Journal of Architecture and Urbanism

Unknown interiors of ancient Egypt: producing by artificial intelligence in the context of light-space relationship

2025-01-27T18:30:15+02:00

This study presents a design method aimed at visualizing cultural heritage through the architecture of ancient Egypt using modern technologies. With the deepening of the digital age, the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in cultural heritage research has become an important tool for renewing and disseminating period architecture. The reason for choosing the interior spaces of ancient Egypt as a sample in this study is that, in addition to leaving a rich heritage in the field of architecture, ancient Egypt offers distinct period architecture in terms of space-light relationship. As a result of literature review, keywords related to architecture and the relationship between space and light in the Ancient Period were identified, and the study was visualized using the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology of today, namely human-computer interaction combined with text-to-image technology. The motivation and aim of this study is to demonstrate the role of reanimating cultural heritage like ancient period architectures in the computer environment based on interpretation, contributing to architectural sustainability, and spreading to future periods.

Single real estate developers’ innovations in housing design: an historical exploration based on China Vanke Co. Ltd.

2025-02-21T18:30:42+02:00

This paper focuses on the practices, innovations and design regarding housing supply developed by a single Chinese private real estate company, China Vanke Co. Ltd. between 1979 and 2016. In the last 5 decades, China experienced a period of rapid urbanization, accompanied by the introduction of numerous economic and institutional reforms impacting the nation’s model of housing supply. Significant changes disrupted the urban housing sector in the country, shifting the main supply system from a public welfare model to a market-driven one. Within this time span, most new residential properties were developed and marketed by large real estate enterprises, which became crucial players in establishing the new housing market. While there is an extensive body of literature examining China’s housing market formation and progression, most of these studies focus on the economic and social aspects of housing, including factors such as affordability, inequality, governance, preferences and choices. Single real estate firms’ innovations, as well as the links between housing designs and market supply and demand, have yet to be thoroughly explored. This latter area represents thus the main focus of this paper. Expanding from the specific case of Vanke, this paper seeks to discuss the innovative processes of a real estate enterprise and the role of a single company in shaping new housing designs, based on supply and demand transformations.

A critical history of architectural modernism

2025-02-25T18:30:46+02:00

Future generations deserve and need an honest accounting of architectural Modernism, and its Neo-Modernist and “Post-Modernist” variants, based on scientific analysis and the factual historical record. Reintroducing traditional tectonic culture and focusing on applying fractal and planar symmetries to design critique provides a more revolutionary account of the Modernist concept, its associated “propaganda”, and the physical legacy of the movement. The authors seek answers to two questions: (1) whether Modernist architecture justly conquered the world by its claimed “Zeitgeist” – or was its success due to other factors; and (2) to what extent Modernism brings about the originally promised cultural and social benefits today. This essay seeks to clear up the ambiguity of the Modernist architectural doctrine through facts, and includes criticisms regarding its massive detrimental impact on the world’s built and natural environments. A growing movement in Europe and elsewhere is challenging the legitimacy of many contemporary architectural designs. These critics attack the persistence of discredited Modernist theory, and the resulting harm to people and our planet. Defenders respond that the members of this movement are ignorant populists who do not understand the legitimate theoretical and cultural foundations of contemporary design. Here we examine this controversy and conclude that a considerable body of scientific evidence supports the critics. By focusing on the choices we do have today, we empower architects to implement drastic changes in new projects.

Decoding the knowledge space of ‘Architectural and Urban Traditions’ utilising a metadata framework

2025-02-25T18:30:46+02:00

This article explores the discourse on Architectural and Urban Traditions (AUT), examining its evolution expressions, and manifestations as a knowledge space. Utilising a Metadata Framework (MF) based on six lines of inquiry–scale, discipline, geographical diversity, typology, governance, and investigation methods–this research systematically examines the relationship between various research dimensions as perceived, researched, and interpreted by academics and scholars. It involves text mining and content analysis to enable deeper, data-driven exploration of evolving themes and patterns within the AUT knowledge space. The MF is implemented through the case of the International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE), which is identified based on its focus and longstanding contribution to the discourse since the late 1980s. The study demonstrates how the two pillars of IASTE–Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review (TDSR) and the biennale conferences (recently annual conferences) have shaped the discourse on traditional environments. It primarily contributes to the field by advancing the application of the Metadata Framework (MF) as a systematic tool for mapping the evolution of AUT discourse, providing valuable insights for future research. Key findings reveal a significant rise in technological integration and governance studies, sustained interest in studying intangible cultural heritage, and growth in linking this with advanced technologies. Conclusions are drawn to elucidate evolving, emerging, and declining themes and areas within the overall knowledge space of architectural and urban traditions.