Search Results (77)

The kindergarten activity unit is the main space for children’s daily life and learning, and also represents a special type of densely populated public building. Its layout and evacuation design play an important role in ensuring children’s safety and improving evacuation efficiency in emergency situations. Therefore, our study aims to achieve a paradigm shift in kindergarten evacuation research, from the discrete analysis of evacuation ‘components’ (such as corridors and entrances) to integrated analysis of the ‘activity units’ as a whole system. As a complete evacuation analysis unit, the focus is on exploring the coupling mechanism between its internal spatial configuration and functional block layout, in order to improve evacuation efficiency. The results showed that when the classroom and dormitory of the activity unit are compared, the reasonable location for the exit of the classroom and dormitory can shorten the average evacuation time by 13.84%. When classrooms and dormitories are separated, it is necessary to control the connection exits between the classrooms and dormitories as well as the independent exits of the classrooms. This can significantly reduce the average evacuation time. The results of this study will help improve the survival ability of children in emergency situations, ensuring their safety and well-being. Full article

The presence of heavy metals plays a significant role in indoor air quality, which poses a serious public health problem since most of the population spends over 90% of their time in indoor environments. This work investigates heavy metals in indoor dust across different occupational settings in Macao. Field sampling was conducted in five representative locations, which included restaurants, student dormitories, auto repair shops, offices, and parking security rooms, with a total of 11 samples collected in this study. Dust in the form of particulate matter was collected from air conditioning filters to quantify 14 heavy metal contents. The PMF model was applied for source apportionments of the heavy metals, while a health exposure model was used to assess health risks and evaluate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks in the five representative workplaces. The PMF model identified six major pollution sources: traffic emissions (23.800%), building materials (21.600%), cooking activities (18.500%), chemicals (15.200%), electronic devices (12.300%), and outdoor seaport activities (8.600%). The health risk assessment showed that the overall non-carcinogenic risk (HI = 6.160 × 10⁻⁶ for inhalation, 1.720 × 10⁻³ for oral ingestion, and 2.270 × 10⁻⁵ for dermal contact) and total HI (1.749 × 10⁻³) and carcinogenic risk (6.570 × 10⁻⁹) were below the safety threshold, showing minimal health risk problems. Nevertheless, nickel and chromium were identified as the main contributors to potential long-term risks. Full article

Kinetic façades represent a climate-responsive design solution that improves building adaptability by responding to seasonal needs such as daylighting and shading. They offer an attractive retrofit strategy that improves both the esthetics and environmental performance of buildings. This study investigated the integration of an origami-inspired kinetic façade into a student dormitory building located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Using numerical simulations, 35 façade configurations were analyzed under varying conditions of façade orientations, closure ratios (from 5% to 95%), and cavity depths (from 20 cm to 100 cm). The findings highlight the critical impact of kinetic façade design characteristics on daylight availability and solar exposure and the required trade-off between these two variables. In this context, this study observed that at higher façade closure ratios, increasing cavity depth could effectively mitigate daylight reduction by promoting reflected daylight penetration inside the cavity. As for heat gains and cooling load reduction, mid-range façade closure, 50 cm in this study, achieved balanced performance across the three examined orientations. However, the southern façade showed slightly higher efficiency compared to the eastern and western façades, which achieved lower cooling reductions and showed a similar UDI compromise. Thus, a dynamic façade operation is recommended, where higher closure ratios could be applied during peak solar hours on the east in the morning and the west in the afternoon to maximize cooling savings, while moderate closure ratios can be maintained on the south to preserve daylight. Future work should incorporate real-time climatic data and smart control technologies to further optimize kinetic façade performance. Full article

Relatively uniform consumption of a large amount of electrical energy intended for the current operation of the equipment of multi-story student dormitories indicates several actions aimed at renovation of these dormitories using photovoltaic installations producing electricity to replace the energy supplied from external networks. The research allowed for parameterization of input and output data, defining several innovative parametric and discrete models used in modernization processes and constituting the basis for optimizing energy renovations in terms of the substitutability of grid energy, payback periods, and investment costs. A new method developed to renovate dormitories was supported by an application elaborated in the visual parametric Rhino/Grasshopper design environment. This application enables automatic uploading of various meteorological data files and programming the loads, properties, and operation of the designed photovoltaic installation. This method results in a single optimal solution concerning a building renovation process, which allows for fully automated execution of the above activities. The developed models were configured based on a real renovated multi-story residence student hall located on the Central European Plain, for which a 34.3% balance of the replaced grid energy was carried out. The optimizing processes concerning the geometric properties and orientation of photovoltaic panels resulted in −30° of azimuth, 210 m² of total surface area, and 14° of tilt of photovoltaic panels distributed on the south façade, with 193 m² of surface area, 42° of tilt of panels arranged on the east façade, and an optimal payback period of 99 months. The invented algorithm, parametric models, computer programs, simulations, and optimizing calculations fill the gap in variant-optimized modelling and simplify the design processes of renovations of multi-story residence halls. These objects provide a basis for expanding the method to include other types of dormitory modernizations. Full article

