Sustainable Infrastructures through Micro-forests Integration - Research Proposal Example

Name Instructor Course Date Sustainable Infrastructures through Micro-forests Integration: Using Architectural Innovation to Improve Performance Table of Contents ABSTRACT 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION 3 1.1 Problem Statement and Justification 3 1.2 Research Objectives, Questions, and Hypothesis 3 1.2.1 General Objective 3 1.2.2 Specific Objectives 3 1.2.3 Research Questions 4 1.2.4 Hypothesis 4 1.3 Limitation 4 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 4 3.0 METHODOLOGY 8 3.1 Research Design 8 3.2 Data Collection 9 3.3 Sampling Procedure and Sample Size 9 3.4 Data Analysis 9 3.5 Ethical Consideration 9 REFERENCES 10 APPENDIX 11 Appendix 1: Research Schedule 11 ABSTRACT Sustainable development has grown to be the major issue of consideration in the world today. Even though development is fostered, it ought to be a green development that will meet the needs of the present and future generation. The general objective of the study is to determine how micro-forests can be integrated into the architectural design to replace the ecological function of the depleted forests. The study will be limited to the development of a model that integrates micro-forest into the building. It will also focus on the practicality of such a venture and its importance. In addition, it will determine how the technology can be dispersed for further utilization. The study aims to conduct the research through the Design Research Methodology. The methods of collecting the data will entail a review of literature relating to innovative architecture and micro-forests integration into such-like designs. It will also examine the case studies and interview the experts through a qualitative process. Furthermore, Observation of buildings that integrate the micro-forests on structural models will also be used as a means of collecting data. The sampling procedure to be used in the study will be majorly purposive sampling. The method will be used to identify suitable literature, case studies, and experts for the study. The data will be collected until the saturation point is reached. The data will be majorly analyzed through content analysis. On the other hand, data collected through interviews will first be transcribed before putting it through for content analysis process. The ethical issues to be considered will entail honoring the intellectual property rights, ensuring confidentiality, upholding of anonymity, and encouraging confidentiality participation. 1.0 INTRODUCTION Vegetation is an important aspect of the environment. It does not only provide shade and fresh air as for the case of trees, but also bring aesthetic beauty. Traditionally, lands have been set aside for the planting of trees so as to give an ambient atmosphere. But population pressure has seen the forests disappear as a result; the values celebrated that came with vegetation lost. However, all is not lost since architecture can integrate micro-forests in the building designs to help solve the issue associated with loss of vegetation cover. Micro-forests are cohesive spatial, dynamic, and simulating environments that integrate soil layers and vegetation to mimic the ecological, perceptual, and structural composition of the forest ecosystem. 1.1 Problem Statement and Justification Over years, streets and estates have been having a space set aside for the purpose of urban forests. However, with increased development in infrastructure, the space reserved for urban forests have been occupied with buildings. The increase in population has seen the proliferation of buildings in the towns thus not issuing space for the trees to be planted. It is, therefore, important for the architectural design to consider filling the gap left by the elimination of the urban forests through integrating micro-forests into the building designs and structures. 1.2 Research Objectives, Questions, and Hypothesis 1.2.1 General Objective The general purpose of the study is to determine if micro-forests architectural innovation can be used to provide the services of the conventional forests in the built environment. 1.2.2 Specific Objectives The specific aims of the study are; 1. To assess the practicality of integrating micro-forest into architectural design. 2. To verify if integration of micro-forests can improve a buildings performance. 3. To determine if micro-forests can improve employee's comfort and performance. 4. To assess if micro-forests can enhance the office building’s ecological performance. 1.2.3 Research Questions 1. Can micro-forest be integrated into architectural design? 2. Can micro-forests improve the performance of a building? 3. Can micro-forests improve the employee’s comfort and performance? 4. Can micro-forests enhance a buildings ecological performance? 1.2.4 Hypothesis 1. Micro-forest integration into the architectural design is not practical 2. Micro-forests cannot improve a buildings performance 3. Micro-forests cannot improve employee’s comfort and performance 4. Micro-forests cannot enhance a building’s ecological performance 1.3 Limitation The study will limit itself to the development of a model that integrates micro-forest into the building. It will also focus on the practicality of such a venture and its importance. In addition, it will determine how the technology can be dispersed for further utilization. 