Coal mining closure as part of the energy transition and global shift towards sustainability will have significant impacts on society, especially for coal-producing regions in developing countries that not only have to deal with the technical aspects but also the complex social, environmental, and economic dimensions. Comprehensive planning and intervention are therefore needed to ensure a just and seamless transition to a better life for the local people. On the other hand, this future planning of the coal mining region presents a massive opportunity for architects and designers to reflect and move beyond conventional practices toward a non-extractive building culture. This new culture entails taking into account the elements of place and time in the process of planning, designing, and sourcing materials. This project investigates the possibility of integrating the energy transition plan, land reclamation process, and agroforestry culture into a regenerative development strategy in the soon-to-be-closed mining area by envisioning a circular Post-Coal Community in Muara Enim, one of the oldest and biggest coal regions in Indonesia. Supported by thematic research on urban metabolism using material flow analysis to map the problems and potentials related to energy and materials in Muara Enim, the results of this project underscore a range of strategic interventions—from site planning the former mining pit for agroforestry, reclaiming the unused mining infrastructure for building materials, to developing a building system using phytoremediation plants and fast-growing timber with small dimensions that go hand in hand with the replanting and reforestation process of the mining area.

Architecture is much more than just built forms on a piece of land. Architecture hinges on user experience and comfort. As such, it is up to us, as designers and engineers to be mindful of the quality of the conceptualized space.

Building physics is one such field that addresses the concerns of users. It outlines topics that play an integral role in the quality of life; thermal comfort, ventilation, lighting, and acoustics. The first three factors have something in common. They have evolved and been developed to the point where the user has the luxury of controlling this factors at a scale local to the user itself. This creates an enhanced user experience. Acoustics, on the other hand, poses numerous problems when the topic of personal control is broached. There are many factors that impact the quality of sound in a space. That is, there are simply too many variables one must take into account while addressing the topic of personalised control of sound in a room. Acoustic control systems, while existent, heavily hinge on the usage of technology to provide user control, resulting in bulky or expensive systems that makes this very concept of personalised control a distant reach to the average user.

Schools, particularly primary schools and middle schools pose an interesting challenge. In addition to the varying functions that happen in a classroom over the span of a day or a lesson plan, the users also have differing sound demands. Teachers’ main concern is related to vocal strain and fatigue, while the poor acoustic conditions affect students’ learning and social development.

While acoustic standards are largely enforced in the built environment during and post construction, it is imperative that we acknowledge that these standards are set for adults, by adults. They are values that make sense to a person with fully developed auditory and sensory systems. They are limited by the general function of a space and do not necessarily address the nuances of spatial usage. As a result, applying these standards as an unwavering rule to architectural typologies aimed at children might not be the most ideal approach. The still developing auditory and sensory systems of children, and the resulting requirements must be taken into account in spaces aimed at them.

This thesis aims to explore the possibilities that passive (dynamic) systems offer in the realm of acoustic and sound control set in the context of a middle school classroom. This process is done by theoretical calculations and digital simulations.

The task of a courthouse is to facilitate the correct and fair execution of justice. Consequently, the building must not only meet all functional requirements, but also take the human impact on the court proceedings into account. Since conflicts, stress and concentration have a decisive influence on trials, this graduation project explores the question of what spatial qualities influence the user's experience in a manner that improves the efficiency of processes in a courthouse. The final design is a regional court for Berlin that exclusively handles criminal trials.

The closure of educational institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic had significant negative impacts, emphasizing the need to keep schools open while ensuring safety. It is crucial to find ways to keep educational institutions open while ensuring the safety of students and staff. While measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing have been implemented. This thesis focuses on decentralized, SMART, and personal ventilation systems to understand their effects and develop effective strategies. Consequently, a central research question has been formulated, supported by four sub-questions. The main question is then as follows:

How can smart, personal or decentralised ventilation improve the ventilation system design to make it more COVID-19-proof while not negatively impacting the comfort of the occupants in an educational environment and being both practical and cost-efficient?

The report begins with a comprehensive literature study to establish a theoretical foundation and identify research gaps. It then proceeds to design and experimentation, which include testing four distinct situations: baseline, decentralized, SMART, and personal ventilation. Each situation aims to test the location under different conditions and gather data about how utilisation of the ventilation system and different parameters could affect the infection risk. First, the baseline is established, which serves as the reference point for comparison. Which is then followed by the other designs of the decentralised-, SMART- and personal ventilation. Simulations are primarily used, supported by measurements and surveys when possible. This was then followed by a discussion, where the results are examined, their implications and significance are compared to the literature.