As the core space for students’ daily living and learning, the quality of the indoor wind environment and air quality in dormitory buildings is particularly critical. However, existing studies often neglect natural ventilation optimization under local climatic conditions and the multidimensional evaluation of health benefits, leaving notable gaps in dormitory design. Under the Healthy China Initiative, the indoor wind environment in university dormitories directly impacts students’ health and learning efficiency. This study selects dormitory buildings in Xuzhou as the research object and employs ANSYS FLUENT 2020 software for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, combined with orthogonal experimental design methods, to systematically investigate and optimize the indoor wind environment with a focus on healthy ventilation standards. The evaluation focused on three key metrics—comfortable wind speed ratio, air age, and CO₂ concentration—considering the effects of building orientation, corridor width, and window geometry, and identifying the optimal parameter combination. After optimization based on the orthogonal experimental design, the proportion of comfortable wind speed zones increased to 44.6%, the mean air age decreased to 258 s, and CO₂ concentration stabilized at 613 ppm. These results demonstrate that the proposed optimization framework can effectively enhance indoor air renewal and pollutant removal, thereby improving both air quality and the health-related performance of dormitory spaces. The novelty of this study lies in integrating regional climate conditions with a coordinated CFD–orthogonal design approach. This enables precise optimization of dormitory ventilation performance and provides locally tailored, actionable evidence for advancing healthy campus design. Full article

Amid growing urban climate uncertainty and complex water demand, conventional standalone rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems often fail to ensure supply reliability and overflow control. Most existing studies focus on single-function building clusters, leaving a gap in understanding how functionally diverse groups with complementary demand patterns can be coordinated. This study addresses this gap by applying an hourly water balance model to compare decentralized and coordinated modes for an integrated RWH system serving a campus and adjacent student dormitories in Kitakyushu, Japan. Five performance metrics were evaluated: potable water supplementation, reliability, non-potable replacement rate, overflow volume, and overflow days. The results show that coordinated operation reduced annual potable supplementation by 14.1%, improved overall reliability to 81.7% (a 9.6% gain over decentralized operation), and increased the replacement rate to 87.9%. Overflow volume decreased by 295 m³ and overflow days by five, with pronounced benefits during summer rainfall peaks. Differential heatmaps further revealed distinct spatiotemporal advantages, though temporary disruptions occurred under extreme events. Overall, the study demonstrates that cross-functional coordination can enhance system resilience and operational stability, while highlighting the need for adaptive scheduling and real-time information systems for broader urban applications. Full article

Currently, the global construction industry is facing challenges of stagnant efficiency and cost overruns. The potential of modular construction has not been fully unleashed due to the disconnection between design and manufacturing. This paper proposes a P-DFMA (Platform-Design for Manufacture and Assembly) building product platform architecture for modular apartments. The research establishes a three-level standardization framework of “modular unit-component-connector”, covering core residential modules, light steel keel systems, and high-strength bolt joints. Finite element simulation using SimSolid is employed to ensure manufacturing feasibility, and a standardized component library and a full-process collaborative P-DFMA architecture for modular apartments are developed. Verified through the case of the modular dormitory building project at Tianjin Chengjian University, the results show that compared with the traditional prefabricated construction mode, the P-DFMA platform mode achieves a cost savings rate of 54.8% in project design, production, and cross-link collaboration. This proves the feasibility and architectural advantages of the platform in improving the full-process efficiency and optimizing costs of modular buildings. Full article

