N. Temmerman - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by N. Temmerman

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

Like many institutions, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) strives for a sustainable approach to ma... more Like many institutions, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) strives for a sustainable approach to manage its architectural patrimony. This patrimony, with as an example the student residences in the heart of VUB its main campus, puts forward an important challenge. These residences, designed by architect Willy Van Der Meeren in 1971-1973, are generally recognized as architectural heritage, yet they need thorough yet economically feasible and future-oriented energy refurbishment if we want to extend their service life. The same challenge applies to many buildings in the Brussels Capital Region. Here, the number of housing units, as in the rest of Europe, increased significantly during the post-war period. A peak occurred at the end of the 1960s, when more than 7,000 new housing units were built annually. Like the student residences, these housing units are the witnesses of an innovative past but raise questions on thermal inertia, safety of accessible roofs, performance of aluminium win...

Nowadays, buildings consist in an assembly of several components and systems allowing them to fit... more Nowadays, buildings consist in an assembly of several components and systems allowing them to fit the users’ technical, functional and comfort needs. In general, buildings’ systems and components are rather integrated into each-other and therefore, rather difficult to maintain, repair, update or dismantle separately, leading to precocious obsolescence and waste. Design for Change (DfC) and Design for Disassembly (DfD) approaches aim at a reduction of waste by designing buildings enabling reuse of their components, elements and materials. To do so, one key aspect is the interface between buildings’ components. Indeed, depending on the connection type (reversible, non-reversible), their accessibility and assembly sequence, buildings’ ease of dismantling may differ drastically. Today, approaches such as the relational pattern method, propose to map components’ interactions through nodes and edges representing respectively components and connections. Although a network is defined within...

Continuously changing household needs and evolving building standards require a frequent upgrade ... more Continuously changing household needs and evolving building standards require a frequent upgrade and renovation of our existing residential building stock. A lack of adaptability of buildings, however, often leads to destructive interventions, resulting in financial and environmental impacts. The goal of this paper is to contribute to the search for new design concepts enabling easier and more cost-effective upgrade and renovation of buildings. It should moreover contribute in achieving a lower life cycle environmental impact. A more dynamic design is evaluated in the specific context of a social housing project in Mechelen (Belgium). In this context, building elements with reversible detailing techniques facilitating disassembly and component reuse are compared to more traditional static elements. The benefits and drawbacks are assessed at the building level using a life cycle approach of economic and environmental aspects, i.e. a Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment ...

International Journal of Solids and Structures, 2020

Pre-assembled scissor structures can be transformed from a compact bundle of elements to a fully ... more Pre-assembled scissor structures can be transformed from a compact bundle of elements to a fully deployed configuration, offering a considerable volume expansion. Intended geometrical incompatibilities during transformation can be introduced as a design strategy to obtain bistability, which allows instantaneously achieving some structural stability in the deployed state. Because of these incompatibilities, some specific members bend during transformation, resulting in a controlled potentially tunable snap-through behaviour. Geometric design methodologies were proposed in the literature to obtain a compatible geometry (i.e. with all of the beams straight) in the folded and the deployed configurations. However, most of these approaches do not consider finite hub sizes or introduce extra incompatibilities in the geometry by adding hub legs. In this contribution, deployability conditions are derived taking the finite hub size, i.e. the spacing between the connections of the different beams to the hub, into account to make triangulated bistable scissor modules fully geometrically compatible in the folded and the deployed configuration.

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2019

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2019

A possible design strategy to improve the sustainability of building products is facilitating the... more A possible design strategy to improve the sustainability of building products is facilitating their future reuse. This strategy inspires some manufacturers to design innovative products, such as reusable façade products. Although these products might have a higher environmental impact for production, their reusability could lead to an environmental saving from a life cycle perspective. A possible method to evaluate their environmental performance is life cycle assessment (LCA). Nevertheless, LCA studies of reusable products are still rare. Furthermore, although the general LCA frameworks is fixed by ISO and CEN standards, some methodological choices must still be made by LCA practitioners. This paper first presents a method (as four methodological choices) for a parametric life cycle assessment of reusable building elements. Then, this method is applied to a comparative LCA of reusable and brick-and-mortar veneers. With proposed method, the reusable brick veneer is environmentally a...

