Open House International

Wilkinson, Nicholas

2008 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-01-2008-B0001

This issue is one of the Open Issues of Open House International. Open Issues do not conform to a specific subject themes but follow the more general publishing framework of Open House International. This framework is shaped around the forces which act on built environment and which maintain, change and transform it. Open Issues deal with these issues and in particular with responsive, self-sustaining and re-usable environments which have the capacity to respond to change.

Salas, Julián

2008 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-01-2008-B0002

This paper analyses and quantifies the relative level of risk in a geographical area that is vulnerable to natural phenomena and with a high proportion of its population in a situation of residential poverty. We deduce that the hazard in the area, composed of nine Central American and Caribbean countries, is significantly higher than the world average. The first aspect is covered in the sections Population at risk and Natural phenomena, which analyse the ‘study area’. The second aspect is covered by Poverty in the ‘study area’, various analyses of the physical situation in the target area, inhabited by almost 160 million people. Contrasted information is used as a basis for the concepts underpinning the extraordinary presence and seriousness of the socio-natural phenomena in this area. The interrelationship between the degree of vulnerability and poverty leads to the conclusion that these are the primary causes of disaster-related destruction, which in a 33 year period (1972 to 2005) has left an annual average of 20,000 human lives lost, 250,000 directly affected and approximately ten billion dollars in material damage.

Rian, Iasef Md; Chang, Dongkuk; Park, Jin-Ho; Ahn, Hyung Uk

2008 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-01-2008-B0003

This paper presents a pop-up technique based on origamic architecture as a technological design solution for post-disaster temporary shelter systems. First of all, the concepts of disaster and post-disaster are briefly introduced, and the roles and needs of post-disaster temporary shelter systems, particularly in emergency periods, are reviewed. Second, pop-up techniques based on origamic architecture are briefly discussed. Third, a formal language for opening the cards of origamic architecture is introduced, out of which a geometric elasticity has been developed. With the language, a variety of flexible and expandable designs for shelter structures can be generated by incorporating different pop-up techniques. Finally, a prototype shelter has been constructed to demonstrate the adaptability and sustainability of the shelter within the local environment and the affected society, considering portability, low-cost, and easy in assembling by any unskilled person.

Karni, Eyal

2008 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-01-2008-B0004

In this paper, a conceptual approach concerning architectural design of openings (mainly windows) in façades of adaptable dwelling units is presented. This approach stems from a design objective, which aims at providing user flexibility to adaptable dwelling units by utilizing moveable, modular, lightweight partitions, which can be re-arranged in various layouts, providing a number of interior space sub-division alternatives to suit personal dwelling needs of future dwellers.The initial design of openings' location and span in façades bears direct impact on the future utilization of such moveable partitions within the adaptable dwelling unit. This is due to the fact that the possible location of dynamic partitions is derived, among other design constraints, from the location and span of existing openings in façades, next to which partitions cannot be placed. Therefore, the initial design of openings' location and span should try to fit a number of presupposed preferred solutions, which reflect future possible sub-division alternatives of the available dwelling space.Two examples illustrating the conceptual approach are brought forward, summarizing, in the first example, openings of six alternatives concerning one specific façade of an adaptable dwelling unit, and, in the second example, five alternatives concerning two specific facades of a second dwelling unit. The connection between building type, floor plan geometry and adaptable dwelling space is also addressed.

Casakin, Hernan

2008 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-01-2008-B0005

Design problems are unique, complex, and ambiguous. They are considered to be non-routine and ill-structured. Since these kinds of problems require the production of innovative solutions, design problem-solving involves creative thinking. Creativity is concerned with the capacity to restructure old ideas to produce novel solutions, and the ability to search for unusual design alternatives that transcend the known and familiar. In the recent years, there were attempts to gain insight in problem-solving activities that demand creativity, such as design. A question addressed in the current empirical research is how design students assess creativity in architectural design while solving housing problems. Redefining the role of housing in the contemporary city was a main concern. Major factors of design problem-solving, and their contribution to creativity are analyzed.Results revealed that restructuring of housing design problems was the most significant factor of design problem-solving, followed by search of design solutions. Retrieval of prior knowledge from memory was the weakest factor. Furthermore, innovation was the most significant factor characterizing design creativity, followed by utility and aesthetics. Additional findings showed that restructuring of housing problems was the most correlated factor, and the predictor that had a unique contribution to all creativity factors. Search of housing solutions was a predictor that contributed mainly to innovation.

Mirmoghtadaee, Mahta

2008 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-01-2008-B0006

Traditional Iranian houses, were built of heavy, voluminous building materials resulting in massive bearing wall structures. Such buildings had fixed architectural spaces, with defined boundaries and dimensions. However, the need for adaptability was fulfilled through creating multifunctional spaces, seasonal or even daily movements in the horizontal and vertical directions of house areas, and subdivision or expansion of the primary spaces. Urbanization in Iran is leading to gradual replacement of individual houses by residential complexes and apartments in which, the use of traditional design principles was lost, while solutions to enhance adaptability in the internal layouts have not yet developed.The paper concludes that open building may provide practical tools to enhance spatial variations in the new conditions. However, to take the first step towards this approach in Iran, some major issues such as "legal framework", "changing needs of Iranian families", "Iranian life styles" and "situation of industrial building production in Iran" have to be analyzed. Considering the mentioned factors, some recommendations for architectural design are proposed.

Habib, Fereshteh; Numan, Ibrahim; Pulhan, Hifsiye

2008 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-01-2008-B0007

In casting a new look at city; this study interprets the urban form in respect of the role played by human perception of space. The main aim of this research at a macro level is to attain a strong theorical basis through a multi-dimensional approach to the city. The method of analyzing and carrying out a critique of it at an applied level will clarify the impact, which cultural factors have in the formation of urban form. This preliminary recognition and idealism is based on a hermeneutic and deductive method that is particular to the intellectual sciences In the process of devising theories, studying the urban planning texts related to the subject of study and the conclusion from the field study which is carried out in the Isfahan Naghshe Jahan square in the Safavy period played a key role in the research in addition to the goals and questions.

Salingaros, Nikos A.

2008 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-01-2008-B0008

DESIGN STUDIO PEDAGOGY - HORIZONS FOR THE FUTURE