Editor’s Note

The topics of the papers and forums in this issue of the Journal of Architectural Engineering certainly reflect the overall breath of the AEC industry and the comprehensive scope of topics of interest to practitioners and researchers alike. Ranging from studies of historic structures to modern-day concerns for bioterrorism to human perceptions about fire, the discussions demonstrate the ever-increasing complexities of working in the buildings industry.

One of the roles of forums in the Journal is to inform readers of industry topics that are emerging, time-sensitive, or worthy of continued discourse. Both forums in this issue discuss timely topics of interest to our profession. Results of a recent study commissioned by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) relative to human reactions to fire is particularly important in light of recent tragic and highly publicized fires, such as the fire at the Station Nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, and the deadly beach-house fire in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. The results of the survey reported by Chris Jelenewicz offer insight into how we can better design new buildings so that they can be safer from fire.

The second forum also covers a very topical subject, that of green roof design. Author Laura Cavanaugh proposes a somewhat different model to evaluate what is currently considered by most to be a green roof. She notes that there is no one-size-fits-all green-roof option but focuses on reviewing the durability and life-cycle contribution of some of the more common roofing designs.

The first paper in this issue also delves into a timely topic, that of the bioterrorism risk in buildings. Benjamin P. Thompson and Lawrence C. Bank explore the way that risk is currently considered in the design of a building for a bioterrorism hazard. The authors discuss the process for analyzing and dealing with bioterrorism risks, as well as examining the issues of risk perception and communication relative to an overall framework.

This issue also brings us a historical perspective on two different aspects of the industry. Researchers C. Thelin and K.-G. Olsson note the industry’s need to address a variety of different types of timber roof structures and building traditions, particularly on an international basis. Their study looks at the common pattern of damage to historic roofs in Sweden, primarily because of a lack of support for horizontal thrust. The authors note that understanding the development of building techniques is important for making sound restoration decisions. Their work compares the efficiency and appropriateness of a variety of different design approaches.

In their paper titled “Simplicity, Scale, and Surprise: Evaluating Structural Form,” Edmond P. Saliklis, Michael Bauer, and David P. Billington critique the structural forms of two seminal buildings designed by the great-twentieth-century engineer Fazlur R. Khan. The discussion and evaluation centers on aesthetic and ethical issues of building design presented to encourage meaningful discussion among today’s architectural engineering students and practitioners. The authors indicate that one of their goals is to encourage a public discourse within the profession on the topic of evaluating structural form.

All the topics presented in this issue are timely and meaningful to our profession. I encourage readers of the Journal to join in the spirit of discourse as encouraged by the nature of the topics in this issue and consider writing a discussion piece for future publication in the Journal. Writers’ guidelines for Discussions can be found on the ASCE Publications Web site at http://pubs.asce.org/authors/journal/submission/subarchitectural.htm. If you prefer, I welcome direct contact on this or any topic related to the JAE by contacting me at [email protected] or (814) 863-3244.