Eco-Architecture V

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 FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
HARMONISATION BETWEEN ARCHITECTURE AND NATURE

ECO-ARCHITECTURE V

CONFERENCE CHAIRMEN

C. A. Brebbia
Wessex Institute of Technology, UK
R. Pulselli
University of Siena, Italy

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

R. Cerny
F. Cumo
E. Garido Vazquez
M. Hejazi
B. Kazimee
D. Longo
N. Nikolov
S. Rola
J. Rugemer
L. Schibuola
A.Villacampa
S. S. Zubir

Organised by
Wessex Institute of Technology, UK
University of Siena, Italy

Sponsored by
WIT Transactions on the Built Environment
International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics
International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning
 WIT Transactions
Transactions Editor

Carlos Brebbia
Wessex Institute of Technology
Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst
Southampton SO40 7AA, UK

Editorial Board

B Abersek University of Maribor, Slovenia G Belingardi Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Y N Abousleiman University of Oklahoma,
USA
K S Al Jabri Sultan Qaboos University,
Oman
E Alarcon Universidad Politecnica de
Madrid, Spain
C Alessandri Universita di Ferrara, Italy
D Almorza Gomar University of Cadiz,
Spain
B Alzahabi Kettering University, USA
J A C Ambrosio IDMEC, Portugal
A M Amer Cairo University, Egypt
S A Anagnostopoulos University of
Patras, Greece
M Andretta Montecatini, Italy
E Angelino A.R.P.A. Lombardia, Italy
H Antes Technische Universitat
Braunschweig, Germany
M A Atherton South Bank University, UK
A G Atkins University of Reading, UK
D Aubry Ecole Centrale de Paris, France
J Augutis Vytautas Magnus University,
Lithuania
H Azegami Toyohashi University of
Technology, Japan
A F M Azevedo University of Porto,
Portugal
J M Baldasano Universitat Politecnica de
Catalunya, Spain
J G Bartzis Institute of Nuclear
Technology, Greece
S Basbas Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki, Greece
A Bejan Duke University, USA
M P Bekakos Democritus University of
Thrace, Greece
R Belmans Katholieke Universiteit
Leuven, Belgium
C D Bertram The University of New
South Wales, Australia
D E Beskos University of Patras, Greece
S K Bhattacharyya Indian Institute of
Technology, India
E Blums Latvian Academy of Sciences,
Latvia
J Boarder Cartref Consulting Systems,
UK
B Bobee Institut National de la Recherche
Scientifique, Canada
H Boileau ESIGEC, France
M Bonnet Ecole Polytechnique, France
C A Borrego University of Aveiro,
Portugal
A R Bretones University of Granada,
Spain
J A Bryant University of Exeter, UK
F-G Buchholz Universitat
Gesanthochschule Paderborn,
Germany
M B Bush The University of Western
Australia, Australia
F Butera Politecnico di Milano, Italy
W Cantwell Liverpool University, UK
D J Cartwright Bucknell University, USA
P G Carydis National Technical University
of Athens, Greece
J J Casares Long Universidad de
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
M A Celia Princeton University, USA
A Chakrabarti Indian Institute of Science,
India
J-T Chen National Taiwan Ocean
University, Taiwan
A H-D Cheng University of Mississippi,
USA
J Chilton University of Lincoln, UK
C-L Chiu University of Pittsburgh, USA
H Choi Kangnung National University,
Korea
A Cieslak Technical University of Lodz,
Poland
S Clement Transport System Centre,
Australia
M W Collins Brunel University, UK
J J Connor Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, USA
M C Constantinou State University of
New York at Buffalo, USA
D E Cormack University of Toronto,
Canada
D F Cutler Royal Botanic Gardens, UK
W Czyczula Krakow University of
Technology, Poland
M da Conceicao Cunha University of
Coimbra, Portugal
L Dávid Károly Róbert College, Hungary
A Davies University of Hertfordshire, UK
M Davis Temple University, USA
A B de Almeida Instituto Superior
Tecnico, Portugal
E R de Arantes e Oliveira Instituto
Superior Tecnico, Portugal
L De Biase University of Milan, Italy
R de Borst Delft University of Technology,
Netherlands
G De Mey University of Ghent, Belgium
A De Montis Universita di Cagliari, Italy
A De Naeyer Universiteit Ghent, Belgium
P De Wilde Vrije Universiteit Brussel,
Belgium
D De Wrachien State University of Milan,
Italy
L Debnath University of Texas-Pan
American, USA
G Degrande Katholieke Universiteit
Leuven, Belgium
S del Giudice University of Udine, Italy
G Deplano Universita di Cagliari, Italy
I Doltsinis University of Stuttgart,
Germany
M Domaszewski Universite de
Technologie de Belfort-Montbeliard,
France
J Dominguez University of Seville, Spain
K Dorow Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory, USA
W Dover University College London, UK
C Dowlen South Bank University, UK
J P du Plessis University of Stellenbosch,
South Africa
R Duffell University of Hertfordshire, UK
N A Dumont PUC-Rio, Brazil
A Ebel University of Cologne, Germany
G K Egan Monash University, Australia
K M Elawadly Alexandria University,
Egypt
K-H Elmer Universitat Hannover, Germany
D Elms University of Canterbury, New
Zealand
M E M El-Sayed Kettering University, USA
D M Elsom Oxford Brookes University, UK
F Erdogan Lehigh University, USA
D J Evans Nottingham Trent University,
UK
J W Everett Rowan University, USA
M Faghri University of Rhode Island, USA
R A Falconer Cardiff University, UK
M N Fardis University of Patras, Greece
P Fedelinski Silesian Technical University,
Poland
H J S Fernando Arizona State University,
USA
S Finger Carnegie Mellon University, USA
E M M Fonseca Instituto Politécnico de
Bragança, Portugal
J I Frankel University of Tennessee, USA
D M Fraser University of Cape Town,
South Africa
M J Fritzler University of Calgary, Canada
T Futagami Hiroshima Institute of
Technology, Japan
U Gabbert Otto-von-Guericke Universitat
Magdeburg, Germany
G Gambolati Universita di Padova, Italy
