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Abstract
Artificial Intelligence in Performance-Driven Design: Theories, Methods, and Tools explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically machine learning (ML), for performance modeling within the built environment. This work establishes the theoretical foundations and methodological frameworks for utilizing AI/ML, with an emphasis on multi-scale modeling encompassing energy flows, environmental quality, and human systems.
The book examines relevant practices, case studies, and computational tools that harness AI's capabilities in modeling frameworks, enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and integration of physics-based simulation, optimization, and automation processes. Furthermore, it highlights the integration of intelligent systems and digital twins throughout the lifecycle of the built environment, to enhance our understanding and management of these complex environments.
This book also:
• Incorporates emerging technologies into practical ideas to improve performance analysis and sustainable design
• Presents data-driven methodologies and technologies that seamlessly integrate into modeling and design platforms
• Shares valuable insights for developing decarbonization pathways in urban buildings
• Includes contributions from expert researchers and educators across a range of related fields
Artificial Intelligence in Performance-Driven Design is ideal for architects, engineers, planners, and researchers involved in sustainable design and the built environment. It’s also of interest to students of architecture, building science and technology, urban design and planning, environmental engineering, and computer science and engineering.
Ashayeri, M., & Abbasabadi, N. (2024). Unraveling energy justice in NYC urban buildings through social media sentiment analysis and transformer deep learning. Energy and Buildings, 306, 113914-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.113914
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Abstract
This study explores the intricate relationship between human sentiment on social media data, herein tweet posts on X platform, urban building characteristics, and the socio-spatial dynamics of New York City (NYC) boroughs. Leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, particularly sentiment analysis, augmented by the capabilities of transformer deep learning models, RoBERTa, the study places particular emphasis on the term ‘Stay-at-Home’ to encapsulate the pronounced shift in building occupancy during the pandemic's inaugural year. This focus intertwines with pivotal terms like ‘Energy Bill’ and ‘HVAC’, shedding light on their interconnected implications. The sentiment analysis leverages data from New York City's PLUTO and the Department of Energy's LEAD databases to emotional disparities connected to urban building characteristics as well as demographic and socioeconomic factors. This analytical approach unravels prevailing public emotions and extends the discussion to include energy justice concerns, viewing them through the lens of the city's built infrastructure. The research uncovers profound disparities in the built environment and the allocation of resources in NYC, highlighting the critical need to embrace a spatial justice framework for a sustainable future. This research can aid designers, planners, and policymakers in their efforts to promote equitable and inclusive urban development.
The ASCA Course Development Prize was awarded for the course “Climate | Material | Shelter” developed by Elizabeth Golden, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, and Marc Neveu (Arizona State University). “The course will advance the University of Washington and Arizona State University’s mission to leverage place, enable student success, and transform society through use-inspired research.” More information about the course can be found here.
Three CBE researchers were awarded Royalty Research Funds. This cycle, 93 proposals were submitted to the University of Washington Office of Research. 25 were selected for funding, a success rate of 27%. Vince Wang, Assistant Professor in the Runstad Department of Real Estate and Dylan Stevenson, Assistant Professor in Urban Design and Planning were awarded funding for their project entitled “Exploring Transformative Solutions to Build Housing Security and Climate Resilience: The Community Land Trust Model” Narjes Abbasabadi, Assistant Professor in…
The UW Continuum College Youth & Teen Program has an Architecture course, to introduce high school students to the profession and give them the opportunity to learn more about a field they may not have been exposed to previously. The course was designed to mirror a first year studio class. Read the full story here.
Borys, A.M., & Dossick, C.S. (2023). 15. Integrated Studio: Trade-offs as a Mechanism for Collaboration. In Kim, J. (Ed.), Interdisciplinary Design Thinking in Architecture Education. Routledge. ISBN 9781032283241.
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Abstract
This book explores the creative potential for architecture curricula to integrate solid interdisciplinary thinking in design studio education.
Annotated case studies, both from academic institutions and from professional practices, provide examples of interdisciplinary engagement in creative design work, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of this approach. Cases are from a diverse selection of international collaborators, featuring projects from the United States, Australia, Mexico, Germany, and Italy, and cover a range of project types and scales. Chapters by invited experts offer speculations on current and future models, situating examples within the broader context, and encouraging dialogue between practice and pedagogy. The collection of voices in this book offers critical and provocative lenses, learning from history while forging inventive and creative roles for the architect as practitioner, entrepreneur, strategist, choreographer, activist, facilitator, leader, and teacher.
Interdisciplinary Design Thinking provides insights into the potential of interdisciplinary engagement at the level of foundational undergraduate education, making it ideal for faculty in architecture schools. It will also be of interest to design professionals concerned with interdisciplinary collaboration and how to incorporate similar efforts in their own practices.