Engineering Structures, 2018

, with details of the nature of the infringement. We will investigate the claim and if justified,... more , with details of the nature of the infringement. We will investigate the claim and if justified, we will take the appropriate steps.

Beyond their Limits, 2016

Veranderingsgericht bouwen: ontwikkeling van een evaluatie-en transitiekader 4.2 Het opstellen va... more Veranderingsgericht bouwen: ontwikkeling van een evaluatie-en transitiekader 4.2 Het opstellen van ontwerpfiches 4.3 Relatie met bestaande duurzaamheidsinstrumenten en andere ontwerpstrategieën 4.4 Levenscyclusanalyse en levenscycluskostenanalyse van representatieve dynamische gebouwelementen volgens de MMG-bepalingsmethode 4.5 Conclusies 5 ADVISEREN VAN LOPENDE (VER)BOUWOPDRACHTEN 5.1 Selectie van projecten 5.1.1 Case renovatie woontoren te Zelzate 5.1.2 Case vernieuwbouw BSO school te Deurne 5.1.3 Case uitbreiding basisschool 'De Vlindertuin' te Mechelen. 5.2 Verspreiden van basisinformatie over 'veranderingsgericht (ver)bouwen' 5.3 Adviseren van voorontwerp d.m.v. kwalitatieve evaluatie 5.3.1 Hoogbouwplein Zelzate, HoZe-KPW Architecten 5.3.2 De Vlindertuin 5.4 Adviseren van voorontwerp d.m.v. kwantitatieve evaluatie 5.4.1 Hoogbouw Zelzate, HoZe-KPW Architecten 5.4.2 De Vlindertuin 5.5 Conclusies 6 EEN TRANSITIEKADER VOOR VERANDERINGSGERICHT (VER)BOUWEN

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 2011

Existing residential buildings and their daily use are unmistakably influencing the rational cons... more Existing residential buildings and their daily use are unmistakably influencing the rational consumption of our worldwide natural resources. This observation has led to global renovation regulations, mainly focusing on the reduction of energy consumption caused by occupation. However, equally important are the future environmental and financial impacts of current renovation interventions. Indeed, when minimising the heating energy demand, the main future energy savings will shift towards the life cycle of building materials. Since building conditions change over time, buildings have to be redesigned today to enable future transformation without taking part in further environmental degradation. Therefore, renovation measures cannot introduce the same 'static' building materialisation as the initial building design, which did not anticipate on future unpredictable need for upgrade and change which we are facing today. This paper evaluates the environmental and financial benefits and drawbacks of redesign introducing reuse strategies, considering not only initial but also future life cycle impacts. An assessment was made for a typical building layer, comparing conventional renovation with design for disassembly (DfD) redesign .

Automation in Construction, 2020

Lightweight bistable deployable structures can be designed to be transportable and reusable. They... more Lightweight bistable deployable structures can be designed to be transportable and reusable. They instantaneously achieve some structural stability when transformed from the compact to the deployed state through a controlled snapthrough, as a result of intended geometric incompatibilities between the beams. Due to their transformable bistable nature their design requires assessing both their non-linear transformation behaviour, as well as their service state in the deployed configuration. The requirement of a low peak force during transformation can be shown to oppose the high stiffness requirement in the deployed state; their design can therefore be formulated as a multi-objective nonlinear optimisation problem. In this contribution, a size and shape optimisation method is elaborated by choosing the best material combinations, the optimal geometry of the structure and beam cross-sections. The originality of this contribution is the use of a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to structurally optimise bistable scissor structures taking into account the deployed state as well as the transformation phase. First, the method is applied to optimise a single bistable scissor module. Next, a multi-module bistable scissor structure is optimised and the single module and full structure based approaches are critically compared.

