Sustainable Architecture

As scientists we tend to view technology as a scientific system but in fact the success of a particular technology at a particular time may rest less on its efficient performance and more on its 'social' relevance and impact. We now need to identify sustainable design investments for a very uncertain future of expanding populations, scarcer resources and climate change. Buildings in the Iranian desert regions are constructed according to the specific climatic conditions and differ with those built in other climates. Desert buildings are equipped with air traps, arched roofed, water reservoirs with arched domes and ice stores for the preservation of ice. The operation of modern coolers is similar to the old Iranian air traps which were built at the entrance of the house over underground water reservoirs or ponds built inside the house. Lofty walls, narrow and dry streets, highly elevated air traps, big water reservoirs and arched roofed chambers, are the outstanding features of desert towns in Iran. The ever shining scorching sun of the desert has rendered life very difficult for its hardy and warm-blooded inhabitants and has compelled them to resort to facilities that can moderate the unbearable heat. In the following paper, subjects relating to the building materials of desert towns and the method of operation of the traditional cooling systems in the cities with warm and arid climates are described. Herein the great wind catchers of Iran are a zero carbon cooling technology, but because the high towers of the region grew too large during a period of economic boom and soaring social hubris these structures may survive less well than if they had been more modest in their design.

The rate of increase in construction site accident is very large which readily indicate the need to examine and overhaul the existing safety practices deployed in building construction sites. In order to improve the overall safety performance, there is ample need to investigate the root causes of accidents; results of which could be utilized in formulating more conducive working conditions and environments to avert accident. The following were conducted: review of literatures, archives of reported accidents cases kept by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). Also social surveys exercise using structured questionnaire forms were implemented to obtain relevant data from respondents who are mainly contractors, developers and consultant within Imo State, Nigeria. The finding reveals that accident result from critical factors such as unsafe method, human element, unsafe equipment, job site conditions, management and unique nature of the industry. After due analysis the main causes of accident were attributable to workers’ negligence, failure of workers to obey work procedures and safety principles; operating equipment without safety devices; poor site management; harsh work operation work at high elevation; low knowledge and skill level of workers; failure to use personal protective equipment and poor workers attitudes about safety. In general, lack of adherence to safety requirements which has led to increase exposure of workmen and the general public to risk situations on construction resulting in a high rate of incidence of accidents.

Concern about the outcome of human interaction with the environment has increased demand for environmentally friendly practices. Research on environmentally friendly practices indicates that green practices can be implemented at individual-firm-project levels. Changing the construction industry to a more environmentally friendly one requires a multi-faceted sequence at individual, project and organizational levels. Yet, there persists unclear understanding of the relevance of certain influencing factors at each of these stages. The aim of this paper is to advance a multi-perspective model of green construction practice. At the moment, there is a dearth of literature on the interrelationship of green practices at individual-firm-project levels. Thus, not much is known about the interplay of the three levels in influencing implementation of green practices in the industry. The present study, therefore, bridges the knowledge gap; and theorizes possible influences of interplay between the three dimensions of green practices. This is relevant to practitioners and scholars interested in green practices research.

According to 2006 census the vast majority of household live in the rural area of Nigeria, inhabits indigenous earth dwelling of various typologies. These accounted for thirty five percent of total national housing stock. They are characterized with deterioration and dilapidation. Ensuring an adequate performance level of well built earth dwelling, it requires high level of maintenance. Furthermore, many of these structures are built in ignorance of rules and regulations of good building practice. The focus group of professional especially architect and builder were organized to coordinate the study process, ensuring adequate evaluations of issues that can facilitate improved performances of earth as a building materials. The attitude of lack of maintenance was also considered and observed. Their recommendations are evaluated and classified according to issues and strategies: Seven prevailing factors facilitating fast deterioration of earth dwelling were identified. The study recommended fundamental strategies that could help to: Upgrade traditional building, Improve the performance and durability of earth dwelling, Reduce the amount of maintenance cost required by ensuring adequate building precautions and to create a practical and affordable construction based on local practice.

