Browsing by Author "Tural, Elif"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Development of a Novel Architectural Design Framework for Supporting Occupants' Healthy Circadian Rhythm in Interior Spaces
    Jalali, Mansoureh Sadat (Virginia Tech, 2023-08-08)
    Approximately 300 years ago, French astronomer, Jean Jacques became the first individual to scientifically observe circadian rhythm. Since then, a great deal of study has been conducted, and its findings demonstrate that every human action, including digestion, sleep and waking hours, hormone release, blood pressure, and body temperature, is controlled by a physiological mechanism. More critically, any modification to this clock may have an impact on a person's immune system. The sun's rays are diffused in the sky and contain all the required wavelengths to enable the regular stimulation of the circadian rhythms of humans, animals, and plants. People's health and well-being will be supported if they have adequate access to daylight. However, given the changes in the way of life of modern humans, this is not possible. Additionally, as the human circadian rhythm is greatly influenced by the short wavelengths of the visible light spectrum, the process of LEDification would increase human exposure to LEDs blue light, which might negatively affect their health and well-being. This research involves the development of a new architectural design framework to evaluate and support the process of creating lighting systems that maintain human healthy circadian rhythm. This process develops a model consisting of key decisions made in each stage of the design process and related knowledge domains to successfully integrate dynamic lighting techniques into the building design. The process explains the role of each member, the essential tools, and the flow of the decision-making process.
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    Factors predicting older Adults’ attitudes toward and intentions to use stair mobility assistive designs at home
    Tural, Elif; Lu, Danni; Cole, D. Austin (Elsevier, 2020-03-16)
    Home modifications that increase stair accessibility of existing housing stock are significant for older adults who want to age in place. This sequential mixed-methods study investigated older adults’ attitudes toward and intentions to use currently available stair mobility assistive design features, and explored which factors influence these attitudes and intentions to use. The data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of community dwelling 50 + adults from Southwest Virginia (n = 89) and a focus group (n = 15) in 2018. The survey questionnaire was based on a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model, and focused on three stair mobility assistive design products representative of varying costs, and a range of mobility challenges: half-steps, StairSteady handrail, and stairlift. Ordinal regression analyses indicated that perceived usefulness consistently predicts older adults’ attitudes and intentions to use the three examined stair mobility products. The other factors associated with attitudes and willingness to use the products are dependent on some degree to the examined mobility device. Older age and presence of others in the household negatively influenced attitudes toward stair mobility products. Product aesthetics/unobtrusiveness, fear of falling, and person-environment fit are the three themes emerged from the focus group data analysis as the factors that most influence community dwelling older adults’ attitudes and intention to use stair-mobility assistive features. The findings have implications for design professionals, as they underscore the need for avoiding an institutional look in residential designs, specifying products with high customizability for user needs and preferences, and involvement of users in the decision-making processes.
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    A Framework for Integrating Pure Shadow Lines into Architectural Design Process
    Sugati, Alsaleh Tariq (Virginia Tech, 2022-03-30)
    In light of today's technological developments, the world has become more interested in everything that is quantifiable. In the field of architecture, this phenomenon has affected the design process, in terms of neglect human requirements related to the lived experience. This research is concerned with studying the intersection between what is quantifiable and what could contribute to improve the living experience. Research in disciplines such as art, architecture, and psychology assert that geometries with pure mathematical expression are visually pleasing. The present research aims to integrate these geometric relationships with daylight when formed by the edge of light and shadow, resulting from direct sunlight entering a room through roof openings and presenting on a northern wall. The goal of this research is to develop an initial prototype for a proof of concept that enables architects to consider humanistic, aesthetic criteria for geometry and daylight. The research progresses through three stages. First, the researcher describes a method to assess the geometry of lines resulting from the boundary between light and shadow when falling on a sunlit wall. Second, the researcher applies the described method to a random sample of roof opening configurations using digital modeling and a simulation of the sun's movement. Thirdly, the researcher extracts a regression equation that describes the relationship between the resulting shadow lines on the walls and the configuration of the roof openings. This regression analysis will form an initial step to developing a decision-support tool that predicts the purity of shadow lines during the early stages of the design process.
