ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6948-9543
Current Organisations
Harbin Institute of Technology
,
The University of Newcastle
,
University of South Australia
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Publisher: Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)
Date: 27-10-2021
DOI: 10.5755/J01.SACE.29.2.28355
Abstract: This paper uses a combined method – survey and semi-structured interviews – to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of digital design environments for supporting architects’ sustainable design practices. In most contemporary firms, architects’ sustainable design aspirations are reliant on the use digital design tools and associated computational platforms. Past research, however, suggests that a level of uncertainty exists about whether these tools and platforms are sufficient for this purpose. To investigate this issue in an Australian context, architects were invited to take part in an online survey to identify general trends and perceptions, leading to a series of semi-structured interviews, to analyse the issues in detail. The survey results (n = 70) suggest that despite considering sustainable design an important objective in their design practice, participants believe that digital design tools require further development and improvement. Detailed interviews (n = 15) then identified specific factors affecting the usefulness of digital design tools. These results enhance our understanding of Australian architects’ experiences using digital design tools. It also contributes to improving the tools that support sustainable design practices throughout the architectural, engineering and construction industry.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 31-07-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Date: 2015
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-2013
DOI: 10.1260/1478-0771.11.4.393
Abstract: This paper presents a protocol study which compares designers' behaviors when unexpected discoveries appear in a parametric design environment (PDE) and a traditional geometry modeling environment (GME). From the view of design situatedness, designers tend to adapt and respond to the design situation as it continuously changes during the design process. The hypothesis is that when unexpected discoveries appear, these changing design situations can significantly affect designers' cognitive activities. In this study, we are interested in exploring designers' behaviors in responding to these unexpected discoveries in PDEs, and further, to compare those behaviors in GMEs. An experiment was conducted in which five designers completed two similar design tasks respectively in a PDE and a GME. Applying the research method of protocol analysis, designers' behaviors in response to unexpected discoveries in these two design environments are compared and discussed.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 25-08-2018
Abstract: The Traditional Chinese Private Garden is a historically and socially significant landscape type that features multiple complex planning elements. Whereas there are many different ex les of Traditional Chinese Private Gardens, the small gardens of Suzhou make up a distinct subset. This paper describes a method for mathematically capturing and then parametrically generating, new instances of what might be called the small ‘Suzhou type’, which features some of the same social and cognitive spatial properties as the historic cases. The research commences with a mathematical analysis of three historic Suzhou Traditional Chinese Private Gardens before using connectivity graphs to investigate their properties. Mathematical measurements derived from the Traditional Chinese Private Gardens are then used as rules for a parametric system to generate new instances of the Suzhou type. In the paper, three new Suzhou type connectivity and spatio-typological systems are generated and tested against the properties of the historic cases. Through this process, the paper demonstrates a method for capturing distinct social and cognitive properties in a parametric system and thereby derives possible new insights into these important heritage sites. This method may also be applied to the analysis and generation of different spatial types.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-02-2016
DOI: 10.1186/S40327-016-0033-Y
Abstract: One school of thought argues that the Traditional Chinese Private Garden's (TCPG) primary spatial property is that it features both freestanding buildings in space, and spaces freely positions in the landscape, creating a great sense of phenomenal transparency. In contrast, a more traditional interpretation of the TCPG stresses that its primary purpose is to evoke mystery, or provide places of isolation or for retreat. This paper examines these two complex, multi-variable propositions using Space Syntax theory, a method which enables a mathematical analysis of the structural and visual configuration of the spaces in a plan to be undertaken. The methods used for the analysis are variations of the convex space and isovist mapping techniques, and the data is analysed mathematically and then visually using heat-maps. The sixteenth century Yuyuan Garden, one of the most famous TCPGs, is used as a test case for the research. The results of this study suggest that those features of the TCPG which are associated with mystery are more correlated with its trafficable structure than its visual accessibility. Conversely, the transparency of the TCPG is potentially more related to the directional features of the space than to transparency in isolation. This paper presents a computational visualisation and analysis method based on the use of Space Syntax techniques for examining vision and movement potential in a complex garden environment. As demonstrated in the ex le of the Yuyuan garden, the method is effective for analysing and visualising spatial properties beyond the surface level of forms and shapes. Through the application of this method we have been able to provide a new insight into two of the most famous, but poorly understood perceptual properties of TCPGs: transparency and mystery.
