Search results for "ARCHITECTURE"

Effects of reduced irradiance on hydraulic architecture and water relations of two olive clones with different growth potentials

2009

Abstract The hydraulic architecture and water relations of two olive genotypes, ‘Leccino Dwarf’ (LD) and ‘Leccino Minerva’ (LM) growing at two irradiance levels i.e. full sunlight irradiance (HI) and 50% sunlight irradiance (LI) were studied. The two clones showed similar plant hydraulic conductances (Kplant) and similar conductance of roots and leaves (Kroot and Kleaf) when growing at equal irradiance levels. However, both Kplant and Kroot were significantly lower in LI plants than in HI ones. On the contrary, Kleaf was unaffected by the light regime. One-year-old twigs of LI plants produced longer xylem conduits but lower average diameter of conduits and less conduits per unit xylem cross…

An architecture for automatic gesture analysis

2000

The field of human-computer interaction has been widely investigated in the last years, resulting in a variety of systems used in different application fields like virtual reality simulation environments, software user interfaces, and digital library systems.A very crucial part of all these systems is the input module which is devoted to recognize the human operator in terms of tracking and/or recognition of human face, arms position, hand gestures, and so on.In this work a software architecture is presented, for the automatic recognition of human arms poses. Our research has been carried on in the robotics framework. A mobile robot that has to find its path to the goal in a partially struc…

Fashion versus perception: the impact of surface lightness on the perceived dimensions of interior space.

2011

Objectives: We compare expert opinion with perceptual judgment regarding the influence of color on the perceived height and width of interior rooms. Background: We hypothesize that contrary to popular belief, ceiling and wall lightness have additive effects on perceived height, whereas the lightness contrast between these surfaces is less important. We assessed the intuitions of architectural experts as to which surface colors maximize apparent height and compared these intuitions with psychophysical height and width estimates for rooms differing in ceiling, floor, and wall lightness. Method: Experiment 1 was a survey of architectural experts and nonexperts. Experiments 2 and 3 presented v…

Anamorphic Projection: Analogical/Digital Algorithms

2014

The study presents the first outcomes of a wider research dealing with the theme of “anamorphosis”, a specific technique of geometric projection of a shape on a surface. Anamorphosis represents the synthesis among geometry, art and architecture and is realized in scientific and empirical research approaches. In this study we investigated how new digital techniques allow to simplify the anamorphic applications even in case of projections on complex surfaces. After a short excursus of the most famous historical and contemporary applications, we propose some possible approaches that allow you to manage the geometry of anamorphic curves both in Descriptive Geometry field (by using interactive t…

Modular approach towards multi-functional surfaces with adjustable and dual-responsive wettability using a hybrid polymer toolbox

2009

Poly(methylsilsesquioxane)-based hybrid polymers carrying orthogonally reactive moieties demonstrate an effective modular approach to creating multi-reactive surface coatings. By a sequential surface-analogous reaction different functions could be immobilized in a defined ratio, resulting in dual- or triple-functionalized surfaces.

A multi-methodology and sustainability-supporting framework for implementation and assessment of a holistic building renovation

La ristrutturazione degli edifici in futuro dovrà essere condotta secondo una prospettiva più olistica legata alla sostenibilità vista in una più ampia gamma di obiettivi/criteri e facilitata dagli scenari di ristrutturazione possibili. La ristrutturazione degli edifici dovrebbe servire a migliorarne le performance al fine di soddisfare le esigenze degli utenti, rendendo questi ultimi meno vulnerabili in relazione ai futuri costi energetici. Vi è un grande potenziale per ridurre il consumo di energia negli edifici esistenti. Tuttavia, ciò non deve comprometterè i valori architettonici e di qualità che rendono particolari. Pertanto, non possono essere semplicemente rinnovati, ma devono subir…

Hemp: past, present, future for a Sustainable Architecture

2020

Cannabis, so classified by the botanist Linnaeus in 1753, is a plant with a long and tormented history. It has been a source of subsistence for many peoples who, since the dawn of time, have exploited its enormous and almost infinite potential. Hemp has survived eighty years of prohibition and the fierce attacks of the chemical, pharmaceutical, textile and other industries, which over the years have monopolized the world economy, contributing significantly to the process of ecosystem degeneration of the planet. Today, in the light of the compelling and urgent intervention actions, aimed at contrasting environmental emergencies, hemp returns to peep globally to help create a sustainable mode…

Changes and persistences of traditional architectural shapes in Burkina Faso

2018

Oggetto del presente lavoro è l’esito di una ricerca condotta presso il Dipartimento di Architettura dell’Università degli Studi di Palermo, finalizzata all’analisi dello stato dell’arte dell’architettura tradizionale dei Paesi dell’Africa Nord-Occidentale e agli effetti che su questa ha determinato il processo di modernizzazione dell’habitat, attraverso l’introduzione di nuovi materiali da costruzione e di tecnologie avanzate importate da Paesi industrializzati. Il Paese preso in esame è il Burkina Faso, nell’Africa sub-sahariana, uno dei più poveri del Mondo e dell’Africa e, per tale ragione, uno dei più suscettibili alla superiorità economica e tecnologica dei paesi industrializzati che …

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE: THE ECO-EFFICIENCY EARTH CONSTRUCTION

2017

The appropriate choice of building materials can contribute decisively to reduce the energy consumption of the building sector. The increasing worries for the environmental impact of construction materials is witnessed by a lot of studies The mentioned worries has brought again the attention towards natural materials. The use of more sustainable construction materials and construction techniques represent a major contribution to the eco-efficiency of the construction industry and thus to a more sustainable development. Within this frame the renewed interest for a natural material such as the rammed earth is included; the interest has been in continuous growth from the 80s till today. The ra…

Learning by doing. Case study: Education for sustainable development at the University of Latvia

2019

Junction of possibilities offered by European research programmes in the tertiary education and technology enhanced learning open up new borders for students and young researchers; especially for the ones from institutions with less strong collaboration links to Western-Europe and overseas. University of Latvia has undertaken the challenge of designing master’s programme on education for sustainable development called ‘Natural Sciences, Global Change and Technologies for Sustainable Development’ combined with application of digital learning tools. Teaching staff was formed form several faculties of the University of Latvia, other universities, respective companies as well as foreign partner…