Living and learning: research for a better built environment

Foreword: The Architectural Science Association (ASA), formally known as the Australian and New Zealand Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA), was established in 1963 with the goal of promoting architectural science, theory, education and practice. A particular focus of ASA is the development, documentation and application of innovative approaches to environmentally sustainable design. Annual conferences have been held since 1966. The built environment and our understanding of the effect that it has on our natural environment have developed dramatically over the last several decades. With the deepening evidence of the effect that humans are having on the degradation of global ecosystems, there has never been a greater need for research in the field of architectural science. The ASA2015 Conference coincides with the coming together of world leaders at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. While the aims of ASA2015 may be slightly less ambitious, they are nonetheless just as important in understanding how to develop and apply the knowledge and solutions needed to address the pressing environmental concerns of our time and the central role that the built environment has to play in this. This publication contains the 115 papers that were accepted for presentation at the 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (ASA2015), hosted by the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia from 2 - 4 December 2015. These papers are also available individually from the ASA website (http://anzasca.net). The conference theme, Living and Learning: Research for a Better Built Environment, reflects our view of a sustainable built environment as a maturing industry and field of research, but one that we still have a lot to learn about in order to achieve real change. The role of research in improving the built environment is reflected across the 13 different themes of the conference which encompass the breadth of architectural science. Each paper in these proceedings has undergone a rigorous peer review process. Following the call for abstracts in March 2015, a total of 309 abstracts were submitted for peer review. Each abstract was double-blind peer reviewed by the International Scientific Committee, made up of members from 15 countries, across six continents. Of these, 227 abstracts were accepted for development into a full paper. There were 142 full papers submitted, each of which was then double-blind peer reviewed by two to three members of the International Scientific Committee. Based on the reviewer recommendations, 115 papers were accepted for presentation at the conference. This represents the largest number of papers ever presented at an ASA/ANZAScA conference. These proceedings, as well as the diverse range of research presented within them, are testament to the importance and diversity of the field of architectural science. This, combined with the involvement of delegates from 17 countries highlights the relevance of the Architectural Science Association, more than 50 years since it was established. We are excited to be able to welcome all conference delegates to ASA2015, particularly as this is first time in thirty-three years that the conference has been held in Melbourne. This is timely as it coincides with the construction of the new Melbourne School of Design Building, which provides a ‘living’ example of many of the theories, learnings and techniques developed within the field of architectural science.