Scissor structures are a special type of bar structures that present an interesting solution for ... more Scissor structures are a special type of bar structures that present an interesting solution for the load-bearing component of these retractable roofs; their inherent kinetic capabilities allow them to be transformed from a compact configuration to a larger pre-determined form. Scissor structures can be combined with plates or structural membranes to form a fully-fledged roofing solution [Block Van Mele 2003]. This paper presents a specific approach to the analysis of the behaviour of scissor structures and identifies specific configurations in their deployment process that are of particular interest from a designer’s point of view. The results of the analysis are integrated in a research and design tool.

High Performance Structures and Materials III, 2006

Adaptable tensile structures are often considered to be either completely opened or completely cl... more Adaptable tensile structures are often considered to be either completely opened or completely closed. The current study is part of a research project studying adaptable tensile structures which demonstrate stable behaviour within a wide range of opened positions. In this paper a simple V-shaped membrane is studied during the unfolding process. Starting from an initially flat folded membrane, which is not pre-tensioned, a slight curvature is obtained when it is unfolded due to the fact that along the folding line a curved section is cut out of the fabric. The tension introduced in the transverse direction implies a tension in the longitudinal direction too. Two cases are analysed: one with a high curvature in the diagonal cable (~5% sag) and one with a low curvature (~1.3% sag). Based on computer simulations the form and the tensions are verified for different opening angles. The deformation under loading is checked for the shape with a low curvature of the diagonal cable at an opening angle of 70º. The results indicate that the membrane could be used as a fabric roof. Further refined analysis is needed to be able to implement the presented concept for real applications.

Mobile and Rapidly Assembled Structures IV, 2014

Deployable scissor structures can repeatedly transform between a compact and an expanded state, l... more Deployable scissor structures can repeatedly transform between a compact and an expanded state, leading to a broad range of architectural applications. During the past few decades, a myriad of different configurations and shapes have been proposed. However, many of them show problems either in the deployment process, during which additional stresses and deformations are encountered, or in the in-plane stability of the structure once erected, requiring extra bracing components to solve. One of us has developed a configuration, based solely on translational scissor units, that allows combining the benefits of a rigid triangulated grid and a stress-free deployment process for single-curvature geometries. We have created a novel general design method for generating this type of foldable scissor structure and have explored its full geometrical potential, as is presented in this paper. The benefits and special characteristics of this type of structure are also discussed. The proposed configuration allows generating a large variety of single-curvature shapes useful for creating mobile self-supporting shelters. Additionally, a scale model has displayed promising kinematical and structural behaviour. Therefore, a full-scale prototype will be developed in the near future.

Sustainable Development and Planning V, 2011

WIT Transactions on The Built Environment, 2012

In Iceland, it would appear that there is a great interest for using geothermal water in the deve... more In Iceland, it would appear that there is a great interest for using geothermal water in the development of the country as a health and wellness destination. The field seems to be a lucrative one with many opportunities for entrepreneurs to usurp, however, very few seem to dare venture into it. This thesis aims to examine the problems these entrepreneurs face in establishing businesses in the health-and wellness sector with water and geothermal energy as a primary resource. A research question with relevant sub-questions was formed around a case involving an attempt to establish natural geothermal bathing facilities in the rural area of Borgarfjordur in Iceland. This case study endeavours to establish which resources/capitals entrepreneurs need to use in order to bring their ideas into fruition and what measures can be used access those. A secondary data source was used to address the research questions, along with primary data in the form of interviews with the entrepreneur and residents in the nearby area. An additional interview was also made with a member of the municipal authorities of Borgarbyggd to address the involvement of administrative officials in the proposal. Results indicate the importance of social-and human capital in the implementation of new projects in the field of health and wellness tourism, especially where the use of community capital and heritage as a source are intended. Evidence of obstacles concerning project funding and lack of active governmental policies in the field of tourism are also noticeable. Currently however, there is certain optimism evident towards the geothermal bathing facilities at Borgarfjordur Nature baths and it may well become a favourable addition to the tourism services offered in the area.