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Date: 2017
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2018
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-02-2023
DOI: 10.3390/BUILDINGS13030630
Abstract: This study presents a systematic literature review on the utilisation of biometric analyses within the research area of design cognition. Design is a critical phase of many industries including architecture and construction, industrial design, engineering design, and many others. The development of design theories and methodologies to further understanding of designers’ cognitive design processes is thereby crucial. Traditional methods for design studies such as protocol analysis are prone to subjective factors and rely upon designers’ externalisations of their own design intentions, which typically makes such results difficult to validate. Design neuroscience has become an emerging area of research in recent years. Utilising biometric measurements such as electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and eye-tracking, more objective data can be obtained about the physiological responses of designers during their performing of design activities, and such empirical data can then be analysed without relying on designers to self-report. Recent years have witnessed an increasing number of studies in that research area. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding about current design studies that utilise biometric analysis as well as the application and effectiveness of the analysis approach. Therefore, this research utilised a systematic literature review method, reviewing the past decade’s biometric analysis studies related to design cognition, aiming to bridge the research gap areas as informed by the systematic review. The findings of this study suggest that this research area is still at an early stage, and there has accordingly been a trend of increasing publications within the field. Most design neuroscience studies have investigated the common areas such as design problem solving, design creativity, design thinking strategies, cognitive load and visual attention. Further research is especially needed in the following: (i) design neuroscience studies for various digital design environments (ii) practical applications of biometric analysis design studies to both design practice and design education and (iii) further advancement of biometric techniques applicable to future design studies. The results of this study contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the existing knowledge and research about the application of biometric analysis to design cognition studies this is potentially beneficial to future design research and education, and it leads to more advanced application of design cognition studies.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-05-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: CRC Press
Date: 16-02-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2023
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-04-2022
DOI: 10.3390/ARCHITECTURE2020014
Abstract: This paper presents a study that explores an affordable housing scheme which allows customisation prior to construction for owner-occupiers. Due to ongoing concerns about the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic affecting large populations, the demand for affordable housing is increasing. In particular, low-income households continue to struggle with unaffordable rents throughout major Australian cities. Assailed by this growing affordability crisis and deemed environmentally unsustainable, Australian suburbs are in need of revitalisation. The implementation of mass customisation solutions can heighten the sense of identity within a community and also significantly increase occupant satisfaction. However, presently, there is a lack of studies discussing the financial model and design of affordable mass customisation solutions for housing. To address that gap, this paper employs the method of case studies by analysing five relevant cases from the perspectives of affordability and customisation. The results of this study indicate that there is great room for future improvement in what is currently claimed to be defined as affordable housing, in terms of both affordability and customisation. These results will potentially assist and provide guidance to future architects, developers and planners.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-06-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 14-07-2014
DOI: 10.1017/S0890060414000316
Abstract: This paper describes the results of a protocol study exploring problem–solution coevolution in a parametric design environment (PDE). The study involved eight participants who completed a defined architectural design task using Rhino and Grasshopper software: a typical PDE. The method of protocol analysis was employed to study the cognitive behaviors that occurred while these designers were working in the PDE. By analyzing the way in which the designers shifted between “problem” and “solution” spaces in the PDE, characteristics of the coevolutionary design process are identified and discussed. Results of this research include two potentially significant observations. First, the coevolution process occurs frequently within the design knowledge level (i.e., when using Rhino) and within the rule algorithm level (i.e., when using Grasshopper) of the parametric design process. Second, the designers’ coevolution process was focused on the design knowledge level at the beginning of the design session, while they focused more on the rule algorithm level toward the end of the design session. These results support an improved understanding of the design process that occurs in PDEs.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 23-08-2018
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-09-2013
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-05-2022
