Browsing by Author "Hafiz, Dalia O."

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    Alexandria Underwater Museum For Sunken Monuments
    Hafiz, Dalia O. (Virginia Tech, 2011-04-06)
    This thesis is a study of a journey in the deep mystery of the eastern harbor on the Mediterranean sea in the city of Alexandria. For Herodotus, the four major elements for civilization's development overtime are water, air, land, and fire. In this project, the effort is made to connect three of the four elements within an architectural context: "Underwater museum". The building orientation, shape and location allow a discovery of the building elements and shape consequently while participating in the building visit. From street level, the building can be seen as a simple curved wall on the harbor facing the sea. While pursuing the passage in the journey, the building shape and components start to build the experience. Different lighting conditions, vertical and horizontal circulation methods, building form and structure are used to direct the journey starting from sky and land, through water, to underwater, then finally discovering the ruins at the seabed.
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    Improving Design Decision-Making through a Re-Representation Tool for Visual Comfort Consideration in Dynamic Daylit Spaces
    Hafiz, Dalia O. (Virginia Tech, 2016-05-06)
    Light and architectural design are inseparable. Light plays a significant role in the perception of the place. One of the main reasons a good number of today's buildings are unsuccessful regarding visual conditions and comfort is because they are only focused on function and structure without considering the quality of the place. Design for spaces often does not fully consider the setting where the building is placed. This connection with the surrounding environment can turn the space into a place where an occupant feels his existence and sense of dwelling while being at peace. Daylight is one aspect that can enhance the sense of place and influence the personal interpretations and impressions that last long after leaving the place. Today, architects are being asked to consider low-energy design with daylighting in their designs. In response to this, there is growing interest in the study of visually disturbing effects such as glare and poor visual comfort that can adversely impact the sense of dwelling. While several studies on visual comfort have been conducted, very little research addressed movement through space and the time-dependency of daylighting. Concern for daylight control is needed in buildings especially museums and art galleries because of their exhibits' sensitivity to light. To address the dynamic daylight conditions, this research proposes a framework for an innovative approach to improving design decision-making by evaluating visual comfort during the early stages of design, which can alter the design process. A framework-based prototype has been designed for this research that uses Grasshopper and its sub-components to interface with Radiance and Daysim. In addition to quantitative outputs, special re-representation is used for qualitative analysis to support design decision-making. Through logical argumentation, prototyping, immersive case study, and member impressions via a Delphi panel, an interpretive approach is used to demonstrate the enhancement in design decision-making that occurs when one considers dynamic daylighting. The research outcomes are expected to provide researchers, designers, and decision makers with a new approach to designing and re-imagining spaces to improve visual comfort and the quality of the place.