Architecture Commons^™

The Urban Network: An Ecosystemic Framework For The Enhancement Of Atlanta, Caleb Lawrence

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The city can be considered to be one of the most delicate and intricate ecosystems on the planet, as it defines the organization of the functions and systems that make up every day human life. With the continuing trends of rapid population growth and urbanization it is imperative to thoroughly and regularly examine the network of the city to ensure the continued ability of the urban model to sustain an adequate and resilient quality of daily life. The network of certain cities, like that of Atlanta, must be challenged to develop towards that of a distributed network. The goal of …

Nai-Sig: Natural And Ideal Studies In Geometry, Steven P. Kane

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Architecture through historical evidence seeks to find a straightforward development strategy for designing a place around Phenomenological views. Humans are one moment in time and space, seeking interactions between our senses and our environment. We are able to shape our reality over time, utilizing the characteristics given to us by history and nature. The Geometric Discipline assessed, explores how natural forces seen as vectors are applied in Different rational and irrational numbers. Natural structures and forms are looked at in a sensible fashion to give logic to our environment for design. The divide of design analysis for the hexagon form …

Maker's Village / Reviving Material Consciousness, Stephanie Balga, Stephanie Balga

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Taking from Richard Sennett’s book, The Craftsman, “Skill is a trained practice; modern technology is abused when it deprives its users precisely of that repetitive, concrete, hands-on training. When the head and the hand are separated, the result is mental impairment” (p.52) This separation that Richard Sennett is talking about is the disconnect that our modern society has found due to the large amounts of mass production, social media, and technology abuse. In order to find this connection again, humans need to become more aware of their surroundings. This reconnection can occur through what is called material consciousness. This is …

Plastic Paradise: Reconstitution Of Plastic Waste Through Design Of A Module, Janel Stitt

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

As a material, plastic has many redeeming qualities, but as waste product, it is detrimental to our environment. This thesis aims to advance the encapsulation of plastic waste within a new building component: cladding material and/or modular design element. To see plastic as a one-time use material is short-sighted and doesn’t account for the potential which is inherent in this material composition. By examining any given city, you will find a surplus of plastic waste -- whether it is at a landfill, recycling center, or littered throughout the streets. This plastic waste has the ability to be something more. Buildings …

Camps In Crisis: Challenging The Architecture For Refugees, Duc Huy Ho

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Every minute, 24 people are forcibly removed from their homes. This is due to violence, natural disasters, or human rights violations during premigration. Globally, there are 70.8 million people who are displaced, the largest number in history. To put this into perspective, imagine taking everyone from California and Texas and forcing them elsewhere. This is the scale of the refugee crisis. With this many people, we have to ask: what are the options? One: refugee camps or two: resettling in a foreign community. Unfortunately, some refugees are staying in camps designed for temporary use for up to 25 years. I …

Faith In Humanity : An Exploration Of Spiritually Inclusive Architecture, Jared Triemer

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

On March 15th, 2019 at 1:40 pm, Brenton Harrison Tarrant walked into Al Noor Mosque in New Zealand. Attached to his head, an iPhone set to livestream, and in his hand a loaded shotgun. Brenton then proceeded to gleefully murder 42 innocent Muslim worshippers. Soon after he fled to Linwood Mosque where he claimed 8 more victims. His actions demark New Zealand’s largest terrorist act in history. Brenton joins the long list of individuals who’s gross misunderstanding and hatred of a religion have escalated into violence. People like Brenton represent a larger issue that afflicts our modern society; the widespread …

An Experiment For Millennial Living: West-End Atlanta Social Housing, Kino Hamilton

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The number of social housing being built is at its lowest for 70 years and we face a lack of housing that people can afford. As a result many people will live in fear and stress of being forced to move out of their home. Millennials however, will have to endure this problem coming out of college while suffering the dept of student loans. One of the biggest heartbreaks in America was the downfall of public housing throughout the nation. The demolition of public housing to give way to new infrastructures that are more promising and that will generate more …

The Material Light: Exploring The Relationship Between Contained And Container, Oliver Brown