DOI: 10.3390/BUILDINGS12050637
Abstract: This study features the development of a framework to identify drivers towards increasing adoption of modular integrated construction (MiC) methods for affordable sustainable housing (ASH). The rise of offsite construction (OSC) techniques, especially MiC, has been evident in recent years. MiC’s adoption in ASH is still underdeveloped however, due to various benefits of MiC over conventional construction methods, it is envisioned to be a significant emerging approach for tackling growing housing demand, and ASH in particular. Although a few prior studies identified some factors for utilization of MiC towards ASH, studies to date have not provided a holistic review of drivers or a comprehensive framework of the interrelationships between such drivers. To address this issue, this study utilizes a three-way process including a systematic literature review, semi-structured interviews and the Total Interpretive Structure Modelling (TISM) method to study the drivers for MiC adoption in ASH. Initially, 111 drivers were extracted from a review of 40 studies in the existing literature. Following that, the significant drivers of MiC adoption for ASH were grouped into cost, time, productivity, quality, environmental, social, policy and demand. Drawing on concepts of systems thinking and graph theory, the TISM model for eight drivers was developed from both the literature review and the interview results. Four levels of hierarchy were found among drivers containing linkage, driving, depending and autonomous. Succeeding the steps of TISM and Reachability Matrix (RM) and Matrice d’ Impacts Croises-Multipication Appliqué a Classement (MICMAC) analysis, social drivers were found to have the highest driving and lowest dependency power, followed by productivity and policy drivers. This signifies the importance of social factors for enhancing MiC adoption for ASH. In addition, a strategic framework of boosting MiC adoption in ASH is also presented, highlighting the key stakeholders and strategies for transformation along with conclusions. This study delivers a wider landscape of drivers for MiC-ASH synergy that may assist practitioners, policy makers and relevant stakeholders to better understand the relationships between the drivers.
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Date: 06-10-2016
Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore
Date: 26-09-2023
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 20-08-2016
Abstract: This article presents the results from exploring the impact of using a parametric design tool on designers’ behavior in terms of using design patterns in the early conceptual development stage of designing. It is based on an empirical cognitive study in which eight architectural designers were asked to complete two architectural design tasks with similar complexity, respectively, in a parametric design environment and a geometric modeling environment. The protocol analysis method was employed to study the designers’ behavior. In order to explore the development of design patterns in the empirical data, Markov model analysis is utilized. Through Markov models analysis of the parametric design environment and geometric modeling environment results, it was found that there are some significantly different design patterns being used when designing in a parametric design environment compared to designing in a geometric modeling environment. The article articulates these differences and draws conclusions from these results.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-2015
DOI: 10.1260/1478-0771.13.1.83
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a protocol study of professional architects' cognitive behaviour in a parametric design environment. A design experiment was conducted in which eight professional architects completed an architectural conceptual design task in a typical parametric design environment –Rhino and Grasshopper. Protocol analysis was then applied to analyse the cognitive behaviour of the architects. In analysing the protocol data, the FBS ontology adopted for developing the coding scheme was sub- ided into design knowledge and rule algorithm classes as the means to capture designers' cognitive behaviour. Applying the method of cumulative analysis, results of the relative cognitive effort expended on design knowledge and rule algorithm classes have been compared and are discussed in the paper.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-04-2023
DOI: 10.3390/SU15087019
Abstract: Volumetric modular construction (VMC) has considerable benefits in providing better cost, time, quality, productivity, and sustainability performance. However, the adoption is low, owing to various associated risks. This study aims to identify VMC critical risk factors (CRFs) in project stages and project attributes by conducting a systematic literature review of 91 articles. In the project stages, 31 CRFs were identified based on frequency analyses, and ided into four stages: design and planning, offsite manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and onsite assembly. The project attribute risks were ided into the following categories: implementation and schedule, supply chain and financial, safety and ergonomic, and civil and structural. Overall, design and planning risks were critical, as they are crucial in maintaining the project’s upstream and downstream flow. Finally, the study proposed a mitigation framework for using digital technology-based circular strategies to overcome VMC risks. The framework includes disruptive and emergent digital technologies aiming to mitigate risks in VMC, keeping circularity in action. In terms of theoretical contributions, this research delivers a CRF register and categorical ision for professionals to better understand the landscape of VMC risks. In terms of practical contributions, the study guides the practitioners towards strategies to overcome the pertinent risks.
