Architecture Commons^™

Chaos And Order: Translating War Into Spatial Design, Falak Alam

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Wars and occupations happened all over the world throughout history. As Eyal Weizman has demonstrated in “Hollow Land,” architecture actually partakes in wars and occupations (Weizman 11). Architecture facilitates the occupation’s goals of control and dispossession through spatial and formal means. Weizman breaks architecture’s effects on the political environment down into six main categories: anchor point settlements, vertical architecture, uniform design, the dynamic battlefield, the spatial arrangements of settlements, and threshold spaces. These strategies exemplify the way design has been used in an effort to instill fear and erase identities of cultures.

Weizman’s book, along with Lebbeus Woods’ writings and …

Interdisciplinary Couture: A Translation From Fashion To Architecture, Michael Toache

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Haute Couture or ‘high dressmaking’ is a term used for fashion designers to implement one-of-a-kind designs custom fit for an exclusive collection. Within the realm of design, there lies a relationship between fashion and architecture. Humans formed the earliest iterations of spatial boundaries by implementing weaving techniques made with plant fibers and posts. We created fences before we clothed ourselves. Weaving these boundaries or textile walls was instituted in some of the earliest forms of architecture still used today. The process of design that drives the creation of the spaces we inhabit today is created by the same beginnings as …

[A]Rchitectural_[I]Ntelligence: A Visual Design Journey Through The Lens Of Ai, Cameron Fiveash

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in architecture has revolutionized design thinking, providing architects with powerful tools for exploration and creation. This thesis examines the transformative potential of AI engines, particularly MidJourney, in enhancing architectural design processes. MidJourney's advanced image analysis capabilities offer architects a unique opportunity to study architectural forms through AI, fostering a symbiotic relationship between human creativity and machine intelligence.

The research explores AI's evolving role in the creative process, emphasizing its ability to augment human ingenuity rather than replace it. Architects can leverage MidJourney's AI engine to explore diverse design possibilities and discover innovative solutions to …

Reimagining Fire Tower Typology: Enhancing Safety And Creating A Sense Of Place, Chloe Bango

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This architectural exploration studies the transformative evolution of fire watch towers, shifting from their traditional role as fire safety devices to become inviting destinations for hikers and visitors. This paradigm shift not only embraces the functional aspect of fire prevention but also capitalizes on the inherent potential for these structures to serve as unique, inhabitable spaces within the natural landscape. The design philosophy integrates state-of-the-art wildfire detection systems seamlessly into the architectural fabric, establishing a symbiotic relationship between safety and recreation. The incorporation of cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced sensors, satellite imagery, and real-time data analytics, enhances the tower’s primary …

Decarbonized Design: Investigating Decarbonization Through The Design Of A Mass Timber Campus, Sophie Cronin

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The rise of carbon in our atmosphere is a leading cause of climate change, and one of the biggest threats to our planet. Though not the most toxic greenhouse gas, it is the most durable, therefore lingers much longer in our atmosphere. This leads to higher atmospheric temperatures, causing natural disasters such as melting ice caps, and rising sea levels which leads to displacement of people and loss of biodiversity. According to Architecture 2030 The global building industry emits 42% of the annual carbon emissions. I believe we need to take action as a part of the building industry to …

Modulating Recycled Plastic - A Sustainable Solution To Plastic Pollution Through Innovative Recycling, Galo Cruz

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Initially celebrated as a miracle material, modern society’s dependence on plastics has resulted in urgent environmental challenges. The consequences of this dependence are: widespread plastic pollution, an environment grappling with near-indestructible waste, and a health crisis fueled by malignant microplastics. In response to this urgent junction of environmental challenges, this research sets forth to further the transformative approach explored by Janel Sitt’s 2020 thesis and aims to answer the following questions:

1. Why does our dependence on single-use plastic jeopardize our environment, severely impacting food supplies, marine life, and overall quality of life?

2. As designers, are there opportunities for …

Evolving Comforts [Reimagination Of The Homestead Community Based On Flexible Living, Adaptability And Self-Sufficiency, Tyler Quick

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

"Evolving Comforts" investigates the design of adaptable housing components to facilitate flexible, sustainable, and self-sufficient living, in form of a community homestead. The research explores how adaptable housing solutions can foster a more flexible lifestyle while promoting sustainability and cost efficiency. Innovative material options are scrutinized to ensure both flexibility and sustainability in developing housing components. Effective joinery techniques balancing ease of replacement, reuse, and transport are examined. Additionally, strategies for creating the desired homestead community environment and achieving net-zero energy goals are proposed. Through this study, a solution emerges for reimagining housing for those seeking simplified, more …

The Crucian Cultural Experience | Designing A Cultural Heritage Park For The Island Of St. Croix Usvi, Ashlee Martinez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Welcome to St. Croix USVI, an island of beauty and wonder, filled with rich history and splendor. The question posed throughout the thesis is – how can Architecture be used to preserve the history and culture of St. Croix?