Mobile and Rapidly Assembled Structures IV, 2014

Curved-line folding is the act of folding paper along a curved crease pattern in order to create ... more Curved-line folding is the act of folding paper along a curved crease pattern in order to create a 3D shape, using the combination of folding (plastic deformation) and bending (elastic deformation). Up until now, the use of curvedline folding in architecture has been limited to static applications only, such as metal sculptures or façade panels. However, the elastic deformations that occur when a flat sheet is forced into a curved shape can produce an interesting transformation process. The elastic deformation of one area of the sheet results in the folding and bending of adjacent surface areas as the internal forces and moments are transferred through the curved creases. This paper explains how this behaviour can be used for the design of deployable structures finding their application in the context of adaptive shading. Through the analysis of various crease patterns and the fabrication of small scale models, some important design parameters are defined. This paper demonstrates how the choice of the composition of the crease pattern, the curvature of the creases and the Length-Thickness Ratio affect the resulting kinetic system. The outcome of the analysis is useful for the design of deployable structures based on curved-line folding.

High Performance Structure and Materials VI, 2012

Recently, responsive building skins have gained importance in the world of architectural engineer... more Recently, responsive building skins have gained importance in the world of architectural engineering. A lot of research has been done on control systems required to obtain responsive façades, but the real challenge today is the development of a new generation of components and structures which are able to give the building envelope the required transformability. The scope of this paper is to analyse to what extent deployable scissor structures are appropriate for use in a responsive building skin. The parameters analysed in this research are the type of transformation, the type of deployment and the morphology. Of course, a lot of other aspects have an influence on the applicability of scissors structures in the building envelope, but these fall out of the scope of this paper. The result of the analysis is a first impression on the behaviour of scissor structures in the building envelope and possible applications, based on their shape and transformation characteristics. This paper can be considered as a starting point for further development of deployable scissor structures for responsive building skins.

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

Like many institutions, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) strives for a sustainable approach to ma... more Like many institutions, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) strives for a sustainable approach to manage its architectural patrimony. This patrimony, with as an example the student residences in the heart of VUB its main campus, puts forward an important challenge. These residences, designed by architect Willy Van Der Meeren in 1971-1973, are generally recognized as architectural heritage, yet they need thorough yet economically feasible and future-oriented energy refurbishment if we want to extend their service life. The same challenge applies to many buildings in the Brussels Capital Region. Here, the number of housing units, as in the rest of Europe, increased significantly during the post-war period. A peak occurred at the end of the 1960s, when more than 7,000 new housing units were built annually. Like the student residences, these housing units are the witnesses of an innovative past but raise questions on thermal inertia, safety of accessible roofs, performance of aluminium win...

Nowadays, buildings consist in an assembly of several components and systems allowing them to fit... more Nowadays, buildings consist in an assembly of several components and systems allowing them to fit the users’ technical, functional and comfort needs. In general, buildings’ systems and components are rather integrated into each-other and therefore, rather difficult to maintain, repair, update or dismantle separately, leading to precocious obsolescence and waste. Design for Change (DfC) and Design for Disassembly (DfD) approaches aim at a reduction of waste by designing buildings enabling reuse of their components, elements and materials. To do so, one key aspect is the interface between buildings’ components. Indeed, depending on the connection type (reversible, non-reversible), their accessibility and assembly sequence, buildings’ ease of dismantling may differ drastically. Today, approaches such as the relational pattern method, propose to map components’ interactions through nodes and edges representing respectively components and connections. Although a network is defined within...

