respondents' assessments, the procedure fell short on the social criteria. The study's findings u... more respondents' assessments, the procedure fell short on the social criteria. The study's findings urge cautious adjustment of Egypt's laws and regulations governing adaptive reuse, with the participation of pertinent parties to ensure sounder decision-making.
International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR, 2015
Biomimicry is a growing area of interest in architecture due to the potentials it offers for inno... more Biomimicry is a growing area of interest in architecture due to the potentials it offers for innovative architectural solutions and for more sustainable, regenerative built environment. Yet, a growing body of research identified various deficiencies to the employment of this approach in architecture. Of particular note are that: first, some biomimetic technologies are not inherently more sustainable or Nature-friendly than conventional equivalents; second, they lack any spatial expression of Nature and are visually ill-integrated into it. In a trial to redeem these deficiencies, this paper suggests a frame-work for more sustainable strategy that combines this approach with the relative approach of "Biophilia", with reference to examples from historical architecture. Using pioneering strategies and applications from different historical styles, the paper shows that the combination of these two approaches may lead to enhanced outcomes in terms of sustainability as well as hu...
Biomimicry is a growing area of interest in architecture due to the potentials it offers for inno... more Biomimicry is a growing area of interest in architecture due to the potentials it offers for innovative architectural solutions and for more sustainable, regenerative built environment. Yet, a growing body of research identified various deficiencies to the employment of this approach in architecture. Of particular note is that: first, some biomimetic technologies are not inherently more sustainable or Nature-friendly than conventional equivalents; second, they lack any spatial expression of Nature and are visually ill integrated into it. In a trial to redeem these deficiencies, this paper suggests a framework for more sustainable strategy that combines this approach with the relative approach of "Biophilia", with reference to examples from historical architecture. Using pioneering strategies and applications from different historical styles, the paper shows that the combination of these two approaches may lead to enhanced outcomes in terms of sustainability as well as huma...
This study was meant to trace the different phases of Coptic architecture and its development thr... more This study was meant to trace the different phases of Coptic architecture and its development throughout the history. It is divided into two main parts: analytical study and comparative study The first part overviews and analyzes the development of Coptic churches, Coptic orders as well as the development of each element of the churches' plans. The second part is a comparative study between Coptic architecture and other styles, both in Egypt and outside it. The mutual influences between each of these styles and the Coptic architecture, starting from Pharaonic and early Christian architectures and reaching to the Ottoman and Modern architectural styles, had been traced. This book is particularly useful for those who are concerned with Coptic studies and Egyptology. It is also useful for architectural students and people who are concerned with the history of architecture in general.
Semiotics is used in the sphere of visual arts as a tool that helps reading the message included ... more Semiotics is used in the sphere of visual arts as a tool that helps reading the message included in a certain work. Gothic architecture, as an outcome of the rich cultural context of medieval tradition, where metaphysics, numbers and geometry were indispensable tools to symbolically manifest cosmological and theological concepts, is suggested as a good example for testing this approach in the field of architecture. In this paper, a semiotic reading for one of the most distinguished works of this era; i.e. the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, is introduced as a model for this methodology. Among many message included in the building, such as the functional or the technical messages, this is a trial to introduce a reading, i.e. an interpretation, of what could be called "a hidden spiritual message". The paper comes to a conclusion that the Gothic cathedral, as represented in Notre Dame de Paris, might be perceived as an externalization of a standing hymn that was meant to send continuous appeals of protection to Heaven.
The paper drives attention to biophilic-design approach as the missing link in sustainable design... more The paper drives attention to biophilic-design approach as the missing link in sustainable design.It refers to beiophilic qualities as one reason behind the great admiration for historical buildings.It refers to historical styles as a reference book for strategies and settings of biophilic design.Applicable settings/features of biophilic strategies were revealed by exploring these styles.Further strategies, which had not been suggested before by Biophilia theorists, were also overviewed.Empirical evidences in the last three decades confirmed that designs that connect humans to natural contents and landscape configurations, help to enhance humans’ overall sense of wellbeing, with positive and therapeutic consequences on physiology. Findings in the field of environmental psychology showed also that these features have positive effects on human productivity and can reduce stress. Opportunities for contact with these elements are, however, increasingly reduced in modern urban life. Therefore, more attention has been recently paid by architectural theorists to find ways to reconnect the built environment to these elements. Biophilia is one of the most recent and viable reconnection theories in this field. This paper highlights the underpinnings of this design theory and addresses the assumption that one of the reasons behind the great admiration that most of the people have for historical buildings attributes to the biophilic qualities found in these buildings. By drawing inspiration from historical architecture, and by use of a qualitative analytical methodology that typify certain characteristics in then, this paper brings in conclusion specific biophilic strategies and settings that might help ‘bringing life to buildings’, as seen in these buildings.
Roman persecution to Copts started as early as the first century. Even after Christianity had bec... more Roman persecution to Copts started as early as the first century. Even after Christianity had become official religion in Egypt, as they refused to espouse the Emperor's sect.
