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Gold is one of the most desirable raw materials in the world. Mainly because of the unique aesthetic features. But it also has other advantages that can be useful in architecture, as evidenced by buildings in which it was used. The outer layer of the facade made of gold flakes or sheet provides not only exceptional reflections, shine and prestige but also guarantees high resistance to weather conditions. The main goal of the research is to present the possibilities of shaping the aesthetics of façades of architect...

The paper discusses the issue of the possibility of use and applying the latest technological achievements used to collect and display artifacts from the past. The increasing number of collected works and emerging newer areas of archaeological research, later transformed into museum centers, enforce the introduction of other means than physical storage and exhibition. It is becoming easier to show the huge collected material obtained during research and archaeological excavations with the help of several stations ...

The area of attics and towers in historic churches in Europe are yet quite inaccessible places for visitors, shrouded in the atmosphere of mysticism, hiding many secrets. Introduction of the new public function into the non-used zones of the monumental sacral objects has many aspects including educational and cognitive ones which are discussed in the following article. The article indicates items that can be found in the zone above the vaults of temples - construction: roof truss, vaults, dormers, towers, windows;...

Nowadays, design is defined as one of the main innovation tools and strategic approaches in the promotion of society’s welfare and well-being in many countries, including in the European Union. Design thinking as an innovation-promoting approach that incorporates a diverse range of methods for problem solving in different contexts and on different scales is successfully applied in the United States, Europe and Asia. The experience of other countries in the application of design approach and methods might prove to ...

The city as a living organism in order to be attractive to residents, and also for tourists, must respond to the needs and challenges of the present. Even the historic areas, if they do not represent the exceptional monumental value – a subject of strict protection and conservation, undergo evolutionary changes. Today, in many urban areas an intensive process of restoring space to the users is ongoing. The idea of the city as it was known from about a half century ago (global activities of the Danish architect and...

Research which is presented in this paper mainly concentrates on “gated housing settlements” focusing on resident’s urban walking experiences. Today, in Turkey as well as in other countries round the globe, there is a rise and growing popularity in gated housing settlements. In many parts of the world, there are some differences and similarities when comparing them, but their main characteristics is that they are isolated from public urban spaces. They have extended walls around and gates with securities which res...

The paper focuses on the influence of medieval military architecture on the contemporary urban cultural landscape based on the example of the Polish area of Western Pomerania – a historical and geographic land located on the lower Oder. Analytical and statistical studies were carried out on the preserved resource of the medieval city walls. The aim was to determine the resource of military architecture in the areas of Western Pomerania, its valorisation and identify the role it plays in the cultural landscape of W...

This article is a part of broader research on the rationalist attitude in architectural theory and practice. The subject of the following considerations is the notion of typological thinking. Raising of this subject aims to systematize knowledge (both rich historical and contemporary theory) and to draw attention to the issue of type and typology as a potential tool for shaping architectural form. Categorization, classification, identification, definition, and constriction are constructs engrained in human nature,...

Industry 4.0 is a concept which puts forward by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology at the Hannover Messe 2013. The German academic community believes that the "Industry 4.0" concept is the fourth industrial revolution dominated by intelligent manufacturing, or a revolutionary production method. The strategy aims to transform manufacturing into an intelligent enterprise by leveraging the combination of ICT and cyberspace virtual systems: Cyber-...

European residents and international tourists often visit European city centres, breathing in their atmosphere, searching for memorable places with cultural and historical distinctness. Downtown urban complexes, where works of architecture create a substance layered across centuries through urban regulation and parcellation, create a material record of history, exceptionally valuable to national culture and the familiarity and identity of cities. Fascination with history and the past, drawing on them and their con...

This paper presents “second life” of abandoned Christian temples. It focuses on searching for modern methods of saving the architecture of temples from ruination and profanation, while ensuring its dignified transformation. It presents selected examples of full or partial reconstructions of the ruins of temples and interconfessional conversions in the last quarter of a century in Poland. Apart from a retrospective look at first post-war buildings of this type there are also latest author projects introduced. They ...

Article is devoted to Byzantine style features identification in Greece in comparison with the similar in temple-building of other orthodox countries. Stages of Greek Byzantine formation @ the Ellyn-Byzantine style@, actually byzantine style of the period of historicism, the archaeological option of style dominating during the interwar period, influence of art-deco, functionalism and modernism and also three directions in architecture of the post war decade Byzantine style – radical, compromise and traditional are...

Urban areas are subject to continuous transformations. Apart from central parts of cities, residential districts develop the fastest. Together with the expansion of cities and sprawl of building development over larger and larger areas, transformations also occur in the existing structures. The introduced changes frequently lead to a complete change of the character of building development. The objective of the article is the analysis of parcellation, functional, and spatial transformations occurring in the area o...