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date: 12-2023
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 11-10-2022
Abstract: Emerging applications of immersive virtual technologies are providing architects and designers with powerful interactive environments for virtual design collaboration, which has been particularly beneficial since 2020 while the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry has experienced an acceleration of remote working. However, there is currently a lack of critical understanding about both the theoretical and technical development of immersive virtual environments (ImVE) for supporting architectural design collaboration. This paper reviewed recent research (since 2010) relating to the topic in a systematic literature review (SLR). Through the four steps of identification, screening, eligibility check, and inclusion of the eligible articles, in total, 29 journal articles were reviewed and discussed from 3 aspects: ImVE in the AEC industry, ImVE for supporting virtual collaboration, and applications of ImVE to support design collaboration. The results of this review suggest that future research and technology development are needed in the following areas: (1) ImVE support for design collaboration, particularly at the early design stage (2) cognitive research about design collaboration in ImVE, toward the adoption of more innovative and comprehensive methodologies (3) further enhancements to ImVE technologies to incorporate more needed advanced design features.
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Libraries
Date: 23-12-2021
DOI: 10.15763/ISSN.2470-9670.2021.V5.I2.A86
Abstract: In an age in which navigators can simply follow the represented route on their smartphone to get to their desired destination, is there any need for signage and urban legibility? This study aims to explore the effects of urban form and different navigational aids on visitors’ spatial cognition and wayfinding behavior. Thirty-eight participants were placed in one of three groups: i) a paper map only ii) smartphones with the Google Maps app and, iii) no navigational aids (local signage only). Participants were asked to find six pre-determined tourist destinations in central Brisbane, Australia, while they were thinking aloud. Post-task tests showed that participants in the group without personal navigational aids were more successful in landmark recognition than map users. Those who used paper maps performed best in route accuracy and street-naming tests. However, across all the spatial recognition tests, the GPS group was systematically neither the best nor the worst in terms of acquired spatial knowledge. The findings have the potential to assist urban designers and navigational mapping producers to design more legible urban spaces and more effective wayfinding tools.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 12-2022
DOI: 10.3390/LAND11122181
Abstract: This study presents a quantitative approach to exploring the spatio-functional characteristics of historic Chinese towns (HCTs) from a heritage tourism perspective. In recent years, HCTs have evolved from being resident-oriented to being more tourist-oriented, in part due to their heritage significance for attracting tourists. Spatio-functional qualities of a historic town are essential elements of the town’s urban morphology and of great concern for preservation. Previous studies that discussed this issue often used qualitative descriptions, and only limited studies have systematically explored the spatio-functional qualities of HCTs. Thus, there is presently a lack of understanding around this issue, especially based on rigorous quantitative approaches. This study examines the spatio-functional qualities of HCTs using space syntax, a commonly used method in urban studies that enables measurement of spatial characteristics through mathematical means. Four HCTs with heritage significance, Pingyao, Lijiang, Kulangsu, and Wuzhen, were selected as case studies. The study has examined the role of heritage tourism and the results show that tourist-focused functions tend to distribute and aggregate in the urban core of HCTs. By contrast, cultural relics are freely distributed and not expanded over time. Spatio-functional patterns of the four HCTs were theorised, and the paper concludes with suggestions regarding future land-use optimisation for the four HCTs concerning heritage tourism.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Date: 2013
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-06-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-07-2023
DOI: 10.3390/BUILDINGS13081926
Abstract: There is currently a pressing need for rental housing to be built and the Build-to-Rent (BTR) market is growing to address such housing demands. Existing research focuses on the financial and planning aspects of existing BTR markets. However, more research is needed to clarify the responsibilities and strategies of key stakeholders to achieve success in BTR developments. Moreover, as an emerging topic, identifying the key themes of research and future directions may be beneficial for the body of knowledge. This study critically analyses the existing research published on BTR and aims to identify their key themes and recommend strategies, via a conceptual framework, for achieving success in BTR developments. Systematic literature review methodology was employed to identify recent publications on the topic of BTR, utilising the databases Web of Science and Scopus. A total of 58 research publications from 2013 to 2023 were identified. Using Leximancer software, the identified literature was systematically and thematically analysed. The analysis identified four themes: (1) stakeholders’ influences on the uptake of the BTR model (2) BTR as a viable model for addressing soaring rental housing demand (3) tenant-oriented BTR development and (4) design and construction management of BTR. This research combines these themes into a conceptual framework, provides useful recommendations to facilitate the implementation of BTR developments, and identifies future research directions for this topic.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2023