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Many buildings around us use the same ubiquitous boundary materials that fall short in directly influencing the disposition of the space it defines. There are many different opportunities to explore myriad material compositions to present the ambient qualities of space in a manner the puts the constructed boundary to the task to acclimatize the interior it envelopes. This thesis will explore a series of material compositions, with a focus on natural light, and how the articulation of the spatial boundary can bring out the strong qualities of daylight for visually sensitive activities. With this exploration, I will examine ways to …

Border[Wall]; A Space For Play | Providing Moments Of Intimacy To An International Stage, Jamison Owen

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

In the past many countries and dynasties have practiced the use of strategic defenses such as walls or fortifications to protect the people of said country, yet defense analysts often question if these historic barriers resulted in safety from other nations or provided complex social implications that changed the structure of the civilizations socio-cultural system. After the events of 9/11 in 2001 the moment the Twin Towers fell to the ground from a series of terrorist attacks the United States Border Control procedures vastly changed and adapted to the threat of Terrorism. Through the “War on Terrorism” declared by President …

State Of Independence: Reinterpreting Senior Living Through Backyard Homes, Trevor Sparrow

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

If a senior was able to live within a network of family and friends who could ensure a good quality of life was being met, as well as live in a space that was intentionally designed with their accessibility needs in mind, the independence and health of the senior can be well maintained into the final stages of their life. I am proposing the development of premanufactured homes which are designed specifically to address a senior's accessibility and care needs. These homes will be placed on the property of the existing home of the senior, their loved ones, or a …

Dignified Dwellings: Minimum Dwelling For The 21st Century, Andrew Smith

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The first major architecture treatise written in the first century B.C. by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio defines three principles that constitute a work of architecture, namely firmness, utility, and delight. This thesis speculates on whether housing for the under-sheltered in the 21st century has focused disproportionately on two of the three values of the triad, falling short in providing delight to under-served populations. In turn, the thesis offers four pillars to the discourse on transitional housing that paves the way to expanding delight for these housing strategies to include safe community spaces, access to ample natural resources, securable quarters, and spatial …

Between The Seats, Katherine Hall

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Cinema and Movie Theater spaces are dwindling in attendance, while community-gathering areas are thriving. Digital media platforms have taken over the need for an extra expense in the household. The goal of this project is to increase the community members' attendance rate to their local theatre through the development of innovative design solutions that amplify social component of theatres. More specifically, the project aims to turn a local theatre complex into a community hub. Which will incorporate social spaces along with designated theatrical spaces that are responsive to emerging cultural, social, and technological demands via design.

According to trend of …

Restoring History: Mixed-Use Hotel & Retail Center, William Chase Sisk

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Monroe, Georgia, is a unique small town, located halfway between Athens and Atlanta. The small-town atmosphere and amenities have become a popular destination for people attracted to the historic buildings, downtown events and UGA football home games. Monroe is popular for its wedding venues, antique malls, and car shows, but there are not enough hotel rooms. Currently within the historic downtown, there are only one bed and breakfast, two AirBNB’s, and no hotels, although every downtown storefront is occupied by restaurants, retail stores, and businesses.

The need for overnight accommodations has raised the possibility of a new mixed-use hotel and …

Empirical Empowerment - Mental Health In The Built Environment, Emily Mcclure

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

One in five adults in the US experienced a mental illness in 2018 and 19.1% Of the adult population suffers from the damages of poor mental health, affecting family, friends, as well as productivity in the workplace and physical health. The environment we occupy often goes unnoticed as the catalyst of neglecting mental health, while we spend more that 80% of our days on average indoors, there is a direct connection between environment and its impact on our mental health. Health and human services defines mental health as our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and …

Culture Confluence, Nhan Luu

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The goal of this Museum is to provide the community with an identity based in Vietnamese culture and heritage. The Museum strives to develop a secure connection with the community, providing confidence and helping people to grow as individuals and as members of their community. This engaging Museum aims to attract a diverse crowd to reflect the complexity of a changing society and to represent the community through various exhibits and programming. The Museum in the twenty-first century is not just a place to enjoy art, but also a place to raise questions and stimulate new thoughts and provoke discussion.