The aim of the work is to evaluate the economic advantages of the application of the most frequently used energy sources for the purpose of heating administrative and office buildings in the conditions of the Czech Republic. Data for comparison are obtained from national statistics of projects and data obtained from suppliers providing energy for selected types of heating. The comparison deals with the assessment of the operating costs of administrative buildings using electric heating, central heat supply and a c...

This paper presents selected examples of interconfessional conversions of Christian temples in last fifty years in Poland. It also shows the process of transformation of spatial and functional structures as well as iconography of the temples, implemented throughout adaptation. It covers problems in architectural conservation as well as essential ideological aspects of symbolical and liturgical nature. Those examples are representative for the architecture of cultural borderland, which attempts to synthesize both W...

The study is devoted to the specific area of industrial design, design of public passenger transport stops (bus stop, tram stop, trolleybus stop). The main objective is to model relations between general features of the stops, environmental restrictions of places where the stops are situated and characteristics of people with their physical and psychological characteristics. The above-mentioned characteristics affect both sub-parameters and layout plan of the entire unit. The study has conveyed systematic research...

Through this paper I present the results of my research concerning the link between literature, architecture and urban space. In two scientifically supervised studies at Graz University of Technology and at the Technical University of Berlin, students approach the spatial design based on narrative texts. On the basis of the evaluations of the experiment at Graz University of Technology, it is shown that it is possible to think architecture out of the place, to write, and to develop real space drafts from this resu...

The nature of the technology in which the basic executive component is the precasted element, may suggest that the majority of façades made of prefabricated concrete elements will feature rhythmic, repetitive compositions, and regular divisions. The oldest known examples of architecture reveal the pursuit for order. Even those architectural objects, which for obvious reasons, try to imitate nature, contain elements of regular arrangement. This is noticeable especially in cult buildings or ones with a representativ...

The paper illustrates the author's analysis of green technologies in construction and how they alter the massing of works of architecture. Ranging from small buildings like single family houses, to large structures like skyscrapers - all types of buildings have their respective technologies that can be considered green, ranging from technology that focuses on the internal workings of a building's technical infrastructure, to those that affect its exterior, like solar or photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, external...

Today's world of architecture and art is more frequently separated from transcendence. The pressure of the pragmatism of a sign brutally annuls imagination. The language of symbols seems to be dying out. The victory of semiology, analytical rationalism and the reign of information communication are all the effects of the triumph of a sign over a symbol. The art of architecture, especially its sacral variety, ought to remain symbolic if it wants to be permanent and eternal. So, if it is expected to be the authentic...

The lighthouse, an architecture landmark of the coasts around the world has been the subject of study, especially it focused on the drafting the restoration project of the Punta of Guardia lighthouse on the Ponza island, Italy. Ponza is an island which gives its name to the archipelago of the Pontine islands, located off the Lazio coast. The lighthouse in question is one of the most important signaling systems of medium-high Tyrrhenian, built on a sea stack 112 meters above sea level, at the end of 1800. As almost...

This article presents preliminary results of research into the acoustic insulation of internal concrete slabs. The analyses were designed to answer the question whether concrete slabs—as a material commonly found in architecture—can also serve as an element that improves acoustic comfort in the room. Concrete is a building material that is being consistently used in architectural spaces, not only as a structural element, but more commonly as a decorative element in the form of lining. Theoretical studies indicated...

Application of molds for creation of glass castings is a common occurrence in work of glass artist. One of the main aims of mold’s using is to create new patterns on a surface of glass sample. Generally, clay flower pots with a hole in bottom are used as glass molds where glass of different color is put. As the result, very interesting but absolutely unpredictable pattern, which would never be replicated, appears on a surface of a sample. So, the problem how to create the pattern, which can be replicated, appeared...

The paper illustrates the author's analysis of green technologies in construction and how they alter the massing of works of architecture. Ranging from small buildings like single family houses, to large structures like skyscrapers - all types of buildings have their respective technologies that can be considered green, ranging from technology that focuses on the internal workings of a building's technical infrastructure, to those that affect its exterior, like solar or photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, external...

Regeneration of areas, previously used by industry, is a social and spatial necessity. Current efforts to redevelop industrial wastelands and abandoned buildings raises broader views than just architectural and construction issues. In an urbanizing world that is increasingly driven by a stressed free market, how does the concept of industrial heritage adaptive reusing relate to contemporary sustainable city and its public space? How industrial areas can be turned into cultural districts? This contribution is tryin...