C J Gantes National Technical University
of Athens, Greece
L Gaul Universitat Stuttgart, Germany
A Genco University of Palermo, Italy
N Georgantzis Universitat Jaume I, Spain
P Giudici Universita di Pavia, Italy
L M C Godinho University of Coimbra,
Portugal
F Gomez Universidad Politecnica de
Valencia, Spain
R Gomez Martin University of Granada,
Spain
D Goulias University of Maryland, USA
K G Goulias Pennsylvania State
University, USA
F Grandori Politecnico di Milano, Italy
W E Grant Texas A & M University, USA
S Grilli University of Rhode Island, USA
R H J Grimshaw Loughborough University,
UK
D Gross Technische Hochschule
Darmstadt, Germany
R Grundmann Technische Universitat
Dresden, Germany
A Gualtierotti IDHEAP, Switzerland
O T Gudmestad University of Stavanger,
Norway
R C Gupta National University of
Singapore, Singapore
J M Hale University of Newcastle, UK
K Hameyer Katholieke Universiteit Leuven,
Belgium
C Hanke Danish Technical University,
Denmark
K Hayami University of Tokyo, Japan
Y Hayashi Nagoya University, Japan
L Haydock Newage International Limited,
UK
A H Hendrickx Free University of Brussels,
Belgium
C Herman John Hopkins University, USA
I Hideaki Nagoya University, Japan
D A Hills University of Oxford, UK
W F Huebner Southwest Research
Institute, USA
J A C Humphrey Bucknell University, USA
M Y Hussaini Florida State University,
USA
W Hutchinson Edith Cowan University,
Australia
T H Hyde University of Nottingham, UK
M Iguchi Science University of Tokyo,
Japan
D B Ingham University of Leeds, UK
L Int Panis VITO Expertisecentrum IMS,
Belgium
N Ishikawa National Defence Academy,
Japan
J Jaafar UiTm, Malaysia
W Jager Technical University of Dresden,
Germany
Y Jaluria Rutgers University, USA
C M Jefferson University of the West of
England, UK
P R Johnston Griffith University, Australia
D R H Jones University of Cambridge, UK
N Jones University of Liverpool, UK
N Jovanovic CSIR, South Africa
D Kaliampakos National Technical
University of Athens, Greece
N Kamiya Nagoya University, Japan
D L Karabalis University of Patras, Greece
A Karageorghis University of Cyprus
M Karlsson Linkoping University, Sweden
T Katayama Doshisha University, Japan
K L Katsifarakis Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki, Greece
J T Katsikadelis National Technical
University of Athens, Greece
E Kausel Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, USA
H Kawashima The University of Tokyo,
Japan
B A Kazimee Washington State University,
USA
S Kim University of Wisconsin-Madison,
USA
D Kirkland Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners
Ltd, UK
E Kita Nagoya University, Japan
A S Kobayashi University of Washington,
USA
T Kobayashi University of Tokyo, Japan
D Koga Saga University, Japan
S Kotake University of Tokyo, Japan
A N Kounadis National Technical
University of Athens, Greece
W B Kratzig Ruhr Universitat Bochum,
Germany
T Krauthammer Penn State University,
USA
C-H Lai University of Greenwich, UK
M Langseth Norwegian University of
Science and Technology, Norway
B S Larsen Technical University of
Denmark, Denmark
F Lattarulo Politecnico di Bari, Italy
A Lebedev Moscow State University,
Russia
L J Leon University of Montreal, Canada
D Lesnic University of Leeds, UK
D Lewis Mississippi State University, USA
S lghobashi University of California Irvine,
USA
K-C Lin University of New Brunswick,
Canada
A A Liolios Democritus University of
Thrace, Greece
S Lomov Katholieke Universiteit Leuven,
Belgium
J W S Longhurst University of the West
of England, UK
G Loo The University of Auckland, New
Zealand
J Lourenco Universidade do Minho,
Portugal
J E Luco University of California at San
Diego, USA
H Lui State Seismological Bureau Harbin,
China
C J Lumsden University of Toronto,
Canada
L Lundqvist Division of Transport and
Location Analysis, Sweden
T Lyons Murdoch University, Australia
Y-W Mai University of Sydney, Australia
M Majowiecki University of Bologna, Italy
D Malerba Università degli Studi di Bari,
Italy
G Manara University of Pisa, Italy
S Mambretti Politecnico di Milano, Italy
B N Mandal Indian Statistical Institute,
India
Ü Mander University of Tartu, Estonia
H A Mang Technische Universitat Wien,
Austria
G D Manolis Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki, Greece
W J Mansur COPPE/UFRJ, Brazil
N Marchettini University of Siena, Italy
J D M Marsh Griffith University, Australia
J F Martin-Duque Universidad
Complutense, Spain
T Matsui Nagoya University, Japan
G Mattrisch DaimlerChrysler AG, Germany
F M Mazzolani University of Naples
“Federico II”, Italy
K McManis University of New Orleans,
USA
A C Mendes Universidade de Beira
Interior, Portugal
R A Meric Research Institute for Basic
Sciences, Turkey
J Mikielewicz Polish Academy of
Sciences, Poland
N Milic-Frayling Microsoft Research Ltd,
UK
R A W Mines University of Liverpool, UK
C A Mitchell University of Sydney,
Australia
K Miura Kajima Corporation, Japan
A Miyamoto Yamaguchi University, Japan
T Miyoshi Kobe University, Japan
G Molinari University of Genoa, Italy
T B Moodie University of Alberta, Canada
D B Murray Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
G Nakhaeizadeh DaimlerChrysler AG,
Germany
M B Neace Mercer University, USA
D Necsulescu University of Ottawa,
Canada
F Neumann University of Vienna, Austria
S-I Nishida Saga University, Japan
H Nisitani Kyushu Sangyo University,
Japan
B Notaros University of Massachusetts,
USA
P O’Donoghue University College Dublin,
Ireland
R O O’Neill Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, USA
M Ohkusu Kyushu University, Japan
G Oliveto Universitá di Catania, Italy
R Olsen Camp Dresser & McKee Inc.,
USA
E Oñate Universitat Politecnica de
Catalunya, Spain
K Onishi Ibaraki University, Japan
P H Oosthuizen Queens University,
Canada
E L Ortiz Imperial College London, UK
E Outa Waseda University, Japan