In conclusion, the results from the simulations and measurements indicate that certain systems demonstrate more potential in mitigating infection risks and improving indoor conditions during airborne pandemics, specifically the SMART and PV systems when their design are optimally utilised. In contrast, the decentral ventilation unit proved to be less effective overall. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of increasing ventilation rates and optimizing the location and distance of supply and exhaust units to minimize the spread of airborne viruses. Therefore, it can be concluded that while ventilation rate and strategic component placement are crucial in ventilation system design, a nuanced approach is necessary to strike a balance between reducing infection risks, meeting comfort requirements, and considering practical and economic factors.

In recent years, the housing market has been under pressure due to growing demand for (inner-city) housing and a lack of supply. Housing is in high demand as a result of factors such as population growth, rapid urbanization, smaller households, the freezing of "mobility in houses, and so on. The low developing speed to cater to these issues might instigate an investigation into possible adjustments to the current building methods to increase the rate of housing production.

The building sector has the potential to fulfil these demands by becoming more product-driven, efficient and sustainable, which are said to be attainable with the use of modular construction (Bertham et al., 2019). However, traditionally, the building industry is characterized as a project-driven industry with unique characteristics such as location-bound design, one-of-a-kind/unique production, changing partnerships per project, outdoor and environmental factors, and multiple clients and suppliers involved in a single project. These characteristics conflict with the product-driven ambitions, leading to negative effects on performance such as low levels of effectiveness and efficiency, low rates of innovation and difficulties in knowledge sharing and learning.
This research explores the potential benefits of vertical integration in modular construction value chains. The study is based on an empirical single case study of an integrated modular building company in the Netherlands. The case study examines the implementation of vertical integration in the modular building company, and its impact on the project- and product value chains.

To achieve effective vertical value chain integration during the development phase, the industry needs to focus on synergy, competency, and organization and adopting the appropriate production system fitting to their organization, product and production profile. Synergy involves establishing a clear and structured collaboration structure between departments, early involvement of key parties, and having a systematic approach to the project. Competency involves having adequate experience in the modular construction industry, defining a modular design system with configurable designs, and focusing on modular design systems with configurable elements, design flexibility, and efficient and streamlined production processes. Organization involves establishing unambiguous guidelines and expectations for each phase of the project, creating a comprehensive project plan that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of each team member, and identifying the primary coordinator for each phase. Additionally, it is essential to have a supportive and collaborative company culture with trust among employees, morale and motivation, and leadership that encourages and facilitates cooperation and collaboration across different departments and locations for all factors to thrive.

Based on the modular construction goal, fitting product and production characteristics were explored, which resulted in defining appropriate production systems. The focus on modular design systems with configurable products and the need for design flexibility described in the product description align with the characteristics of assemble-to-order production. The emphasis on product-oriented and project-oriented approaches, as well as the need for design consistency and efficient translation to production, aligns with the characteristics of make-to-order production.

The project attempts to address the types of spaces needed to guide the AI revolution constructively. Currently, an AI revolution is unfolding, as reported in newspapers, broadcasted on the news, and discussed on the radio. Socially, it’s a significant topic, as many users are unaware of what AI is and its functions. This underscores the importance of designing a building that illustrates to society how these AIs are implemented and who is behind them, while also fostering discussions and inquiries.

As a result of the growing awareness of the global environmental factors, principals of sustainability, and industrial ecology, the green chemistry and engineering are put to use into the development of the next generation of materials of construction. The need of materials independent from petroleum resources is considered a priority on the European’s Union’s development strategies and environmental challenges. Researches showed that in some
composite’s applications, natural fibers demonstrate competitive performances, these composites are known as bio-composites. Bio-composites are defined as a combination of fibers from natural origins and non-petroleum derived or biodegradable polymers.
The objective of this research is to understand the mechanical performance of this material when subjected to humidity, temperature, and UV radiation, in the aim to explore its possible façade applications.

