Research

To define what the occupants of urban and architectural spaces feel, we refer to the notion of ambient environment.

This notion is based on a person's perception and interpretation of his physical environment. These perceptions and interpretations are the result of the complex interaction between physical, physiological, cognitive and sociological factors. Any manipulation of the physical space or any change in the use of that space will change the ambient environment.

Our field of research is situated at the intersection of several disciplines : natural phenomena (sun light, solar energy, heat, wind, noise and soundscape…), the forms and the materials of the architectural and urban space, the sens experience of the constructed environment, the aesthetic dimension. The fundamental research topics of the CERMA laboratory are modelling and simulating of natural phenomena, characterization, design of the atmospheres.

topics :

• Modelling and Simulation of the natural phenomena

  Modelling and Simulation of the physical phenomena. The development of tools for simulation, management and exploitation of the environmental data.
  The researches which are developed involve :

  . The urban and environmental Geographic System of Information 3 D : morphological modelling of the architectural and urban objects, the development of 3D urban GIS for the management, the exploitation and the representation of environmental data.

  . The thermal modelling of buildings and their environment : representation of the urban microclimates, the thermodynamic and aerodynamic behaviour of the buildings which integrate the coupling of the thermal, the air and hydrous phenomena.

  . The sunshine modelling : evaluation of the relationship physical space and the environmental light source and sources relative to the restitution of the appearance of the place.

  . The instrumentation of acoustic phenomena : modelling and metrology of the effects of the reflection, diffraction and reflection of light on urban surfaces.

• Characterization of the natural phenomena atmospheres

  Highligting the qualities of a place’ambient atmosphere and evaluating the interaction between the spatial organisation, the quality of the environment and the comfort of the people using the place.
  
  This topic examines :
  
  

  . The characterisation of the spatial organisation, the architectures and urban planning. The interconnection between spatial organisation and construction forms and the physical ambient atmospheric phenomena.

  . The feed-back and the analysis of the ambient atmospheres through virtual reality : the physical and sensual characterisation of the atmospheres by placing the subject in an urban and architectural environment through the use of image and sound.

  . The emergent models of the human perception of the urban environment : emergence of representative models and patterns of a urban sound situation.

  . The analysis of architectural and urban references combining the cultural and aesthetic means of using the space.
  
  

• Design of the architectural and urban atmospheres

  Tools and methods for the integrating the ambient atmosphere in the project, in the design process and the role that the ambient atmosphere plays in the architectural and urban doctrines.
  

  This topic studies the inclusion of the ambient environmental factor in the design process :
  
  

  . Tools and methods for integrating the ambient atmosphere into the project with inverse simulation methods, GIS consultation and communication techniques and tools to measure the possibilities and modifications to account for sunshine, lighting and natural ventilation.

  . Ambient atmosphere in the design process and as an element for the different partners in the project, the study of the language used to describe the project and the evaluation criteria of the project, the analysis of constructing fictional atmospheres, the production of simulations in the design process.

  . The importance given to the concept of atmosphere in urban and architectural doctrines, including the study of the hygienic period, modern period, architectural utopias, and contemporary production.