In this research, a rapid seismic assessment of the I Gymnasium in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) was conducted. The structural information was obtained from original designs, visual inspection, which was supported by the usage of a drone, and infrared thermography. The vulnerability of the structure was assessed by implementing the Vulnerability Index Method (VIM). Once the mean damage grades were obtained for various seismic intensities (EMS 98 scale applied) vulnerability curve was constructed, enabling the quantification of risk for various seismic scenarios. The structure would experience no to minor damage if exposed to weaker earthquakes (IV–V). The most interesting intensities for Sarajevo are VII and VIII, indicating moderate damage. For earthquakes of higher intensities (X–XII), there is a significant increase in heavy and severe damage, leading to the complete collapse in the case of XII intensity level. The paper further discussed the effects that have a direct impact on the degradation of masonry material, leading to a reduction of its resilience. An aspect of inadequate strengthening is emphasized, together with the importance of regular maintenance for prolonging the life of these types of structures.
Assessing urban heritage in historic cities remains challenging where building decay, urban pressure and difficult-to-regulate tourism dynamics intersect. Monetary approaches reflect market benefits but inadequately account for non-market values, conservation limits, and the complexity of inhabited historic fabric. This paper operationalises a sustainability-based multicriteria decision-support framework, integrating economic dimensions, for the tourist route of the Casbah of Algiers. The model is formalised as a reproducible protocol integrating five dimensions: heritage, environmental (urban), social, economic and institutional, weighted through structured questionnaires administered to ten (10) qualified experts in economics, sociology, environment, heritage, and administrative management. A hierarchical structuring (AHP) is complemented by a network-based modelling of interdependencies (ANP), implemented in SuperDecisions. The results generate weights, final priorities and a limit matrix, supporting a structured interpretation of vulnerabilities and value patterns at the route scale.
This paper introduces a framework for a qualitative study of factors influencing daylight considerations in the architectural design process. Following the Grounded Theory method, a five-step analytical protocol was adopted to first elaborate an abstract diagram of daylight design factors. This diagram was subsequently employed to analyse the architectural representations of thirty houses designed during the first decade of the 21st century. Applying multiple correspondence analyses to the results led to the identification of five distinct groups. Exploring these groups’ characteristics enabled the development of a representative model for the studied phenomena. The results reveal that daylight design was largely inspired by local daylight culture, the sites’ luminous characteristics, and the opportunities offered by digital mediation. The findings also indicate that the early and mid-decade contexts were marked by a successive evolution in daylight representation. Finally, this research serves as a basis for future studies on daylight in architecture, thereby contributing to the expansion of the knowledge base on qualitative daylight factors in design research.
Algeria inherited a substantial building stock of significant heritage value, particularly concentrated in the historic center of Algiers, notably within the Larbi Ben M’hidi district from the French colonial period (1830-1962). However, these buildings generally exhibit poor energy performance and high levels of energy consumption. This study investigates how the preservation of heritage values can be reconciled with improving the energy efficiency of colonial-era residential buildings in the Larbi Ben M’hidi district of Algiers. A thermal diagnostic based on infrared thermography was conducted on several buildings, leading to the selection of the building located at 39 Rue Larbi Ben M’hidi as the case study. Subsequently, dynamic thermal simulations were carried out using ArchiWIZARD, based on the EnergyPlus calculation engine, in order to evaluate four energy retrofitting scenarios. In parallel, a bio-based thermal insulation material composed of cork waste and cellulose was developed and thermally characterized. The optimal formulation (75% cork) exhibited a thermal conductivity of λ = 0.048 W/m·K and a specific heat capacity of Cp = 1285 J/kg·°C. When integrated into the simulation model, this insulation material enabled a reduction in energy demand of 54.44% for heating and 22.64% for cooling, while preserving the architectural integrity of the heritage façades.
Acoustic comfort in educational buildings plays a key role in user satisfaction and learning efficiency. This study investigates the effects of multiple physical environmental parameters—air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, mean radiant temperature, sound pressure level, and horizontal and vertical illuminance—on auditory perception and comfort in educational spaces. The research was conducted in two design studios and one classroom at Adana Alparslan Türkeş University of Science and Technology, using simultaneous subjective surveys and objective measurements from 88 participants. After reliability and normality checks, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were applied. Results show that sound pressure level is the only significant determinant of auditory perception, while auditory comfort is significantly influenced by sound pressure level, relative humidity, and horizontal illuminance. The findings emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to evaluating indoor auditory comfort.
