Open House International

Hurol, Yonca

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0001

This is not a theme issue of Open House International and it contains articles on various different subjects. One of these articles is based on a recent improvement in research approaches and methods: post-phenomenology. Because of this, I preferred to base this editorial on the general changes in research and architectural research methods.

Liu, Kuang Sheng; Hsueh, Sung-Lin; Chen, Han-Yi

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0002

Rapid economic growth has enriched the lives of individuals and yielded rising material and living standards. However, various types of public pollution problems have successively emerged, and environmental problems have worsened in recent years. Furthermore, the prevalence of leisure and the rapid development of regional tourism industries and bed and breakfast lodging have exacerbated environmental destruction and pollution in various locales. The inclusion of ecotourism into ecological education and the provision of ecolodge are beneficial for the design of student learning outcomes; moreover, community residents and tourists can grasp the importance of environmental protection and education through ecolodging experiences. This measure would improve public awareness of environmental protection, facilitate the cultivation of social responsibility, and achieve the objective of environmental protection advocacy. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between ecological education and the environment by using Kenting National Park, a tourist attraction in Taiwan, as the case study. Tourists visiting the location were the research subjects, and convenience sampling was conducted by distributing 505 questionnaires, with 372 valid responses recovered—a return rate of 74%. The research revealed the following results: (a) Environmental education is positively correlated with environmental attitude. (b) Environmental attitude is positively correlated with environmental behavior. (c) Environmental education is positively correlated with environmental behavior. Finally, this paper proposes recommendations based on the research results with the aim of facilitating environmental literacy, correct environmental attitudes, concern for ecosystems, and the realization of environmental behavior.

Talebian, Nima; Uraz, Turkan Ulusu

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0003

This study aims to explore the concepts of ‘place' and ‘place-experience' within the context of Post-phenomenology. During 70's, humanistic geographers have introduced ‘phenomenology of place' as a revolutionary approach toward place, which has been largely condemned by Marxist, Feminist and Post-Structural critiques through the last three decades. Accordingly, this study attempts to merge these place-related critiques in order to clarify a new framework titled ‘Post-phenomenology of place'. ‘Post-phenomenology', as a novel philosophical trend, is a merged school of thought, trying to re-read phenomenology based on Post-structuralism, Pragmatism and Materialism. In this study after a theoretical review on the formation of Post-phenomenology, the various aspects of place are discussed in order to clarify distinctions and paradoxes between phenomenological and Post-phenomenological understandings of place.

Yu-Sheng, Lin; Lai, Pi Ying

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0004

All countries are addressing the drastic climate changes as high priority issues. The impact of climate change on coastal land use in Taiwan has been especially severe due to the country's long coastline. As such, developing strategies to promote the protection of coastal land is critical for the sustainable development of the land. At present, even though the central government has developed the relevant adaptation strategies and implementation plans in response to climate change. Due to the limited resources, determining which protection strategy should be implemented as a top priority will require a strategic evaluation for planning and reference purposes.While most of the existing literature on coastal land use has been focused on the establishment of a vulnerability index along with an analysis of adaptation strategies very little of the existing literature discusses research that has been conducted in relation to an in-depth analysis of climate change and coastal land use. Therefore, this study uses the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to conduct an exploration of coastal land use and protection strategy. The study compiled the literature and related data to establish five major assessment dimensions and 16 protection strategy evaluation indicators. After the empirical investigation and analysis, the findings demonstrated that the designation of coastal conservation areas is the most important aspect in terms of strategies to protect coastal land, followed by land subsidence control and the establishment of land disaster warning systems.

Sonmez, Elif; Tavsan, Filiz

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0005

It is likely that under modern-day conditions, design, designer and materials selection would follow a parallel continuum in a cycle. The attitude in materials selection confronts us as one of the substantial values directing the design. Therefore, it should be approached in certain criteria.Today, designers have to put emphasis on not only the setting and style of the space they are designing, but also on the relationship between the materials used and the environment at the same time. In our day, designers have an intense awareness on the use of renewable resources. Hence, it is obvious that a special importance should be given to the fact that the materials are in a cycle of sustainable and recycled.In this study, 15 design offices are asked the question of “what are the factors affecting your materials decisions and what are your selection criteria in general?” by using the interview technique. As a result of interviews conducted with design offices regarding their materials selection, many criteria are identified. It is seen that although sustainability is not clearly stated by designers among these criteria, it actively takes part in the content. In the light of answers provided and interviews, the relationship between materials selection criteria and sustainability will be examined over the standpoints of 12 offices that particularly mentioned the area of sustainability.

