Architecture Commons^™

Untimely Thinking Of Alberto Pérez-Gómez, Peter Olshavsky

Architecture Program: Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity

This is the foreword to the two-volume collection of essays by the eminent architectural historian Dr. Alberto Pérez-Gómez titled, Timely Meditations: Select Essays on Architecture (2016). It examines his work on hermeneutics to reconsider "innovation" in architecture by privileging architecture’s performance of cultural orientation over innovation for its own sake. This shifts attention from action based on information to a hermeneutic position that draws on a less articulate background.

Notre Dame Des Canadiens 5 Salem Square, Worcester, Ma 01608, Amy M. Skrzek

Historic Preservation Capstone Projects

Notre Dame des Canadiens is an Exotic Style church located in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts at 5 Salem Square. The church was built in 1929 and was designed by architect, Donat R. Baribault of Springfield, Massachusetts. It is significant under Criteria A and C for the French Canadian community it represented and due to its architecture. The French Canadian community was one of the largest immigrant populations in Worcester contributing to the culture of the city. This church stands as a testament to the will of the French Canadian people to establish their own, French-speaking, parish and in doing so established …

Gabe's Reimagined: A Multi-Use Renovation Of An Abandoned Hotel, Alissa Ramburger

Lewis Honors College Capstone Collection

The building, named Gabe’s Tower after owner and public figure Gabe Fiorella, was once an icon of Owensboro. Unfortunately, due to population growth southward and the opening of a rival hotel downtown (The Executive Inn), Gabe’s Tower was unable to remain open. It has since undergone many different ownerships, each of which have struggled to remain profitable. The building has remained vacant for years and therefore has been subjected to becoming a location for crime. This has produced a very negative image for the building and the surrounding area. This negative image drives the purpose of this project. Through the …

3d Tool Evaluation And Workflow For An Ecological Approach To Visualizing Ancient Socio-Environmental Landscapes: A Case Study From Copan, Honduras, Heather Richards-Rissetto, Shona Sanford-Long, Jack Kerby-Miller

Department of Anthropology: Faculty Publications

Architectural reconstructions are the centerpieces of ancient landscape visualization. When present, vegetation is relegated to the background, resulting in underutilized plant data—an integral data source for archaeological interpretation—thus limiting the capacity to take advantage of 3D visualization for studying ancient socio-environmental dynamics. Our long-term objective is to develop methods of 3D landscape visualization that have value for examining changes in land use and settlement patterns. To begin to work toward this objective, we have (1) identified 3D tools and techniques for vegetation modeling and landscape visualization, (2) evaluated the pros and cons of these tools, (3) investigated biological and ecological …

Cooperative Housing Systems, Shane Madden, Andrew Mcallister, Kieran Brady, John Flynn, Emma Conway, Holly Carton, Yi Shi, Benjamin Cooney, Sean Conlon-Smith

Students Learning with Communities

No abstract provided.

Enhancing A Housing Technical Design Studio With A Collaborative On-Line Learning Space, Jim Roche

Conference papers

This paper presents the experience in participating in a collaborative learning environment involving different academic programs from various schools of architecture and urban planning within the framework of the OIKONET project. A collaborative project for new urban, environmental and architectural solutions for three social housing blocks built in Dublin in the 1950’s has been designed and implemented on-site and in a web-based learning environment following a blended-learning philosophy. Teachers from other schools have evaluated the student work presented in this environment. This blended-learning approach has contributed to enhancing the educational space of the on-site design studio. Students had to learn …

The Impact Of The Ambient Environment And Building Configuration On Occupant Productivity In Open-Plan Commercial Offices, Mark Mulville, Nicola Callaghan, David Isaac

Articles

Purpose

This paper sets out to understand the impact of the ambient environment on perceived comfort, health, wellbeing and by extension productivity in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The research combined an occupant survey considering satisfaction with the ambient environment, health and wellbeing and workplace behaviour with the monitoring of ambient environmental conditions.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that the ambient environment can have a significant impact on occupant comfort, health and wellbeing, which in turn has implications for built asset performance. Within the ambient environmental factors considered, a hierarchy may exist with noise being of particular importance. Occupant behaviour within the workplace …

Don’T Try To Inflate House Prices For The Benefit Of The Banks, Lorcan Sirr

Media

When it comes to housing, the constant comparisons with the “peak prices” of 2007 make me wonder whether we’re about to lose the plot again. Perpetual benchmarking against an irrational peak suggests those destructive prices are a target we should aim to achieve, whereas nothing could be further from the truth.