This thesis proposes the development of a cultural heritage park based on the culture of St. Croix, USVI. The park's primary goal is to preserve the island's cultural heritage while providing an immersive and educational experience for tourists and locals alike. Using interactive exhibits (VR), performances, and hands-on activities, visitors will gain the opportunity to learn about the island's history, music, …

Urban Metabolism, Clayton Champion

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis aims to reimagine urban living in San Francisco through the design of a utopian megastructure that transcends traditional notions of architecture. Megastructures, a post-war architectural concept, consist of a big frame with modules that have a short-term life cycle. By integrating principles of inclusivity, adaptability, and community empowerment, the proposed megastructure serves as a spatial bridge, addressing the city's multifaceted socioeconomic challenges.

Drawing inspiration from architectural precedents such as the Metabolist movement, Fumihiko Maki, Ralph Wilcoxon, Kisho Kurokawa, and Archigram, the research emphasizes the significance of modular and adaptable structures that evolve over …

The Art Of Experience: Changing Architectural Designs Through The Perception Of Light, Brett Hembree

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

We are constantly surrounded by and inhabiting the built environment. Architecture can affect someone’s mood in the most subtle of ways. The spaces we inhabit have an impact whether you are aware of it or not. Peter Zumthor said, "Architecture is a service, a process, a way of building and leaving the world a little better for our presence." The question becomes, "How can we use lighting in architectural designs to create impactful experiences for those in the space?" My thesis explores how we design spaces and what strategies can be implemented to influence the viewers’ perception. We are shaped …

From Silence To Thriving: Architecture As A Voice For The Wayuu Tribe, Angie Son Pulido

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This research explores how stories, music, and patterns intersect to shape the built environment, with an emphasis on spotlighting the Wayuu tribe, a resilient culture facing extinction in the arid desert of La Guajira, Colombia. The Wayuu people have endured centuries of adversity, including colonialism, exploitation, drug trafficking, and internal conflict. In this place, water and food are scarce, and child mortality rates are very high. Despite hardships, they preserve a culture of resilience thanks to their tradition of oral storytelling. Drawing from the tradition of storytelling, the works of writer Gabriel García Márquez, particularly his Magical Realism, serve as …

Crux: Urban Ecology And Cultural Essence, Maria Del Valle

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The CRUX, stands for islands grappling with the aftermath of hurricanes. Its transformative vision is set against the backdrop of a city scarred by abandoned homes, tainted water sources, agricultural decay, and a crippled electrical grid. CRUX aspires to breathe new life into this urban landscape, envisioning a self-sustaining city dedicated to nurturing community ties for the resilient people of Yabucoa. The testament to the restoration is not just physical structures, but the research studies the very spirit of the community. By delving into the realms of art, farming, Afro-Carribbean culture, and food, the project seeks to create a vibrant …

Port City Revitalization: Reconnecting The City Of Charleston To Its Historic Waterfront, Riley Ransom

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

From fortified settlements to bustling epicenters of production and commerce, port cities have pioneered the course of urban sprawl throughout history. Yet, as port specialization advances and new infrastructure emerges, the once vibrant historic port sites are left neglected. The disconnect is reflected in three dynamic relationships between the city and the port, the city and the water, and the land and the water. The city has grown away from the port, the port infrastructure has been regionalized, and as a result the two have become separate entities. In this process the city is now isolated from the water as …

The Revitalization Of Lalibela’S Heritage Site Through The Establishment Of A New Visitor Center, Endale Tesfay

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

ABSTRACT

Revitalizing the heritage site of the rock-hewn church of Lalibela is counted as revitalizing a city because the site is the biggest heritage site. It is found in the Amhara region of north Ethiopia, and the properties were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. Eleven churches were found at the site, and all of them were carved out of the living rock in the 12th century, not constructed traditionally. The churches are grouped into three and connected by a walking trail, tunnel, and trench. Groups of churches have interior and exterior spaces, and their floors, roofs, walls, …

Natural Reflection: Reducing The Environmental Impact Of Architecture Through Biomimetic Design, Keenan Doricent