McMahon Hall, an iconic Brutalist dormitory at the University of Washington, has become the site of an interdisciplinary experiment in cultural memory and machine-assisted storytelling. This article presents a method that combines remote sensing with AI-generated voices to produce a polyvocal narrative of architecture through the perspective of the building itself, its material (concrete), an architect, a journalist, and a bird. Drone photogrammetry and generated 3D models were combined with generative AI (text, image, and voice) to reconstruct the site digitally and imaginatively (AI-driven speculative narratives). Through speculative storytelling, the article and the project explore how cultural memory and perception of built heritage can be augmented by machines, offering plural perspectives that challenge singular historical narratives. The Introduction situates the work at the intersection of digital heritage documentation, AI storytelling, epistemology in machine learning, and spatial computing, emphasizing the perception of heritage through different actors. The Theoretical Framework draws on literature in photogrammetry for heritage preservation, polyvocal narrative, and knowledge frameworks of AI. The Materials and Methods detail the workflow: capturing McMahon Hall via UAV photogrammetry, producing a 3D model, and generating character-driven narratives with large language models and voice synthesis. The resulting multi-voiced narrative and its thematic insights are described. In the Discussion, the implications of this approach for architectural heritage interpretation are considered, including its capacity to amplify diverse voices and the risks of bias or hyperreality in AI-generated narratives. The study argues that this polyvocal, machine-augmented storytelling expands the toolkit of remote sensing and digital heritage by not only documenting the tangible form of the built environment but also speculating on its intangible cultural memory. The Conclusions reflect on how merging spatial computing techniques with AI narratives can support new modes of engagement with architecture, positioning this work as a building block toward richer human-machine co-created heritage experiences. Full article

Following recent earthquakes in Van, Istanbul, Izmir, and Kahramanmaraş, concerns have once again been raised regarding whether existing buildings possess adequate seismic performance and the necessity of strengthening those that do not. A common theme in all related discussions is how to improve the seismic resilience of the existing building stock most efficiently and cost-effectively. In particular, seismic retrofitting efforts should be accelerated for residential buildings in areas where urban transformation has not been feasible due to low added value, as well as for public buildings in smaller settlements and school or dormitory structures in rural towns and villages. In this study, the seismic performance of a reinforced concrete (RC) frame was evaluated using the nonlinear single-mode pushover analysis method in accordance with the Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBEC). For frames with inadequate performance, a retrofitting method was proposed using glued laminated timber (glulam), a renewable and sustainable material, as diagonal bracing. This intervention aimed to improve the structural performance to an acceptable level specified by the code. The results indicated that glulam braces can effectively enhance the seismic performance of RC buildings and may be considered a viable solution for this purpose. Full article

Prefabricated buildings are promoting building industrialization and low-carbon development due to their high quality, high efficiency and sustainability. The standardized design process and efficient design method are the fundamental ways to achieve efficient design of prefabricated buildings. In order to solve the problems of low standardization and limited design methods of prefabricated buildings, this study takes the prefabricated concrete composite wall-slab system (PCCWS) as an example and establishes a standardized design process for prefabricated components. Based on the Building Information Model (BIM) technology, a 3D parts library system was established using MATLAB software. The system stores the prefabricated components into the parts library, and the user can search, retrieve, and incorporate them. Taking a prefabricated dormitory project as an example, this study compares the design method of a 3D parts library based on BIM with the traditional design method. The preliminary findings show that the design method proposed in this study can improve the design efficiency by 42.9%. This study has practical significance for improving the design efficiency of prefabricated buildings and reducing production costs and provides a reference for the design method of prefabricated buildings. Full article

This study investigates indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring in a student dormitory located in northern Milan (Italy) using low-cost sensors. This research compares two monitoring periods in June and October 2024 to examine common PM_2.5 vertical patterns and differences at the building level, as well as their influence on the indoor spaces at the corresponding positions. In each period, around 30 sensors were installed at various heights and orientations across indoor and outdoor spots for 2 weeks to capture spatial variations around the building. Meanwhile, qualitative surveys on occupation presence, satisfaction, and well-being were distributed in selected rooms. The analysis of PM_2.5 data reveals that the building’s lower floors tended to have slightly higher outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations, while the upper floors generally had lower PM_2.5 indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios, with the top-floor rooms often below 1. High outdoor humidity reduced PM infiltration, but when outdoor PM fell below 20 µg/m³ in these two periods, indoor sources became dominant, especially on the lower floors. Air pressure I/O differences had minimal impact on PM_2.5 I/O ratios, though slightly positive indoor pressure might help prevent indoor PM infiltration. Lower ventilation in Period-2 possibly contributed to more reported symptoms, especially in rooms with higher PM from shared kitchens. While outdoor air quality affects IAQ, occupant behavior—especially window opening and ventilation management—remains crucial in minimizing indoor pollutants. Users can also manage exposure by ventilating at night based on comfort and avoiding periods of high outdoor PM. Full article

