A quasi-experimental method for testing rural design support within a DRM framework

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the quasi-experiment setting to test the formulated design support (developed in the author’s PhD research) within a design research methodology (DRM) framework. This support intends to help designers to consciously engage rural families within a development aid scenario and increase their...

Bio-Based Composite Footbridge: Design, Production and In Situ Monitoring

This paper deals with the design, production and monitoring of a bio-composite footbridge with a span of 14 m across the river Dommel in the city of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The specific bio-composite material that was used for this research is a Natural Fibre Reinforced Bio-Polymer (NFRBP). The goal of the research is to prove that NFRBP can...

Framework for capacity based sustainable design & development: towards resilient communities

The most fundamental struggle for realizing a sustainable built environment still lies in the use of non-renewable resources in its articulation. Although efforts have been taken to increase the use of sustainable materials the vast majority of the building sector still relies heavily on depletable resources. This article debates that the...

Framework for capacity based sustainable design & development ; towards resilient communities

The most fundamental struggle for realizing a sustainable built environment still lies in the use of non-renewable resources in its articulation. Although effort has been taken to increase the use of sustainable materials (bio based, C2C, etc.) the vast majority of the building sector still relies heavily on steel and concrete. This article...

Formulating a capability approach based model to sustain rural Sub-Saharan African inhabitant's self-reliance towards their built environment

Changing climate conditions and depleting resources are becoming more important on the global agenda, the paradigm shifting to understand which means (resources) are necessary to generate future well-being. Unfortunately, the formal built environment remains the most polluting global industry and due to its conservative character seems...

Green facades

This "designers' manual" is made during the TIDO-course AR0533 Innovation & Sustainability. Knowledge of living organisms applied in buildings can prevent crucial designer mistakes. Therefore this manual provides information on vegetated facades. Green facade, vertical green, green wall, vertical gardens, vegetation walls and living walls; these...