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This project studies how typical building projects contribute to our environmental issues today and possible ways to reduce that contribution moving forward. In my literature review, I discuss the potential of biomimetic design as a possible solution for more environmentally considerate architecture techniques. Building operations and the construction process are two of the leading contributors to energy consumption and our growing ecological footprint as an industry. Everything from sourcing materials, to site preparation, and ultimately building occupation, factor into the effect of a structure’s life on the environment. The embodied and operational energy use of our expanding infrastructure continues to …

Safe Passage, Tenzin Senge

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

After the Cultural Revolution of 1959 in China which led to the occupation of Tibet, the people of Tibet suffered the loss of homes and were stripped away from their socio-cultural ethos. As displaced Tibetans, the next generations will grow up without a nation, their self-identity and live with uncertain future. To this day, thousands of Tibetans are fleeing into neighboring countries every year by crossing the treacherous (cold freezing) Himalayas mountains with great hardship, even the most experience hikers find this task challenging. Issues arise for these refugees trying to escape, and questions tend to pile up about the …

Escape: Striving For Well-Being Through Architecture, Moises Marquez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The escalating issue of physical inactivity among children in the United States, propelled by pervasive technology, demands urgent attention. Sedentary lifestyles, characterized by excessive screen time and poor diets, have become the societal norm. The impact extends beyond physical health, affecting cognitive development, social interaction, and nutrition. Prolonged screen time hinders cognitive functions and impedes social development, while unhealthy dietary choices lead to malnutrition, obesity, and chronic diseases.

In response, institutional agencies like the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have formulated guidelines to combat sedentary lifestyles, emphasizing the critical role of childhood and adolescence in …

Closed For Storm: Open For Opportunity Revitalizing New Orleans At The Six Flags Site, Jackson Crow

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

New Orleans, a city known for its rich culture and historical significance, has faced its fair share of challenges, including natural disasters and economic struggles. One notable symbol of these struggles is the abandoned Six Flags theme park. This thesis proposal aims to explore the potential of revitalizing the old Six Flags site as a means to revive the city, while at the same time giving back to the community by enhancing its economic, cultural, and recreational offerings. The site will also double down as a safe center if another catastrophic hurricane hits the city.

Tribal Restoration, Texas Totten

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

An architectural thesis should center around unresolved challenges within the field. Within our nation, numerous architecture-related issues persist, with many awaiting effective and lasting solutions. Some of these challenges are glaringly evident, drawing attention as eyesores, while others remain unnoticed, escaping the public's scrutiny. Paradoxically, the issues that often elude widespread attention are those most in need of urgent assistance. A prime illustration is the ongoing housing crisis afflicting Native American tribal lands. For years, these reservations have grappled with persistent poverty, with the lack of access to affordable housing emerging as a prominent and pressing concern. Unfortunately, these tribal …

Networking: Plugging-In To The Suburbs, Joel Burnette

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Postwar planning has led to the disruption of sufficient urban design. Effects such as urban sprawl and the spread of low-density housing has created issues with residents having to heavily rely on commuting to cities by automobiles, creating a car-driven environment as opposed to one that is pedestrian-friendly, and also causing an increase in air pollution. The aim of my thesis is to establish a mixed-use community west of the North Springs MARTA Station as a solution to localizing services in order to counter these problems of separated zones and urban sprawl. Using precedents of past and present mixed-use developments, …

Urban Mixed Income, Mixed Use Transit Orientated Design A Precast Prefabricated Modular Design Solution To Atlanta's Housing Affordability Crisis, Taharka Askia Muhammad

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis will focus on urban housing affordability with an emphasis on quality mixed income, mixed use, transit orientated housing development (TOD). The primary goal is to provide an adequate number of affordable housing units to allow diversity and inclusion for residents of lower income in nearby communities or otherwise provide greater housing affordability overall. This research aims to propose new construction and creative innovations with precast, prefabricated modular architecture which will take advantage of cost offset strategies, lower cost of construction, efficiency, and speed of construction. The design phase of this thesis will develop a design proposal for the …

Resurgence, Caleb Willis

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

As much as technology has advanced in the past couple of centuries, it appears that the relationship between the architect and the site has only grown thinner. Working from home and technological advancements have created an environment that loosens the grasp that architects have with the site. Documents are sent directly to contractors over email, buildings are standardized and plotted unto any landscape desired, and buildings are demolished at the touch of a button. With this loss in connectivity, this project aims to reconnect the architect to their site, as they shall be issued land for development, not a building. …

Tides Of Memory: Restoring The Soul Of The Shoreline, Ruth Llorente

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Guayaquil, with a population of approximately 3 million inhabitants, is the largest city in Ecuador and home to the most important port in the country, driving its commercial and industrial activity. Despite significant urban expansion in the last 40 years, urban planning has been lacking, leading to informal settlements and overcrowding. While the city government initiated projects to attract tourists and uplift residents, these efforts focused on central areas, leaving many in poverty and segregation.

