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Article
Publication date: 20 November 2017

Chun Wang, Baiyi Li, Baizhan Li and Andrew Baldwin

The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed case study on the methods and organisational structure used for controlling the time schedule for a large and complex project…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed case study on the methods and organisational structure used for controlling the time schedule for a large and complex project. The paper discusses the use of “project controlling”, a term used to describe project control by a third-party organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers used action research to collect data for the case study. A member of the research team was a “participant-observer” on the project on a day-to-day basis for a period of 18 months collecting and analysing data which were subsequently analysed by a mixed methods approach.

Findings

The use of a “Project Controlling Unit” operated by an independent adviser organisation has significant advantages over traditional methods. It can provide timely, consolidated, independent guidance to the client and assistance to other participating organisations.

Research limitations/implications

The research has confirmed the effectiveness of the method on the project under study.

Practical implications

The findings provide guidance for enhanced project control on large complex infrastructural projects that will be of interest to other researchers, other clients and other construction organisations both within China and internationally.

Social implications

Organisations that seek to develop Project Controlling Units to implement the methods described in this paper will need to review their recruitment and training strategies to ensure that appropriate and experienced staffs are engaged.

Originality/value

The paper extends the knowledge relating to “project controlling” method. The findings provide additional insights to progress reporting and the management of construction production on HOPSCA and other large infrastructural projects.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 24 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2002

Paul Roelofsen

One of the fundamental human requirements is a working environment that allows people to perform their work optimally under comfortable conditions. Given that buildings and air…

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Abstract

One of the fundamental human requirements is a working environment that allows people to perform their work optimally under comfortable conditions. Given that buildings and air conditioning systems are designed on the basis of a certain level of discomfort, this raises the key question ‘What is the effect of the level of comfort on the productivity of people working in office environments?’ The purpose of this paper is to quantify this relationship as an aid to making choices regarding the working environment at strategic level within the facilities management process, with particular emphasis on thermal conditions.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 1 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Baizhan Li, Meng Liu and Keith McKinnell

The purpose of this paper is to trace the heavy reliance of coal as an energy source in the city of Chongqing and the serious impact this has had on the air quality together with…

1375

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the heavy reliance of coal as an energy source in the city of Chongqing and the serious impact this has had on the air quality together with the municipal authority's responses.

Design/methodology/approach

It provides a factual description of the coal centred strategy and the heavy reliance on secondary industry output to fuel Chongqing's growth which has in turn brought about air pollution and acid rain.

Findings

The authorities are now responding through a number of new policies targeting the use of clean energy and renewable energy resources and improving energy efficiency which has already started to have positive results.

Originality/value

The paper provides a good practical guide to the current situation of energy consumption and policy implications for combating serious air quality issues in one of China's major urban centres.

Details

Property Management, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Baizhan Li, Meng Liu and K.G. McKinnell

The purpose of this paper is to trace the connection between China's growth and urbanization processes and the amount of building space that is being constructed.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the connection between China's growth and urbanization processes and the amount of building space that is being constructed.

Design/methodology/approach

Buildings consume energy and are not always built with subsequent efficient use of energy in mind. China's building industry is estimated to account for over a quarter of the total energy consumed in China.

Findings

Such a massive use of the energy resource has prompted China's authorities to consider policies that will promote greater building energy efficiency.

Originality/value

The paper provides an important update as to how China is addressing energy efficiency in one of its key industrial sectors.

Details

Property Management, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 March 2022

Aba Essanowa Afful, Joshua Ayarkwa, Godwin Kojo Kumi Acquah, Dickson Osei-Asibey and Ama Antwi Darkwah Osei Assibey

This research presents a comprehensive review of the literature on the barriers to incorporating indoor environmental quality (IEQ) principles into building designs. The aim was…

Abstract

Purpose

This research presents a comprehensive review of the literature on the barriers to incorporating indoor environmental quality (IEQ) principles into building designs. The aim was to identify these barriers in the literature and subsume them under broad categories for the development of a framework showing the interrelationships among the barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design used a systematic desktop review which comprised of three levels of screening. The first level allowed for a broad selection of papers; the second level of screening was done to limit the results to papers within the construction industry, and the third level of screening limited the documents strictly to the publication period of 2000–2021.