In this study we explore the effect of the form of space on people. We approach the problem from the concept of enclosure, and its measurement. We made enclosure measurable. Several studies have described that to enclosure, spatially different surfaces and their distances from the subject are relevant. To make measurable this effect, we developed a new index called architectural space density. This is an integral along the perceived surface, what is (mathematically) reached for a subject with the average of the su...

Architecture is often criticized for providing a self-referential and autistic result [1], prevailingly focusing on formal and aesthetic criteria, failing therefore in offering a valid spatial response to its end-users. The dwelling is directly affected by this deficiency, suffering from a detachment of dweller’s real and authentic needs. Interceding between resident and residence, the architect is subjectively influencing this relationship. Developing empathic abilities inside the profession must begin with archi...

The design and construction phases for the realization of a large yacht, today, are involving a growing number of actors, each one with his own special skills, know how and language. Even the old concept of shipyard is evolving in a more fragmented and composed reality.These processes require a strategy in order to optimize communication and exchange of awarness among all the parties involved. Cultural, strategic, economics, technique and even social considerations have to be done in order to develop communication...

Creating ecological parks - a new trend in landscaping and environmental activities in Kazan. Social and environmental prerequisites for the creation of ecological parks was a long struggle of environmental organizations and residents to preserve small reservoirs in the city. Mainly in the design of the Protected area (Eco-park) is to create an ecological location in the city, while maintaining high biodiversity areas, which will carry the aesthetic function and be a place of rest of the townspeople. When the proj...

The research presented in this article is part of a PhD project, whose objective was to identify a set of characteristics to be implemented while creating an inclusive indoor children's play space. This article aims to create an interview guide directed at children, inquiring their preferences regarding the possible characteristics of a play space for them. In order to do that it was necessary to first understand the main existing characteristics of children's play spaces, in order to verify those thare are transv...

The image, which emerged in the last century, showing the transformation of concrete from a material of purely utilitarian (structural) properties into a kind of ideological matter with expressive aesthetic identity, allows one to perceive this building material as a refined one, which is used in the construction of a number of prestigious buildings, significant for today’s architectural art. The construction of structures with the use of fair-faced concrete is a complex process involving a large number of people ...

The article is devoted to the role of the Russian style in Russian art history. Russian style is discussed as an example of national historicism. The main features and attributes of Russian style and their expression in architecture, art and design are described. Stages of Russian style development are described, including “Society for the Revival of artistic Russia” as the most completed stage of Russian style concept forming. The idea of recreating the image of Holy Russia was supported by state. Fedorovsky (Rus...

Following the Carolingian reform and until the first true Gothic, churches remained predominantly introverted structures with thick walls, looking unto their inner life, the liturgical event. The stone skin delimited the mundane from the divine and created the space to experience the Light of Christ and the sense of the presence of God, unknowable through reason alone, Deus absconditus. The interior space of the church was a hidden jewel that came alive under the light, be it natural or artificial, with its column...

The interior acoustics has nowadays strong impact at the architectural design of public use buildings. Among them, churches seem to be especially important, due to their religious, spiritual and cultural role in the society and overall importance in life of individuals. Moreover, in a present-day religious communication and celebration ‘the statement’, thus speech, seems to weigh over the chant and organ pipe music. Such approach has substantial influence on contemporary design of churches, introducing significant...

Space recycling is one way of reducing the suburbanization and preventing investment pressure on valuable natural areas. One of the challenges of territorial development of the European Union indicated in the Territorial Agenda 2020 is to reduce urban sprawl through the reuse of land called recycling of land, which includes urban regeneration, the use of areas abandoned, unused or derelict lands. Changes in the global economy, reducing coal mining, ecological solutions resulted in changes taking place in cities, b...

The protection of the environment is surely the last frontier in the project for Naval Architects, as the new materials allow us to dare using complex shapes, open spaces, very appealing lines but the challenge is to match the increase in size of the modern mega yacht, who are often Ships of 90-100-120 meters and over, with the environmental protection and the capability for these enormous ‘toys’ to travel everywhere especially in the most suggestive corners of the planet respecting the air, sea and earth. The IMO...

Space truss systems are formed by steel bars which are under axial tension or compression loads connected each other with nodes. These systems provide constructing wide span structures by light structural elements and also make buildings more powerful and useful. Space truss system elements must be dimensioned due to the loads they carry as dead, live, wind and earthquake loads. In this paper; fatigue damage of a steel space truss system is studied under snow and thermal loads. Results are compared to four space t...