Isla Trinitaria, a major informal settlement, suffers from high density and poor living conditions, attracting migrants seeking better prospects. Although the city eventually provided basic …

Parametric Bamboo, Dominic Reilly

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis project explores the potential of using bamboo as a sustainable material in building parametric designs. The construction industry has a significant impact on the environment, and the use of sustainable materials in architecture is becoming increasingly essential. Bamboo is a versatile and sustainable material that has been used for centuries in various cultures worldwide. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that can grow up to 91 cm per day and matures in just three to five years, making it an excellent alternative to traditional building materials like wood and synthetics. The project aims to investigate the properties of bamboo …

Nomad Unit, Thiago Degrossi

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis explores the transformative potential of van conversions into sustainable living spaces through the integration of spatial operations, efficient design, and renewable technologies. By examining various case studies and employing design experiments, the research investigates how space optimization, energy efficiency, and minimalist design can contribute to a lifestyle that is both eco-conscious and adaptable. The study focuses on the design and build process of converting a Ford Transit into a full-time, livable space of 100 square feet that incorporates advanced movement mechanisms, such as telescopic furniture and pivot-rotation elements, to maximize the utility of every inch. The van conversion …

Dynamic Dwellings: A Study In Transformative Spaces, Donovan Mitchell

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis research explores the transformative potential of kinetic architecture in the realm of residential living, focusing on the integration of adaptable interiors and dynamic facades through the use of kinetic elements. In a world with ever-shifting lifestyles and environmental changes, architecture's role in enhancing human experience is paramount. This study will argue that architecture should not remain static; instead, it should evolve, respond, and cater to the changing needs of users and environmental conditions. This research aims to propose solutions that fundamentally redefine the way we inhabit and interact with our built environments.

Queer Underground: A Spatial Re-Imagination Of Underground Atlanta, James T. Lawrence

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

In the 1980s, stumbling upon the Imperial Lodge of Elks by night would have immersed one in an atmosphere characterized by expression, love, and cultural vibrancy. This locale, nestled within the ballroom culture of Harlem, NYC, has since evolved into a celebrated bastion of queer culture, serving as both a historical touchstone and a wellspring of inspiration for contemporary pop culture and the LGBTQ+ community. Drawing parallels between the architectural and functional dynamics of this bygone era and present-day queer spaces reveals intriguing insights. In downtown Atlanta, the once-thriving Underground Atlanta district grapples with the challenge of maintaining its relevance …

Revitalizing Sweet Auburn, Georgia: A Foodcentric Biophilic Inspired Solution, Cason Lott

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Revitalizing Sweet Auburn, Georgia: A Foodcentric Biophilic Inspired Solution addresses the critical issue of food deserts and the challenges of maintaining a healthy balance in densely populated urban environments. It underscores the importance of easy access to essential resources like food for community well-being and highlights the strain on individuals. The thesis emphasizes the potential for sustainable solutions to improve urban living conditions, promoting both physical and mental health while ensuring stability and community. Furthermore, the thesis explores the integration of urban farming, community education, and sustainability with biophilic design’s natural elements to create an enriching community center that acts …

[Re]Mapping Resilience: Reimagining Urban Waterfronts In The Face Of Climate Change, Brandon Bernard

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

By the year 2100, southern-Florida is projected to experience a 1-2 meter rise in sea level, resulting in the lower portion of the state becoming almost completely submerged under a new watertable.[14] During the 19th and 20th centuries, the city of Miami developed rapidly and the community and economy inevitably became intertwined with the water and its ecology. Due to the growing population and economy, urban developments soared and led to low-lying areas being filled in, open space along waterways were claimed for commercial and residential buildings, and man-made islands such as the venetian islands were constructed. As a result, …

Multisensory Realm: Architecture For The Visually Impaired, Jennifer Perez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 2.2 billion people who have a near or distance vision impairment. Vision has historically been considered the most important of the senses; therefore, when this sense becomes obstructed, an individual’s lifestyle can be harshly impacted. Because their vision becomes obstructed, visually impaired individuals run into various daily life challenges such as having difficulty navigating around independently, stigma in society, leisure, accessibility, and isolation. This can be due to the issue that the built environment has tended to neglect building for all senses. For this reason, an architectural goal has been to …