Structural Survey

Residential regeneration and adaptive reuse: learning from the experiences of Los Angeles : Table of Contents

Peter A. Bullen, Peter E.D. Love — Sat Nov 21 08:00:12 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Adaptive reuse of older commercial buildings, particularly in countries such as the USA, has been regarded by building owners and developers as uneconomic. Retention of older commercial buildings has commonly been regarded as a barrier to progress and a hindrance to the regeneration of older urban areas. This paper aims to examine the program and legislation that is adopted to encourage the adaptive reuse of commercial buildings in the downtown area of Los Angeles (LA) in the USA, as it is considered to be an exemplar example of how a regeneration strategy makes a contribution to sustainability. It seeks to assess the effectiveness of adaptive reuse of redundant buildings as a commercially viable and effective strategy for urban regeneration that meets the criteria of sustainability. Design/methodology/approach – A case example is used to examine the underlying factors that have contributed to LA being an exemplar for adaptive re-use and its contribution to sustainability. Findings – Urban regeneration requires a vision and a continued commitment to sustainability. In the case of LA, there is clearly evidence of a commitment to sustainability through the implementation of an adaptive re-use program. A key to this strategy's success is the offering of incentives. Such incentives are required to entice investment and involvement in the program. The ability to make commercial buildings attractive to developers as viable reuse projects relied heavily on the use of legislation that reduces code and zoning requirements and offers substantial financial incentives in the form of tax concessions. The advantages of adaptive reuse in terms of sustainability appear to outweigh the advantages of demolition and new development as experienced in LA. Certainly in terms of urban regeneration the adaptive reuse program in the downtown area appears to have been something of a catalyst in prompting investment in major developments. Originality/value – The sharing of experiences is pivotal to learning. Such situated learning can provide clients, and industry practitioners with insights about how adaptive re-use can be used to promote sustainable outcomes. The experiences of LA emphasize the need to consider emphasis on not only environmental and economic benefits but also issues of social equity such as low cost housing for lower income groups. Generally, the objectives of reusing old buildings appear to coincide with many of the desired outcomes of sustainability, but further research is needed to assess the viability of adaptive reuse as a strategy for urban regeneration and sustainability.

Estimation algorithm for predicting the performance of private apartment buildings in Hong Kong : Table of Contents

Yung Yau, Daniel Chi-wing Ho, Kwong-wing Chau, Wai-yip Lau — Sat Nov 21 08:00:12 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – For the sake of public health and safety, a territory-wide evaluation of the quality of buildings in Hong Kong is crucial. However, it is a lengthy process to assess the performance of the whole stock of buildings in the city. To get around this predicament, this paper aims to propose a statistical approach for a fast and reliable building evaluation algorithm using the Building Quality Index (BQI) developed by The University of Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach – Using the BQI assessment framework, the condition of 133 and 160 private apartment buildings in Yau Tsim Mong and the Eastern District respectively are assessed and rated. The data of the Yau Tsim Mong buildings are used to estimate a regression model associating the relationships between building performance, measured by the BQI, and other exogenous factors. The resulting model is then employed to predict the performance of the surveyed buildings in the Eastern District. Findings – The regression analyses on the Yau Tsim Mong data indicate that building age, development scale and building management mode are significant determinants of the existing condition of the sampled buildings, echoing the findings of previous studies. BQI scores of buildings in the Eastern District are estimated using the resulting regression model, and there is a highly positive relationship between the predicted BQI and in-situ BQI scores. Originality/value – The study is the first in the literature to provide an algorithm for estimating building condition in a densely developed high-rise urban area.

Environmental assessment of construction trends in Mexico: towards sustainable building? : Table of Contents

Olivia Guerra Santin — Sat Nov 21 08:00:12 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the environmental performance of construction trends in houses in central Mexico by assessing the type and quantity of material used in construction elements. Design/methodology/approach – Three reference Mexican houses are used for the analysis: a traditional house, a house with mostly masonry elements, and a house with mostly concrete elements. The reference houses indicate the construction trend followed in central Mexico. Quantitative analysis of the types and weights of various materials used to construct the houses is undertaken. The environmental performance is measured according to their sustainability potential. The indicators used are based on the Three Step Strategy, which sets the steps needed to achieve sustainable construction: use fewer materials, use renewable materials and be efficient with the remaining need. Findings – The analysis shows that there is a trend to use faster and cheaper construction processes, which are often concrete and prefabricated elements, especially for dwellings built in series. Although this has the positive impact of decreasing the stress on housing demand, it might have negative impacts on the environment because more energy-intensive and artificial materials are used. In addition, the low homogeneity of these materials decreases the potential of construction elements to be reused or recycled. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this study aim at providing more information to practitioners on the sustainability of material choices during the design process. Thus practitioners will be better informed to design more environmentally sustainable buildings. The results are based on analysis of data from Central Mexico but may have relevance to other parts of the world. Originality/value – The study provides quantitatively derived evidence to support sustainable design decisions.

Thermal behaviour of vented roofs : Table of Contents

M. D'Orazio, C. Di Perna, F. Stazi — Sat Nov 21 08:00:12 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an experimental study aimed at analysing the effect of the roof tile air permeability on the thermal performances of ventilation ducts in the roof. The main reason underlying this study is the fact that the theoretical reference assumed for the manufacture and sizing of ventilation ducts (the accepted theory on roof ventilation) is clearly limited when applied to ducts which are not perfectly airtight (Hens) and results in an oversizing of the ventilation ducts. Design/methodology/approach – A section of roof is built, covered with different tiles and environmental and meteorological data collected. The data are analysed statistically. Findings – The results show that the permeability of the layer of tiles determines heat losses which are in addition to those connected with the stack effect in a perfectly airtight duct with the same features. The results also confirm the correlation which has already been demonstrated between the geometric ratio of the length of the duct divided by its height and the amount of heat dissipated by the roof (Sandberg and Moshfeg). Originality/value – This study analyses the performance of the roofs only during the summer season. The research is therefore continuing with a long-term (one year) analysis of the roofs characterised by a high level of roof tile permeability so as to understand the consequences that the presence of a ventilation duct in systems with air permeable roofing may have on the thermal efficiency of the roof.

How small can a dwelling be? A revision of Portuguese building regulations : Table of Contents

João António Costa Branco de Oliveira Pedro — Sat Nov 21 08:00:12 GMT 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the minimum necessary net internal area of dwellings that should be established by Portuguese building regulations. Design/methodology/approach – The following tasks are carried out: selecting the furniture and equipment necessary for each dwelling; determining the size of furniture and equipment and its typical arrangement; conceiving models of functional spaces; determining the net area of functional spaces and dwellings; comparing results with statistics on housing construction in Portugal and with mandatory area standards used in Portugal and ten other European countries. Findings – The paper finds that the net internal area presently set by Portuguese building regulations should be increased by 5 to 15 percent. The net internal area figure obtained by the study is similar to mandatory regulations established by some other European countries. Research limitations/implications – The study focuses on the net internal area of dwellings, although other space standards are also important to assuring the practicability of dwelling spaces; area standards were set on the basis of the current Portuguese situation and required adaptation when used in different social, cultural and economic contexts; area standards constitute a safety-net against unacceptable dwellings rather than good practice guidelines. Practical implications – The results may be used to support a review of Portuguese building regulations and provide guidelines for the design of dwellings. Originality/value – A methodology to determine area standards is presented and applied. Up-to-date information on furniture size and arrangements is collected. The comparison enables an understanding of how the results compare in a European context.