The focus of this research is the system of the public space in Wroclaw - the fourth most populated Polish city. The spatial policy, expressed in the planning documents, is essential for the development of the public space. Based on the analysis of the city development plans, one can specify the principles on which the management of public space areas are established. The cognitive aim is to isolate and evaluate criteria used in planning practice in determining these integration sites. This paper gives the answer ...

The paper is part of the ‘Back Home’ research project carried out by a group of PhD students from the Polytechnic University of Milan within the framework of the Paquebot Laboratory. The goal of the present research is to reveal historical premises and sociocultural circumstances that provided the basis necessary for the development of the British post-war housing. As one of the major sociocultural and architectural phenomena in the modern history of Great Britain, the new residential development has been taking s...

The architecture of the long 19th century has long been a neglected subject-matter, international cooperation and research in the Central European cultural and historical space have focused almost exclusively on presentation of the most outstanding European works and their creators without adequate reflection in individual regions. The territory of Slovakia, in the context of a long century forming part of the Habsburg monarchy or the Austro-Hungarian Empire, however, is a territory with remarkable architectural w...

One of the contemporary famous architect Le Corbusier pointed out the time dimensions in architecture. He described it in his theoretical studies Vers une architecture first published in 1923 (English version titled Towards a New Architecture). In the same time some modern visionary composers reacted the references between space and music underlining a spacious character of sounds and inventing the new forms based on the spacious dimensions of music. My paper is about the possible connections between modern music ...

The article is based on a description of historical trends in design of machine tools and presents contemporary possibilities for their design solutions. Czech lands were in terms of the engineering industry at a high level. There arose a large number of machine tools, which have been internationally awarded. Since the emphasis on overall aesthetic expression, the machines were designed by engineers and industrial designers. Changes of the shape and the materials used have been over the years due to the new possib...

The goal of the research is to reconstruct and recreate the elements of interior and exterior of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1839–1864) designed by Alexander Vitberg (1787–1855). This cathedral was built in Vyatka (Russia, Kirov region) to commemorate the visit of the Emperor Alexander I to the city in October, 1824. The cathedral was blown up in 1937 in the times of atheism. The study is of a great significance as this major cathedral is part of both local and national cultural heritage. Research methods incl...

The goal of this paper is to point out the importance that thermal waste processing plants can have within an urban space. Despite the fact that the first thermal waste processing plant was built around the half of the XIX century, the question of their importance within the space of a modern city is currently very important and viable. In recent years, the number of thermal waste processing plants that are being designed has greatly increased. They are being built as environmentally friendly structures, guarantee...

The main aim of the paper is to analyze the possibility of introducing the idea of combining functions hitherto treated as conflicting in architectural and urban programming, i.e. office and agricultural functions. The combination of this type is, according to canons of urban design, an antithesis of the possibility of creating usable spaces. In recent times, however, the departure from intentional functional segregation has become a global trend, which of the extreme case is nowadays the idea of creating self-suf...

The research work has the main purpose to build an assessment tool of ecosystem services of urban projects, capable of interfacing with project’s Building Information Model (BIM), and able to define spatial relationships with the main components of the territory. The architect and urban designer should take account of multiple objectives in a changing environment and the balance between the built and the green infrastructure. Adopting an easy to use computational tool, the assessment starts at the early stage of t...

The deepening fragmentation of urban landscapes related to chaotic development processes increases interest in the concept of green infrastructure, especially in shaping the river corridors. Usually they are perceived in the context of basic ecosystem services. Nevertheless, in many cities well-known and less known attempts are made to use the river as a path of a peculiar journey in time, showing the history of place and local community. Against the background of such excellent examples like London Arcadia the au...

After the political transformation in 1989, polish cities experienced many negative phenomena that affect their spatial development. Among them, may be mentioned the problem of excessive growth of cities, extensive development, lack of ring roads and transit traffic crossing the historical urban structures, technical and functional degradation of central areas and also transfer of central functions at the periphery. These problems are especially severe in historic cities, with preserved precious urban layout and h...

The paper deals with an analysis of the types of housing and the related problems with the existence of different views of housing. The need for housing is undoubtedly a basic human need. Satisfaction of housing needs is a developed lifelong and continuous process of housing itself and its related activities. The main importance of living is that the activities associated with it allow the realization of these other human needs. This need cannot be confused with the mere need of having a dwelling. The dwelling is ...

This article concerns specifics of designing associational cultural landscapes. It demonstrates that, taking the object’s specifics into account, a special cognitive layer that determines the switch of a visitor’s motivation must be introduced in the laying-out process. It demonstrates that the switch of a visitor’s motivation can be controlled. Using the self-reflexing subject model suggested by Vladimir Lefebvre, the motivation control efficiency is evaluated for the first time. The article demonstrates that the...