Politicians Turn A Deaf Ear To Planning And Housing Problems, Lorcan Sirr

Media

Just before Christmas I spent an hour with RTE recording a radio programme reflecting on some of the year’s most significant building and development issues. We discussed building defects, houses being flooded, ghost estates, and so on. After each clip played I gave my analysis of the situation, and it wasn’t long before I found myself repeating the same line, which was effectively: “I bet you there’s a planning report somewhere that says, ‘We don’t recommend you do this’.” But it was done anyway because the politicians—local and national—for their own reasons said “do it”, when the professionals said “don’t”. …

Indicators Of Agglomeration: Using Population Density Grids To Assess Growth Momentum In Identifying The Emerging City Of Drogheda With Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington (Lbm)., Brian Hughes

Other Resources

In earlier research literature this author deployed both population size and daytime working population data as measures of potential settlements, for selection as comparable growth centres for the National Spatial Framework, vide Hughes (2013). An identified problem, encountered in defining urban settlements and that of their spatial extent, is the dilemma of opposites; of being able to distinguish between the physical ‘separation’ and the agglomerating ‘contiguity’ of discrete settlements. Focusing on linear distance as its principal ‘separation’ measure, the United Nations provides a limiting description, for separation, in the task of quantifying singular urban fields of agglomeration and thus in …

Reading A Chapel, Mariam Ayad Dr.

Sociology, Egyptology & Anthropology Department: Faculty Work

No abstract provided.

3d Scan Data For Selected Artifacts From Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark (La3324), New Mexico, Usa, Robert Z. Selden Jr., George T. Crawford

CRHR: Archaeology

Between February 8-11, 2016, selected artifacts from the Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark (LA3324) were scanned in advance of a grant proposal to digitally aggregate the Clovis-era artifacts from the Clovis type site. These data were collected using a NextEngineHD running ScanStudioHD Pro, and were post-processed in Geomagic Design X 2016.0.1. All data associated with this project have been made publicly available (open access) and are accessible in Zenodo under a Creative Commons Attribution license, where they can be downloaded for use in additional projects and learning activities. These data have the capacity to augment a variety of research designs …

3d Scan Data For Caddo Ceramic Vessels From The George C. Davis Site (41ce19), Robert Z. Selden Jr.

CRHR: Archaeology

On June 8, 2015, the intact and reconstructed vessels from the George C. Davis site (41CE19) were scanned (3D) in advance of an analysis of 3D geometric morphometrics. These data were collected using a Creaform GoSCAN50 running VXElements via the scanner direct control function in Geomagic Design X. All data associated with this project are available in Zenodo under a Creative Commons Attribution license, where they can be downloaded for use in additional projects. These data have the capacity to augment numerous research designs in the digital humanities and ceramic studies, as well as a wide range of comparative research …

A Multi-Scale Spatiotemporal Modeling Approach To Explore Vegetation Dynamics Patterns Under Global Climate Change, Bingwen Qiu, Zhuangzhuang Wang, Zhenghong Tang, Zhe Liu, Difei Lu, Chongcheng Chen, Nan Chen

Community and Regional Planning Program: Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity

Given the complexity of vegetation dynamic patterns under global climate change, multi-scale spatiotemporal explicit models are necessary in order to account for environmental heterogeneity. However, there is no efficient time-series tool to extract, reconstruct and analyze the multi-scale vegetation dynamic patterns under global climate change. To fill this gap, a Multi-Scale Spatio-Temporal Modeling (MSSTM) framework which can incorporate the pixel, scale, and time-specific heterogeneity was proposed. The MSSTM method was defined on proper time-series models for multitemporal components through wavelet transforms. The proposed MSSTM approach was applied to a subtropical mountainous and hilly agro-forestry ecosystem in southeast China using the …

Automated Cropping Intensity Extraction From Isolines Of Wavelet Spectra, Bingwen Qiu, Zhuangzhuang Wang, Zhenghong Tang, Chongcheng Chen, Zhanling Fan, Weijiao Li

Community and Regional Planning Program: Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity

Timely and accurate monitoring of cropping intensity (CI) is essential to help us understand changes in food production. This paper aims to develop an automatic Cropping Intensity extraction method based on the Isolines of Wavelet Spectra (CIIWS) with consideration of intra- class variability. The CIIWS method involves the following procedures: (1) characterizing vegetation dynamics from time–frequency dimensions through a continuous wavelet transform performed on vegetation index temporal profiles; (2) deriving three main features, the skeleton width, maximum number of strong brightness centers and the intersection of their scale intervals, through computing a series of wavelet isolines from the wavelet spectra; …

Spatial-Temporal Pattern Of Vegetation Index Change And The Relationship To Land Surface Temperature In Zoige, Zheng Chen, Wei-Guo Jiang, Zhenghong Tang, K. Jia

Community and Regional Planning Program: Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity

The Zoige wetland is the largest alpine peat wetland in China, and it has been degrading since 1960s. MODIS Enhance Vegetation Index (EVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) products in late august from 2000 to 2014 were employed to explore vegetation index and land surface temperature change tendency and to perform Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI). The correlation between the annual mean of EVI and annual mean of LST was also calculated at pixel scale. The main purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between wetland degradation and climate change. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Average …

Energy-Saving Occupant Behaviour In Offices: Change Strategies, Mark Mulville, Keith Jones, Gesche Huebner, Joanne Powell-Grieg

Articles

As regulated energy consumption in buildings is reduced, the proportional importance of unregulated energy consumption increases. Reducing unregulated energy use in the commercial office requires an understanding of the factors that influence workplace behaviour. To date these factors have been assumed to be similar to those that influence behaviour in the home. However, the social dynamics of the workplace are different to those in the home. This study examines the degree to which theories of behaviour change generated largely in a domestic building setting could be used as the basis for designing interventions to reduce unregulated energy consumption in the …

Toledo Tomorrow: Reading Norman Bel Geddes' Vision For The Future In A Shrinking Midwestern City, Sujata Shetty, Andreas Luescher

Architecture and Environmental Design Faculty Publications

This paper examines Norman Bel Geddes’ 1945 Toledo Tomorrow plan, his only proposal for a specific city, and its stamp on the morphology of today's Toledo. The paper surveys retrospectively at the changes in the morphology of the city and critically analyzes the impact of the Toledo Tomorrow Plan. Today's Toledo, a shrinking rustbelt city, reflects Geddes' legacy of neglecting the historic core; focusing on highway infrastructure, that has since worked in tandem with the forces of decentralization and suburbanization; and the city's weak relationship with its natural features and larger region.

Architecture Student Design Competition 2016 Final Report, Andreas Luescher

Architecture and Environmental Design Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The City Of Tomorrow: Geddes Model Of 1945, Andreas Luescher, Sujata Shetty

Architecture and Environmental Design Faculty Publications

Toledo made national headlines in the mid-1940's when the legendary industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes, was commissioned to develop a plan for the city's future. Using archival work and field observation, this research analyzes the plan, and reflects on its impact on Toledo and on the design of American cities today.

Use Of Concept Maps To Illustrate Barriers To Construction Industry Inter-Organizational Communication: A Comparative View From Students And Professionals, Mark Shaurette

School of Construction Managment Technology Faculty Publications

Because of the fragmented nature of construction industry inter-organizational communication, construction industry stakeholders must rely on information exchanges in order to produce new information and directives for the process. This communication process does not always happen smoothly due to possible barriers during the information flow. The purpose of this study is to understand these potential information flow barriers and to use concept maps to engage students in discussions about communication within the construction industry. Concept map activities performed with industry professionals and senior construction management students in separate phases are described. To complement the concept map findings, interviews with key …

An Architecture Of Movement: The New Headquarters For Usa Dance, Bethany Robertson

Architecture Theses

By providing a headquarters for the national ballroom dance organization in the United States, this project will provide a practice, performance, and interaction space for all levels of dancers. Furthermore, this building can also provide a social space both inside and out not only for the dancers who use the building, but for the local residents.

