Reading, writing, crafting – Innovations in first year tertiary writing pedagogy

This paper will outline some of the rationale behind, and strategies contributing to, curriculum revision in first-year creative writing at Deakin University in 2012 – delivered in that year and currently running in 2013. The process aimed to produce two consecutive offerings, with distinct but strategically scaffolded preoccupations. This paper deals with the first of these. The design process for this offering, named ‘Writing Craft’, involved addressing two central concerns: (a) the need to unhook the initial encounter with tertiary creative writing pedagogy from a preoccupation with ‘genres’ or the ‘forms’ of creative writing (such as prose fiction, creative nonfiction, script, poetry, and so on) and instead to reorient efforts towards establishing an engagement with craft per se; (b) to address a perceived impoverishment in the range of texts to which students had been exposed prior to commencing study – in other words, to emphasise the practice of reading to facilitate the practice of writing. The curriculum design also involved reimagining assessment, noting the ‘messages about making’ sent to students via the framing of tasks and rubrics. Aiming instead to deemphasise the role of inspiration and ‘work arriving fully formed’, it sought to offer assessment that provided clear – and bounded – prompts for incidents of making and the practice of craft, as well as to provoke conversation with a broad range of texts as a way of courting intertextual inspiration and aesthetic formation.

Research in practice : an exercise in generative urban massing

The following paper explores practice based research as a means of identifying issues within current urban design methods. It considers the application of parametric systems as a means of addressing these issues. These systems are developed and tested across both Australian and international urban design projects within Grimshaw Architects. A methodology is proposed for the development and application of these parametric tools across multiple scales of design resolution. It reports on the application of a set of parametric urban scale massing tools in real world design projects. This exploration is carried out in distinct phases of design defined by the scale of resolution. The phasing allows for discrete problems to be addressed more effectively at different stages of the design process while still encouraging a seamless, bi directional workflow through a digital master model.

Developing a multi-scale visualisation framework for use in climate change response

Climate change is predicted to impact countries, regions and localities differently. However, common to the predicted impacts is a global trend toward increased levels of carbon dioxide and rising sea levels. Governments and communities need to take into account the likely impacts of climate on the landscape, both built and natural. There is a growing and significant body of climate change research. Much of this information produced by domain experts for a range of disciplines is complex and difficult for planners, decision makers and communities to act upon. The need to communicate often complex scientific information which can be used to assist in the planning cycle is a key challenge. This paper draws from a range of international examples of the use of visualisation in the context of landscape planning to communicate climate change impact and adaptation options within the context of the planning cycle. Missing from the literature, however, is a multi-scalar approach which allows decision makers, planners and communities to seamlessly explore scenarios at their special level of interest, as well as to collectively understand what is driving these at a larger scale, and what the implications are at ever more local levels. Visualisation tools such as digital globes provide one way to bring together multi-scaled spatial–temporal datasets. We present an initial development with this goal in mind. Future research is required to determine the best tools for communicating particular complex scientific data and also to better understand how visualisation can be used to improve the landscape planning process.

A control methodology for DFIG type wind turbines connected to distribution networks

This paper proposes a decentralised controller design for doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) to enhance dynamic performance of distribution networks. The change in the output power due to the variable nature of wind is considered as an uncertain term in the design algorithm. In addition, the interconnection effect of the other subsystems are considered in the design process. The H norm of the uncertain system is found out and simultaneous output-feedback linear controllers are designed based controller is verified on a 16 bus distribution test system for severe disturbances. Simulation results indicate that the designed controller is robust against uncertainties in operating conditions

New results in common functional state estimation for two linear systems with unknown inputs

This paper presents new developments in common functional observers for two systems. We improve an existing common functional observer scheme by reducing its order, and then investigate its existence conditions in terms of the original system matrices. These conditions have never been explored and they enable the users to know at the outset the class of systems for which the scheme is applicable. They also show that both observers can be designed independently of each other which significantly simplifies the design process. A numerical simulation verifies the findings.