Continuously changing household needs and evolving building standards require a frequent upgrade ... more Continuously changing household needs and evolving building standards require a frequent upgrade and renovation of our existing residential building stock. A lack of adaptability of buildings, however, often leads to destructive interventions, resulting in financial and environmental impacts. The goal of this paper is to contribute to the search for new design concepts enabling easier and more cost-effective upgrade and renovation of buildings. It should moreover contribute in achieving a lower life cycle environmental impact. A more dynamic design is evaluated in the specific context of a social housing project in Mechelen (Belgium). In this context, building elements with reversible detailing techniques facilitating disassembly and component reuse are compared to more traditional static elements. The benefits and drawbacks are assessed at the building level using a life cycle approach of economic and environmental aspects, i.e. a Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment ...

International Journal of Solids and Structures, 2020

Pre-assembled scissor structures can be transformed from a compact bundle of elements to a fully ... more Pre-assembled scissor structures can be transformed from a compact bundle of elements to a fully deployed configuration, offering a considerable volume expansion. Intended geometrical incompatibilities during transformation can be introduced as a design strategy to obtain bistability, which allows instantaneously achieving some structural stability in the deployed state. Because of these incompatibilities, some specific members bend during transformation, resulting in a controlled potentially tunable snap-through behaviour. Geometric design methodologies were proposed in the literature to obtain a compatible geometry (i.e. with all of the beams straight) in the folded and the deployed configurations. However, most of these approaches do not consider finite hub sizes or introduce extra incompatibilities in the geometry by adding hub legs. In this contribution, deployability conditions are derived taking the finite hub size, i.e. the spacing between the connections of the different beams to the hub, into account to make triangulated bistable scissor modules fully geometrically compatible in the folded and the deployed configuration.

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2019

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2019

A possible design strategy to improve the sustainability of building products is facilitating the... more A possible design strategy to improve the sustainability of building products is facilitating their future reuse. This strategy inspires some manufacturers to design innovative products, such as reusable façade products. Although these products might have a higher environmental impact for production, their reusability could lead to an environmental saving from a life cycle perspective. A possible method to evaluate their environmental performance is life cycle assessment (LCA). Nevertheless, LCA studies of reusable products are still rare. Furthermore, although the general LCA frameworks is fixed by ISO and CEN standards, some methodological choices must still be made by LCA practitioners. This paper first presents a method (as four methodological choices) for a parametric life cycle assessment of reusable building elements. Then, this method is applied to a comparative LCA of reusable and brick-and-mortar veneers. With proposed method, the reusable brick veneer is environmentally a...

Engineering Structures, 2018

, with details of the nature of the infringement. We will investigate the claim and if justified,... more , with details of the nature of the infringement. We will investigate the claim and if justified, we will take the appropriate steps.

Beyond their Limits, 2016

Veranderingsgericht bouwen: ontwikkeling van een evaluatie-en transitiekader 4.2 Het opstellen va... more Veranderingsgericht bouwen: ontwikkeling van een evaluatie-en transitiekader 4.2 Het opstellen van ontwerpfiches 4.3 Relatie met bestaande duurzaamheidsinstrumenten en andere ontwerpstrategieën 4.4 Levenscyclusanalyse en levenscycluskostenanalyse van representatieve dynamische gebouwelementen volgens de MMG-bepalingsmethode 4.5 Conclusies 5 ADVISEREN VAN LOPENDE (VER)BOUWOPDRACHTEN 5.1 Selectie van projecten 5.1.1 Case renovatie woontoren te Zelzate 5.1.2 Case vernieuwbouw BSO school te Deurne 5.1.3 Case uitbreiding basisschool 'De Vlindertuin' te Mechelen. 5.2 Verspreiden van basisinformatie over 'veranderingsgericht (ver)bouwen' 5.3 Adviseren van voorontwerp d.m.v. kwalitatieve evaluatie 5.3.1 Hoogbouwplein Zelzate, HoZe-KPW Architecten 5.3.2 De Vlindertuin 5.4 Adviseren van voorontwerp d.m.v. kwantitatieve evaluatie 5.4.1 Hoogbouw Zelzate, HoZe-KPW Architecten 5.4.2 De Vlindertuin 5.5 Conclusies 6 EEN TRANSITIEKADER VOOR VERANDERINGSGERICHT (VER)BOUWEN