A S Papageorgiou Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute, USA
J Park Seoul National University, Korea
G Passerini Universita delle Marche, Italy
F Patania University of Catania, Italy
B C Patten University of Georgia, USA
G Pelosi University of Florence, Italy
G G Penelis Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki, Greece
W Perrie Bedford Institute of
Oceanography, Canada
R Pietrabissa Politecnico di Milano, Italy
H Pina Instituto Superior Tecnico, Portugal
M F Platzer Naval Postgraduate School,
USA
D Poljak University of Split, Croatia
H Power University of Nottingham, UK
D Prandle Proudman Oceanographic
Laboratory, UK
M Predeleanu University Paris VI, France
I S Putra Institute of Technology Bandung,
Indonesia
Y A Pykh Russian Academy of Sciences,
Russia
F Rachidi EMC Group, Switzerland
M Rahman Dalhousie University, Canada
K R Rajagopal Texas A & M University,
USA
T Rang Tallinn Technical University,
Estonia
J Rao Case Western Reserve University,
USA
J Ravnik University of Maribor, Slovenia
A M Reinhorn State University of New
York at Buffalo, USA
G Reniers Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium
A D Rey McGill University, Canada
D N Riahi University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, USA
B Ribas Spanish National Centre for
Environmental Health, Spain
K Richter Graz University of Technology,
Austria
S Rinaldi Politecnico di Milano, Italy
F Robuste Universitat Politecnica de
Catalunya, Spain
J Roddick Flinders University, Australia
A C Rodrigues Universidade Nova de
Lisboa, Portugal
F Rodrigues Poly Institute of Porto,
Portugal
G R Rodríguez Universidad de Las Palmas
de Gran Canaria, Spain
C W Roeder University of Washington,
USA
J M Roesset Texas A & M University,
USA
W Roetzel Universitaet der Bundeswehr
Hamburg, Germany
V Roje University of Split, Croatia
R Rosset Laboratoire d’Aerologie, France
J L Rubio Centro de Investigaciones
sobre Desertificacion, Spain
T J Rudolphi Iowa State University, USA
S Russenchuck Magnet Group,
Switzerland
H Ryssel Fraunhofer Institut Integrierte
Schaltungen, Germany
S G Saad American University in Cairo,
Egypt
M Saiidi University of Nevada-Reno, USA
R San Jose Technical University of
Madrid, Spain
F J Sanchez-Sesma Instituto Mexicano
del Petroleo, Mexico
B Sarler Nova Gorica Polytechnic,
Slovenia
S A Savidis Technische Universitat Berlin,
Germany
A Savini Universita de Pavia, Italy
G Schmid Ruhr-Universitat Bochum,
Germany
R Schmidt RWTH Aachen, Germany
B Scholtes Universitaet of Kassel,
Germany
W Schreiber University of Alabama, USA
A P S Selvadurai McGill University,
Canada
J J Sendra University of Seville, Spain
J J Sharp Memorial University of
Newfoundland, Canada
Q Shen Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, USA
X Shixiong Fudan University, China
G C Sih Lehigh University, USA
L C Simoes University of Coimbra,
Portugal
A C Singhal Arizona State University,
USA
P Skerget University of Maribor, Slovenia
J Sladek Slovak Academy of Sciences,
Slovakia
V Sladek Slovak Academy of Sciences,
Slovakia
A C M Sousa University of New
Brunswick, Canada
H Sozer Illinois Institute of Technology,
USA
D B Spalding CHAM, UK
P D Spanos Rice University, USA
T Speck Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet
Freiburg, Germany
C C Spyrakos National Technical
University of Athens, Greece
I V Stangeeva St Petersburg University,
Russia
J Stasiek Technical University of Gdansk,
Poland
G E Swaters University of Alberta, Canada
S Syngellakis Wessex Institute of
Technology, UK
J Szmyd University of Mining and
Metallurgy, Poland
S T Tadano Hokkaido University, Japan
H Takemiya Okayama University, Japan
I Takewaki Kyoto University, Japan
C-L Tan Carleton University, Canada
E Taniguchi Kyoto University, Japan
S Tanimura Aichi University of
Technology, Japan
J L Tassoulas University of Texas at
Austin, USA
M A P Taylor University of South
Australia, Australia
A Terranova Politecnico di Milano, Italy
A G Tijhuis Technische Universiteit
Eindhoven, Netherlands
T Tirabassi Institute FISBAT-CNR, Italy
S Tkachenko Otto-von-Guericke-
University, Germany
N Tosaka Nihon University, Japan
T Tran-Cong University of Southern
Queensland, Australia
R Tremblay Ecole Polytechnique, Canada
I Tsukrov University of New Hampshire,
USA
R Turra CINECA Interuniversity Computing
Centre, Italy
S G Tushinski Moscow State University,
Russia
J-L Uso Universitat Jaume I, Spain
E Van den Bulck Katholieke Universiteit
Leuven, Belgium
D Van den Poel Ghent University, Belgium
R van der Heijden Radboud University,
Netherlands
R van Duin Delft University of
Technology, Netherlands
P Vas University of Aberdeen, UK
R Verhoeven Ghent University, Belgium
A Viguri Universitat Jaume I, Spain
Y Villacampa Esteve Universidad de
Alicante, Spain
F F V Vincent University of Bath, UK
S Walker Imperial College, UK
G Walters University of Exeter, UK
B Weiss University of Vienna, Austria
H Westphal University of Magdeburg,
Germany
J R Whiteman Brunel University, UK
T W Wu University of Kentucky, USA
Z-Y Yan Peking University, China
S Yanniotis Agricultural University of
Athens, Greece
A Yeh University of Hong Kong, China
B W Yeigh SUNY Institute of Technology,
USA
J Yoon Old Dominion University, USA
K Yoshizato Hiroshima University, Japan
T X Yu Hong Kong University of Science
& Technology, Hong Kong
M Zador Technical University of Budapest,
Hungary
K Zakrzewski Politechnika Lodzka, Poland
M Zamir University of Western Ontario,
Canada
G Zappalà CNR-IAMC, Italy
R Zarnic University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
G Zharkova Institute of Theoretical and
Applied Mechanics, Russia
N Zhong Maebashi Institute of
Technology, Japan
H G Zimmermann Siemens AG, Germany
R Zainal Abidin Infrastructure University
Kuala Lumpur(IUKL), Malaysia
Eco-Architecture V
Harmonisation between
Architecture and Nature

