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  |  Channel: Energy, Research Journals

CONTEXT BASED DESIGN OF DOUBLE SKIN FACADES: Climatic Considerations During the Design Process

This research focuses on investigation of context based design for double skin facades, particularly focusing on climatic considerations during the design process. Double skin envelopes are gaining popularity as a successful methodology for controlling thermal building performance and energy loads. However, their performance in different climates is an important design consideration. If properly designed, they... Read more »

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  |  Channel: Research Journals

MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE: The Potential Carbon Emissions of Harvesting Dead Lodgepole Pine

This report accesses the potential carbon emissions of harvesting dead lodgepole pine as a result of an outbreak of mountain pine beetles. The report reviews the potential benefits (pros) and the many concerns (cons) about the harvesting practices and strategies utilized to mitigate the socio-economic and carbon emission impacts of mountain pine beetle outbreak. The... Read more »

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Contribution
  |  Channel: Energy, Research Journals

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM: An Analysis of Six Rating Systems and How They Measure Energy

This paper is based on a technical report that was intended to provide the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Sustainability Office with a potential strategy to move the Point Grey Campus to carbon neutrality without the purchase of carbon offsets by 2030 and to recommend a green building rating system that would form part of... Read more »

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Contribution
  |  Channel: Design Process, Education, Research Journals

HEALTHCARE THINK TANK: A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO INNOVATION

Our healthcare market sector is large and widespread across the firm. If there was a way to quantify the experience and expertise we have between our offices, it would be a very significant and impressive figure. Over the years we have demonstrated to ourselves the strength in our “collective collaboration” between our offices and have... Read more »

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Contribution
  |  Channel: Design Process, Energy, Research Journals

BUILDING COMMISSIONING: STRATEGIES, CRITERIA AND APPLICATIONS

Building performance monitoring has a great potential to reduce energy usage through improved operation and maintenance. Enhanced functioning, lower energy costs, better indoor air quality and overall design satisfaction are some of the key benefits. However, in order to achieve these goals, successful transfer of design intent is required through all stages of design process... Read more »

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  |  Channel: Human Experience (Hx), Research Journals, Workplace

TRANSCENDING PROJECT TYPE – PRINCIPLES FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE INTERIOR DESIGN: High Performance Interiors + Evidence-Based Design

In a diverse design practice such as Perkins+Will, we have found recent trends in interior design that reach across market sectors that appear to link aspects of environmental design to improvements in productivity, health and learning capacity. Several common attributes or trends are found to occur in all project types, regardless of the particular functionalities... Read more »

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Contribution
  |  Channel: Design Process, Research Journals, Workplace

CLINICAL PROCESSES INFORMING THE DESIGN OF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

This article examines the use of “event planning” for the determination of the functional and physical requirements of the new emergency department for Halifax Medical Center. Based on clinical processes, functional and operational goals of the project were established and projected workload, practice trends and strategic directives of the institution were developed. The method for conducting this... Read more »

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Contribution
  |  Channel: Design Process, Research Journals

AUTOMATING PRACTICE: Defining Use of Computation in the Architectural Design Workflow

Computation in architectural design, specifically algorithmic/generative design, is a byproduct of advances in software development that have enhanced the digital tools available for explorations in all design disciplines. It is also quickly becoming a sub-discipline with a broad inter-disciplinary range. Currently, computational design methods have extended design and analytical capabilities in software tools available to... Read more »

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  |  Channel: Design Process, Education, Research Journals, Resilience

SYSTEMS THINKING: Seven Reasons Why It Is Good For You And Everything Else

Concerns over the effects of climate change affect not only the architectural design world, but the larger web of society as a whole. As such, the solutions developed need to address the complexity of factors leading to current atmospheric carbon levels. Moving forward, new ways to work, collaborate and structure fees need to be considered... Read more »

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  |  Channel: Energy, Research Journals

A STUDY FOR CARBON NEUTRALITY: THE IMPACT OF DECISIONS, DESIGN AND ENERGY: Transforming Residence Life

This research focuses on the factors that impact the carbon footprint of a residence hall building, particularly the steps and considerations required to achieve carbon neutrality. Beginning with a definition of what it means to be carbon neutral, the study dispels misconceptions and stresses the importance of carbon-conscious decision making throughout the life of a... Read more »

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  |  Channel: Design Process, Innovation Incubator, Research Journals, Resilience

URBAN WASTEWATER: A Renewable, Reliable Water Resource for Urban Farming

This article proposes a new urban ecological paradigm that values urban wastewater as a renewable, reliable, freshwater resource for urban farming. The potential benefits of time-tested solutions applied in urban settings have been largely unexplored due to lack of societal acceptance. The research presented herein investigates various aspects of closed-loop systems that localize wastewater treatment... Read more »