Nonlinear excitation control of synchronous generators based on adaptive backstepping method

n this paper, the design of a nonlinear excitation control of a synchronous generator is presented where the generator is connected to a single machine infinite bus (SMIB) system. An adaptive backstepping method is used to design the excitation controller with an objective of enhancing the overall dynamic stability of the SMIB system under different contingencies. In this paper, two types of contingencies are considered- i) unknown parameters and physical quantities during the controller design process and ii) controller performance evaluation under different system configurations such as three-phase short circuit faults. The adaption law, which is mainly based on the formulation of Lyapunov function, is used to estimate the unknown parameters which guarantee the convergence of different physical quantities of synchronous generators, e.g., the relative speed, terminal voltage, etc. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is evaluated under different system configurations as mentioned in the second contingency and compared to that of an existing adaptive backstepping controller and a conventional power system stabilizer (PSS). Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed control scheme over the existing controllers.

Política habitacional em zonas urbanas: o caso do conjunto habitacional Vila da Barca, em Belém

o presente estudo é o resultado da pesquisa feita durante o Mestrado em Gestão Empresarial da Escola de Administração Pública e de Empresas, da Fundação Getúlio Vargas. Este trabalho buscou compreender a produção espacial da cidade de Belém, precisamente sobre a Vila da Barca, situada às margens da Baia do Guajará, região que teve alguns de seus moradores remanejados para o Projeto de Habitação e Urbanização do local como parte da política pública habitacional da área, realizada pelo Governo Municipal em parceria com o Governo Federal. Este projeto habitacional é gerenciado pela Secretaria Municipal de Habitação - SEHAB. O objetivo principal deste estudo voltou-se para a avaliação do Projeto de Habitação da Vila da Barca no sentido de identificar como se efetivou o processo de concepção, remanejamento e reinstalação das famílias do setor analisado. Além disso, buscou-se conhecer o que foi feito em relação ao desenvolvimento desse espaço urbano. A metodologia se desenvolveu em duas fases: aplicação de questionários aos moradores e, de entrevistas aos técnicos envolvidos (Gerente de Desenvolvimento Urbano (GIDUR); Técnico Social e Engenheiro, funcionários da Caixa Econômica Federal em Belém). A pesquisa procurou demonstrar a opinião dos envolvidos no processo de efetivação dessa política pública, compreender a produção desse espaço urbano em suas diferentes dimensões e perceber os aspectos positivos e negativos do projeto, verificando alguns elementos de construção desse espaço. Como conclusão, percebe-se que é preciso construir formas atuais eficazes de exercer por parte da sociedade o controle social sobre o poder do Estado e sobre os mecanismos que controlam o mercado. Esse é o desafio maior da contemporaneidade

A organização social e o acesso à cultura: o caso das bibliotecas parque do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Esta dissertação procura analisar qual a contribuição das Organizações Sociais para o acesso a direitos culturais, a partir da experiência das Bibliotecas Parque do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, em especial a de Manguinhos e a da Rocinha. Ciente de que as formas de cooperação para a efetivação de direitos culturais são múltiplas e que precisam ser pensadas a partir da inter-relação de vários atores e aspectos, todas invariavelmente necessitam desaguar em molduras de gestão viabilizadoras do acesso à cultura. A pesquisa adota o método do estudo de caso, valendo-se de pesquisas bibliográfica, documental e de campo. Apresenta o cenário de construção dos direitos culturais, em larga expansão no Brasil, e destaca que, para materializá-los, torna-se necessário estudar, avaliar e adotar modelos organizacionais alternativos aos tradicionais que caracterizam a administração pública direta e indireta. Aborda o campo da gestão e dos direitos culturais no contexto das três principais reformas do aparelho do Estado Republicano, ocorridas nas décadas de 30, 60 e 90, com ênfase na última, que incorpora a teoria da Nova Gestão Pública, base desta dissertação. Focaliza a Organização Social como modelo opcional à gestão de instituições ou programas culturais, a partir da realidade existente, das motivações, das vantagens e das perspectivas e aduz uma narrativa acerca do processo de concepção da legislação do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Verifica como surgiram esses equipamentos culturais e como se deu a formação da rede de Bibliotecas Parque. Descreve o processo de implantação das Organizações Sociais de Cultura no estado e apresenta o gestor das bibliotecas e sua relação com a secretaria de Cultura. Conclui que há necessidade de aperfeiçoamento de mecanismos de gestão, a fim de que o modelo possa, de fato, oferecer contribuição para o acesso a direitos culturais.