Findings

Twenty-four (24) barriers were identified in the literature, including lack of integrated design teams, which ranked the highest in appearance, high initial costs, poor market for IEQ buildings and higher design charges among others. The identified barriers were classified into six (6) categories namely capacity barriers, economic barriers, process-related barriers, cultural barriers, client-related barriers and steering barriers.

Practical implications

The findings of this study would enable practitioners and policymakers to better understand what is preventing the widespread adoption of IEQ designs in the built environment and devise actionable strategies to overcome them. It adds to the body of knowledge on IEQ research by categorizing the various barriers that prevent the delivery of IEQ projects.

Social implications

The developed barriers in this research can serve as a useful checklist to future researchers who may want to validate the barriers to IEQ designs in empirical studies and in different settings.

Originality/value

The interconnectivity revealed by the web-like framework allows for an appreciation of the various barriers of IEQ adoption which would help in expanding the current knowledge on IEQ beyond the narrow scope of isolated barriers. The fact that the papers selected in this study are not limited geographically, underscores the wide applicability of the findings in the global construction industry.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2011

Andrew Smith and Michael Pitt

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the indoor environmental quality benefits of plants in offices by undertaking trials using live plants.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the indoor environmental quality benefits of plants in offices by undertaking trials using live plants.

Design/methodology/approach

Using two offices in the same building, one with plants and one as a control, daily tests were undertaken for relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results were analysed to identify any differences between the office with plants and the one without.

Findings

Relative humidity increased following the introduction of plants and more significantly following additional hydroculture plants being installed, taking it to within the recommended range. Carbon dioxide was slightly higher in the planted office for the majority of the trial, although there was an overall reduction in both offices. Carbon monoxide levels reduced with the introduction of plants and again with the additional plants. VOC levels were consistently lower in the non‐planted office.

Research limitations/implications

It would be useful to extend this research in a greater range of buildings and with more flexible VOC‐monitoring equipment.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that plants may provide an effective method of regulating the indoor environmental conditions within buildings. This can potentially lead to performance gains for the organisation and a reduction in instances of ill health among the workforce.

Originality/value

The majority of previous studies have relied on laboratory work and experimental chambers. This research aims to apply previous findings to a real working environment to determine whether the air‐purifying abilities of plants have practical relevance in the workplace.

Details

Facilities, vol. 29 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2023

Rasha Adel, Naglaa Megahed, Asmaa M. Hassan and Merhan Shahda

Passive design strategies contribute to improving indoor comfort conditions and reducing buildings' energy consumption. For several years, courtyards have received wide attention…

Abstract

Purpose

Passive design strategies contribute to improving indoor comfort conditions and reducing buildings' energy consumption. For several years, courtyards have received wide attention from researchers because of their significant role in reducing energy demand. However, the abundance of multi-story buildings and the courtyards' incompatibility with them, the courtyard is currently limited. Therefore, it is necessary to search for alternatives. This paper aims to bridge the gaps in previous limited studies considering skycourt as a passive alternative on the vertical plane of the facades in contrast to the courtyard.

Design/methodology/approach

This research presents an overview and a bibliometric analysis of the evolution of the courtyard to the skycourt via VOSviewer software and the bibliometrix R package.

Findings

The research provided various concepts related to skycourt as a promising passive design strategy, which can be suitable for multi-story buildings, starting with its evolution, characteristics, configurations, benefits, and challenges.

Practical implications

The findings can urge designers, researchers and policymakers to incorporate such an important passive alternative.

Social implications

Researchers, instructors, educational specialists, faculty members, and decision-makers can provide design motivation for skycourt in buildings, in addition to achieving awareness about skycourt and its significant benefits and its role as an important passive design strategy.

Originality/value

The research highlights the possibilities of the skycourt and its role as a passive design element as an extension of the courtyard in addition to identifying design indicators that help designers determine the appropriate designs.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

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