CONNECTING PLACES - CONNECTING PEOPLE: A network of public spaces as a backbone for social cohesion in South Rotterdam

The continuous immigration around the world increases ethnic diversity in major<br/>cities. At the same time, the growing population, urbanization, and crowding in cities negatively impact well-being, bringing to the forefront the need for integrating restorative environments. In the context of multi-ethnic cities, there is a pressing need for...

Alternative Strategies for Theatres in Central European Climate: The potential of passive design strategies to lower the operational energy requirement for existing theatres in Berlin

This paper investigates the potential of passively lowering the operational energy requirement of performance buildings in the Central European Climate. The energy consumption of this typology is largely caused by mechanical ventilation to cool and ventilate the theatre during shows, necessary for the thermal comfort and ventilation requirements...

The Reading of Maastricht, de Leeszaal

Back to the roots: Rethinking Aruba's residential building standard

In light of the current environmental crisis, we are faced with the responsibility to drastically change our anthropogenic impact.<br/>We humans often view ourselves as superior to nature. We have developed a dualistic view of our existence on this planet – one that blinds us to our interconnectedness with the environment. <br/>We must shift the...

Minimal renovation strategies for low-temperature heating with optimal comfort

To prepare the housing stock for the transition to collective, low-temperature heating, minimal renovation strategies for the integration of low-temperature heating and optimal comfort are studied within this research for various single-family housing typologies. Renovation measures on the building and installation scale were considered for the...

Inhabiting the Uninhabitable: Post-nuclear Cofrentes, 2056: The reality we might live to see

In a future scenario where nuclear energy has been the globally accepted solution to solve the energy crisis, an accident happening in the year 2056 obliterates any hopes for humanity's future on the surface of the Earth. <br/>This graduation project narrates an evolutionary exploration of unconventional ways of living in a post-apocalyptic...

Potential of InfraRed Thermography for delamination detection in hybrid concrete structures: A qualitative and quantitative study of delaminated areas between concrete and ultra-high performance concrete

The concrete bridges constructed in the 1960s and 1970s lack shear reinforcement, rendering them non-compliant with current design regulations. To potentially enhance their shear capacity, the proposed approach involves applying a layer of ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) on both sides of the normal strength concrete (NSC...

Natural passive housing in the Lange Bretten of Amsterdam

This graduation project focuses on the architectural design of a passive and nature inclusive housing complex in the Lange Bretten, a natural area in Amsterdam-West. The complex offers a temporary home for the growing group of economic homeless of Amsterdam. The design goals for this type of housing include the symbiosis between these residents...

Bewijsvoering van Duurzaamheid in Architectuur: Een Wicked Problem

Sustainability is trending. With large numbers, architects are part of the movement that is in search of a more sustainable world. An important part of this search is the urge to prove sustainability. Currently available methods to prove sustainability in architecture play into this demand. However, practice shows that these methods are not...

Architecture as medicine: Reusing abandoned Dutch-colonial architecture for health care applications in coastal Java, Indonesia

Semarang is one of the large historical harbour cities on Java, Indonesia. The historical centre of the city is characteristic for its colonial set-up. During the last few decades the city of Semarang has been expanding rapidly. Nowadays, the historical centre of the city is not central anymore. In Semarang, the functions which require a lot of...

TE integrated facade: Design of an integrated facade for a typical office building in the semi-arid climate of Tehran using thermoelectric technology powered by PV panels for space heating and cooling

Building industry consumes around 50% of the world’s electricity consumption and space heating and cooling plays an important role in ozone depletion and global warming potential. Solar cooling technologies promise more sustainable approaches with reliance on solar energy as a renewable energy source. Thermoelectric technology is a promising...

FabField: a new approach to building services design

FabField is a building system that borrows most of its basic principles from more evolved and flexible industries, making use of digital fabrication methods (CNC milling) to produce all components that constitute a building. However, not all aspects have been fully thought of in the system: the integration of building services for FabField is...