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 2011

Existing residential buildings and their daily use are unmistakably influencing the rational cons... more Existing residential buildings and their daily use are unmistakably influencing the rational consumption of our worldwide natural resources. This observation has led to global renovation regulations, mainly focusing on the reduction of energy consumption caused by occupation. However, equally important are the future environmental and financial impacts of current renovation interventions. Indeed, when minimising the heating energy demand, the main future energy savings will shift towards the life cycle of building materials. Since building conditions change over time, buildings have to be redesigned today to enable future transformation without taking part in further environmental degradation. Therefore, renovation measures cannot introduce the same 'static' building materialisation as the initial building design, which did not anticipate on future unpredictable need for upgrade and change which we are facing today. This paper evaluates the environmental and financial benefits and drawbacks of redesign introducing reuse strategies, considering not only initial but also future life cycle impacts. An assessment was made for a typical building layer, comparing conventional renovation with design for disassembly (DfD) redesign .

Automation in Construction, 2020

Lightweight bistable deployable structures can be designed to be transportable and reusable. They... more Lightweight bistable deployable structures can be designed to be transportable and reusable. They instantaneously achieve some structural stability when transformed from the compact to the deployed state through a controlled snapthrough, as a result of intended geometric incompatibilities between the beams. Due to their transformable bistable nature their design requires assessing both their non-linear transformation behaviour, as well as their service state in the deployed configuration. The requirement of a low peak force during transformation can be shown to oppose the high stiffness requirement in the deployed state; their design can therefore be formulated as a multi-objective nonlinear optimisation problem. In this contribution, a size and shape optimisation method is elaborated by choosing the best material combinations, the optimal geometry of the structure and beam cross-sections. The originality of this contribution is the use of a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to structurally optimise bistable scissor structures taking into account the deployed state as well as the transformation phase. First, the method is applied to optimise a single bistable scissor module. Next, a multi-module bistable scissor structure is optimised and the single module and full structure based approaches are critically compared.

Scissor structures are a special type of bar structures that present an interesting solution for ... more Scissor structures are a special type of bar structures that present an interesting solution for the load-bearing component of these retractable roofs; their inherent kinetic capabilities allow them to be transformed from a compact configuration to a larger pre-determined form. Scissor structures can be combined with plates or structural membranes to form a fully-fledged roofing solution [Block Van Mele 2003]. This paper presents a specific approach to the analysis of the behaviour of scissor structures and identifies specific configurations in their deployment process that are of particular interest from a designer’s point of view. The results of the analysis are integrated in a research and design tool.

High Performance Structures and Materials III, 2006

Adaptable tensile structures are often considered to be either completely opened or completely cl... more Adaptable tensile structures are often considered to be either completely opened or completely closed. The current study is part of a research project studying adaptable tensile structures which demonstrate stable behaviour within a wide range of opened positions. In this paper a simple V-shaped membrane is studied during the unfolding process. Starting from an initially flat folded membrane, which is not pre-tensioned, a slight curvature is obtained when it is unfolded due to the fact that along the folding line a curved section is cut out of the fabric. The tension introduced in the transverse direction implies a tension in the longitudinal direction too. Two cases are analysed: one with a high curvature in the diagonal cable (~5% sag) and one with a low curvature (~1.3% sag). Based on computer simulations the form and the tensions are verified for different opening angles. The deformation under loading is checked for the shape with a low curvature of the diagonal cable at an opening angle of 70º. The results indicate that the membrane could be used as a fabric roof. Further refined analysis is needed to be able to implement the presented concept for real applications.