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW Micro-forest can be integrated into building to ensure that ecological gains are enjoyed. An example of such integration is the vertical forest which is a city's landmark and is capable of changing its landscapes depending on the plants species used. The model of the vertical forest is as shown in Figure 1 below which the actual building is in Figure 2. Source: Dezeen Figure 1: A Model of Vertical Forest Source: Dezeen Figure 2: Proposed Rendering According to Communication BK, micro-forests have greater psychological effects. It reduces the amount of energy consumption and increases productivity. Furthermore, it improves thermal comfort as the vegetation is intrinsic as to scenarios that they are distinct from the structures. Even with the increase in temperature, micro-forests still ensures comfort as it stabilizes the environment. Figure 3 below show a sketch of the structure with micro-forests that can be made better through the digital architecture. According to Iwata and Nagata (145), analogue-technology can be used to develop a structural design for the future that will integrate the concept of micro-forests. Figure 3: A model of Architectural Design with Micro-forests A research study conducted by Mangone shows that architecture can be used to improve the level of performance in the work environments. Through the integration of micro-forests design, Mangone argues that performance of the workers will significantly improve. In agreement, Loumer (74) claims that intelligent construction and digital architecture can be used to actualize the sustainable development components. Sciences including architecture should focus on meeting the needs of the present as well as the future generations. Intelligent buildings and digital architecture can be used to enhance savings relating to environmental, social, and economic costs. They can be adopted to ensure a reduction in human mental problems, climate challenges, and environmental pollution. In summary, it can be used to provide a better life for humans. The integration of micro-forests into building designs will a process of meeting all these goals meant for sustainability. The micro-forest technology fits the evolution of the commercial, technical, digital, and internet-enabled platforms (Fishenden and Thompson 977). It can implement on both the government and private structures voluntarily or involuntarily. Involuntarily mean, through a setting of a law that requires sustainable structures in the cities and towns while voluntarily is an action done out of a will. 3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research Design The study aims to use the Design Research Methodology that will allow for the use of several research methods. As a result, the process will be effective and rigorous thus allowing the study to evaluate and explore the possibility of integrating micro-forests in large scales. It will also help determine the potential of the micro-forests in the innovative field of architecture. The framework will entail explorative design of the case studies, expert interviews, literature reviews, and observation case studies. 3.2 Data Collection Data will be collected through review of the literature to gather data relating to innovative architecture and micro-forests integration into such-like designs. It will also review the case studies and interview the experts through a qualitative process. Furthermore, Observation of buildings that integrate the micro-forests on structural models will also be used as a means of collecting data. 3.3 Sampling Procedure and Sample Size The sampling procedure to be used in the study will be majorly purposive sampling. The method will be used to identify suitable literature, case studies, and experts for the study. The data will be collected until the saturation point is reached. 3.4 Data Analysis The data will be majorly analyzed through content analysis. In explanation, the data from the literature reviews will be categorized according to the relevant themes. On the other hand, data collected through interviews will first be transcribed before putting it through for content analysis process. 3.5 Ethical Consideration The study will ensure that the intellectual property rights are upheld. It will also ensure that confidentiality is achieved. Furthermore, the study will apply the anonymity concept where appropriate. Participation among the experts will also be voluntary and without any form of coercion. REFERENCES Communication BK. ‘More Creativity and Less Energy Consumption with Microforests.’ TUDelft, 23 April 2016. Web. 23 April 2016. < http://www.bk.tudelft.nl/en/current/latest-news/article/detail/promotie-giancarlo- mangone-performative-microforests/ > Dezeen. Stefano Boeri’s “vertical forest” Nears Completion in Milan. Dezeen, 15 May 2014. Web. 22 April 2016. < http://www.dezeen.com/2014/05/15/stefano-boeri-bosco- verticale-vertical-forest-milan-skyscrapers/ > Fishenden, Jerry, and Mark Thompson. "Digital government, open architecture, and innovation: why public sector IT will never be the same again." Journal of public administration research and theory 23.4 (2013): 977-1004. Iwata, Atsushi, and Makoto Nagata. "A concept of analog-digital merged circuit architecture for future VLSI's." IEICE TRANSACTIONS on Fundamentals of Electronics, Communications and Computer Sciences 79.2 (1996): 145-157. Loumer, Saeid Hasanpour. "Digital Architecture and Intelligent Buildings: A Suitable Approach to Proper Implementation of Sustainable Development Components in the Third Millennium." Current World Environment 10.1 (2015): 74-81. Print. Mangone, Giancarlo. Performative Microforests: Investigating the potential benefits of integrating spatial vegetation environments into buildings, in regards to the performance of buildings, their occupants+ local ecosystems. Diss. TU Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2015. APPENDIX Appendix 1: Research Schedule Activity Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Literature Review Proposal Development Developing Data Collection Instruments Collecting Data Analyzing Data Developing a Research Report Submitting of the Research Report Read More