The Netherlands is in de midst of an energy transition, 7 million households and 1 million buildings that are currently poorly insulated and heated by natural gas must be transformed into well-insulated buildings and heated with a sustainable heat source. The government encourages homeowners to make their home more sustainable by providing subsidies for insulation and sustainable heating technologies such as heat pumps. Heat pump manufacturers are seizing their opportunity by developing online heat pump decision-making tools that allow homeowners to check whether their home is already suitable for a sustainable heat pump system, said they do this mainly out of their own interest to sell more heat pumps. In addition, there are also independent organizations that develop online heat pump decision making tools, they do this more out of interest for the climate. But it’s not clear whether these tools provide all the information and advice a homeowner needs before engaging an installer to install a heat pump system. In addition, it is not clear whether existing tools provide right advice to support the energy transition. Therefore existing online tools are analysed and reflected on through literature and additional research in order to develop a better tool. Therefore the main research question in this thesis is:

How is a heat pump decision tool for homeowners with limited technological knowledge designed, which gives an advice that contributes to the energy transition of the built environment and which provides an advice on which heat pump system and additional measures a homeowner should consider before engaging an installer?

First a literature study is conducted into the energy problems related to space heating in the Dutch built environment. Possible sustainable sources and heat pump systems with a high contribution to the energy transition are defined. These sources and systems are then included in the newly designed heat pump decision making tool.

Existing online heat pump decision making tools are then analysed in order to function as a basis to define all aspects a homeowner should consider before purchasing a heat pump system. A review is made on the basis of the literature study carried out earlier in which areas the advice of the existing tools is lacking. These shortcomings are addressed in the new tool.

Thirdly based on an example home, it is investigated which measures during an energy renovation that a home ultimately uses less energy, emits less CO2, is heated sustainably and has an higher indoor comfort. These findings are included in the new tool.

The new heat pump decision making tool is then developed on the basis of flow diagrams. All decision moments are based on the findings from the various conducted studies. These flowcharts are eventually converted into a digital online heat pump decision making tool. With this new tool, the homeowner is provided with all the necessary research-based information before engaging an installer to purchase a heat pump system. This assures the homeowner of correct advice without the involvement of an installer, which leads to a major contribution to the energy transition, better indoor comfort and lower heating costs.

Overall it can be concluded that: insulating the home first as described in the tool (minimum label B according to the insulation standard) leads to the highest contribution to the energy transition and a higher indoor comfort. And that the choice of the heat pump systems depends on the home-specific aspects, and the wishes of the homeowner.

Airport and aviation activities, after it first appearance in 1900s, have elevated the transportation industry to a new height. They are both the country biggest economic engine and connection hotspot, as well as biggest source of environmental and social impact—including noise, CO2 emission, territorial disruption and depreciation of local property. Though, noise is by far the most problematic issues, due to its large area of impact that is closely relate to the health, the urban development and the economics of the surrounding neighborhoods. During the past decades, many researches were conducted on the influence of building on the propagation of various noise source; however, very few are related to annoyance cause by aircraft. Hence, this research aims to explore the extent of influence of building envelop on the propagation of aircraft noise toward both outdoor and indoor area of the residential building. Prior to the main research, the brief literature on the properties of sound, the characteristic of the aircraft noise in comparison to other noise sources, the current aircraft noise abatement policies, and finally, the influence of buildings and urban planning on the propagation of aircraft noise were conducted and briefly explained. The core experiment of this research focused on the influence of different variations of building envelops—these include the roof geometry, facade geometry, construction systems, and materiality—on the propagation of aircraft noise. Several design variations were proposed and simulation for their effectiveness and ineffectiveness to attenuate aircraft noise propagation in an urban area. Two case studies, in Rijsenhout and in Bangkok, were used as a base for the simulation for each variation. Finally, a set of general urban guideline for urban planning will be proposed, as well as a strategy for design a healthier urban environment in the airport regions. Additionally, several sketch designs will be proposed for the two case studies.

2020 is a strange and disruptive year. The pandemic virus COVID-19 controls people’s lives. It influences the way we live, love, and work. Offices are empty while people work from home. When, and if people are going to work in an office again like they were used to, is the question. The events of 2020 are an extra showcase that the way we use offices is subject to change. Therefore, offices should be designed in a way that they are adaptable, reusable, and can respond to changing needs. Circular design can help to make our offices future-proof. However, since the circular economy gained attention in the office building sector, only limited progress has been accomplished. A problem within the office building sector is that insight into the possibilities of circular design is lacking. Moreover, in literature there is no circular design model specific for the building industry. Therefore, this research aims to develop a decision support tool that stimulates the communication between client and designer and provides clarity about the possibilities of circular design. This resulted in three main insights. First, a building consists of different layers with different lifespans that should be able to be refurbished, replaced, and recycled without damaging other layers. Consequently leading to an extended lifespan of the complete building and increased adaptability and reusability. Second, practical circular interventions can be categorized into four themes which are based on circular theory. Those themes are adaptability, reusability, materials, and process. Third, decisions regarding circularity should be taken early in the design process. Especially when the lifespan of the building layer is long. Understanding which possible interventions could be taken in what stage of a design process helps prioritising them and thus creating windows for circularity.

