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Architects’ use of tools for low energy building design: Methodological reflections from ethnography and philosophy of technology

Zapata-Lancaster, Maria Gabriela ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3239-131X 2017. Architects’ use of tools for low energy building design: Methodological reflections from ethnography and philosophy of technology. Presented at: The Virtual and the Physical Between the representation of space and the making of space., Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, 26-28 April 2017. Published in: Spaeth, Achim Benjamin and Jabi, Wassim eds. The Virtual and the Physical: Between the representation of space and the making of space. Proceedings of the 5th eCAADe Regional Symposium. , vol.1 Cardiff, UK: eCAADe Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Brussels and the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom, pp. 73-82.

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Abstract

Design practitioners face an increased pressure to design low energy buildings because of the need to reduce the carbon emissions of the built environment. As a response, building performance simulation tools (BPS) have been created for designers to facilitate the decision-making and help them to propose low energy buildings. This paper is based on a research that adopted ethnographic research to conduct a case study comparison and explore how BPS tools were deployed by designers during real-time design process. The research adopted a constructivist approach informed by philosophy of technology and human computer interaction theories to reveal what designers were doing during the design process as opposed to what they should be doing according to best practice advice. This paper focuses on the application of ethnographic methods and brings attention to the advantages, challenges and limitations of adopting ethnographic research to investigate the `context of use of tools'. The discussion of the method brings attention to the context of use of tools as the departure point to develop a range of solutions for design support.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Date Type: Published Online
Status: Published
Schools: Architecture
Subjects: N Fine Arts > NA Architecture
T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Publisher: eCAADe Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, Brussels and the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781899895267
Related URLs:
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 9 June 2017
Last Modified: 02 Nov 2022 11:09
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/101039

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