Editors

C.A. Brebbia
Wessex Institute of Technology, UK
R. Pulselli
University of Siena, Italy
Editors:
C.A. Brebbia
Wessex Institute of Technology, UK
R. Pulselli
University of Siena, Italy

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ISBN: 978-1-84564-822-0
eISBN: 978-1-84564-823-7
ISSN: 1746-4498 (print)
ISSN: 1743-3509 (online)

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 Preface

This book contains papers presented at the fifth International Conference on

Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature (Eco-Architecture 2014) and
follows four successful meetings that started in the New Forest, home of the
Wessex Institute of Technology in 2006; and continued in the Algarve (2008); La
Coruna (2010); and the island of Kos (2012).

This time, the Conference was held in association of Wessex Institute of

Technology with the University of Siena, and in particular with the Ecodynamics
Group, originated by the late Professor Enzo Tiezzi.

A few years ago, Enzo Tiezzi, then Professor at the University of Siena, asked his
students “What do you think the most sustainable building is?”. There were many
possible answers to this question. One could easily cite hundreds of prime examples
from contemporary architecture: envelopes that adapt to sunlight, natural materials
that substitute cement and petroleum derivatives, shapes that follow the direction
of the wind for passive ventilation and cooling, systems that heat buildings using
the heat of the earth, home automation systems, technologies that adapt to any
weather variation. These are all effective components of modern eco-architecture.
After listening to this series of answers, Enzo revealed his own solution to his
question: “The most sustainable building is the one that already exists.” The most
sustainable architecture is the result of an evolution, a progressive adaptation of
structures to environments and adjustments to new needs. The sustainable city
is not a city full of new buildings, but rather the same city of the past, repaired,
renovated, modified in order to be lived in as fully today as it was in the past.
“Starting from what already exists” is the premise that should inspire research,
policies and the building industry in the future.