A Phenomenological Approach To Performance Architecture Through Light And Acoustics, Bree Chambers

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Throughout history, performances, the fine arts, and music have brought society together to persuade, inspire, and bring to light the pressing issues of their time. The Roman’s used the coliseum to distract their people with games and spectacles from political instability and famine. The Greeks performed in open amphitheaters to communicate tragic stories of morality. I want to influence the entertainment of our time, that is music festivals, from America’s first 1954 Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island to 1969 The Woodstock Aquarian exposition reported 500,000 people in attendance. Festivals are an escape from a conventional society into a counterculture …

Learning Through Space, Niloufar Mehrjerdian

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

At the South Border of the United States, children are being held in facilities for days. While at these facilities, these children do not have the opportunity to learn like other children around their age do. This thesis explores ways to design spaces for children that encourage cognitive development.

By looking at research done by Jean Piaget, Friedrich Froebel, Johanne Pestalozzi, and John Dewey, the thesis will examine the development of a child’s brain, and the development of cognition from birth to adulthood. Jean Piaget, a psychologist, divided the human brain’s development into four stages, the sensorimotor stage, the pre-operational …

From Displaced To Our Place: Educational Environments Can Promote A Community’S Health And Well-Being, Morgan Frederick

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Thomasville heights is a displacement neighborhood for people pushed out by Atlanta’s Urban Renewal projects. Thomasville Heights remains a casualty of a system of economic segregation. Under this system of segregation these neighborhoods are left in detrimental states. It is in places like Thomasville Heights where the phrase “place matters” becomes a call to action. A town of 6000 residents and only one elementary school, Thomasville heights is bordered by multiple freight yards, a cemetery, landfills, and Atlanta’s US penitentiary, just a 5-minute walk from that one elementary school. There remains a vast difference between that of low-income urban, and …

The Model Holistic : The Application Of The Adaptive Cycle To Rust-Belt Cities, Marysia Larosa

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

For too long, the relationship between the natural and built environment have been ignored, resulting in a disconnect between humanity, nature, and architecture. Can enforcing this relationship change the way we think about urban design and resiliency? Like ecology, cities act much like an ecosystem, going through four phases; exploitation, conservation, release, and reorganization. Over a slow period, these resources are conserved and protected rather than used for innovation. In the case of a disturbance, the vulnerability of the system at this point leads to eventual collapse and release of resources. Finally, as a result of this release, the system …

Informing Space: A Human Centered Approach To Designing An (Adaptive) Modular Dwelling On Mars, Hala Alfalih, Hala Alfalih

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

With tech giants like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin teaming with NASA to spearhead the mission to Mars, this provides an opportunity for architecture and design to engage in the conversation of the inevitable future of space exploration.

Research will explore structure, module and habitat as a means of developing an adaptive and parametrically designed dwelling for the first astronauts that will land on Mars. This thesis explores the intersection of the physical built environment and the psychology of astronauts in a remote, foreign and harsh environment. How can a shelter provide the essential needs to inhabit Mars while …

L.I.F.E. Is Beautiful, Adalia Fullbeck

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

My title Life is Beautiful: An inquire on the use of small living and architectural design. I chose this title because my focus is in looking at the phases of architecture and creating beautiful and life changing architecture with the help of engineering. I aim to transform my families life by creating a small living space that does not only let earth blossom but also our family. Everyone asks me why I wanted to become an architect. If I had to sum it up, I would say I became an architect so that I could mix my love of art …

The City Aetherus An Urban Design Methodology For Energy Use, Anthony Yan, Ermal Shpuza Phd

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

In the last few decades, there has been a growing awareness about the relationship between building design and energy use, environmental impact, and sustainability in general. Now, environmental design is a well-established field of architectural studies and practices. By contrast, it is only recently that the relationship between urban design and energy use has started to get due attention by the designer and planning communities. Due to our increasing energy needs and imminent global urbanization, humanity needs a solution to tackle the largest energy consumer: the city. This thesis is situated within the newly emerging discourse on the relationship between …

The [Hydro-Gen] Cell_ A Hydroponic, Regenerative, Modular System For Optimized Vertical Farming, Jose Asbiel Samaniego

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Thesis Statement:

This research project aims to design, develop, and test an intelligent hydroponic system that can be integrated into the built environment for advancing sustainability.