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    A Framework for the Implementation of Lighting Design and Light Cognitive Tools in Kuwait's Design Pedagogy
    Ali, Shahd Mahmoud (Virginia Tech, 2022-04-12)
    Lighting is an important design element that affects human health, comfort levels, mood, feelings, and the overall experience in spaces. Academically, light is integrated late in design education. Architecture and interior design schools usually introduce it as a design principle during the second or third year of education. As a result, students perceive it as an additive element in the schematic or design development phases rather than a concept generator from the ideation phase. If we accept that lighting design is essential in the conceptual design phase in order to create better-performing light spaces, then a new lighting design integration is needed in design curricula to encourage students to think about it from the ideation phase, enhance their understanding of lighting design knowledge, and facilitate their cognitive thinking and decision-making processes to eventually produce better performing lighting design projects. The purpose of this research was to develop a new pedagogical framework for the integration of lighting design knowledge and lighting cognitive tools in design pedagogy to invite students to use it as a concept generator from the early design stages and to aid their cognitive thinking to produce high-quality lighting environments. The framework presents a learning path to introduce lighting design in a sequence from the first year of design education according to three main knowledge domains: the tacit, the procedural, and the explicit. The research contributes to shifting the current approach to lighting design education in Kuwait as an example and in architecture and interior design schools in general. The researcher used multiple sources of data to develop the framework. First, she reviewed scholarly work and the literature that address lighting design pedagogy, design pedagogical theories, design curricula development models, the lighting design process, and design cognitive tools to create a logical argument for the framework's theoretical structure and to develop its research methods. Second, she analyzed lighting design documents from the United States' developed lighting design programs and Kuwait University to understand the current lighting design pedagogical structure, teaching methods, cognitive design tools, and foundational lighting knowledge. Third, she interviewed current lighting design educators from Kuwait University to understand the current lighting pedagogical model and sequence. Fourth, she interviewed lighting design educators from the United States to obtain new foundational lighting knowledge, creative teaching methods, advanced design cognitive tools, and other suggestions to improve lighting design pedagogy. Fifth, the researcher transferred knowledge from the United States' developed programs to Kuwait University to develop the new framework. Lastly, she presented the preliminary framework to lighting design professionals and educators using a Delphi Method to enhance it further and to rate its implementation possibilities.
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    Human-Centric Lighting Design: A Framework for Supporting Healthy Circadian Rhythm Grounded in Established Knowledge in Interior Spaces
    Jalali, Mansoureh Sadat; Jones, James R.; Tural, Elif; Gibbons, Ronald B. (MDPI, 2024-04-17)
    Over the past 300 years, scientific observations have revealed the significant influence of circadian rhythms on various human functions, including sleep, digestion, and immune system regulation. Access to natural daylight is crucial for maintaining these rhythms, but modern lifestyles often limit its availability. Despite its importance, there is a lack of a comprehensive design framework to assist designers. This study proposes an architectural design framework based on the review of literature, lighting-related codes and standards, and available design and analysis tools that guides the creation of lighting systems supporting healthy circadian rhythms. The framework outlines key decision-making stages, incorporates relevant knowledge, and promotes the integration of dynamic lighting techniques into building design. The proposed framework was presented to a group of design professionals as a focus group and their feedback on the relevance and usability of the tool was obtained through a survey (n = 10). By empowering designers with practical tools and processes, this research bridges the gap between scientific understanding and design implementation, ensuring informed decisions that positively impact human health. This research contributes to the ongoing pursuit of creating lighting environments that support healthy circadian rhythms and promote human well-being.
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    Intersections: Cross-Disciplinary Conversations about Social Justice and the Built Environment
    Brossoie, Nancy; Dorsa, Ed; Tural, Elif; Jacobson, Wendy R. (Virginia Tech. University Libraries, 2019-10-16)
    Focus: Aging and Place Moderated by Wendy Jacobson, Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture
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    Safely and Actively Aging in Place: Older Adults’ Attitudes and Intentions Toward Smart Home Technologies
    Tural, Elif; Lu, Danni; Cole, D. Austin (SAGE, 2021-01-01)
    As smart technology use is growing in residential environments, research on how such technologies can provide opportunities for safely and actively aging in place by integrating physical activity into daily routines and reducing sedentariness is scarce. This study investigated older adults’ intentions to use and attitudes toward currently available smart home technologies that could contribute to safe and active lives in and around home. The focus was on four representative technologies: smart lighting, smart door locks, smart fire prevention devices, and smart home systems/home automation. This paper presents the results of a sequential mixed-methods study comprised of online and in-person surveys (n = 129), and a focus group of community-dwelling older adults, aged 50+ (n = 15). Ordinal regression analyses indicated that perceived usefulness consistently predicts older adults’ attitudes and willingness to use smart home products. While smart fire prevention devices were viewed most favorably due to their potential safety benefits, perceived affordability significantly influenced older adults’ intentions to use them in their homes. The focus group findings underscore technology skepticism, privacy concerns and return on investment as significant determinants of attitudes toward the smart design products. The study has implications of designers and manufacturers by providing insights on how to prioritize smart home technology integrations to homes.
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    Warm Hearth Kroontje Health Care Center: Conceptual Courtyard Redesigns
    Gilboy, Elizabeth; Proctor, Nicholaus; Tural, Elif; Roebuck, Kontessa; Chang, Donna; Dazio, Bri; Shelburne, Will (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2018-09-17)
    Warm Hearth Village is a nonprofit senior living community founded by Wybe and Marietje Kroontje in 1974. The Kroontjes envisioned a community that was fully integrated with the surrounding natural environment, and would also help protect and preserve the natural beauty of the New River Valley. Warm Health Village offers a continuum of living options from an active adult community to long-term nursing care.