In a former research a study had been introduced to highlight the role of philosophical thoughts ... more In a former research a study had been introduced to highlight the role of philosophical thoughts and academia-architecture in the revolutionary development that produced Modern Architecture.
respondents' assessments, the procedure fell short on the social criteria. The study's findings u... more respondents' assessments, the procedure fell short on the social criteria. The study's findings urge cautious adjustment of Egypt's laws and regulations governing adaptive reuse, with the participation of pertinent parties to ensure sounder decision-making.
International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR, 2015
Biomimicry is a growing area of interest in architecture due to the potentials it offers for inno... more Biomimicry is a growing area of interest in architecture due to the potentials it offers for innovative architectural solutions and for more sustainable, regenerative built environment. Yet, a growing body of research identified various deficiencies to the employment of this approach in architecture. Of particular note are that: first, some biomimetic technologies are not inherently more sustainable or Nature-friendly than conventional equivalents; second, they lack any spatial expression of Nature and are visually ill-integrated into it. In a trial to redeem these deficiencies, this paper suggests a frame-work for more sustainable strategy that combines this approach with the relative approach of "Biophilia", with reference to examples from historical architecture. Using pioneering strategies and applications from different historical styles, the paper shows that the combination of these two approaches may lead to enhanced outcomes in terms of sustainability as well as hu...
Biomimicry is a growing area of interest in architecture due to the potentials it offers for inno... more Biomimicry is a growing area of interest in architecture due to the potentials it offers for innovative architectural solutions and for more sustainable, regenerative built environment. Yet, a growing body of research identified various deficiencies to the employment of this approach in architecture. Of particular note is that: first, some biomimetic technologies are not inherently more sustainable or Nature-friendly than conventional equivalents; second, they lack any spatial expression of Nature and are visually ill integrated into it. In a trial to redeem these deficiencies, this paper suggests a framework for more sustainable strategy that combines this approach with the relative approach of "Biophilia", with reference to examples from historical architecture. Using pioneering strategies and applications from different historical styles, the paper shows that the combination of these two approaches may lead to enhanced outcomes in terms of sustainability as well as huma...
This study was meant to trace the different phases of Coptic architecture and its development thr... more This study was meant to trace the different phases of Coptic architecture and its development throughout the history. It is divided into two main parts: analytical study and comparative study The first part overviews and analyzes the development of Coptic churches, Coptic orders as well as the development of each element of the churches' plans. The second part is a comparative study between Coptic architecture and other styles, both in Egypt and outside it. The mutual influences between each of these styles and the Coptic architecture, starting from Pharaonic and early Christian architectures and reaching to the Ottoman and Modern architectural styles, had been traced. This book is particularly useful for those who are concerned with Coptic studies and Egyptology. It is also useful for architectural students and people who are concerned with the history of architecture in general.
Semiotics is used in the sphere of visual arts as a tool that helps reading the message included ... more Semiotics is used in the sphere of visual arts as a tool that helps reading the message included in a certain work. Gothic architecture, as an outcome of the rich cultural context of medieval tradition, where metaphysics, numbers and geometry were indispensable tools to symbolically manifest cosmological and theological concepts, is suggested as a good example for testing this approach in the field of architecture. In this paper, a semiotic reading for one of the most distinguished works of this era; i.e. the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, is introduced as a model for this methodology. Among many message included in the building, such as the functional or the technical messages, this is a trial to introduce a reading, i.e. an interpretation, of what could be called "a hidden spiritual message". The paper comes to a conclusion that the Gothic cathedral, as represented in Notre Dame de Paris, might be perceived as an externalization of a standing hymn that was meant to send continuous appeals of protection to Heaven.
The paper drives attention to biophilic-design approach as the missing link in sustainable design... more The paper drives attention to biophilic-design approach as the missing link in sustainable design.It refers to beiophilic qualities as one reason behind the great admiration for historical buildings.It refers to historical styles as a reference book for strategies and settings of biophilic design.Applicable settings/features of biophilic strategies were revealed by exploring these styles.Further strategies, which had not been suggested before by Biophilia theorists, were also overviewed.Empirical evidences in the last three decades confirmed that designs that connect humans to natural contents and landscape configurations, help to enhance humans’ overall sense of wellbeing, with positive and therapeutic consequences on physiology. Findings in the field of environmental psychology showed also that these features have positive effects on human productivity and can reduce stress. Opportunities for contact with these elements are, however, increasingly reduced in modern urban life. Therefore, more attention has been recently paid by architectural theorists to find ways to reconnect the built environment to these elements. Biophilia is one of the most recent and viable reconnection theories in this field. This paper highlights the underpinnings of this design theory and addresses the assumption that one of the reasons behind the great admiration that most of the people have for historical buildings attributes to the biophilic qualities found in these buildings. By drawing inspiration from historical architecture, and by use of a qualitative analytical methodology that typify certain characteristics in then, this paper brings in conclusion specific biophilic strategies and settings that might help ‘bringing life to buildings’, as seen in these buildings.
Roman persecution to Copts started as early as the first century. Even after Christianity had bec... more Roman persecution to Copts started as early as the first century. Even after Christianity had become official religion in Egypt, as they refused to espouse the Emperor's sect.
In a former research a study had been introduced to highlight the role of philosophical thoughts ... more In a former research a study had been introduced to highlight the role of philosophical thoughts and academia-architecture in the revolutionary development that produced Modern Architecture.
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Papers by Nelly Ramzy