Enzo’s answer, in its simplicity, encompasses the objective of this Conference, i.e.
that the design process should aim for optimum solutions evolving through the
adaptation of architecture to its natural environment, learning from nature and long
time honoured traditional constructions.
The success of this Conference as evidenced by the contents of this book is a
demonstration of the interest shown by different practitioners to the topic of Eco-
Architecture. This is by definition a multi-disciplinary field, attracting many other
professionals, in addition to architects. Authors of the papers in this book are
engineers, planners, physical scientists, sociologists and economists, as well as
architects, all of them showing their expertise towards developing an architecture
better suited to the future of humankind.

The Editors are grateful to all authors for their excellent contributions, as well
as to the members of the International Scientific Advisory Committee and other
colleagues who helped select the papers included in this book.

The Editors
Siena
2014
 Contents

Section 1: Bioclimatic design

Incorporation of bioclimatic conditions in architectural projects:

a case study of the Solar Hemicycle building, Madrid, Spain
E. Vazquez, M. Brandão, S. Rola, L. Alves, M. Freitas
& L. Pinguelli Rosa ............................................................................................. 3

Passive house for a desert climate

I. Marincic, J. M. Ochoa & M. G. Alpuche ....................................................... 13

Bioclimatic building regulations for warm-dry climates

J. M. Ochoa, A. Duarte, I. Marincic, A. Gomez & A. Figueroa ........................ 25

Section 2: Design with nature

Architecture vs. nature: a reinvented relationship

P. Haupt ............................................................................................................. 37

Architecture as symbolic reverence for nature:

case studies: Seed Cathedral – 21st Century and
Pigeons’ Monastery – 16th Century
E. S. Mashhadi ................................................................................................... 47

Eco-architecture and sustainable mobility:

an integrated approach in Ladispoli town
D. Astiaso Garcia, F. Cumo, F. Giustini, E. Pennacchia
& A. M. Fogheri ................................................................................................ 59

Ecology for the architecture of large hotel spaces

J. Jablonska & E. Trocka-Leszczynska .............................................................. 69
Cost and comfort optimisation for buildings and urban layouts
by combining dynamic energy simulations and
generic optimisation tools
T. Nguyen Van, A. Miyamoto, D. Trigaux & F. De Troyer................................ 81

The role of wind catchers in improving people’s comfort

N. Valibeig, S. Nasekhian & S. Tavakoli ........................................................... 93

Section 3: Design by passive systems

Applying traditional passive concepts of resource efficiency and

climate adaptation to improve the energy efficiency of modern buildings:
a case study in Thessaloniki, Greece
S. Schelbach ..................................................................................................... 105

An energy-efficient smart home for new cities in Egypt

M. M. Mourad, A. H. H. Ali, S. Ookawara, A. K. Abdel-Rahman
& N. M. Abdelkariem ....................................................................................... 115

Vertical Greenery Systems as sustainable solutions for

building retrofitting: a case study
A. Martínez-Rocamora, R. M. Pulselli, J. Solís-Guzmán, M. Marrero
& S. Bastianoni ................................................................................................ 127

Section 4: Ecological and cultural sensitivity

The efficiency of different simulation-based design methods

in improving building performance
A.-T. Nguyen & S. Reiter ................................................................................. 139

Designs for the Global South: a sustainable primary school in Uganda

M. Garrison ..................................................................................................... 151

Sustainable living and building indicators in Old Ağırnas and their interpretations
for new practice and research
B. Mizrak & S. Erkenez.................................................................................... 161

Spirituality enhancing into Green Design:

towards a better users’ performance within a green building –
“HSBC processing centre”, Smart Village, Cairo, Egypt
W. H. Abbas ..................................................................................................... 173

Indoor air quality: an enviro-cultural perspective

O. E. Mansour ................................................................................................. 187
Section 5: Ecological impacts of materials

Radiation-active surface design: the use of photocatalytic concrete

enabling buildings to be active environmental remediators
N. Nikolov & J. Fox ......................................................................................... 199

Increasing the sustainability of coatings for precoated metal

C. Lowe & J. T. Maxted ................................................................................... 205

The development of unfired earth bricks using seaweed biopolymers

C. Dove ............................................................................................................ 219

Waste ceramics as supplementary cementitious material:

characterization and utilization
M. Keppert, M. Čáchová, M. Pavlíková, A. Trník, J. Žumár
& R. Černý ....................................................................................................... 231

Wood acetylation: a potential route towards climate change mitigation

P. van der Lugt & J. G. Vogtländer ................................................................. 241

Section 6: Energy efficiency

Intelligent buildings connected to future smart energy grids

L. Schibuola, M. Scarpa & C. Tambani........................................................... 255

Testing the theory: demonstration projects and the validation

of integrated design protocols for advanced energy retrofits
F. Trubiano, K. Albee & M. Brennan .............................................................. 267

Thermal energy storage by microcomposite of a phase change material

and ethyl cellulose
T. Feczkó, A. F. Kardos, L. Trif & J. Gyenis ................................................... 279

Influence of the methodology for evaluating energy performance

of buildings over the energy needed for cooling
A. Galiano & V. Echarri .................................................................................. 291

An examination of lighting system energy and cost savings

for cafeterias at the workplace
M. Kang, P. Hebert, R. Thompsen & J. Kramp ............................................... 307
Section 7: Heat and mass transfer problems

