarsystem likt Le Corbusiers byggnad, men istället för att genomgående konstrueras i betong används en träpanelfasad konstruerad av limträreglar med 380 mm mineralullsisolering för att möta hårdare energikrav. Den söderorienterade byggnaden har formen av en trapets och med inglasade, öppningsbara terrasser i söder för att förhindra överhettning på sommaren. Inglasningen är täckt med en remsa av solpaneler, vilket även inkluderar taket förutom i norr, samt delvis fasaderna till öst och väst för att göra byggnaden mer energieffektiv. Byggnaden har 10 våningar exklusive garage med 68 lägenheter, butiker, restaurang, gym, café, livsmedelsbutik, basketplan, apotek och spa för att nämna några funktioner. Liksom Le Corbusiers originalbyggnad ger den intrycket av att ha en upplöst fasad genom att balkongerna är indragna i byggnaden, vilket även fungerar som ett klimatskydd. Övriga balkonger samt entrén är även de klimatskyddade. Med prioritet på funktion, energieffektivitet och klimatanpassning, blir byggnaden väl lämpad för det kalla nordskandinaviska klimatet. / This bachelor thesis in Architectural Engineering on the subject of adapting Le Corbusiers Unité d’Habitation for a Scandinavian climate has focused on climate adapted architecture and energy efficiency measures to create a modern Scandinavian version of the building designed as a near-zero energy building meant to be constructed in Norrbotten, Sweden. It is my final work of my education in Architectural Engineering with specialization House Building at Luleå University of Technology. Unité d’Habitation is a multi-function building which contains elements from the Soviet collectivism and Le Corbusiers idea was to design a building containing the functions of a whole city within, such as apartments, stores, a restaurant, an art gallery and a library etc. to reduce travel times and to give a greater sense of community among the residents. Using his radical ideas, he created an architectural reference object of big importance for the brutalism movement and his architectural legacy, which I have studied for this climate adaptive project.  It has taken the Swedish Building-Code Authority, Boverket, nearly five years to implement a functioning framework for near-zero energy buildings that is used today. A thorough research process was concluded with that by using for ex. thick insulation, installing a FTX- ventilation system for recycling the heat in the outflow of air and by installing solar panels for local energy production, could make possible such a building inspired by earlier reference examples by Ralph Erskine and later modern buildings in Sweden.   The project was limited to design and construct a modern near-zero energy building inspired by Unité d’Habitation adapted to a Scandinavian climate using sustainable materials. This was verified by calculations using statistical data from other energy efficient multi-dwelling apartment buildings and by comparing the structure of the building to other modern energy-efficient buildings and to passive house regulations. The calculations showed that the building is about 89 % self-sufficient on energy with regard to heating and hot water demand. The required minimum Um - value of 0,4 W/ (m2 K) according to BBR 29, would probably also be easy to reach with good margin, considering that the walls and energy-saving measures taken is similar to that of a passive house which my calculations also have shown.  The new climate adapted building was designed with a pillar system in concrete like Le Corbusier’s original building but with a wood panel façade instead and with 380 mm internal insulation to improve the energy efficiency. Priority was set on function, energy efficiency and climate adaption for the building to fit the cold northern Scandinavian climate. The south-oriented building has the shape of a partly sloped trapezoid and with glazed terraces to the south. The glazing is sloped and covered with a strip of solar panels to make snow easier sliding down in the winter while also protecting the terraces. The glazing is openable to prevent overheating in the summer. The roof and the façade to the east and west are also completely or partly covered in solar panels. The building has 10 floors plus a garage, 68 apartments, a restaurant, gyms, a café, a basketball court, stores, a kinder-garden school, a grocery store, a pharmacy and a spa to mention a few functions. Like Le Corbusiers original building, the façade gives the impression of being dissolved by having the balconies retracted in the building which also serves as an effective climate protection.

This research project explores the Hosh house typology, a historic dwelling type in Baghdad facing rapid decline and extinction. The study critically examines historic documentation and employs a wide range of methods to expand knowledge and understanding of the Hosh house. By building an archive around selected architectural objects, the research provides insights in various fields, including architectural anthropology, heritage, craftmanship and sustainable construction. The study draws from scarce and dated documentation, providing new translations of German books on Iraqi architecture, while simultaneously questioning and challenging these findings. The study explores the reasons behind the disappearance of the Hosh house, including urbanization, preference for modern technology and social attitudes. The findings highlight the characteristics and layouts of the Hosh house, presenting the ideal and compromised versions of its design. It also incorporates contemporary sources, such as interviews with local enthusiasts, to fill knowledge gaps and provide a contemporary perspective on the vanishing architectural tradition. Overall, this project contributes to the understanding of the Hosh house's cultural significance within Iraqi architecture and cultural heritage, while emphasizing the need for updated sources and in situ inventories.

