E-Doo Kim

Top-down geometric modelling of buildings on network database

Abstract To integrate existing cad capabilities more closely into structural-design practice, the paper presents a top-down approach to the geometric modelling of building structures. A network database with newly developed data abstraction is utilized to organize the geometric and topological information obtained, so that it can provide a central communication area between applications in structural engineering. To support the top-down structural-design process, facilities for intersecting higher-level primitives and splitting them into lower-level entities, and for evolving simple wireframe models of entire buildings to complex solid models of their components, were developed. The system is a geometric modeller for the integrated structural design of buildings, providing the designers with easy construction of the geometric model, and effective management of the model data of buildings.

Current trends and future directions of free-form building technology

Recently, three-dimensional design and computerized numeric control shaping technology have been applied to most free-form buildings, and materials like iron, timber, expanded polystyrene, and textiles have been used in formwork. However, these techniques have been found to incur costs at least 10 times the budgeted amounts, in most cases because the forms or moulds used to produce free-form concrete segments were used only once and could not be recycled, and it took a lot of time and workers to produce them, resulting in reduced productivity and increased construction cost and time. To solve these problems, this study investigates the status of free-form concrete buildings and suggests directions for future technology development. Following these suggestions would enable manageable construction cost and time in the future design of free-form buildings.

The Influence of French Colonial Rule on Lao Architecture with a Focus on Residential Buildings

During the French colonial period in Lao PDR (from 1893-1953), France integrated its architectural elements into traditional Lao architecture and modified them to suit the climate. The French colonial style continues to make a modest impact in most major towns and cities. The harmonious combination of traditional Lao architecture and French colonial influences shows the true values and wealth of a city′s characteristics. These unique architectural styles and motifs are valuable to the area′s heritage; many of these styles are still conserved today, especially in Luang Prabang, which was designated as a World Heritage city in 1995. Some historical buildings have been adapted according to social and economic factors. However, as elsewhere in Indochinese countries, the provincial French design was modified to suit the hot and humid tropical climate. The design of colonial villas, in turn, began to influence subtle changes in the design of Lao urban dwellings. This paper discusses the development of traditional Lao architectural styles that have been experienced in Lao PDR, analyzes the process of change, emphasizes the importance of compatibility between traditional house form and the French colonial house, and studies the factors influencing the transformations of traditional housing.

Typology of Lao Vernacular Dwellings and Settlements in Context of Cultural and Physical Environment

A typology study is a comparative study of the physical characteristics of the built environment divided into distinct types such as architecture, culture, and environment. Lao vernacular dwellings were initially created based on the Lao people’s behavior in terms of beliefs, traditional culture, lifestyle, and local wisdom with regard to the environment, climate, geography, and materials. The main research method used in this study is a comparative case study of three ethnic dwellings. The multiple data collection tools employed included second source data and primary data to analyze the findings of the unique characteristic typology of Lao vernacular dwellings. The objective of this paper is to compare the cultural and physical contexts, the patterns and origins of settlement, the architecture, the cultures, and the local indigenous knowledge related to the dwellings and settlement of the three main ethnic groups. These three groups are rich in tradition and their documentation is therefore essential for the intellectual history of the society of Lao; this research could therefore aid in enhancing our understanding of the three typologies of Lao vernacular architecture and settlement within the historical and sociocultural contexts of each ethnicity to convey an understanding of Lao vernacular dwellings by analyzing their different types to help identify the differences and similarities among architectural artifacts by recognizing the invisible connections between them, whereby the figurative ornamentation is based on the relationship between man and nature. This study also provides a glimpse of the living culture and characteristic features of Lao vernacular architecture.