Reviews

 Metaverse Summary  The text “Virtual reality and digital modeling go on trial for a federal courtroom design” by Alan Joch, talks about a virtual reality that can be useful in the design process. This project launched by General Services Administration (GSA) consists in create virtual courtrooms to show better 3D representations and reduce structures and acoustic problems. The only thing this pilot project can’t do is represent light effects.

Personally, I think that this project is an useful tool and can help us reduce construction’s costs, but we’ll never feel the spaces of a virtual representation in the same way as if we really were there. media type="file" key="Metaverse summary.wav"

Video-Podcast summary

This video shows an interview in Florida with two participants of Sarasota International Design Summit in 2006, Peter Kageyama an urban planner and Arthur Aw an architect and designer of Singapore. They talk about the innovations made in Singapore for the development, design and actions taken for the construction and business like Biopolis and One-north. One-north and Biopolis are projects that aims to relate architecture to other sciences for gather more ideas, different types of view, and get a better result in decision and business within the city and that to the experts is what has allowed the development shown by Singapore and can serve also in the planning of other cities of the world. By Freddy Lugo and Pedro Grillo

media type="file" key="Video-podcast.wav" width="300" height="50"

RSTT Script: WHY GO GREEN?
 * To reduce negative environmental impacts.
 * To move towards more natural habitats.
 * To reduce operating costs.
 * To enhance building marketability.
 * To improve inhabitant comfort.
 * To improve living standards.

HOW TO ACHIEVE IT?
 * Using sustainable designs and operational practices.
 * Optimizing construction cost.
 * Reducing operational costs.
 * Managing water and reducing waste.
 * Using natural resources.
 * Harvesting “free energy”

IN SUMMARY

A green design has:

Environmental benefits, Economic benefits, Social benefits,

….which affect:
 * Owners
 * Occupants
 * The general public

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS

Keep It:
 * Simple
 * Economical
 * Friendly

An Optimized Architectural layout:
 * Efficient distribution of spaces.
 * Efficient passive cooling.
 * Local, safe and healthy materials.
 * Careful land distribution.
 * Efficient external works and gardens.

An integrated structural design:
 * Readily available materials.
 * Resource efficient solutions.
 * Labor reducing concepts.
 * Time efficient results.
 * Cost efficient results.

An efficient electro mech. design:
 * Water saving technologies.
 * temperature loss optimization.
 * integrated Passive and Active systems.
 * Energy efficient appliances.
 * Electro-pollution and waste control.

DESIGN CONCEPTS

Building: Cooling: Better cost:
 * Fundations
 * Supporting structure
 * Slab system
 * passive and active cooling
 * Temperature control
 * Humidity control
 * Reinforcement ratio
 * Concrete depth
 * Excavation depth
 * Ease of execution

Load bearing concrete walls

Better efficiency:
 * Elimination of beams and associated works
 * Elimination of block work infill
 * Reduction of water usage during construction
 * Reduction of manpower minimal waste
 * Readily available and continuous platform.

Precast slabs

Better speed:
 * Elimination of formwork
 * fast installation of slabs
 * possibility of pre-casting on site

Passive and active cooling

Air-conditioning is highly energy intensive and contributes to 70% of electricity consumption in a household

The alternative:
 * Passive cooling saves energy.
 * Offers better quiet comfort and energy efficiency.
 * Active cooling is only used at peak periods.

Passive cooling maintains the house at a regular 25 degrees when the maximum outside temperature does not exceed 39 degrees.
 * Air is extracted from wet areas
 * Fresh air is introduced.
 * Cooled water is circulated in tubes installed in the floors.
 * Active cooling only occurs when the outside temperature exceeds 39 degrees.
 * Air-conditioning using chiller system is engaged.
 * Mechanical ventilation is engaged.
 * System is used only at peak conditions.