Browsing by Subject "Renovation"
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Item Comparative Analysis of the Cost Models Used for Estimating Renovation Costs of Universities in Texas(2010-10-12) Faquih, Yaquta FakhruddinFacility managers use various cost models and techniques to estimate the cost of renovating a building and to secure the required funds needed for building renovation. A literature search indicates that these techniques offer both advantages and disadvantages that need to be studied and analyzed. Descriptive statistical methods and qualitative analysis are employed to identify and compare techniques used by facility managers to calculate the expected renovation costs of a building. The cost models presently used to predict the cost and accumulate the budget required for renovation of a building were determined through interviews with ten Texas-based university facilities managers. The data and information gathered were analyzed and compared. Analysis of results suggests that traditional methods like Floor Area Method (FAM) is the most accurate, less time consuming, easy to use as well as convenient for data collection. Case-Based Reasoning (CBR), though not as widely used as FAM, is known to facilities managers. This is due to the fact that, if a new type of project needs to be renovated, and the data for a similar project is not available with the facilities manager, a completely new database needs to be created. This issue can be resolved by creating a common forum where data for all types of project could be made available for the facilities managers. Methods such as regression analysis and neural networks are known to give more accurate results. However, of the ten interviewees, only one was aware of these new models but did not use them as they would be helpful for very large projects and they would need expertise. Thus such models should be simplified to not only give accurate results in less time but also be easy to use. These results may allow us to discuss changes needed within the various cost models.Item Fate of the Houston skyline : stategies adopted for rehabilitating mid-century modern high-rises(2014) Srinivasan, Urmila; Holleran, MichaelA recent report by Terrapin Bright Green “Mid-century (Un) Modern” discusses the desperate condition of mid-century modern high-rises in Manhattan. The article argues that it would be beneficial both economically and environmentally to demolish these buildings and build new ones with an assumed increase in FAR. To re-build, repair or re-skin are the questions Mid-century Modern High-rises (MMH) face today. This study focuses on Houston, Texas, which is very different from New York City both climatically and from a planning stand point. It is dreaded for its hot and humid climate and notorious for its consistent refusal to adopt any zoning. These high-rises in Houston represent the economic success of the city immediately after WWII. These buildings were constructed as the city transformed from the Bayou City to the Space city. In this study I have mapped the status of these high-rises and the strategies that were used to renovate them. The questions I further wish to address are how preservation or energy efficiency are addressed while renovating these buildings. Even preservationists might agree that all buildings are not equal and a new look would benefit some. The real challenge lies in resolving the grey areas, where one is not talking about a Seagram or a Lever House, but a well designed environmentally sensitive building.Item Sustainable residences: co-operative housing redesign in high density central area of Xiamen(2014) Jia, Cheng, M. of Architecture; Pyrek, AdamToday, the multi-families housing is recognized as vital to modern, urban communities. And it is primary housing type in some megacities, especially in high-density area. As a developed modern city with great historical urban context, Xiamen offers a great range of fascinating examples regarding creative co-operative housing projects dealing with current challenges such as rising rents, changes in climate and demography, privatization and individualization. There are quite a lot community-oriented housing projects. At the same time, Some out-dated housing units in Xiamen used to be inhumane and unhealthy, and promote isolated living experiences both physically and mentally. So a household redesign for a healthy individual, harmonious family and friendly community is becoming a pressing need. Xiamen Social Housing Innovations Plan include multi-generational, barrier-free and affordable renovations, plus-energy communities of existing buildings,etc. The aim of this proposal is to create a housing development design that rebuilds the community of the neighborhood by allowing a greater sharing of public and private space, while maintaining and gaining a higher population density. The design proposal will preserve the indigenous fine-grained urban fabric, which creates human scale and supports the public/private exchanges observed through the fieldwork and analysis. This proposal will explore housing sustainable design that reconsiders shared use of public and private in collective spaces, as the key to take advantage of a dense inner-city environment.