Architecture Engineers Award

Buildings remain major contributors to global carbon dioxide emissions, intensifying the urgency of envelope innovations that enhance energy efficiency and climate resilience. As extreme weather conditions increasingly challenge conventional passive design strategies, adaptive façade technologies have gained prominence. Phase Change Material (PCM) glazing offers a promising approach by increasing thermal inertia, reducing cooling demand, and improving indoor comfort. However, its performance under diverse climatic and operational contexts remains insufficiently quantified. Multivariate Design Framework and Simulation Scope This study conducts a comprehensive multivariate analysis of PCM glazing across ten representative climates in Europe and North America. Key design variables include window-to-wall ratio (WWR), façade orientation, and PCM type, evaluated under two internal heat gain scenarios. A validated heat transfer model integrated into EnergyPlus™ was used to perform 4,320 si...

Over the past few decades, architecture has been profoundly reshaped by unprecedented global transformations, including climate change, pandemics, natural disasters, escalating carbon emissions, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. These forces have challenged traditional architectural thinking and raised critical questions about the preparedness of architects to design resilient buildings and cities. This study positions architecture within this evolving context and argues that a lack of comprehensive theoretical grounding limits the discipline’s ability to respond effectively to contemporary challenges. Conceptual Foundations of Architectural Theorization The paper begins by establishing a clear conceptual framework through an in-depth literature review. It defines and distinguishes between the notions of architectural trend , contemporary architectural trend , and theorization . By clarifying these foundational terms, the research sets the intellectual groundwork necess...

  Have you ever wondered how buildings can stay cool in summer and warm in winter without consuming tons of energy? Enter Phase Change Materials (PCMs) . These innovative materials act like thermal batteries, storing and releasing heat to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. When integrated into building components like façades, roofs, and windows, PCMs can drastically reduce energy demand while supporting sustainable building design. But there’s more to the story—let’s dive in! How PCM Systems Boost Energy Performance Studies show that buildings using PCM-assisted ventilation can save 7.7% to 32.8% on energy consumption. The key? Smart placement in building components and proper material selection. Imagine your walls, roof, and windows acting as silent energy savers, reducing the load on your air conditioners and heaters—PCM technology makes this possible! Keeping Indoor Temperatures Comfortable PCMs aren’t just about energy savings—they’re about comfort too. They can l...

The study reviews existing thermal assessment research in refugee shelters and analyses successful shelter designs in Jordan, Afghanistan, and South Sudan. By identifying the strategies that improved thermal comfort, material efficiency, and rapid deplorability, the research establishes design principles applicable to diverse climatic zones. The comparative analysis highlights gaps in current solutions, such as insufficient adaptability, limited use of local materials, and poor durability, guiding the development of a more optimized shelter design for long-term usability and sustainability. Design Concept of Makati Prototype The Makati shelter emphasizes incremental design , enabling modular construction that can be expanded or adjusted according to family size and site constraints. It is engineered to be thermally efficient , durable, and affordable, using locally available materials to ensure rapid deployment by unskilled labor. Parametric modeling is integrated into the design pr...