Paulo Afonso Rheingantz

Cosenza hierarchical analysis model for the performance assessment of office buildings

This paper explains the results of a doctoral thesis in production engineering and presents a tool for the qualitative evaluation of office buildings performance, using the Cosenza hierarchical analysis model (HAM). This embodies the principles of the complex thought of Edgar Morin, of fuzzy sets approach and of linguistic variables use. Starting from a group of regular attributes, HAM confronts, in one single operation, the competing forces of space and building facilities by different organizations with the supply of a group of buildings. The results of the simulation confirm the effectiveness of a tool that links manageability to a formal representation of a subjective decision‐making processes, based on environment‐behaviour aspects. Whilst confronting different organizational demands with the supply of a group of buildings, this model makes possible rapid decision making and the identification of a supply profile for the purpose of acquisition.

O ambiente está adequado? Prosseguindo com a discussão

This article introduces the theme of Built Environment Ergonomics Experiential Evaluation (EEE), and discusses the proposals on the subject by Villarouco. It aims to contribute to the design process of built environments from the interface between two methods of analysis: Ergonomics Intervention and Experiential Post-Occupancy Evaluation. Its focus on the physical, functional, cognitive and cultural demands of the users of built environment enables a more accurate understanding of the relationships between human beings and the environment and contributes to the design of more responsive and humanized environments.

The Charming Soul of a Street in Rio de Janeiro

Paulo Afonso Rheingantz, PhD, is an associate professor, and Denise de Alcantara, PhD. is a part time lecturer at the School of Architecture and Urbanism, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. From May 2008 to January 2009, Paulo was a visiting scholar at Cal Poly’s CRP Department. Denise is the CILAS 2008-09 Visiting Scholar, University of California San Diego.