As a densely populated area, college student dormitories consume a large amount of electricity every year to heat the domestic hot water used by students. Applying solar energy to hot water systems can effectively alleviate this situation. This paper first conducts a simulation of the hot water load and the calculation of the available area of the solar roof in a dormitory building of a certain university. Then, different solar-coupled air source heat pump systems were designed, and simulation models of the two systems were established. The thermal performance parameters and solar energy utilization of the two systems were discussed, and the energy efficiency, economy, and environmental protection of the two systems were analyzed. The results show that after coupling with the solar collector, the system operation time is shortened by 26.2%, the annual performance coefficient is 3.4, which is 0.8 higher than that of the original system, and the annual heating energy consumption is reduced by 24.4%. In contrast, the annual energy self-sufficiency rate of the photovoltaic coupled with air source heat pump system is 94.6%, achieving nearly zero energy consumption for heating. Full article

Against the background of the global concern for environmental protection and the prevalence of the green building concept, the requirements for building design are increasing, as are the technological content and functional requirements. Meanwhile, the urgency to address challenges related to the ecological environment and performance requirements has become increasingly pronounced. Taking a dormitory building in China as an example. Autodesk Revit 2018 software is employed in this study to establish a building information modeling (BIM). Green building software (GBSWARE) simulates and analyzes outdoor wind environment, indoor thermal comfort, calculates building energy conservation, does daylighting analysis, and calculates building daylighting. Although the building’s energy-saving design aligns with the requirements, the lighting and indoor thermal comfort of the rooms do not meet the standards. Additionally, the outdoor wind environment has problems with the wind zone and a wind speed amplification coefficient that surpasses the limit. The thermal environment within the residential building fails to satisfy the requirements. This study leverages a BIM-based model for multifaceted applications, integrating tailored retrofit strategies that align with the building’s inherent characteristics and detailed analyses of its components. By harnessing the building’s energy-saving potential, it enhances energy use efficiency, offering a valuable reference for the conceptual design of green buildings and energy-efficient retrofits. Full article

In promoting sustainable cities and societies, accelerating the shift from sustainable building design to sustainable building operations is essential. A persistent challenge lies in the absence of a unified, multidimensional metric that enables meaningful performance comparisons across buildings of similar types and functions, both regionally and globally. This study develops and demonstrates the operational sustainability index (OPSi)—a novel metric grounded in case study research that integrates indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy utility quality (EUQ). OPSi is applied to six buildings in three comparative cases: (1) LEED-certified and non-certified dormitories, (2) LEED-certified and non-certified event buildings, and (3) male- and female-occupied multifamily housing units. Results show that the LEED-certified dormitory underperformed in two of five OPSi variants compared to its non-certified counterpart despite achieving up to 18% higher objective IEQ performance. The LEED-certified event building outperformed its non-certified counterpart across all OPSi metrics, with up to 88% higher objective IEQ scores. Findings also include higher energy performance in male-occupied housing units than in female-occupied ones, highlighting behavioral differences worthy of future study. This research addresses longstanding criticisms of green certification systems—particularly their limited capacity to holistically measure post-certification operational performance—by offering a practical and scalable evaluation framework. OPSi aligns with global sustainability goals, including SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and supports smart, data-driven decision-making. Future applications may extend OPSi to include carbon life cycle assessment and maintenance metrics to further strengthen building sustainability in urban contexts. Full article

Focusing on the power consumption of a regional multi-energy system with the characteristics of energy congestion in students’ dormitory buildings in the hot summer and warm winter regions of southern China, a practical regional multi-energy system consisting of three subsystems, namely an integrated screw chiller (ISC), a screw ground-source heat pump (SGSHP), and an air-source heat pump (ASHP), was optimised by the operation control strategy. The system’s power consumption and cooling/heating load characteristics during operation were analysed, and changes in the terminal air-conditioning load were simulated. Based on the dynamic cooling and heating load of the building, a two-stage loading strategy was proposed for optimising the system operation. Taking the load demand matching requirement of the system output and the terminal load demand as constraints, a simulation model of the system was developed using TRNSYS 16 software, and the changes in power consumption and the cooling/heating capacity before and after optimisation were analysed. The results show that the optimised system reduced annual power consumption by approximately 19% and increased condensation heat recovery by about 2.3%. The optimised operation control strategy was aligned well with the terminal cooling and heating demands. Full article