Berney, R., Born, B. & King, D. (2023). 14. Building Beloved Community through the University of Washington’s Nehemiah Interdisciplinary Studio. In Kim, J. (Ed.), Interdisciplinary Design Thinking in Architecture Education. Routledge. ISBN 9781032283241.
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Abstract
This book explores the creative potential for architecture curricula to integrate solid interdisciplinary thinking in design studio education.
Annotated case studies, both from academic institutions and from professional practices, provide examples of interdisciplinary engagement in creative design work, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of this approach. Cases are from a diverse selection of international collaborators, featuring projects from the United States, Australia, Mexico, Germany, and Italy, and cover a range of project types and scales. Chapters by invited experts offer speculations on current and future models, situating examples within the broader context, and encouraging dialogue between practice and pedagogy. The collection of voices in this book offers critical and provocative lenses, learning from history while forging inventive and creative roles for the architect as practitioner, entrepreneur, strategist, choreographer, activist, facilitator, leader, and teacher.
Interdisciplinary Design Thinking provides insights into the potential of interdisciplinary engagement at the level of foundational undergraduate education, making it ideal for faculty in architecture schools. It will also be of interest to design professionals concerned with interdisciplinary collaboration and how to incorporate similar efforts in their own practices.
At the end of October, Urban@UW hosted the first ½-day Research to Action Collaboratory workshop session for more learning, sharing and productivity. The Just Circular Communities team attended and focused on solidifying and growing their network of community partners. The team is also working to build a broader definition of “circular economy.” Read more about the October workshop session here. —– May 18, 2023: College of Built Environments researchers are selected for inaugural cohort of the Urban@UW Research to Action…
Minah, G. (2023). Color as metaphor in architectural design. Color Research and Application, 48(5), 536–542. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.22872
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Abstract
In the early stage of a building design, forming a design concept is the first step. The architect must assimilate and organize information involving spatial needs, engineering, building codes, and budget considerations. They must also consider its visual appearance, how the building fits into its physical context, and, most importantly, how to conceive of the building holistically as both functional and aesthetic. A process for accomplishing this will use a methodology associated with intuition and imagination. A metaphor is used that gives form to the building through an analogy that imitates its activities and function and serves as a device for conceiving of the building as a whole. Making a design diagram that defines the concept using the metaphor and showing the relationship of the critical parts of the building is the biggest challenge in this stage. A new approach is to assign color to these parts in the design diagram. With the metaphor as guide, the hierarchical status of the parts will be shown by the perceptual weight of the colors in juxtaposition to one another by contrasts in hue, value, and chroma. The results show that the addition of color increases the clarity and comprehension of the design concept in the eyes of the designer, in visual presentations to faculty in academic settings, and to clients in the profession. The color decisions latter in the process may differ from those used in the diagram, but these decisions will adhere to the established hierarchies of the building parts as foreground or background colors. This methodology is intended to be a tool for students in architecture as well as professional architects.
Sun, F., Whittington, J., Ning, S., Proksch, G., Shen, Q., & Dermisi, S. (2023). Economic resilience during COVID-19: the case of food retail businesses in Seattle, Washington. Frontiers in Built Environment, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1212244
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Abstract
The first year of COVID-19 tested the economic resilience of cities, calling into question the viability of density and the essential nature of certain types of services. This study examines built environment and socio-economic factors associated with the closure of customer-facing food businesses across urban areas of Seattle, Washington. The study covers 16 neighborhoods (44 census block groups), with two field audits of businesses included in cross-sectional studies conducted during the peak periods of the pandemic in 2020. Variables describing businesses and their built environments were selected and classified using regression tree methods, with relationships to business continuity estimated in a binomial regression model, using business type and neighborhood socio-demographic characteristics as controlled covariates. Results show that the economic impact of the pandemic was not evenly distributed across the built environment. Compared to grocery stores, the odds of a restaurant staying open during May and June were 24%, only improving 10% by the end of 2020. Density played a role in business closure, though this role differed over time. In May and June, food retail businesses were 82% less likely to remain open if located within a quarter-mile radius of the office-rich areas of the city, where pre-pandemic job density was greater than 95 per acre. In November and December, food retail businesses were 66% less likely to remain open if located in areas of residential density greater than 23.6 persons per acre. In contrast, median household income and percentage of non-Asian persons of color were positively and significantly associated with business continuity. Altogether, these findings provide more detailed and accurate profiles of food retail businesses and a more complete impression of the spatial heterogeneity of urban economic resilience during the pandemic, with implications for future urban planning and real estate development in the post-pandemic era.