VISUAL ANALYTICS FOR LARGE SCALE ETHNOGRAPHY: EXPLORING COMPUTATIONAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE OCCUPATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

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Danilowicz, S. (2015). VISUAL ANALYTICS FOR LARGE SCALE ETHNOGRAPHY: EXPLORING COMPUTATIONAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE OCCUPATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

Observational data within Post Occupancy Evaluations (POE) has had the problem of being deemed as ‘unreliable’ due to the fact that it is not based on quantifiable, empirical evidence. Even though ethnographic observation is quite effective and has a method, the common misconception is that it is just someone watching and drawing conclusions. What I propose is a system that can turn some of the ethnographer’s observational data into empirical data that can be better incorporated into traditional POE reports. The data becomes more credible in the eyes of those unfamiliar with ethnographic observational practices, and can be used to benefit current and future building designs. Such a system utilizes principles of Computer Vision and Machine Learning to develop a means for collecting and synthesizing observational data. The system will use a camera array installed in a space to track the movement of the people within. Additionally, we will enlist the help of ethnographers to teach the program to look for ‘meaningful interactions’ of the people within the space. Based on these notable events, the program will be able to draw data from like events, store the data, and use it when examining future data. This system will allow for data collection to occur continuously within a building where such a system is installed, providing a continuous stream of information to be used in Evidence Based Design. In this way, the evaluation team will be able to present a new dimension of data in their POE for the architects and owners to consider. The following thesis addresses background information on the structure of POEs, Ethnographic methods of observation, and proposes a preliminary User Interface for inputting information as well as a method for identifying ‘meaningful interactions’.

Details
Author

Danilowicz, Steven

Title

VISUAL ANALYTICS FOR LARGE SCALE ETHNOGRAPHY: EXPLORING COMPUTATIONAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE OCCUPATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Physical Description

1 online resource (61 pages) : PDF

Date

2015

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Observational data within Post Occupancy Evaluations (POE) has had the problem of being deemed as ‘unreliable’ due to the fact that it is not based on quantifiable, empirical evidence. Even though ethnographic observation is quite effective and has a method, the common misconception is that it is just someone watching and drawing conclusions. What I propose is a system that can turn some of the ethnographer’s observational data into empirical data that can be better incorporated into traditional POE reports. The data becomes more credible in the eyes of those unfamiliar with ethnographic observational practices, and can be used to benefit current and future building designs. Such a system utilizes principles of Computer Vision and Machine Learning to develop a means for collecting and synthesizing observational data. The system will use a camera array installed in a space to track the movement of the people within. Additionally, we will enlist the help of ethnographers to teach the program to look for ‘meaningful interactions’ of the people within the space. Based on these notable events, the program will be able to draw data from like events, store the data, and use it when examining future data. This system will allow for data collection to occur continuously within a building where such a system is installed, providing a continuous stream of information to be used in Evidence Based Design. In this way, the evaluation team will be able to present a new dimension of data in their POE for the architects and owners to consider. The following thesis addresses background information on the structure of POEs, Ethnographic methods of observation, and proposes a preliminary User Interface for inputting information as well as a method for identifying ‘meaningful interactions’.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Computer science
Architecture

Degree

M.Arch.

Keywords

Ethnography
Information Technology
Observation
Post Occupancy Evaluation
Tracking

Subject Area

Architecture

Advisor(s)

Souvenir, Richard
Sauda, Eric

Committee Members

Lanclos, Donna

Degree Note

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2015.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Danilowicz_uncc_0694N_10857

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:1710