Contribution of linear thermal bridges to the overall thermal performance

of the building envelope: dynamic analysis
N. Simões, J. Prata & A. Tadeu ....................................................................... 321

Influence of material properties and boundary conditions

on the dynamic thermal behaviour of a building corner
J. Prata, A. Tadeu & N. Simões ....................................................................... 333

Section 8: Building technologies

Towards nZEB: modular pre-assembled steel systems

for residential buildings
E. Antonini, D. Longo & V. Gianfrate ............................................................. 349

A new approach to the design and construction of the

nearly-zero-energy building in Sardinia
M. Basciu ......................................................................................................... 361

Operation and testing for product innovation

P. Gallo............................................................................................................ 373

Improving the aesthetics of photovoltaics in decorative architectural glass

D. A. Hardy, S. C. Roaf & B. S. Richards ........................................................ 385

Rapid assembly of planar quadrangular, self-interlocking modules to

anticlastically curved forms
G. H. Filz & S. Schiefer ................................................................................... 397

Section 9: Adapted reuse

From building construction waste into a house of creativity:

a case of adapted reuse
Y. Kusumarini, P. Mintarga & T. N. Puji Utomo ............................................ 411

Opportunities and barriers to pre-assembled and/or pre-casted systems in

retrofitting actions
A. Boeri, J. Gaspari & F. Dallacasa ............................................................... 421

Implementing an ecosystem approach to the adaptive reuse of

industrial sites
L. Kirovová & A. Sigmundová ......................................................................... 433
Section 10: Life cycle assessment and durability

Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions arising from the

production of glued and pressed wall panels derived from
Guadua Angustifolia Kunth (bamboo) in Ecuador
A. D. Ramirez, D. Torres, P. Peña & J. Duque-Rivera ................................... 447

LCA of different building lifetime shearing layers for the

allocation of green points
S. Pushkar & O. Verbitsky ............................................................................... 459

A life cycle assessment of the cradle-to-gate phases of

clay brick production in South Africa
G. A. Rice & P. T. Vosloo ................................................................................ 471

Section 11: Sustainability indices in architecture

Prognosis method for the energy demand of nearly-zero-energy buildings

in different climates
U. Dietrich, F. Kiehl & L. Stoica ..................................................................... 485

The colour green in public procurement

B. Orgiano ....................................................................................................... 497

Section 12: Case studies

Italian research on eco-efficient housing modules

F. Gugliermetti & R. Roversi ........................................................................... 505

Environmental impact assessment of new district developments

F. Fadli, M. Sobhey, R. Asadi & E. Elsarrag .................................................. 517

High-efficiency and low-environmental impact systems

on a historical building in Rome: an InWall solution
A. Albo, F. Rosa, M. Tiberi & B. Vivio ............................................................ 529

Moorish architectural syntax and the reference to nature:

a case study of Algiers
L. Chebaiki-Adli & N. Chabbi-Chemrouk ....................................................... 541

Ethics vs. aesthetics in sustainable architecture

I. Kupatadze ..................................................................................................... 553
Section 13: Education and training

Zero-Energy-Urban-Quarter: experiences and results from a

university teaching course
U. Dietrich ....................................................................................................... 565

Analysis and perception: architectural pedagogy

for environmental sustainability
Y. Luckan ......................................................................................................... 577

Training needs to realise low carbon buildings:

the Welsh built environment sector
A. Ruiz del Portal & J. A. Gwilliam................................................................. 589

DesignBuildBLUFF: Coyote architecture on the Colorado Plateau

J. Murray, R. Sommerfeld, G. Longhurst, C. Bithell, C. Wilson,
A. Yamamoto, H. Ogiso, A. Bradshaw, H. Louis, D. Penny,
T. Morton & D. Young ..................................................................................... 603

Music for everyone: “building the space where the differences co-exist”
B. E. Avila-Haro, J. A. Avila-Haro & J. A. Avila ............................................ 615

Author index .................................................................................................. 627

 Eco-Architecture V 59

Eco-architecture and sustainable mobility:

an integrated approach in Ladispoli town
D. Astiaso Garcia1, F. Cumo2, F. Giustini1, E. Pennacchia1
& A. M. Fogheri1
1
DIAEE, Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy
Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
2
CITERA, Interdepartmental Centre for Territory, Building, Conservation
and Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Abstract
This paper presents an eco-architecture project in a public green space of the
Ladispoli Municipality, located on the Italian shorelines close to the city of
Rome.
The purpose of the project is the creation of a multifunctional urban green
space, where social relations, sports, environmental awareness education and
other activities can take place in a natural context. The final aim of the project,
which includes a requalification of the surrounding areas, is to obtain an eco-
friendly interaction between the urban public space and the built space, with
sustainable mobility principles and the conservation of the natural environment.
The project offers different outdoor activities for all ages and includes the
design of a building which contains two multipurpose playgrounds, a gym,
supporting functions, a bar and public toilets.
The building design includes a green roof, for preserving space to nature and
for guaranteeing a harmonious integration with the surrounding environment.
In order to enlarge the green area, to bring it up to the contiguous buildings
and to create a closer connection between the housing areas on both sides of the
ditch and the park itself, a tunnel for the vehicular traffic was created.
The project improves the usability of the green space through the introduction
of: pedestrian and cycle paths connected to the existing ones, wooden bridges,
new functions and services.
The distinctive feature of the whole project is an integration of different best
available technologies for obtaining an optimization of the performances in

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60 Eco-Architecture V

terms of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, aiming to achieve at

the same time, a reduction of operating costs and the preservation of local
biodiversity.
Keywords: environmental sustainability, urban green areas management, best
available techniques, eco-friendly buildings.

