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The purpose of the present paper is to model a cavity, which is equally divided vertically by a thin, flexible membrane. The membranes are inevitable components of many engineering devices such as distillation systems and fuel cells. In the present study, a cavity which is equally divided vertically by a thin, flexible membrane is model using the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) associated with a moving grid approach.

The cavity is differentially heated by a sinusoidal time-varying temperature on the left vertical wall, while the right vertical wall is cooled isothermally. There is no thermal diffusion from the upper and lower boundaries. The finite-element Galerkin technique with the aid of an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian procedure is followed in the numerical procedure. The governing equations are transformed into non-dimensional forms to generalize the solution.

The effects of four pertinent parameters are investigated, i.e., Rayleigh number (104 = Ra = 107), elasticity modulus (5 × 1012 = E_T = 1016), Prandtl number (0.7 = Pr = 200) and temperature oscillation frequency (2p = f = 240p). The outcomes show that the temperature frequency does not induce a notable effect on the mean values of the Nusselt number and the deformation of the flexible membrane. The convective heat transfer and the stretching of the thin, flexible membrane become higher with a fluid of a higher Prandtl number or with a partition of a lower elasticity modulus.

The authors believe that the modeling of natural convection and heat transfer in a cavity with the deformable membrane and oscillating wall heating is a new subject and the results have not been published elsewhere.

This paper aims to investigate the fluid structure interaction analysis of conjugate natural convection in a square containing internal solid cylinder and flexible right wall.

The right wall of the cavity is flexible, which can be deformed due to the interaction with the natural convection flow in the cavity. The top and bottom walls of the cavity are insulated while the right wall is cold and the left wall is partially heated. The governing equations for heat, flow and elastic wall, as well as the grid deformation are written in Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation. The governing equations along with their boundary conditions are solved using the finite element method.

The results of the present study show that the presence of the solid cylinder strongly affects the transient solution at the initial times. The natural convection flow changes the shape of the flexible right wall of the cavity into S shape wall due to the interaction of the flow and the structure. It is found that the increase of the flexibility of the right wall increases the average Nusselt number of the hot wall up to 2 per cent.

To the best of the authors' knowledge, the unsteady natural convection in an enclosure having a flexible wall and inner solid cylinder has never been reported before.

Evidence-based design (EBD) is traditionally limited to using empirical research findings based on randomized controlled trials. The purpose of this study is to explore stakeholder experiential knowledge as alternate credible evidence in redesigning health-care facilities for improved usability.

This research, based on critical participatory action research, involved a case study of redesign and post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of an emergency department (ED) at Holy Family Hospital, Techiman, Ghana. Observation, interviews and document analysis were used to collect data in the redesign and POE. The data was analyzed through directed content analysis.

Findings indicate that the redesign interventions, generated from stakeholder experiential knowledge, led to improved effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in the ED. This presents stakeholder experiential knowledge as alternate credible evidence in EBD. Furthermore, the POE revealed that open and flexible spatial arrangement, zoning care areas according to severity, and providing staff-support amenities are some redesign interventions for improving ED usability.

Compared to the hard and controlled nature of experimental research knowledge, the soft and fluid experiential knowledge of stakeholders could be more useful for health-care redesign process, especially in iteratively structuring design thinking and making choices.

This paper contributes to theory by validating and illustrating stakeholder experiential knowledge as credible evidence for EBD. Practically, it provides strategies, based on POE findings, for designing EDs to improve usability.

A numerical model of an unsteady laminar free convection flow and heat transfer is studied in a cavity that comprises a vertical flexible thin partition.

The left and right vertical boundaries are isothermal, while the horizontal boundaries are insulated. Moreover, the thin partition, placed in the geometric centerline of the enclosure, is considered to be hyper elastic and diathermal. Galerkin finite-element methods, the system of partial differential equations along with the appropriate boundary conditions are transformed to a weak form through the fluid-structure interaction and solved numerically.

The heat transfer characteristics of the enclosure with rigid and flexible partitions are compared. The effect of Rayleigh number and Young’s modulus on the maximum nondimensional stress and final deformed shape of the membrane is addressed.

Incorporation of vertical thin flexible membrane in middle of a cavity has numerous industrial applications, and it could noticeably affect the heat and mass transfer in the enclosure.

Each person in Hong Kong produces three times more waste than that of Singapore. This is because a large portion of the waste in Hong Kong is from the construction sector. Re-decoration work carried out by dwellers in Hong Kong is one of the major sources of the construction and demolition waste. Development of flexible reusable infill systems with high recycling potential is significant. A number of these systems are currently used, mainly in public and commercial buildings. They may have potential to be applied in residential buildings in the future.

This paper starts with an introduction to the infill systems applied in open building history. It then points out the need to investigate the development of infill processes by integrating infill products available in the market. The paper further introduces current open building studies on reusability of infill systems and addresses the problem that there is a lack of quantitative information on embodied energy and other environmental impacts of infill systems.