Environmental concerns have become an important obsession around the world. Architecture plays an important role on the effects of human built environment to the globe. Passive solar energy helps to alleviate the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) costs and helps to lower the environmental effects. Central and east parts of Iran, called Central Plateau, have hot dry weather. Its traditional architecture propounded some solutions like using thermal inertia of materials to alleviate the severe weather condition of this area. Now, we have more developed industry and different innovations have enhanced buildings materials. In this research, it has been tried to propose a solution for gathering the benefits of traditional and today architecture n hot arid zone of Iran. The proposed system is based on motility of insulation for optimizing the use of thermal inertia and thermal insulation daily and annually. Using smart buildings saves lots of energies and lets the building to respond to its environmental changes like a living creature.

This paper deals with effect of plants an element of landscape on micro-climate inside aluminum powder producing industry. With the objective to bring micro-climate conditions within or near comfort zone and also create better health condition to benefit health of workers in industry. The experiments were conducted with increase in density of plants in shortlisted experimental area. Identification and adoption of plants with glossy foliage for aluminium powder industry of grade (PAG-4C) is crucial for optimum results. The outcome has shown encouraging results to facilitate architectural intervention towards creating conducive work environment within the industry.

The construction industry is a significant part of economic in each country and makes an important contribution to gross domestic product, employment and capital formation. There are various problems encountering the construction industry and these hardships run rather deeper in developing countries. Purpose/methodology: In an effort to investigate and develop the construction industry in developing countries in Asia, especially in Iran, this study aims to examine the understanding, profitability and public satisfaction about the construction project and focuses on nine areas of distinct project management knowledge in order to verify their level of implementation these factors into the construction context. The large number of professionals of construction industry of Iran was chosen for this research, the research was conducted through a structured questionnaire. The analysis method in this research is quantitative. SPSS version 19 was used to analysis the data. Findings: This study finds out that public satisfaction have direct effect on profitability of the constructions project and, also a majority of respondents believe that project managers have an effective role to develop construction industry. In addition, the level of implementation project management knowledge areas in current construction industry in Iran is less than average.

A decent home is a basic need for every human. Owning a home has always been a great dream to everyone, it will secure one’s life and give protection to an individual and also the family. However, young people are at greatest risk when it comes to increasing house prices, interest rates with the portions of their monthly income are spending on monthly payment for the housing debt. Most of this generations are just started their working career and hardly earned a good pay. Therefore, the dream to own a decent house is only able to be realized if it is affordable to them. The term affordable simply means, the housing price will not cause excessive financial burden towards their monthly commitment. Malaysia as a developing country remain consistent about providing access to home ownership and several incentives are given to the young starters, however the responses on the incentives are mixed. As the potential house buyers across Malaysia tighten their belt more and more to meet the increasing price of the housing prices, it is about time to relook on the actual cause of the problems before it becomes a madcap to the nation’s economy.

Although Lagos, Nigeria is classified among the largest cities in the world, there are uncertainties about whether its quest to become a global city can materialize if its growth continues to be inundated by problems of shelter deprivation. The current population estimate of Lagos is over 17.0 million. It is known that 60-70% of this figure are scattered among the 200 officially recognized slum settlements in the city. The implication is that the quality of life of many urban dwellers that constitute the human resource base of the city will be compromised if prompt measures are not taken. This paper hypothesizes that one sure way for Lagos to climb the global urban hierarchy is for it to initiate urban changes in the form of adopting a real estate strategy that focuses on counter-measures against the prevalence of shelter deprivation. The study examines the experiences of cities in countries that share similar historical antecedents with Lagos. Different perspectives of the real estate strategy employed by different countries in their attempt to attract foreign investments are discussed. The paper concludes by emphasizing the dimensions of real estate strategy that could be applicable in the Lagos context.

The persistent roofing problems of the leaking roof, collapse and the ripping off roofing system and the plight of the affected majority in the past few years throughout the country has prompted an undertaking a roof design verification survey of the affected roofing system in the rural areas of the following state Osun State, Ondo State, Sokoto State, Rivers State and Yobe State. The aim of which was to find out the main causes of the roofing problems affecting rural housing stock and National economy as a whole. The studies revealed that environmental degradation, bad roof construction practice, poor roof design and supervision, lack of maintenance, poor social economic situation and ignorance are the main causes of roofing problems. The total homelessness effect from annual roof problems has been enormous and from environmental considerations logs of wood are wasted on the reinstatement of roofs. Bad roof construction practices were identified during the survey and their corresponding recommended procedures have also been indicated to help improve the situation.