The practice of almost any sport requires friendly and comfortable environmental conditions, cool temperatures and medium humidity levels, as well as satisfactory lighting and ventilation performance (Torsing et al., 2016). The complex challenge of designing sport infrastructure is likely to become even bigger in the expected future warmer scenario. This research focuses on the development of a climate adaptation concept for the new Feyenoord Stadium, with the goal to make it adaptable to the future climate scenario, characterized by global warming, which will lead to an increase in temperatures and heat waves. The focus of the design is mainly on the integration of passive strategies to cool down the stadium and control the indoor temperature to guarantee proper livability to users, thus reducing the need for active cooling. The research explores mainly possibilities for the design of the envelope, which represents the connection between the stadium and its surroundings. A proper design of the envelope would bring benefits both to the stadium itself and the outdoor environment, by mitigating the urban heat island effect. Indeed, the main question of this research is “how can the envelope of a large-scale stadium be designed to integrate passive strategies to provide cooling in a future warmer scenario and guarantee a comfortable micro-climate to users, while reducing the UHI in the surroundings?” Based on the literature review, different strategies were explored, and those more likely to make the Stadium adaptable to the climate of Rotterdam have been selected and analyzed in detail to be integrated into the new design. Through means of calculations and simulations, outcomes were obtained, which show that with a proper design of the envelope and some areas of the stadium, it is possible to control the indoor temperature to avoid overheating, guarantee comfort to users, and reduce the cooling demand of the building. The ultimate goal of this research is to give guidelines for a replicable design approach to be applied to stadiums around the world to deal with local climate potentials and hazards, and rely on the resources offered by the surroundings.

High-rises are usually ventilated mechanically in order to ensure thermal and acoustic comfort in the indoor environment. Consequently, the energy consumption in summer months is increased while the indoor air quality is usually deteriorated due to poor maintenance of mechanical ventilation systems. The topic of the current thesis is the design of a facade panel which provides natural ventilation while keeping high comfort levels in the indoor environment for high-rise office buildings in the Netherlands. Firstly, literature is reviewed about topics of sound theory, noise propagation in the urban environment, noise propagation through facades, natural ventilation in high-rises and Phase Change Materials. Several case studies are examined while conclusions are formed regarding the existing design strategies for natural ventilation and sound insulation in high-rises. The developed design concept is based on the use of a double skin facade system where sound absorbing materials and Phase Change Materials are applied in the double skin cavity. Several ventilation strategies are formed in order to ensure that the suggested system functions effectively in an annual basis. To evaluate the developed concept and to make estimations regarding its acoustic and thermal performance calculations are conducted indicating the facade’s cavity temperature, the levels of sound insulation and the amount of the provided airflow. After taking into account the calculations’ results, several facade typologies are developed and evaluated according to their feasibility, cost and aesthetic value. The most optimum typology is designed in detail while an analysis is conducted regarding its thermal performance, water tightness and maintenance.

The thesis explores the site of Niuewe Meer in the context of the near future of 2050. The research deals with the new urban phenomena of airport cities - their urban qualities and the issues they pose for development of expanding city borders. On the case of a new passenger driven typology - the airport hospital, it investigates how future airport city amenities could perform as an interface between global demands and local urbanity. The project is based on the notion of acceptance of airport city development by common culture but provides a critical stance toward spatial repercussions of hyper commercialized territory and pseudo-urban space. It proposes one solution to this issue, in which development is oriented to site specific program, aligned with the economic and logistic ambition of Schiphol but reaffirming the specific qualities of the area. The project investigates the hospital as an urban type and applies it to the questionably urban condition of airport cities. The ideology of constant technological progress is leading hospitals to extreme specialization, therefore the organ factory takes the form of a condensed medical campus which can process and supply patients from a wider European region.