Studies in Art and Architecture

Comparative Study of Dougong and Flying Buttress from the Perspective of Religious Culture

Yizhou Chen — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This is a comparative study of the dougong system in Buddhist architecture and the flying buttress in Christian architecture from the structural, historical, and cultural points of view. Despite their similar structural load-bearing and ornamental functions in religious buildings, these two systems actually embodied the fundamentally different philosophical and religious principles: Chinese dougong has Taoist harmony and multi-layered spatial development, and Gothic flying buttresses are emphasizing verticality and divine transcendence. Through comparative studies, this paper illustrates that dugong and flying buttresses both originated only as stabilizing architectural elements, but their cultural meanings evolved under different social contexts. Flying buttresses more directly reflect Christian culture because they developed in a mono-religious society, whereas dougong, emerging in a multi-religious context, carries more complex cultural associations beyond a single faith. The paper emphasizes the importance of the significance of cross-cultural exchanges between the East and the West, as well as the interplay between architectural structures and cultural connotations.

Evaluation of Natural Daylight and Indoor Temperature Levels in Drawing Studios at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt

Dennis Ejike Amadi, Chima Ichendu — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study evaluates the adequacy of the natural daylight and indoor thermal conditions in four Architectural drawing studios at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Since visual and thermal comfort are crucial in educational spaces, especially for tasks that require high visual sharpness like manual Architectural drafting. This research aims to assess the current studio designs to determine if they actually meet the recommended standards. Over the period of ten consecutive working days, measurements of illuminance (lux) and temperature were taken at two spots in each studio: the center and 1.2 meters from the window, at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The results showed that while the areas near the windows got close to the ideal 750 lux for detailed work, the central areas were lacking, with some readings dropping to just 42.04 lux. Additionally, temperature readings consistently went beyond the comfortable range of 20°C to 26°C for optimal thermal comfort, hitting an average high of 31.10°C. These issues can be attributed to factors such as limited window to floor area ratios, poor window orientations, and interior finishes with low reflectance. The study highlights the urgent need for Architectural improvements, such as enhanced natural lighting solutions and passive cooling strategies, to enhance the indoor environment in educational buildings located in tropical climates.

The Built Environment as Partner: A Review of Human Interactions with Buildings

Irimiagha Gibson Francis, Dennis Ejike Amadi — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Humans spend the majority of their lives within buildings, making the interaction between people and the built environment a critical determinant of well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive review of the multifaceted nature of human-building interactions (HBI), encompassing psychological, physiological, behavioral, and social dimensions. The paper explores how building design, environmental conditions (e.g., lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, air quality), spatial layout, and technology integration impact human experience and performance. It examines the influence of building characteristics on cognitive function, emotional states, social interactions, and health outcomes. Furthermore, it delves into the ways individuals adapt to and modify their built environments through personalization, technology use, and behavioral adjustments. The paper analyzes the challenges and opportunities for designing buildings that are more responsive to human needs, promoting well-being, and fostering positive social connections. Finally, it identifies key areas for future research in HBI, including the development of personalized building environments, the integration of biofeedback and sensor technologies, and the creation of inclusive and adaptable spaces that cater to diverse user populations. This review offers valuable insights for architects, designers, engineers, building managers, and researchers seeking to create built environments that enhance human flourishing.

The Application and Energy-Saving Effect Analysis of Intelligent LED Lighting Systems in Commercial Buildings

Guanglin Liu — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

With the increasing global focus on energy efficiency and sustainable development, intelligent LED lighting systems, as an efficient and energy-saving lighting solution, are gradually gaining attention. This paper focuses on the application of intelligent LED lighting systems in commercial buildings in the United States, aiming to conduct an in-depth analysis of their energy-saving effects and user experience through empirical research. The study selected commercial buildings in three different regions of the United States, including office buildings, shopping centers, and hotels, as case study objects. Intelligent LED lighting systems developed by Shenzhen Romanso Electronic Co., Ltd. were deployed in these venues. These systems integrate advanced functions such as intelligent sensor networks, adaptive dimming algorithms, and remote monitoring platforms. After six months of field monitoring, detailed energy consumption data were collected, and a user satisfaction survey was conducted to compare the performance differences between intelligent LED lighting systems and traditional lighting systems. The research findings provide strong empirical support for the widespread application of intelligent LED lighting systems in commercial buildings in the United States and offer valuable references for the further optimization and promotion of intelligent lighting technologies in the future. Future research will further explore system performance optimization strategies and strive to promote intelligent LED lighting systems to more commercial building fields to achieve broader energy-saving benefits and user experience improvements.

Algorithmic Templates Influence Aesthetic Decision-Making in Korean Visual Communication Curricula

Daehyun Jeong — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines how algorithmic design templates influence aesthetic decision-making within Korean visual communication programs. As educational institutions align their curricula with industry demands and digital design tools, students increasingly rely on pre-structured visual systems embedded in platforms such as Figma, Adobe XD, and Canva. Through comparative curriculum analysis, portfolio audits, and interviews with students and faculty at leading Korean art universities, this research reveals a shift from intuitive, exploratory design toward system-driven visual logic. While templates offer efficiency and professional polish, they also contribute to a homogenization of student work and a narrowing of conceptual inquiry. The paper argues for a redefinition of visual literacy that accounts for procedural authorship and critical engagement with automated design environments. It concludes by proposing pedagogical strategies that balance technical fluency with aesthetic experimentation in the computational era.

Assessment of Vegetation Cover in Santiago City Using Remote Sensing

Xasvierne Andres, Mark Kevin Astrero — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the changes in vegetation cover in Santiago City, Philippines from 2003 to 2025 through the use of and remote sensing, demonstrating urbanization impacts on green space and evaluating the capabilities of remote sensing for the assessment and management of urban vegetation. This study revealed an increase in built-up areas due to conversion of agricultural land, suggestive of an urbanization trend, which may have implications for food security and ecological health. An analysis of tree cover loss (2001-2023) presented a non-linear deforestation trajectory, along with considerable increases, which corresponded with rising greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the environmental results of land-use change. This research illustrates the vital impact of remote sensing in monitoring of vegetation instabilities and developing platforms to assess ecological impacts of urbanization (e.g., habitat fragmentation or urban heat island effects) and as resources for sustainable urban planning strategies, in order to prioritize environmental integrity and enhance urban ecological strategies.

The Application of LED Technology in Smart City Construction

Donghong Chen — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

With the acceleration of global urbanization, the construction of smart cities has become a key strategy for promoting sustainable urban development. LED technology, with its advantages of high efficiency, energy saving, long life, and environmental protection, has shown great potential for application in the construction of smart cities. This paper deeply explores the various applications of LED technology in the construction of smart cities, analyzes its specific roles in key areas such as intelligent transportation, public security, and energy management, and predicts the potential applications of LED technology in future urban development. Through case analysis and field research, this paper reveals how LED technology helps the sustainable development of smart cities and provides valuable references for urban managers and decision-makers. The research results show that LED technology can not only significantly improve the energy efficiency and environmental quality of cities, but also enhance the operational efficiency of cities and the quality of life of residents through intelligent applications, making it an indispensable technological means in the construction of future smart cities.