Architecture Commons^™

Mosque Architecture In Contemporary Popular Cultures: A Critical Perspective, Mona Helmy

Architectural Engineering

This research paper claims that among important phenomena of several forms of contemporary mosques, there is a blurring of a clear distinction between their related popular/low cultural and formal/high-cultural status. For many centuries, high cultural mosques that are following what so called “formal architectural aesthetics” exist, which shaped by specific sets of well-established design principles and elements, trends, styles, tastes, designs, etc. Parallel to that, mosques in a context of popular cultures are shaped by folkloric signals, signs, and symbols, producing what can be called “Informal aesthetics”.

The popularization of mosque architecture in various contexts of cultural communities has different …

Public-Private Partnerships As An Approach For Alleviating Risks Associated With Adaptive Reuse Of Heritage Buildings In Egypt, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Nouran Abdeltawab Mahmoud

Architectural Engineering

The status of heritage buildings in Egypt has remained threatened for decades as a result of many factors such as negligence, ignorance and lack of resources, which consequently led to degradation. Hence, opportunities to utilize these buildings efficiently are wasted. Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings has proven to be a beneficial, yet risky approach in Egypt. Additionally, the pressuring demands on the government to conserve these heritage buildings and satisfy other public demands have been growing even more recently. Accordingly, there is a need for the involvement of the private sector to aid the government in its adaptive reuse initiatives …

The Nolan House, Keiko-Ann K. Sanders, Gilbert C. Munoz, Michael A. Bahr, Titas Kalvalnis

Architectural Engineering

As a precedent, The Green Team analyzed the history of glass architecture, literature, and culture. Based on our research, we found that glass is often depicted as breakable, delicate, and a way to expose or display aspects that would otherwise be hidden. We challenged ourselves to incorporate safety and privacy into our glass house as a way to combat the pre-existing notions of glass in architecture.

Reconceptualizing Mies' Glass House, Araceli Avelar, Armando Castaneda Jr, Madison Lam, Ignatius Malari, Alejo Favero, Augusta Orlauskaite, Ella Gleason

Architectural Engineering

Our team used the glass house studio to explore class stratification, particularly using the glass as a reflection of class dichotomy in our society. The glass and Miesian design approach glorifies the clean cut, picture-perfect utopia only accessible to the wealthy few. But reality proves that there is more to this. As architects and engineers, we should strive to create environments that may uphold our values of equity and diversity and ultimately serve all sectors of society.

Health + Efficiency House: A Take On The 50x50 Glass House, Eva Wieczorek, Krystal Bacon, Kaylee Hernandez, Jennifer Long, Moises De La Cruz, Elle Gallmann, Jurgis Vaišvila

Architectural Engineering

Under the guidance of Professor Edmond Saliklis and Professor Meredith Sattler, four Architectural Engineering students joined forces with three Architecture students from both Cal Poly and Vilnius Technical University in Lithuania. The portfolio exemplifies a complete reimagination of Mies van der Rohe and Myron Goldsmith's 50x50 Glass House as if it were designed today in Palm Springs, CA. The work completed in this interdisciplinary studio includes historical context, abstract creation, architectural and structural design all relating back to the Glass House.

An Exploration Into Structurally Rational Architecture, Bridget M. Healey

Architectural Engineering

This project is a series of small explorations into modern examples of structurally rational architecture. Each investigation looks at different methods of analyzing or designing structures that combine aesthetics and economy.