Modos projetuais de simulação: uso de ferramentas de simulação térmica no processo projetual de arquitetura

This thesis aims to describe and demonstrate the developed concept to facilitate the use of thermal simulation tools during the building design process. Despite the impact of architectural elements on the performance of buildings, some influential decisions are frequently based solely on qualitative information. Even though such design support is adequate for most decisions, the designer will eventually have doubts concerning the performance of some design decisions. These situations will require some kind of additional knowledge to be properly approached. The concept of designerly ways of simulating focuses on the formulation and solution of design dilemmas, which are doubts about the design that cannot be fully understood nor solved without using quantitative information. The concept intends to combine the power of analysis from computer simulation tools with the capacity of synthesis from architects. Three types of simulation tools are considered: solar analysis, thermal/energy simulation and CFD. Design dilemmas are formulated and framed according to the architect s reflection process about performance aspects. Throughout the thesis, the problem is investigated in three fields: professional, technical and theoretical fields. This approach on distinct parts of the problem aimed to i) characterize different professional categories with regards to their design practice and use of tools, ii) investigate preceding researchers on the use of simulation tools and iii) draw analogies between the proposed concept, and some concepts developed or described in previous works about design theory. The proposed concept was tested in eight design dilemmas extracted from three case studies in the Netherlands. The three investigated processes are houses designed by Dutch architectural firms. Relevant information and criteria from each case study were obtained through interviews and conversations with the involved architects. The practical application, despite its success in the research context, allowed the identification of some applicability limitations of the concept, concerning the architects need to have technical knowledge and the actual evolution stage of simulation tools

Do modelo geométrico ao modelo físico: o tridimensional na educação do arquiteto e urbanista

In the teaching practice of architecture and urbanism in Brazil, educational legislation views modeling laboratories and workshops as an indispensable component of the infrastructure required for the good functioning of any architectural course of study. Although the development of information technology at the international level has created new possibilities for digital production of architectural models, research in this field being underway since the early 1990s, it is only from 2007 onwards that such technologies started to be incorporated into the teaching activity of architecture and urbanism in Brazil, through the pioneering experience at LAPAC/FEC/UNICAMP. It is therefore a recent experiment whose challenges can be highlighted through the following examples: (i) The implementation of digital prototyping laboratories in undergraduate courses of architecture and urbanism is still rare in Brazil; (ii) As a new developing field with few references and application to undergraduate programs, it is hard to define methodological procedures suitable for the pedagogical curricula already implemented or which have already been consolidated over the years; (iii) The new digital ways for producing tridimensional models are marked with specificities which make it difficult to fit them within the existing structures of model laboratories and workshops. Considering the above, the present thesis discusses the tridimensional model as a tool which may contribute to the development of students skills in perceiving, understanding and representing tridimensional space. Analysis is made of the relation between different forms of models and the teaching of architectural project, with emphasis on the design process. Starting from the conceptualization of the word model as it is used in architecture and urbanism, an attempt is made to identify types of tridimensional models used in the process of project conception, both through the traditional, manual way of model construction as well as through the digital ones. There is also an explanation on how new technologies for digital production of models through prototyping are being introduced in undergraduate academic programs of architecture and urbanism in Brazil, as well as a review of recent academic publications in this area. Based on the paradigm of reflective practice in teaching as designed by Schön (2000), the experiment applied in the research was undertaken in the integrated workshop courses of architectural project in the undergraduate program of architecture and urbanism at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Along the experiment, physical modeling, geometric modeling and digital prototyping are used in distinct moments of the design process with the purpose of observing the suitability of each model to the project s phases. The procedures used in the experiments are very close to the Action Research methodology in which the main purpose is the production of theoretical knowledge by improving the practice. The process was repeated during three consecutive semesters and reflection on the results which were achieved in each cycle helped enhancing the next one. As a result, a methodological procedure is proposed which consists of the definition of the Tridimensional Model as the integrating element for the contents studied in a specific academic period or semester. The teaching of Architectural Project as it is developed along the fifth academic period of the Architecture and Urbanism undergraduate program of UFRN is taken as a reference

O projeto de arquitetura de espaços temporários com o uso de sistema construtivo remontável: um estudo exploratório

