The purpose of this study is to develop a communication tool for customized window design, enabling homeowners to experience benefits that exceed the basic functionality of windows within residential spaces. The current process for window replacement ...
The purpose of this study is to develop a communication tool for customized window design, enabling homeowners to experience benefits that exceed the basic functionality of windows within residential spaces. The current process for window replacement and installation is hindered by the complexity of window design. Despite this complexity, the lack of a standardized tool to easily and systematically visualize these intricacies poses a significant challenge. The specific objective is to develop a standardized tool for improving the existing process, defined in this study as the Window Design Prototype Tool (W.D.P.T). Furthermore, this study aims to propose a methodology, termed the Window Parametric Design Methodology, to investigate window design through the following research process.
The subject of this study is the living room balcony windows of typical apartments in South Korea, viewed from the perspective of looking outward from the interior rather than from the exterior looking in. The geographical scope includes 200 construction sites in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions. The temporal scope spans from 2020 to 2024, to capture the window designs currently demanded by homeowners. The research data is based on actual cases of apartment living room window replacements during remodeling projects.
The research method involves conducting case studies and analyses, followed by interviews with three groups of experts who will use the standardized tool in actual window meetings to verify its usefulness.
The research process can be divided into five stages, as follows.
The first step is an actual site investigation. This involves conducting Case Studies at 200 apartment living room window replacement sites in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions to collect data.
The second step is to derive the Window Type Classification Framework. This framework is designed to classify the types of windows based on data collected from the Case Studies. A literature review is conducted to investigate and analyze the Parameter values used in window design research, resulting in the identification of ten key Parameters (e.g., layer, opening type, opening size, etc.). This classification is then applied to the 200 Case Study data points.
The third step involves the Window Type Categorization. In this categorization process, the 200 site data points classified in the previous step are further categorized based on attribute-based categorization into A, B, and C Prototypes and detailed attribute-based Types (A-1,2,3), (B-1,2,3), and (C-1,2,3). The interior elevation drawings are generated using CAD software. Additionally, graphs are created using Microsoft Excel, and statistical correlations among 21 out of 100 Parameter values are analyzed using SPSS statistical software.
The fourth step is to develop the Window Design Prototype Tool (W.D.P.T). This development process involves four sub-stages. First, the Parameters are classified based on Wp (price) criteria. Second, the Window Type Categorization is generated in CAD, and the interior elevation designs are then converted into 3D models using Revit software, based on the Wp value criteria. Third, the remaining nine Parameters, excluding the Wp value, are re-categorized and documented according to the Window Type Categorization. Fourth, the Window Design Prototype Tool (W.D.P.T) is developed. The fifth step involves verifying the usefulness of the W.D.P.T through surveys and interviews with three groups of experts. Quantitative data analysis based on the SPSS statistical program yielded the following results. The analysis showed that there was no significant difference among expert groups regarding the usefulness of the W.D.P.T; it was consistently found to be helpful. To confirm the relationship between communication difficulties and the usefulness of the W.D.P.T, Pearson correlation analysis was conducted. The correlation between communication and the usefulness of W.D.P.T was found to be r=0.319, p=0.002 < 0.05, indicating a positive correlation. Therefore, it was confirmed that there is a correlation between the two variables, supporting the alternative hypothesis that W.D.P.T improves communication. When applying the Window Design Prototype Tool (W.D.P.T), results can be derived as Prototype=Instance=Case or Prototype=Instance≠Case. This means that the tool developed in this study allows the window design to be directly applied, so that the Instance reflects the Case in the Case Study, or a new Prototype can be derived through the generation of new ideas. Thus, the Instance may not reflect the Case in the Case Study but could instead be a new Instance.
The academic significance of this study is as follows.
First, it provides objectified window information. Based on actual cases, the data and window attribute information were shared in documented form, transforming abstract information from practitioners (designers) into tangible documentation. This will serve as a reference for future research on apartment living room windows in South Korea.
Second, the study analyzed the correlation between window design and Parameter values. By analyzing 200 Case Studies, it provided detailed data on the Parameters of window design. The correlation analysis of each element offers comprehensive considerations for window design and establishes a systematic framework for future window design and research.
Third, it proposes a methodology for analyzing window design, referred to as the Window Parametric Design Methodology (W.P.D.M). This methodology incorporates the concept of Prototypes and systematizes the design by analyzing window attribute information using Parameter values.
The study aims to contribute to academic research by providing detailed data and a systematized methodology for analyzing window design in future studies.