1 Introduction
Reshaping urban areas, high performing architecture for the community and
spread of new technologies are some of the essential elements for the
development of smart cities and communities. Moreover, these elements are
aimed at improving the quality of life of the community operating in the major
urban contexts which include mobility, health, education and culture, tourism,
energy and smart grids management, jointly with the protection of natural
resources. The project responds to the requirements of improving energy
efficiency, sustainable buildings and mobility systems [1], as well as of the
enhancement of spaces and public facilities and the implementation of ecological
corridors in an urban areas.
This project has been implemented using the first results coming from the
European project GREAT Med, of which the Sapienza University of Rome is the
main applicant, and the municipality of Ladispoli is a network member.
Precisely because of the importance assumed by green areas in urban context,
the project is placed in a central park for public use, of approximately 30,000 m2
near the center of the city (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Urban green areas in Ladispoli Municipality: circled, the project

area.

The concept of the redevelopment project is to symbolically bring to light the

ancient origins of the place: Alsium, the Etruscan port city, through the creation
of paths and benches that recall the stylized drawing of the waves depicted on
Etruscan furniture and crockery (Figs 2–3).

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Figure 2: Conceptual scheme of the area, before and after the redevelopment
project.

Figure 3: Project design map in a satellite image and examples of Etruscan

furniture for the concept of the project design.

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2 Architectural interventions and technologies used

The project offers to the city a collective space for social relationships and
activities connected with nature. It is designed for restoring the identity of the
space and to create an interaction between collective open areas, built
environment and nature [2] (Fig. 4).
Generally the project design applies the main principles of environmental
conservation and ecological sustainability in the design of modern buildings,
based on resource-efficient technologies and green architecture designs [3, 4].
Considering the functional point of view, the selected area is critical for the
improvement of the sustainable mobility: pedestrian paths, cycle paths and two
wheels electric mobility.
The green area requalification also involves some pre-existing sport facilities:
in the park itself, there were two outdoor playgrounds that actually are
included in the project and put indoor, in order to enjoy them throughout the
whole year.
In particular, the sports center designed contains two multipurpose
playgrounds, a gym, supporting functions, a bar and public toilets (Fig. 5).
The building has a green roof that creates a connection between the park and
the building itself.
The fourth side, in front of the river, hosting the entry of the sport centre, is
characterised by a glass wall that allows a natural lightening.
The structure respects the principles of sustainable design and low energy
performance [5, 6], as it is built using local materials and the best available
technologies for envelope and HVAC plants [7].
On the semi extensive green roof there is a sensory path designed to create a
little oasis with a mosaic of water, flowers fragrances and colours (Figure 6A).
Indigenous species plants and flowers with special fragrances have been chosen
for this path: lavender, mint, Lamiaceae (thyme and sage), broom, lemon balm.

Figure 4: Perspective view of the park.

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Figure 5: Plan of the sport center – A: ground floor; B: first floor.

The building is based on the concept of high energy saving: the glass wall
guarantees thermal and acoustic insulation, electric power is mostly supplied by
the photovoltaic system, led lighting is used [8], a recovery water system is
present in both the two structure floors.
The glass of the south-west glass wall, has been chosen for its features:
hydrophobic, self-cleaning, anti-reflective and anti-fogging. It avoids problems
related to glare and high maintenance costs for cleaning.

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Considering clean energy production for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

[9], the main entrance to the sport center is shaded by photovoltaic glass canopy
due to the high solar radiation in its orientation (Figure 6B).

A B

Figure 6: A: sensory path; B: green roof and PV plant on the sport centre main
entrance.

This system of 10kWp supplies energy for outdoor lighting and for ten
neighboring charging points for electric bike, and involves an annual saving of
5.841 kg of CO2.
Moreover, a dedicated gas trigeneration system is installed in the lower floor
providing 154.42 kWt for heating and hot water and 51.47 kWe for electrical
supplies.
Furthermore, considering the water sustainability, the installation of rainwater
recovery device allows to purify and reuse it for flushing the toilet and watering
plants in the sensory pathways.
Rainwater comes from photovoltaic glass canopy and from all the cemented
areas of the sensory pathways. The latter are draining, composed of an
innovative formulation of concrete combined with specific sub-services for
eliminating oils and other contaminants that would make the water more difficult
to purify.
The recovered water is collected in two tanks positioned in opposite sides of
the building, camouflaged by the steep terrain; this recycling of water is also
applied to the sinks and showers in the locker room allowing significant savings
of water.
The floors consist of a special anti-smog and antibacterial ceramic based on
titanium dioxide that, due to exposure to natural or artificial light, activates a
strong oxidative process that leads to the decomposition of organic substances
and inorganic pollutants that come into contact with the photocatalytic surfaces.
Even wall painting allows the photocatalytic reduction of pollutants and the
reduction of unpleasant odors.
Lastly, the gym area includes special machines such as treadmills, exercise
bikes, steppers, which use the kinetic energy produced during their use for
supplying monitors and music equipment in the same gym: with 30 active

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machines working about 8 hours a day, the estimated self-produced energy

comes to cover as much as 25% of the energy needs of a wellness and fitness
center.

