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Significant data from thermal comfort studies conducted in indoor built environment have been included in databases worldwide, e.g. the ASHRAE Global Thermal Comfort Database II, where Brazil holds a relevant position. The records include a total of 10,925 thermal comfort votes, coming from field studies mainly conducted in offices and schools. Thus, this paper aims to present the database, describing its characteristics and main results from a preliminary analysis. The method was based on the standardization and treatment of raw data from field studies, and some analysis of thermal perception responses and environmental variables were performed. The results highlighted some important variations in thermal perception among people from different climates in Brazilian territory, which is also influenced by the current ventilation system mode. People from Brazilian tropical climates showed a neutral thermal sensation balance close to 27.4 °C of mean operative temperature; meanwhile, those from subtropical climates were close to 24.4 °C. The overall thermal preference tended to cooler than neutral, particularly in naturally ventilated environments. The contributions of this investigation are mainly related to the gaps identified in the database, such as limited climate types and building typologies. Thus, the database expansion would provide valuable information to be analysed and further incorporated in the Brazilian Standard.

Tourism is one of the most profitable industries. Nowadays, people are attracted to the adventures of exploring different places. Some people want to travel to relax and bond with their family but cannot afford it because it is costly. The researchers used quantitative method of research study through survey questionnaires. The survey had 10 questions and conducted around SM Fairview, Robinsons Novaliches and Fairview Terraces. Respondents were randomly selected which included students, workers, group of friends, families and couples. A total of 100 respondents participated in the study. The results of this study show that 100% respondents want to experience to travel around Philippines or domestic travel. Respondents who were willing to join with others and visit the unfamiliar places for the first time were 93 % and 7% were not willing to travel unfamiliar places. In results of activities, 40% wanted island hopping,24% wanted team building, 22% wanted zip line while 14% prefer snorkeling. Thirty-two percent of the respondents wanted to book through Social Media, 30% wanted to be visited by a tour agent, 24% prefered to walk-in while 14% of the respondents prefered phone call. AlisTayo Adventure Tour is a feasible tour agency which uses pricing strategy based on service costing by a mark-up of 30% for individual person, 8% for minimum number of persons and 5% for maximum number of persons. Fees include the land fare, air fare, food, accommodation and other fees. The researcher chose to establish its office at Acasio building Regalado Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City because it is surrounded by different malls and establishments which are part of its target market. Promotional activities include distribution of fliers, posting of tarpaulins, jeepney signage, stickers, social media and distribution of company calling card. This company offers selected destination in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to promote the spectacular places in the Philippines.

Population ageing is an international phenomenon with major implications for economic and social policy, and for housing and urban planning. A common policy response has been to encourage ageing in place by increasing levels of support in the home, to reduce burgeoning health and aged care costs and enable older people to remain for as long as possible in their home and community. However, this begs the question: ageing in what kind of place? In the long-standing family home, relocating to a more suitable dwelling, or in an age-segregated retirement village? In Australia, there are popular conceptions about ageing and housing which deserve to be questioned: that older people underutilise their dwellings, should downsize, and prefer to live in age-segregated retirement communities. Such stereotypes however do not stand up to empirical scrutiny. This paper draws on three research projects conducted over the last decade into how older Australians utilise their homes and neighbourhoods, their moving and downsizing behaviour, and multigenerational living, to address these perceptions from the perspective of resilience. It concludes with suggestions as to how the resilience of ageing Australians might better be supported through appropriate housing, planning and economic policy and improved industry practice.

Occupants’ visual comfort is an important consideration in sustainable building design. To help create visually comfortable environments, building designers need an easy-to-use method to predict visual discomfort through simulations. This paper aims to present a proof-of-concept predictive method that analyses the contrast ratios of multi-region luminance-based images. Grasshopper and Radiance were used to develop an analysis algorithm that examines per-pixel luminance values of a high-resolution, 180-degree fisheye High Dynamic Range image (HDRi) and represents the luminance information at different (lower) resolutions relative to the average luminance value of the task. The proposed framework succeeded in reducing the complexity of the data by segmenting the HDR image into lower resolution without compromising the minimum luminance detail needed to identify the main glare sources. Illustrating the luminance distribution pattern of the visual field in lower resolutions opens opportunities in simplified data analysis and the visual communication of luminous conditions. Preliminary analysis suggest that this multi-region contrast method could be used as a simple and fast glare source detection method. This method will be further developed and validated using field data, then it will be published as a tool for practical application by building designers in the near future.

With growing concerns for enhancing sustainability, much attention has being paid to benchmarking performance in buildings. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of three rating systems that have been widely adopted for over a decade in Australia namely: (i) mandatory compliance under Section J (Energy Efficiency provisions) in the National Construction Code of Australia (NCC), (ii) a voluntary design rating tool - Green Star, and (iii) a voluntary operational rating tool-National Australian Building Environmental Rating Scheme (NABERS). The paper builds on the authors’ experience in building performance simulation, rating tool design, practice consultancy and post occupancy evaluations of buildings. It presents a detailed analysis of the rating tools with respect to the alignment between what is being assessed, how it is assessed and administered and the impact on design process and performance outcomes in buildings. The paper assesses the successes and shortcomings of the rating tools to demonstrate the potential for design and post occupancy rating tools to influence market behaviour and building performance and argues for increasingly stringent approaches to get to net zero emissions.