In the methodology section the paper describes five types of partition walls selected, ranging from low flexibility to high flexibility. Applying an evaluation model for environmental impact, the paper analyzes embodied energy intensity, and environmental impacts of each partition systems in two simulated situations. One is in a two room unit of a public housing prototype and the other is in private apartment. It concludes that partition walls with higher flexibility are highly intensive in their embodied energy. In other environmental impacts, especially recycling potential, flexible partition wall panels exceed that of conventional block-work partitions. The study will enable more complete information to be obtained concerning the environmental impact of infill components and will assist architects and other building professional wisely apply open building design concepts.

In this paper, a conceptual approach concerning architectural design of openings (mainly windows) in façades of adaptable dwelling units is presented. This approach stems from a design objective, which aims at providing user flexibility to adaptable dwelling units by utilizing moveable, modular, lightweight partitions, which can be re-arranged in various layouts, providing a number of interior space sub-division alternatives to suit personal dwelling needs of future dwellers.

The initial design of openings' location and span in façades bears direct impact on the future utilization of such moveable partitions within the adaptable dwelling unit. This is due to the fact that the possible location of dynamic partitions is derived, among other design constraints, from the location and span of existing openings in façades, next to which partitions cannot be placed. Therefore, the initial design of openings' location and span should try to fit a number of presupposed preferred solutions, which reflect future possible sub-division alternatives of the available dwelling space.

Two examples illustrating the conceptual approach are brought forward, summarizing, in the first example, openings of six alternatives concerning one specific façade of an adaptable dwelling unit, and, in the second example, five alternatives concerning two specific facades of a second dwelling unit. The connection between building type, floor plan geometry and adaptable dwelling space is also addressed.

Reports on office planning's new type (known as ‘open planning’( with a case study of the principal innovator in this procedure's development, Dexion Ltd, in the UK, which was heavily involved in the wall (office) partitioning range. Evaluates and discusses all of the company's various spin off companies and the products therein. Examines also the sales performance and marketing approach of the company and its good and bad points. Closes by making recommendations for Dexion's Partitioning Division including sales promotion and distribution channel development. Concludes that the recommended actions would establish Dexion as a major player in its market, allowing other Dexion products to break into the market.

Design studio courses take place at the core of education disciplinary design such as architecture and interior architecture. Studios in which design studio courses are conducted can also be used for other practical courses as well. Another important feature of these studios is that they are extensively used by students for individual or group work other than during class hours. Since the students, either on their own or with the project coordinator, experience design process in these studios, their spatial characteristics are highly significant to conduct this process effectively. Within this scope, the aim of the research is to evaluate open and cell type studios commonly used in traditional architecture education through Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) approach, to discuss to what extent these studios meet the spatial requirements of today’s instructional methods and to develop a suggestion for design studio spatial use by taking the strengths and weaknesses of these studios. Accordingly, technical, physical and behavioral variables determining the performance of design studios within the context of spatial requirements have been identified through reviewing the related literature. In framework of a case study, a survey formed with the aforementioned variables was administered to architecture and interior architecture students studying in open and cell type design studios in order to measure their spatial performance. Followingly, in the final part of the study, referring to survey results and evaluation of spatial requirements of today’s instructional methods and tools, a combi design studio space organization has been suggested.

Aging of building stock is emerging. Open Building as a sustainable approach to deal with the problems associated with the aging housing stock is seldom applied in high-rise, densely populated built environment. With aims to identify the constraints and seek rooms for Open Building implementation in aforementioned context, a survey of 495 building layout plans from ten major housing estates in Hong Kong is conducted. The floor plans are analysed against the Open Building characteristics and criteria laid down by Tiuri (1998). Facts and obstacles of achieving Open Building in the territory are unearthed, and opportunities for implementation are then discussed.

The layout and structure of the surveyed private residential buildings in Hong Kong are very much alike. They are in fact closed buildings without the capacity to adapt, so any change in user requirements cannot be accommodated easily. Implementing Open Building using flexible and green fittings remains a viable option that enables transformation in existing housing stock.

Office layout arrangements have a significant influence on many important aspects of organisations, and design firms need to liaise with the client to determine the most appropriate design process. The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors design firms consider when designing new office layouts and the nature of future offices from the design and workplace strategist firms’ perspectives.

A qualitative study comprising interviews with leading international and nation design firms and workplace strategy consultant firms in Australia. Qualitative data was analysed using a thematic approach, which adopted within case, and across case, analyses.

Research identified major factors considered when identifying appropriate workplace strategies. These included the existing and preferred culture of the organisation, the level of flexibility required, functionality and technology requirements, acoustic strategies, sense of community and generation gap between employees. Participants believed future offices would be technology driven, community oriented, sustainability, health and well-being focussed, smaller in size with satellite offices, such as co-working and office spaces.

This research has implications for industry and academics, as it provides an in-depth understanding of workplace specialists’ and design firms’ perceptions of clients’ contemporary and future requirements from office spaces. It also illustrates what they look at when designing office spaces for large corporates.

Research demonstrates how the office environment should match with the physical and psychological needs of the organisation and its employees. Findings have practical applications to professionals in human resource management and the design, management, development and valuation of office buildings.

This paper provides in-depth insights into how design firms and workplace strategists meet organisations’ changing demand for physical spaces, their main considerations in developing new workplace strategies, process followed and nature of future workplace in Australian context.