The purpose of this research is to study the portable or reassemblable architectures, which, different from conventional architecture (whose designs are of permanent buildings), corresponds to the designing of spaces with temporary purposes. The focus of the study is the architectural design of spaces that are produced from building systems that can to be moved to different places (process of assembly / disassembly / reassembly) in order to identify the types of spaces generated and the processes used in their design / projecting. The aim is to investigate relationships between the initial project conceived based on a Reassemblable Construction System (RCS) and its application in the architectural design of professionals and students in order to contribute to the understanding of the specificities of this type of design activity. To this end it was developed the exploratory research based on multimedia methods, which includes: documentary analysis, technical visits, interviews, surveys, academic exercise and documentation by images. Although the study is not conclusive, the results indicate significant differences between the point of view of the RCS´s designers and its users (architects and architecture students) since the users demonstrated to have some difficulty to access the features provided for the first group, in particular the students. It is also demonstrated that the use of RCSs seems to change the appreciation / hierarchization of the conditions of project design, since, unlike what happens in traditional architectural design, the designers who use them seem to be more concerned with constructive issues, especially the structural elements (support and covering), instead of functionality, aesthetics and even physical characteristics of the site

A influência de decisões arquitetônicas na eficiência energética do Campus vol. 1/UFRN

Building design is an effective way to achieve HVAC energy consumption reduction. However, this potentiality is often neglected by architects due to the lack of references to support design decisions. This works intends to propose architectural design guidelines for energy efficiency and thermal performance of Campus/UFRN buildings. These guidelines are based on computer simulations results using the software DesignBuilder. The definition of simulation models has begun with envelope variables, partially done after a field study of thirteen buildings at UFRN/Campus. This field study indicated some basic envelope patterns that were applied in simulation models. Occupation variables were identified with temperature and energy consumption monitoring procedures and a verification of illumination and equipment power, both developed at the Campus/UFRN administration building. Three simulation models were proposed according to different design phases and decisions. The first model represents early design decisions, simulating the combination of different types of geometry with three levels of envelope thermal performance. The second model, still as a part of early design phase, analyses thermal changes between circulation halls lateral and central and office rooms, as well as the heat fluxes and monthly temperatures in each circulation hall. The third model analyses the influence of middle-design and detail design decisions on energy consumption and thermal performance. In this model, different solutions of roofs, shading devices, walls and external colors were simulated. The results of all simulation models suggest a high influence of thermal loads due to the incidence of solar radiation on windows and surfaces, which highlights the importance of window shading devices, office room orientation and absorptance of roof and walls surfaces

Análise de métodos de predição de conforto térmico de habitação em clima quente-úmido com condicionamento passivo

The assessment of building thermal performance is often carried out using HVAC energy consumption data, when available, or thermal comfort variables measurements, for free-running buildings. Both types of data can be determined by monitoring or computer simulation. The assessment based on thermal comfort variables is the most complex because it depends on the determination of the thermal comfort zone. For these reasons, this master thesis explores methods of building thermal performance assessment using variables of thermal comfort simulated by DesignBuilder software. The main objective is to contribute to the development of methods to support architectural decisions during the design process, and energy and sustainable rating systems. The research method consists on selecting thermal comfort methods, modeling them in electronic sheets with output charts developed to optimize the analyses, which are used to assess the simulation results of low cost house configurations. The house models consist in a base case, which are already built, and changes in thermal transmittance, absorptance, and shading. The simulation results are assessed using each thermal comfort method, to identify the sensitivity of them. The final results show the limitations of the methods, the importance of a method that considers thermal radiance and wind speed, and the contribution of the chart proposed

Todo Brasileiro merece nível A : habitação multifamiliar para o programa minha casa minha vida energeticamente eficiente

This thesis describes the theoretical, methodological and programmatic proposal for a multifamily residential building located in the urban expansion area of Parnamirim/RN, inserted in the program Minha Casa Minha Vida and level of energy efficiency "A", as the RegulamentoTécnico de Qualidade (RTQ-R/INMETRO) for residential buildings. The development project initially consists of procedures as the study of theoretical, architectural programming and cases studies. With the delimitation of a field solution, situated between the reference and the context, proposals are studied to determine the solution and architectural detailing of the proposal. The architectural program was built based on the method of Problem Seeking (Peña and Parshall, 2001) and research has highlighted aspects of reducing the environmental impact and of the program Minha Casa Minha Vida , among others. The design process was characterized by the incorporation of aspects reviewed and programmed, seeking them compatible and have an economically viable building, socio-spatial quality and energy efficient. The results show that it is possible to obtain a building that meets the constraints of the program that provides housing and energy efficiency level A - and many other environmental qualities and constructive, particularly through architectural design