Complicated Agency, Brian Lonsway

School of Architecture - All Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Key Performance Tasks To Demonstrate The Benefit Of Introducing The Facilities Manager At An Early Stage In The Building Information Modelling Process On Public Sector Projects In Ireland., Barry Mcauley

Doctoral

Modelling (BIM) governed process was investigated in this thesis. Governments are now seeking a more rewarding methodology in the management and procurement of public sector building assets. This has seen an integrated focus by International Governments on BIM as a partial solution in both managing and procuring public sector building assets. Despite BIM bringing the Facility Manager closer to project conceptualisation, there was still a reluctance and a lack of perceived benefits of having them involved earlier in the design phase. There remains a lack of clear evidence on what improved contribution the Facilities Manager can provide. This thesis provides …

Properties Of Self-Compacting Concrete With Recycled Coarse Aggregate, W. C. Tang, P. C. Ryan, H. Z. Cui, W. Liao

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The utilization of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) has the potential to reduce both the environmental impact and financial cost associated with this increasingly popular concrete type. However, to date limited research exists exploring the use of coarse RCA in SCC. The work presented in this paper seeks to build on the existing knowledge in this area by examining the workability, strength, and fracture properties of SCCs containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% coarse RCA. The experimental programme indicated that at RCA utilization levels of 25% to 50% little or no negative impact was observed for …

Pumping Of Fresh Concrete: Insights And Challenges, Geert De Schutter, Dimitri Feys

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Pumping of Fresh Concrete is of Utmost Importance for Concrete Practice. Required Pumping Pressures Are Typically Estimated based on Design Charts. However, with the Increased Use of Chemical Admixtures and the Development of More Flowable Concrete Mixtures, the Accuracy of Traditional Design Charts is Questioned. in Recent Years, Significant Progress Has Been Obtained in Understanding the Flow of the Material in the Pumping Pipe, Including the Behavior of the Lubrication Layer Near the Pipe Surface. in Comparison with Traditional Design Charts, This Results in More Reliable Pressure Predictions When Considering Very Fluid Concrete Types Like Self-Consolidating Concrete. Some Remaining Challenges …

What Is The Impetus To Move? Amenity-Rich Residential Clubs And Retirement Housing Aspirations Of The Soon-To-Be Old, Tris Kee

Faculty of Design & Environment (THEi)

Hong Kong’s population is aging rapidly, yet the city is still struggling to provide an adequate housing supply for its soon-to-be old cohort. By examining the needs and aspirations of the soon-to-be old population through the theoretical frameworks for elderly housing and elderly migration, the relationship between amenity-rich residential clubs and retirement housing aspirations of future retirees become clear. This paper finds that the soon-to-be old cohort is aspired to better medical, leisure, and community facilities in their residential vicinities when considering their retirement living environment, underlining the appeal of amenity-rich residential clubs; however, most of the soon-to-old old cohort …

Prediction Of The Root Anchorage Of Native Young Plants Using Bayesian Inference, Ryan Wai Man Yan, Lin Zhang, Flora T. Y. Leung, Ka-Veng Yuen

Faculty of Design & Environment (THEi)

The maximum vertical uproot resistance (Pmax) of a plant can be used to indicate its stability. Attempts were made to predict the Pmax of a plant empirically from some of its size parameters. In practice, an infinite number of empirical models with different complexities can be formulated. This study presents a Bayesian model class selection method to evaluate the plausibility of each empirical model among a list of model candidates. The models were ranked to identify the most plausible one. A database of vertical uproot resistance of four shrubs and trees native to Hong Kong was first compiled by performing …

Continuation Of A Life Worth Living: Empathetic Design For The Alzheimer’S Community, Leslie Hulbert

Architecture Theses

This thesis’ mission is to create a comfortable environment for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The institutional environments of the past are not sufficient for such individuals and their families. A community atmosphere is what they need; an entire complex just for them. The victims of this terrible memory defeating disease just want to go home. For many, this is not possible, therefore they should be given an environment that reminds them of home. They should have their own space that is customizable and warm. They should also be free to wander at their leisure. Their freedom should not …

A Floating Community: A ‘Platform’ For Future Sustainable Development, Christopher M. Rossi

Architecture Theses

With the environment of our planet changing for the worse, there is a need for an economical and sustainable solution. As we become more aware of the effects our actions have on our ecosystem, we have the opportunity to implement ways to alleviate some of stress we are causing on our planet. The population is growing exponentially and, with climate change being felt around the world, sea levels are rising at a faster rate than ever before. With these two situations alone, we are faced with an extreme complication; where do ‘we’ put all of these people and how do …