Dynamics in architectural science

In this Edition, wewelcome somenew themesor the discourse in architectural science. These themes remindme of the important transition that took place with the use of computer science to assist with the processes of calculation used in the evaluation of dynamic responses in buildings. The ability of these systems to model the dynamics of building performance is only one facet of their application. Looking back at the time of their initial development we thought these tools would be used to facilitate the use of scientific analysis in architecture. Yet today, as we become more intrigued with the dynamics of the human and environmental conditions both design and evaluation, is utilizing these systems. In parallel to these phenomena, we find addition technological developments, which complement this thinking. The first paper follows this line of thinking with an investigation of kinetics in architecture. The paper by Sungil Ham, Heayon Cho, Hyunsoo Lee and Ghang Lee called, ‘Prototype Developmentof ResponsiveKinetic FaçadeControl System for theElderly Based on Ambient Assisted Living’, focuses on the importance of building control systems to manage the active technologies in buildings and their response to changing environmental conditions within and outside the line of enclosure. Active systems buildings are increasingly reliant on smart controls to optimize comfort and energy efficiency, this paper showcases some of the on-going research on these technologies that can be used for this purpose. Importantly it looks at niche groups within the range of occupants found in buildings and how these systems can potentially respond to their dynamic and changing environmental needs. The paper ‘Physical and perceptual gap in indoor environmental quality: a mixed method study of space and users at an aged care facility in Victoria’, by Masa Noguchi, Catherine Mei Min Woo, Hing-Wah Chau, Jin Zhou, Andrea Pianella and Clare Newton also examines the needs of the elderly. It aims to use a holist methodology to explore interactions between the human condition and the environment. The differences between the subjective and objective responses to the environment are important findings in this paper. In addition, the authors identify the independent variables that control occupant perceptions. This is a key factor in understanding satisfaction with the internal and external environments, importantly in examining perceptions is the relationship between attitudes and behaviour. However, assumptions underlying perceptions require consideration; often we think these are stable, however, perceptions canbehighlydynamic, given the attitudebehaviour transaction. Theses dynamics are explored in the next paper by Dafna Fisher-Gewirtzman and Nir Polak called ‘A learning automated 3D architecture synthesis model: demonstrating a computer governed the design of minimal apartment units based on human perceptual and physical needs’, it explores the influence of occupants’ perceptions on preferences for the design of apartments. This paper presents a learning model for the automated generation of built environments, demonstrated by the creation of minimal apartments situated in dense urban settings, set in the context of urbanization and the new challenges this creates for habitation. Increasingly housing units are getting smaller to provide affordability yet attributes which are highly valued such as the view to the outside which are important to humanwell being should be considered. Hence,whilstwemight reduce a unit to the minimum functional requirements some of the perceptual factors such as the view to the outside should be maintained. Hence the research study provides a model, which assists designers to optimize this requirement. Interesting methodologies are used to access data on the dynamics of human needs and perception, which are interpreted through using machine learning and parametric modelling. The research works towards the goal of increasing automation in the form generation process of architectural design when trying to resolve complex competing parameters in the design process. The issue of user perception is also carried into the paper called ‘Empirical validation of the spatial-choice modelling approach to user simulation’, by Tae Wan Kim and Seung Hyun Cha. This theme of spatial-choice modelling is attracting more papers to Architectural Science Review recently and consequently, it is a pleasure to see another paper, which extends the research in this area. This is a methodologically orientated paper, which aims to validate some of the assumptions that underlying the simulation approach commonly used. A survey approach is used to establish occupants’ perceptions andpotential behaviours. The paper by Gülsu Ulukavak Harputlugil, Timuçin Harputlugil, Matthieu Pedergnana and Esra Sarıoğlu called ‘A novel approach for renovation of current social housing stock based on energy consumption in Turkey: significance of occupant behavior’, examines similar issues. This themeof examiningoccupants’ influenceonenergy consumptionhas also gained a significant presence in theASR literature in recent years. I am reminded by the paper by Janda (2011) which asserts that people, rather than buildings, use energy. Research has been carried out to understand the attitudes, values and behaviours associated with this interaction. Harputlugil et al. provide a methodology for studying the phenomena and a model for renovating. In this way conceptually the dynamic of the technical and non technical factors can be separated which usefully clarifies the conceptual research space associated with this theme.