Jang, Chyi-Lu; Hsiao, Luke H.C.; Yeh, Shang-Pao

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0006

A fundamental change in the planning and delivery of new housing projects has taken place in the last years, with the focus shifting towards adding value to projects based on a better understanding of housing preferences. This issue becomes even more critical when it is intended to the provision of affordable houses for low and middle income groups. This paper describes a model designed to help developers and housing users to achieve their expectations regarding quality, affordability and including also reasonable profits. Developed through a “methodological pluralism”, this study identifies people-oriented variables and assumptions. The model was developed based on a case study in the city of Guayaquil-Ecuador, and information obtained from field work research was used to test it. The study examines implications and limitations of the model for inclusion of housing preferences considering local conditions and cultural values. The different parts of the model along with data requirements for each part are described. The paper concludes with findings regarding the identification of most preferred attributes by housing users and the use of alternatives methods to incorporate additional value into projects, translated into more appealing profits for developers and the provision of better and more affordable houses for users.

Wang, Chen; Hong, Wan Thing; Abdul-Rahman, Hamzah

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0007

Bedroom Feng Shui practices have been criticized as myth over the years but in fact having its scientific origin that is not purely superstitious. This paper aims to examine whether the architects' design practice for bedroom interior arrangement is concurring with the recommended bedroom Feng Shui practices. The study has successfully interviewed 16 architects from diverse backgrounds to avoid bias, seeking their design perspectives in bedroom interior configuration. Subsequently, the interviewees submitted sketches of ideal bedroom layout based on their expertise, with pre-set requirements. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using mixed method approach. In agreement with our expectations, majority of the interviewees have matching thoughts that “bed arrangement” is the primary consideration in bedroom interior configuration. Most of the design outputs were highly attached to favorable Feng Shui conditions. The overall findings implied that bedroom Feng Shui is not merely superstitious but most components are practical design references for architects from diverse backgrounds.

Daneshyar, Ehsan

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0008

This article adopts Ray Oldenburg's definition of third places and argues that the eight characteristics of third places are demonstrated in the tea houses of Masulih. In many vernacular communities, participating in informal public gathering places, or third places, is one of the daily routines of local inhabitants. The male inhabitants–including seniors and shopkeepers, as well as the shepherds who migrate seasonally with their herds from plateau of Gilan to Masulih–regularly visit and socialize in Masulih's tea houses. Recently, tourists also have become regular visitors of the tea houses. Qualitative research methods were conducted during extended field work in Masulih during 2008 to 2015. In-depth interviews with local inhabitants placed them as local experts. This allowes for a deeper understanding of the use of the tea houses as third places. In addition, research was conducted through visits to the tea houses at various times of the year in order to record their seasonal usage. While not every vernacular settlement in Iran is a tourist destination, Masulih, with its tea houses integrated in the bazaar, sees regular and steady tourist visitation. Masulih's rich cultural, architectural, and tourist landscape generates a complex research ground. This article suggests that tea houses, as third places, are vital for informal regular gathering of local Masulih residents, seasonal visitors, and tourists.

Yurtsever, Bengi; Polatoğlu, Cigdem

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0009

Learning is an internalization process that depends on individual components. This study focuses on the problematic of learning in architectural design education process and examines its components. The relationship between learning and perception and how it can be handled in the architectural environment is discussed. Answers are searched on the axis of “individual, experience, perception” and especially is focused the concept of “filtering”. The learning environment in the architectural design studio is seen as a cultural environment where all actors share their experiences. It is thought that these variables should be brought to the forefront in order not to lose the originality, with so many variables connected with these cultural actors. In this context, it is aimed to examine the relation between filtering and authenticity in the process of debating the problem of learning in working. The discussion was conducted through a blended learning environment that is supposed to support the aforementioned relationship.The study is based on the constructing grounded theory as a qualitative research pattern. The dynamic structure that can be empowered by the field experience of the selected research pattern has been a driving force in the study. Temporary hypotheses were identified with the preliminary problems and conceptual samples that were expected to be discussed, and then an experience environment was created that could generate data for the study. Then an experience environment was created that could generate data for the work. The implications of the observations, the open-ended questionnaires and the process of making the interviews were evaluated by descriptive analysis. With this approach, problems can be observed on an individual basis; and some of the problems that were grounded were brought into questionable positions with the architectural design studio.

Abdelkader, Reem; Park, Jin-Ho

2018 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/OHI-02-2018-B0010

Architecture is considered to be a mirror of societies that reflect the natural environment and social values of its people. The vocabularies oftraditional architecture are used for specific functions to respond to various issues. Mashrabiya, as a wooden window screen in old times, was introduced to cover openings and windows for social and climatic reasonsthat reflectparticular eras in Middle Eastern areas. With modern technology, Mashrabiya has been reintroduced with changes in its design, mechanism, and materials.This study examined the use of Mashrabiya inhistorical and environmental aspects of architecture in Middle Eastern areas. First, this paper discusses the historical and cultural background, and comparesthe different typologies of Mashrabiya indifferent areas because its shapes differslightly from country to country. The techniques of Mashrabiya in contemporary architectureare then investigated in terms of how it has been adapted in contemporary buildings. Finally, its potential optionsin contemporary buildings are discussed.