3 Green area requalification

The interventions described aim to enhance the landscape and environmental
quality through the inclusion of pedestrian and cycle paths connected to existing
ones through new wooden bridges.
Pedestrian paths use nanotechnology system in order to strengthen dirt patch
with high levels of resistance and limited maintenance.
Nanotechnology system is based on the use of particles of silicates; it is an
efficient alternative to the traditional construction techniques for pedestrian and
cycling lane foundations [10].
This technology leads to many benefits:
- the realization of stable and long-lasting layers, able to stand dynamic loads
even in the case of problematic substrates;
- a high weather resistance, low shrinkage, absence of dehydration, greater
load, frost resistance and durability;
- lower shutter speeds and lower installation costs compared to traditional
interventions; reduction of maintenance costs.

In order to create a connection between the park area and surrounding

buildings, the existing road has been switched in a tunnel for vehicular traffic.
Winding paths define areas for specific purpose such as dogs agility courses,
outdoors fitness, children games, amphitheater (Figure 7A) and horticulture
therapy.
Dogs agility area includes bench for hosts, drinking fountains and water bowl
for dogs.
Jogging and many other sporting activities can be performed both in closed
and open place using the sport center or public open space with free sport
equipment.
Kids play area has an innovative anti trauma flooring; that can reduce safety
issues in public play spaces, in compliance with European standards (UNI EN
1177); these flooring materials are made of recycled plastics, rubber and tires.
Horticultural therapy includes activities such as gardening, growing plants
and vegetables and the care of a dedicated plant (Figure 7B) [11, 12].
The choice of the area for the horticultural therapy comes from the presence of
fruit trees planted by local inhabitants.
In the park an integrated smart lightning system was added that allows timed
lighting, low level of light pollution of the paths and a wi-fi coverage in the
whole area; there are even security systems and video surveillance integrated.

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A B

Figure 7: A: amphitheater design; B: horticultural therapy area.

4 Bioengineering for ecological sustainability

Considering the ecological requalification of the considered park, the project
aims to the implementation of ecological corridors for those species whose
natural habitats include the surrounding areas [13].
Moreover, using particular expedients it is possible to improve the reduction
of environmental pollution due to the presence of green areas in urban
settlements.
This would be possible by the conservation and requalification of the riparian
ecosystems along the river banks.
This kind of management was obtained through the use of bioengineering
techniques finalized to anti-erosion, flood protection and river bed modelling
works, with particular attention to the rehabilitation of natural riparian habitats
[14].
In particular, bioengineering techniques such as include coir fiber rolls, brush
mattress, erosion control blankets, geotexile coir mats and vegetated rock walls,
provide a surface protection of the river banks against erosion from current,
weather and runoff water allowing at the same time the development of new
ecosystemic units.
Considering the choice of vegetation type and plant species, the planning
intervention was preceded by an analysis of local natural habitat in order to
favours planting of endemic species, absolutely avoiding the use of alien and
allochthonous plants.
Using the “ecosystem approach” modus operandi, described by the
Conference of the Parties of the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) [15],
the project foresees the planting of native species for the conservation and
requalification of local habitats. In particular, the project includes the planting of
trees for the optimization of its environmental sustainability, considering those
species particularly indicated for the mitigation of atmospheric pollution thanks
to the roughness and largeness of their leafs which facilitate the absorption of
particular matters (PM10), heavy metals and other air pollutants.

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These benefits are optimised by planting trees with rough foliage, such as
Ostrya carpinifolia, Ulmus spp., Carpinus betulus, and Quercus pubescences.
Moreover, planting trees like Platanus spp., Cupressus spp. and Taxus spp. give
better results in SOx adsorption, while the choose of Acer campestre and
Quercus robur favours the same effects on fluorides.
Considering bioclimatic aspects, the choice of tree species with high foliage
density in the warm periods and low level of shading in the cold season provides
cooling in summer and heating in the winter months; trees are also foresee for
the reduction of winter wind speed in certain areas of the park in order to
improve the well-being of the users.
Last but not least, good environmental quality and biodiversity presence in
urban areas involve advantages for quality of life, human health and wellbeing,
with benefits on the physical and mental status of citizens [16].

5 Conclusions
The park requalification described in this paper improved environmental
sustainability, human health and well-being in terms of social and antropic
benefits, such as facilitation of sport and green exercise activities, social
networking and improving of aesthetic values of the quarter and the whole town.
The theme of the integration between architecture and nature as well as the
environmental sustainability permeates the entire planning, going through each
project aspect, looking for constructive solutions that maximize the well-being of
the users and the overall quality of the whole environment. The park should be
considered an element of connection between urban built areas and natural
elements. Moreover, thanks to its position, this area is very important for the
improvement of the sustainable mobility in the city, especially for the pedestrian
and cycle paths and for the two wheels electric mobility.

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