Composite hollow core vaults: An analysis of the Fusee Ceramic System and the design of form-active environmental friendly roofs

This thesis analysis the structural design of cilindrical Fusee Ceramique roofs and the effect of the ceramique infill elements for the time dependent deformations, stiffness and load bearing capacity, including second order. To save the few remaining buildings for the coming generations the possibilities to strengthen and stiffen these...

Evolutionary design assistants for architecture

Facade Refurbishment Toolbox: Supporting the Design of Residential Energy Upgrades

The starting point of the research is the need to refurbish existing residential building stock, in order to reduce its energy demand, which is a necessary step to reach the ambitious energy and decarbonisation targets for 2020 and 2050 that require an eventual reduction up to 90% in CO2 emissions. In this context, the rate and depth of...

Strategic investment of embodied energy during the architectural planning process

It is an interesting time in the building industry; for more than one decade sustainability is a planning parameter that essentially impacts construction related processes. Reduction of operational energy was initiated after the oil crisis and changed the type of construction by including heat transmission as one function of the building skin....

Performance assessment strategies; a computational framework for conceptual design of large roofs

Using engineering performance evaluations to explore design alternatives during the conceptual phase of architectural design helps to understand the relationships between form and performance; and is crucial for developing well-performing final designs. Computer aided conceptual design has the potential to aid the design team in discovering and...

Daylight and View: The Influence of Windows on the Visual Quality of Indoor Spaces

Windows are important for a comfortable and healthy indoor environment, because they give access to daylight and an outside view. To be able to improve the visual quality of indoor spaces, one needs to have insight in how daylight and view affect people’s perception of indoor spaces. This is investigated by means of a literature and a...

Maatbeperking in het architectonisch ontwerp; visuele relevantie van maatsystemen als Gulden Snede en Plastische Getal - Measure limitation in architectural design

Acoustical Design Guidelines for Living Rooms for Adults with intellectual Disabilities

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the effects of building design tools on acoustical quality parameters in living rooms for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and develop acoustical design guidelines for architects. This study is specifically concerned with the validation of auralizations as an assessment tool and establishing the...

Historic Concrete: From Concrete Repair to Concrete Conservation

Concrete like materials were already applied during the Roman Empire. After the decline of the Roman Empire, a wide scale application of concrete only reappeared in the 19th century. Here lies also the origin of modern (reinforced) concrete. Since then, both concrete application and composition have significantly changed. Today, concrete from...