Faculty of Architecture Research Unit (FARU)
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/14701
2024-03-29T07:40:46ZFacilities manager’s involvement for establishing desalination plants
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/21944
Facilities manager’s involvement for establishing desalination plants
Yatawatta, YJM; Sridarran, P
This abstract presents findings from a mixed-methods study examining the integral role of Facilities Managers (FMs) in the establishment of desalination plants. Qualitative data was gathered from experts directly involved in establishing desalination plants. while quantitative data were gathered from FMs overseeing water treatment facilities. Non-probability sampling was used, with thirty-six questionnaires distributed. Through the literature, identified eight stages in desalination plant development: planning, design, tendering, construction, operation and maintenance, testing and commissioning, handover, and demolition. To assess the significance of FM roles, the Relative Importance Index (RII) was applied. Key findings related to the FM role are, risk assessment being crucial in the planning stage, contract document preparation in the design phase, and evaluating tender submissions during tendering. Resource allocation took precedence in construction, while maintenance schedule preparation was paramount during operation and maintenance. In the testing and commissioning phase, ensuring proper design, installation, testing, operation, and maintenance was critical. During handover, overseeing project documents was vital, and contributing to demolition decisions was crucial in the demolition stage. These results underscore the essential role of FMs throughout desalination plant projects. They offer insights for organizations and industry professionals, facilitating a better understanding of FM responsibilities at each stage and improving overall project management.
2023-12-01T00:00:00ZA study on the impact of greenery in building interiors on the psychological well-being of occupants: an experimental study with special reference to Personalized Residential Spaces of University Students in Sri Lanka
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/21943
A study on the impact of greenery in building interiors on the psychological well-being of occupants: an experimental study with special reference to Personalized Residential Spaces of University Students in Sri Lanka
Welagedara, HMWDMB; Hettiarachchi, AA
This study aimed to investigate the impact of indoor greenery on occupants' well-being and design preferences. Previous research on outdoor greenery has left a gap in understanding the relationship between interior greenery and well-being. Using a sample of 36 final year Architecture students, the study tested four interior conditions in varying green coverage ratios and varying observing distances through a 3D simulated setup and virtual methods. The results showed that a high ratio of indoor greenery, regardless of observing distance, was consistently more beneficial than low greenery conditions. Specifically, a high amount of greenery at a far distance delivered the highest levels of psychological well-being, with 61.11% of participants reporting high wellbeing. In contrast, low greenery at a far distance was the least beneficial combination, resulting in lower well-being (38.89% - low, 2.78% - very low), personal satisfaction, negative feelings, and weaker connection to the indoor space. Most participants preferred indoor courtyards with 50% exposure to natural light due to the sense of naturalness and vibrant shadows they provided. The study recommends that Architects, Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects consider incorporating high indoor greenery at a distance and partial exposure to natural light to promote psychological well-being in future indoor green spaces.
2023-12-01T00:00:00ZChallenges in circular urban water management in construction industry of Sri Lanka
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/21942
Challenges in circular urban water management in construction industry of Sri Lanka
Weerakoon, P; Thayaparan, M; Weerakoan, TP
Construction industry can be known as one of the prominent natural resource consumers compared to all other industries. Among these natural resources, water can be identified as one of the major concerns worldwide at present. Especially in urban area water distribution for essential activities of human beings is also becoming a challenge in most of the countries. As the consumption of natural resource is considerably high in construction industry, moving towards sustainable construction has been recommended. The linear approach, which the construction industry has been practising for years related to all kinds of resources, has become a threat towards the sustainable construction. Construction sector accounts for about 30% of the world's freshwater consumption. In Sri Lankan construction industry, the focus on management of water is limited. Among the natural resources urban water holds a significant place. While highlighting the importance of urban water management, this paper aims to explore the key challenges in circular water management in Sri Lankan construction industry. 12 semi-structured interviews with industry practitioners and academic experts on circular economy were conducted and the data were analysed using manual content analysis. The findings revel that most of the challenges in implementing circular water management in the construction industry in Sri Lanka are due to lack of awareness, realisation, involvement, and commitment by both citizens and the government. Hence the paper has recommended 6R concept towards implementing circular urban water management within the Sri Lankan construction industry as the authors believe that managing urban water is one of the significant actions to be considered now before it becomes too late in achieving long term sustainability.
2023-12-01T00:00:00ZRethinking streets as a potential urban scope: a case of densely packed neighbourhoods of Dhaka city
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/21941
Rethinking streets as a potential urban scope: a case of densely packed neighbourhoods of Dhaka city
Ta-sin, ML; Amin, S
From the beginning of civilization, streets have been the interstitial spaces of cities and one of the predominant components of a community. In contemporary cities, streets have been transformed into typical thoroughfares though they represent the essence of their communities and generate intricate networks. Moreover, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasise building resilient and sustainable cities that ensure universal accessibility, safety, and adaptability. The primary objectives of this paper are to reevaluate streets as social hubs building trust among neighbours creating opportunities and analysing the scopes to incorporate them into the community development process as a gateway to initiate social interaction and participation in terms of establishing inclusive communities with liveable streets. As a reference, the Mirpur area, one of the densely populated areas of Dhaka city, is taken as a representation to address the problem and the research has been carried out with the assistance of Google Earth, field surveys, previous research works, interviews with community members and aimed to uphold the contribution of well-designed streets that can give authority to a community from all perspectives. However, the study substantiates the impact of streets on the social, economic life of the inhabitants and depicts how the streets hold the essence of dwellers and encourage participation through potential influence. According to the collected data nd their analyses, it demonstrates that more than 50% of the inhabitants regardless gender gather spontaneously on the streets everyday for different purposes, which make streets a potential social and economic hub as well as a successful urban space with a lot of opportunities to upgrade urban life for the residents as a whole.
2023-12-01T00:00:00Z