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 19-03-2021
DOI: 10.3390/BUILDINGS11030126
Abstract: With the outset of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0), every sector is escalating to get enrichment out of it, whether they are research- or industry-oriented. The Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry lags a bit in adopting it because of its multi-faceted dependencies and unique nature of work. Despite this, a trend has been seen recently to hone the IR 4.0 multitudes in the AEC industry. The upsurge has been seen in the usage of Immersive Technologies (ImTs) as one of the disruptive techniques. This paper studies the literature based on ImTs, which are Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) integrating with Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the AEC sector. A total number of 444 articles were selected from Scopus following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocol of reviewing the literature. Among the selected database, 64 papers are identified as the result of following the protocol, and the articles are ided into eight domains relevant to the AEC industry, namely client/stakeholder, design exploration, design analysis, construction planning, construction monitoring, construction health/safety, facility/management, and education/training. This study adopts both a scientometric analysis for bibliometrics visualization and a critical review using Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat (SWOT) analysis for finding gaps and state of play. The novelty of this paper lies in the analysis techniques used in the literature to provide an insight into the literature, and it provides directions for the future with an emphasis on developing sustainable development goals (SDGs). In addition, research directions for the future growth on the adoption of ImTs are identified and presented based on categorization in immersive devices, graphical/non-graphical data and, responsive/integrative processes. In addition, five subcategories for each direction are listed, citing the limitations and future/needs. This study presents the roadmap for the successful adoption of ImTs for industry practitioners and stakeholders in the AEC industry for various domains. The paper shows that there are studies on ImTs with or without BIM however, future studies should focus on the usage of ImTs in various sectors such as modular integrated construction (MiC) or emerging needs such as SDGs.
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
Date: 03-11-2014
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-10-2022
DOI: 10.3390/SU142113849
Abstract: The fundamental goal of sustainable design for the built environment is to optimise the performance of buildings to minimise their impact on the environment. To achieve this goal, contemporary architects use a range of digital design environments, such as Computer-aided Design (CAD) or Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools. These allow architects to implement sustainable design principles and make optimal decisions about the ecological and energy properties of the building or environment being designed. Past research about architects’ uses of these tools for sustainable design have been focused on their capacity for optimising building performance and meeting architects’ design needs. In parallel, other studies have identified technological barriers and readiness factors for implementing sustainable design in several countries, including Australia. Researchers have suggested that presently, most architects are unlikely to perceive Building Performance Analysis (BPA) as their responsibility. It has also been found that the digital design tools need to more effectively support sustainable design. However, despite this body of past research, to date there is a lack of a more holistic understanding regarding architects’ perceptions about the alignment between sustainability practices and the capacity of digital design environments for supporting these, particularly in Australia. This paper addresses this knowledge gap, by presenting findings derived from semi-structured interviews with 18 professional architects in Australia, each with experiences in sustainable design and the use of digital design tools. The results are used to establish a conceptual model, which illustrates the relationships between a variety of factors affecting architects’ sustainable design practices. The findings suggest that in Australia, architects have more negative than positive experiences regarding their sustainable design practices, due to factors ranging from those related to the practice itself, to the digital design technologies and budget available for supporting their goals. This study also identifies an urgent need to enhance and better align the capabilities of digital design technologies with sustainable outcomes and associated organisational objectives, which the new model can assist in understanding and facilitating.
No related grants have been discovered for Rongrong Yu.