Proposal:

Hydroponic systems are methods of growing plants in a water-based solution, which are currently used in vertical farming practices for food production. In this research, the hydroponic-regenerative or [Hydro-Gen] Cell is envisioned as biomechanical hybrid machinery that, while designed to be used in mid-to high rise buildings it would address sustainable aspects such as food production, enhancement of air cleaning capacity, and reduction of energy consumption. The project specifically aims at addressing the …

Golden Scrutiny | Compositional Subtlety, Devon Sams

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The golden ratio in relation to architecture revolves around the use of composition, geometry and mathematics. The mathematical ratio informs a specific set of parameters that a design can adhere to and is believed that, when utilized properly, gives a creation a beautiful aesthetic. My approach to understanding this system is by exploring its specific functions and how ‘I’ as a designer can inform my design with the golden ratio as the key principle.

My research examines a comprehensive set of studies and explores through a set of experiments in both drawing, model making and digital fabrication to combine the …

Guaya Symbiosis, Diana Gil

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Located two degrees from the equator, west of the Amazon rain forest, and perched between the Guayas River and the Pacific Ocean, an Ecuadorian city named Guayaquil is home to the most bio-diverse environment in the world. In Red Book of Endemic Plants of Ecuador (2000), biologist Lorena Endara’s research was cataloged providing evidence that Ecuador has the highest concentration of species biodiversity. Based on this seminal report, the Ecuadorian government amended its constitution so the Red Book would be accepted as a governmental document, which was an important step for conservation planning and policy (2012). Unfortunately, the uncontrollable urban …

Eco-Hub, Diego Vazquez De Santos

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Since the dawn of civilization, humans have generated waste. With the age of industrialization came urbanization, and as a result, large populations quickly multiplied within cities. In 1842, a report entitled The Sanitary Condition of the Laboring Population, Edwin Chadwick argued for the need for proper removal and management facilities of waste. This report played an important role in securing the first law addressing waste collection. Today, only 26% of the estimated 75% of recyclable goods get recycled. This problem is more eminent within New York city which currently is the topmost wasteful city. New York City residents throw out …

A Bite Of Architecture: Farm-To-Table & Dining Experience, Steven Yang

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The way people experience a city is its food and architecture. It has the most cultural impact, by creating its own unique social interactions and experiences within our urban fabric and food. The architecture provides a sense of place and creates an artificial framework that ties in through harmony in the environment through research and design by promoting where food is coming from? How to grow and prepare food, and creates a unique dining experience. The project intent is not to create a food hub, but to create a framework that builds from a food hub all the way to …

Temporal Mindset : Retrofitting Senior Living, Christine Vu

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis started by looking at malls that were no longer being used and the issued that developed with the decline of these places. I thought of how architecture could benefit and improve the quality of these spaces and the site.

The total population of the United States is approximately 325 million people. Out of the 325 million, approximately 53 million people will be over the age of 65. Between 1946 and 1964, the Baby Boomer generation increased more than any other generation. That generation is now reaching an age where the need for senior living options are more in …

Defining The Relationships Of Authority, Noah Bieber

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis explores the “disciplinary mechanisms” that define individuals in space. The formation of tactics into a strategy galvanizes an individual into what Michel Foucault describes as a “docile body” (Foucault 1978,135). These tactics find traction in the classification, coding, and organizations of bodies in space and time, through repetition, observations, and documentation. The dynamic between these tactics forms the strategies to create docile bodies.

In the end, discipline mechanisms are used everyday subversively and or subliminally. However, good or bad, we are byproducts of our environment and under a system of control that coerces us to act and behave …

Inner City Artscape, Michelle Nguyen

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The research of this project deals with multiple disciplines such as art, culture, and social connection that ultimately benefits human development and well-being. Through the architectural urban design of the main street of Hapeville, GA, this thesis aims to solve the issues of vitalization and attraction to a main city street in a design of a residential community to activate public spaces through the work and input of the creative class and local community. Ultimately, this redesign of the main street will be a catalyst of economic growth and well-being of the local community, revitalizing a home into an urban …