Abstract The main objective of this research was to develop practical tools with which it is possible to improve the environment, micro-climate and energy economy of buildings and plans in different climate zones, and take the climate change into account. The parts of the study are: – State of art study into existing know-how about climate and planning. – Study of the effects of climate change on the built environment. – Development of simple micro-climate, nature and built environment analysis methods. – Defining the criteria of an acceptable micro-climatic environment. – Development of the wind test blower. – Presenting ways to interpret test results and draw conclusions. – Development of planning and design guidelines for different climate zones. An important part of the research is the development of the CASE wind test instrument, different wind simulation techniques, and the methods of observing the results. Bioclimatic planning and architectural design guidelines for different climate zones are produced. The analyse tools developed give a qualitative overall view, which can be deepened towards a quantitative analyse with wind testing measurements and roughness calculations. No mechanical rules are suggested, but complementary viewpoints and practices introduced to a normal planning process as well as improvement of consultative knowledge. The “method” is that there is no strict mechanical method, but a deeper understanding of bioclimatic matters. Climate-conscious planning with the developed CASE method, make it possible to design a better micro-climate for new or old built-up areas. Winds can be used in to ventilate exhaust fumes and other pollutants, which improves the quality of air and the healthiness of the urban environment. The analyses and scale-model tests make it possible to shield cold windy areas and to diminish the cooling effect of wind on facades. According to studies in Scandinavian countries this will bring energy savings of 5–15 per cent. The method can be used to: – Evaluation of the cooling effect of wind. Areas and facades exposed to wind. – Evaluation of the wind comfort at the pedestrian level. Windy areas, relative wind speeds. – Enhancing wind-forced ventilation. Positive and negative pressures at the inlets and outlets. – Analysis of the diffusion of pollutants. Ventilation of streets and areas. – Avoiding the damages caused by wind. Planning and designing wind protective solutions. – Characterisation of the wind loading of small and medium-size street architecture items. Designing wind resistant and protective items and plantings. – Analysing the drifting of snow. Placing of snow fences. / Tiivistelmä Tutkimuksen päätavoitteena oli kehittää käytännöllisiä suunnitteluvälineitä, joilla voidaan parantaa ympäristöä, mikroilmastoa sekä rakennusten ja kaavojen energiataloutta eri ilmastovyöhykkeissä, sekä varautua ilmaston muutokseen. Tutkimuksen osat ovat: – Selvitys tämän hetkisestä ilmastoon ja suunnitteluun liittyvästä osaamisesta. – Selvitys ilmaston muutoksen vaikutuksesta rakennetulle ympäristölle. – Yksinkertaisten mikroilmasto-, luonto- ja rakennetunympäristön analyysien kehittäminen. – Määritellä hyväksyttävän mikroilmaston kriteerit. – Kehittää pienoismallien tuulitestauslaite. – Kehittää metodit testitulosten analysoimiseksi ja johtopäätösten vetämiseksi. – Laatia kaavoitus- ja rakennussuunnitteluohjeet eri ilmastovyöhykkeille. Tärkeä osa tutkimusta oli CASE tuulitestauslaitteen, erilaisten tuulen simulointitekniikoiden ja testausten havainnointimenetelmien kehittäminen. Kehitettiin bioklimaattisen kaavoituksen ja arkkitehtisuunnittelun suunnitteluohjeet eri ilmastovyöhykkeisiin. Kehitetyt analyysimenetelmät antavat laadullisen yleiskuvan, jota voidaan syventää määrällisen analyysin suuntaan käyttämällä tuulitestausmittauksia ja karheuslaskelmia. Mitään mekaanisia metodeita ei ehdoteta, vaan halutaan lisätä tieto-taitoa sekä uusia näkökulmia ja työtapoja nykyisiin kaavoitus- ja konsultointikäytäntöihin. ”Metodi” on siinä, ettei ole mitään kaavamaista metodia, vaan bioklimaattisten tekijöiden syvempi ymmärtäminen. Kehitetyn CASE metodin mukaisella ilmastotietoisella suunnittelulla voidaan aikaansaada parempi mikroilmasto sekä uusilla että vanhoilla rakennetuilla alueilla. Tuulen avulla voidaan tuulettaa pakokaasut ja muut ilmansaasteet, ja näin parantaa rakennetun ympäristön ilmanlaatua ja terveellisyyttä. Analyysien ja pienoismallien tuulitestauksen avulla voidaan suojautua kylmiltä tuulilta ja vähentää tuulen julkisivuja jäähdyttävää vaikutusta. Skandinaavisten tutkimusten mukaan näin voidaan saavuttaa 5–25 prosentin energiansäästö. Metodia voidaan käyttää mm. seuraaviin tarkoituksiin: – Arvioida tuulen jäähdyttävää vaikutusta. Selvittää tuulelle alttiit alueet ja julkisivut. – Arvioida tuulen vaikutusta jalankulun mukavuuteen. Tuuliset alueet ja suhteelliset tuulennopeudet. – Tehostaa painovoimaista ilmanvaihtoa. Positiiviset ja negatiiviset paineet ilmastoinnin sisäänmeno- ja ulostuloaukoissa. – Analysoida saasteiden leviämistä. Katujen ja alueiden tuulettaminen. – Torjua tuulen aiheuttamia tuhoja. Kaavoittaa ja suunnitella tuulelta suojaavia ratkaisuita. – Luonnehtia pieniin ja keskikokoisiin ulkona oleviin rakenteisiin kohdistuvia tuulikuormia. Suunnitella tuulenkestäviä ja suojaavia rakennelmia ja istutuksia. – Analysoida lumen kinostumista. Lumiaitojen sijoittelu.

This paper examines current and suggested iterations of the climate finance architecture and potential risks in capital generation and delivery. Which is achieved via the construction of a literature review which aims to capture the main actors involved in the climate finance architecture. This is then contrasted to a post-keynesian and development economics synthesized framework focusing on liquidity preference, asymmetrical relationships and Minskyan financial instability. Utilizing data on current accounts, private capital flow instability and reserve asset accumulation we are able to show the explanatory power of our synthesized framework in explaining global capital imbalances and its impact on global financial flows and the impact on middle and low income countries. Using the insights gathered from our synthesized framework we then contrast it to the literature review, examining it for observable limitations in capital generation and delivery. In doing so a couple of things are noted, there are significant points of contention relating to capital generation and delivery in the climate finance architecture, potentially resulting in volatile asset prices and a negative impact on effective climate finance. Simultaneously it’s observed that climate finance is not catalytical for financial instability but a growing dependency and intertwining with conventional private financial flows may result in bouts of greater financial instability of climate finance assets. Lastly the paper affirms that there is a need to further examine the role and function of blended finance mechanisms.