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Performativity of Design Artefacts in Architectural Decision-Making Processes

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Architectural design is not merely a sequence of technical decisions but a complex process shaped by interactions among actors, tools, and representations. This study investigates how design documents, understood as visual artefacts, actively influence decision-making processes within architectural practice. Moving beyond traditional views that treat drawings and models as passive outputs, the research positions them as dynamic agents capable of mediating conflicts, aligning perspectives, and guiding outcomes. By focusing on the development of an urban university campus masterplan, the study frames design artefacts as critical instruments in navigating complexity and uncertainty in contemporary architectural projects. Theoretical Foundations: Actor-Network Theory and Architectural Ethnography The research builds upon Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and architectural ethnography to conceptualize design processes as networks of human and non-human actors. Within this framework, design artef...
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Building Lift-Up Design as a Climate-Responsive Strategy for Urban Ventilation and Microclimate Optimization.

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Building lift-up design, a vernacular architectural strategy commonly found in tropical climates, involves elevating structures above ground level using columns. Traditionally used to improve ventilation and reduce heat gain, this feature has also been incorporated into modern buildings in tropical and subtropical cities. Despite its long-standing presence, only recent research has systematically examined its influence on urban microclimates. This study reviews the environmental performance of lift-up design across multiple scales, from individual buildings to complex urban configurations. Vernacular Origins and Contemporary Applications Historically, lift-up structures were developed as adaptive responses to hot and humid climates, allowing airflow beneath buildings while reducing exposure to ground moisture and heat. In contemporary architecture, this strategy has been reinterpreted in large-scale urban projects and landmark buildings. However, the transition from vernacular to mod...
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Architecture as a Macro-Cognitive Artifact: A Material Engagement Theory Analysis of Moriyama House

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This study reconceptualizes the ontological status of architecture by positioning it not as a passive backdrop or symbolic construct, but as an active participant in human cognition. Drawing on Material Engagement Theory , the research argues that architecture functions as a macro-cognitive artifact—shaping, enabling, and co-constituting thought processes through continuous interaction with its users. The investigation focuses on Ryue Nishizawa ’s Moriyama House, which serves as a theoretical probe to explore how spatial fragmentation and material conditions influence cognitive engagement. Theoretical Framework: Architecture Beyond Representation Material Engagement Theory (MET) challenges traditional views that treat architecture as either a neutral container or a symbolic system. Instead, it proposes that cognition emerges through dynamic interactions between humans and material environments. Within this framework, buildings actively participate in shaping perception, behavior, and...
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Evaluating the Role of BIM in Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Lifecycle Sustainability in Green Building Design

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The construction sector is under increasing pressure to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while continuing to support rapid urban development. Green building practices have emerged as a key response, but their effectiveness is often limited by fragmented workflows and insufficient integration of sustainability principles across project stages. This study investigates the role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as an integrated platform for improving energy performance, resource efficiency, and lifecycle sustainability in green building design. BIM as an Integrated Platform for Sustainable Design Building Information Modelling (BIM) enables the creation of data-rich digital representations of buildings, facilitating collaboration among architects, engineers, and stakeholders. Unlike traditional design methods, BIM allows sustainability considerations to be embedded from early design stages through to operation. By integrating energy analysis, material data, and perfo...
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The Role of Design Artefacts in Architectural Decision-Making and Collaborative Planning Processes

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Architectural design processes involve complex interactions among multiple stakeholders, including architects, planners, engineers, and institutional decision-makers. Within these processes, design documents function not only as technical representations but also as visual artefacts that shape communication and negotiation. This study examines how specific architectural design artefacts influence decision-making, particularly during moments of conflict where different perspectives must be reconciled. By analyzing how these artefacts operate within collaborative planning environments, the research highlights their role in structuring and guiding design decisions. Design Artefacts as Mediators in Architectural Practice In architectural workflows, drawings, diagrams, models, and digital visualizations serve as mediating objects that facilitate communication among diverse actors. These artefacts translate complex design ideas into tangible representations that can be interpreted and debat...
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Multi-Scale Ventilation-Oriented Design Framework for Public Buildings Using Integrated WRF–CFD Simulation

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Growing global energy concerns have increased the importance of energy-efficient building strategies that reduce dependence on mechanical cooling systems. Natural ventilation is a critical passive design approach capable of improving indoor air quality, preventing moisture accumulation, and lowering cooling energy demand. However, many previous ventilation-oriented design studies rely on simplified models, focus on single climatic scales, and address only specific stages of the building design process. This study introduces an integrated methodology for ventilation-oriented building design that operates across multiple spatial scales and design phases. Limitations of Conventional Ventilation Design Approaches Traditional ventilation design methods typically evaluate airflow conditions at a single scale, often focusing only on building form or façade openings. These approaches rarely incorporate broader urban wind environments or consider how ventilation strategies evolve throughout ...
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Probabilistic Estimation of Structural Elements in Timber Buildings for Circular Construction Planning

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Circular economy strategies in the construction sector increasingly emphasize the reuse of structural elements from obsolete buildings to reduce environmental impact and resource consumption. However, implementing these strategies is often constrained by limited information on building composition, particularly at the structural element level. Conventional estimation approaches are typically deterministic, subjective, or lack sufficient detail to support accurate material recovery planning. This study introduces a probabilistic modelling framework to improve the estimation of structural element dimensions and material quantities in residential timber buildings. Bayesian Network Framework for Structural Estimation The research proposes a probabilistic modelling approach based on Bayesian Networks (BNs) to estimate structural characteristics under uncertainty. Bayesian Networks provide a structured framework that represents relationships among variables through probabilistic dependenc...
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