Mobile and Rapidly Assembled Structures IV, 2014

Deployable scissor structures can repeatedly transform between a compact and an expanded state, l... more Deployable scissor structures can repeatedly transform between a compact and an expanded state, leading to a broad range of architectural applications. During the past few decades, a myriad of different configurations and shapes have been proposed. However, many of them show problems either in the deployment process, during which additional stresses and deformations are encountered, or in the in-plane stability of the structure once erected, requiring extra bracing components to solve. One of us has developed a configuration, based solely on translational scissor units, that allows combining the benefits of a rigid triangulated grid and a stress-free deployment process for single-curvature geometries. We have created a novel general design method for generating this type of foldable scissor structure and have explored its full geometrical potential, as is presented in this paper. The benefits and special characteristics of this type of structure are also discussed. The proposed configuration allows generating a large variety of single-curvature shapes useful for creating mobile self-supporting shelters. Additionally, a scale model has displayed promising kinematical and structural behaviour. Therefore, a full-scale prototype will be developed in the near future.

Sustainable Development and Planning V, 2011

WIT Transactions on The Built Environment, 2012

In Iceland, it would appear that there is a great interest for using geothermal water in the deve... more In Iceland, it would appear that there is a great interest for using geothermal water in the development of the country as a health and wellness destination. The field seems to be a lucrative one with many opportunities for entrepreneurs to usurp, however, very few seem to dare venture into it. This thesis aims to examine the problems these entrepreneurs face in establishing businesses in the health-and wellness sector with water and geothermal energy as a primary resource. A research question with relevant sub-questions was formed around a case involving an attempt to establish natural geothermal bathing facilities in the rural area of Borgarfjordur in Iceland. This case study endeavours to establish which resources/capitals entrepreneurs need to use in order to bring their ideas into fruition and what measures can be used access those. A secondary data source was used to address the research questions, along with primary data in the form of interviews with the entrepreneur and residents in the nearby area. An additional interview was also made with a member of the municipal authorities of Borgarbyggd to address the involvement of administrative officials in the proposal. Results indicate the importance of social-and human capital in the implementation of new projects in the field of health and wellness tourism, especially where the use of community capital and heritage as a source are intended. Evidence of obstacles concerning project funding and lack of active governmental policies in the field of tourism are also noticeable. Currently however, there is certain optimism evident towards the geothermal bathing facilities at Borgarfjordur Nature baths and it may well become a favourable addition to the tourism services offered in the area.

Mobile and Rapidly Assembled Structures IV, 2014

Curved-line folding is the act of folding paper along a curved crease pattern in order to create ... more Curved-line folding is the act of folding paper along a curved crease pattern in order to create a 3D shape, using the combination of folding (plastic deformation) and bending (elastic deformation). Up until now, the use of curvedline folding in architecture has been limited to static applications only, such as metal sculptures or façade panels. However, the elastic deformations that occur when a flat sheet is forced into a curved shape can produce an interesting transformation process. The elastic deformation of one area of the sheet results in the folding and bending of adjacent surface areas as the internal forces and moments are transferred through the curved creases. This paper explains how this behaviour can be used for the design of deployable structures finding their application in the context of adaptive shading. Through the analysis of various crease patterns and the fabrication of small scale models, some important design parameters are defined. This paper demonstrates how the choice of the composition of the crease pattern, the curvature of the creases and the Length-Thickness Ratio affect the resulting kinetic system. The outcome of the analysis is useful for the design of deployable structures based on curved-line folding.

High Performance Structure and Materials VI, 2012

Recently, responsive building skins have gained importance in the world of architectural engineer... more Recently, responsive building skins have gained importance in the world of architectural engineering. A lot of research has been done on control systems required to obtain responsive façades, but the real challenge today is the development of a new generation of components and structures which are able to give the building envelope the required transformability. The scope of this paper is to analyse to what extent deployable scissor structures are appropriate for use in a responsive building skin. The parameters analysed in this research are the type of transformation, the type of deployment and the morphology. Of course, a lot of other aspects have an influence on the applicability of scissors structures in the building envelope, but these fall out of the scope of this paper. The result of the analysis is a first impression on the behaviour of scissor structures in the building envelope and possible applications, based on their shape and transformation characteristics. This paper can be considered as a starting point for further development of deployable scissor structures for responsive building skins.