Architecture Commons^™

Architronics: Utilizing Virtual Reality In Architectural Pedagogy, Constantine Lambros

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This research is about integrating the recent advancements in VR technology as a way to ‘playtest’ and design in architectural pedagogy. To better gauge the interest in VR and prove the need for VR integration, surveys were conducted among students and faculty within KSU’s College of Architecture and Construction Management (CACM).

A ‘site analysis’ was then conducted within surrounding firms in the greater Atlanta area, leading to precedent studies of local firms that use VR in their practice. By utilizing the firms advancements, this shed new light into how VR could be implemented into architectural pedagogy, and why it hasn’t …

Re-Offense To Re-Integration, Re-Imagining The West County Detention Facility, Madison Frei

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

ABSTRACT

In the United States today, the incarceration experience has become entirely barbaric and inhumane. Basic needs are neglected, drug smuggling runs rampant, and the mental health crisis within the system is worse than ever before. The re-offense rate for formerly incarcerated people is one of the highest in the world. These issues stem from poor design choices meant to provide minimal social interaction between inmates, little to no privacy, and limited access to programmatic uses that contribute to the betterment of mental health. Building prisons better suited for rehabilitation instead of punishment will not only lower this statistic, but …

The Greenway: Design Strategies For Detroit Revival, Alberto Zarco Amezquita

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Detroit, Michigan symbolizes the transformation that took place in cities across the American Rustbelt from major industrial centers to sparsely populated shrinking cities. Vacant lots now cover what once used to be a vibrant place of neighborhoods, factories, and schools. How do we intervene in such an urban context in order to stop the further decay of the city and bring back people, businesses and social life. The thesis focuses on the central part of downtown Detroit and proposes an urban design intervention centered around the concept of a greenway. I superimpose the analysis of the street network in the …

Bespoke Moon, Austin White

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Welcome to Bespoke Moon by Austin White. The next high-tech, component-based system that allows architects and designers to fully immerse themselves in design once again.

Designers grow up nurturing a passion for design, then to eventually attend school to hone their skills. However, bringing these designs to life in the built environment involves a lot of tedious work and time to ensure safety, structural integrity, and compliance with codes. With that in mind, I aim to transform our traditional processes.

Bespoke Moon’s component-based system utilizes 3D-printed, prefabricated steel components that lock, seal, stack, and interlock in a unique way, allowing …

The Space In-Between: Establishing Co-Housing Solutions For Post Foster Youth, Ashley Maloney

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The space in between addresses the issue of post-foster care youth aged 18 to 24, navigating the challenging transition to adulthood. Located in the Overtown District in Miami which is a region grappling with one of the highest rates of homeless foster youth in the nation, the research explores the unique challenges, experiences, and outcomes faced by these individuals as they age out of the system.

The lack of funding and support for aging-out youth poses many consequences, such as increasing their vulnerability to homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration compared to their peers. This thesis aims to shed light on this …

Transcending Human-Centric Design: Rethinking Animal Shelters Through Compassionate Cohabitation, Isabel Hunt

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The evolution of cats and dogs throughout history is directly related to the evolution of human society. These animals are now reliant on humans for survival and are prominent companions within our society. Animal shelters serve as a place for animals in need to be taken care of while awaiting a permanent home. This thesis explores the challenges animal shelters face and possible solutions to alleviate the strain currently put on animals and shelter staff. Overpopulation of these animals has become an increasing crisis in many communities, leading to overcrowding in shelters. Ensuring spaces are utilized efficiently is important as …

Spatial Autonomy: Exploring Industry 4.0/5.0 Trends On Architectural Design, Diana Salamaga

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The rise of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 presents significant opportunities for the architecture industry to incorporate advanced technologies into its design and construction processes. However, the full potential of these technologies in architectural design has yet to be fully explored. This thesis, ‘Spatial Autonomy: Exploring Industry 4.0 and 5.0 Trends in Architectural Design,’ aims to investigate the ability of buildings to function autonomously through the integration of smart technologies. This exploration focuses on how Industry 4.0 and 5.0 trends can optimize building performance, creating more comfortable and enjoyable experiences for users, while also enhancing efficiency and sustainability. It examines the …

Rehabilitation Of The Street: Design Strategies To Increase Diversity In Downtown, Atlanta, Abigail Akridge

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Streets in Atlanta have become exclusionary to one or more functions, uses, and communities. Streets dominated by a single demographic or function contribute to urban decline. Such streets lack diversity in activities and uses, leading to increased crime, decreased engagement, and a dying urban fabric. Architects play a crucial role in reversing this trend by designing with a focus on streets’ implications and the needs of diverse communities. By prioritizing diversity and inclusivity in street design, architects can foster a thriving urban environment. The goal of my thesis is to propose an urban design process centered on the street section, …

Stuck In Motion : Finding Function Through The Flux, Nia Lankford

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Artists of all kinds including architects have studied in-depth the dimensions of the natural and built-world that surrounds us in order to produce the theories that have now formed the base of our discipline. Among these naturally formed dimensions lies human scale and proportion, a topic tightly woven within the historical fabric of art and architecture. Vitruvius, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Le Corbusier are just 3 of the many that have dared to define the rules the human body. Human centric design is a form of design that responds directly to the human body as well as human nature in …

Juxtapositions: Exploring A New High-Rise Topology, Jacob Powell

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The movement of people in urban areas creates a symphony of activity in public, private, commercial, leisure, work, and living spaces. However, high-rises often lack the public space found in more horizontal neighborhoods, with rows of nondescript doors leading to isolated floors. This thesis aims to challenge this narrative by bringing public space to high-rises, negotiating the boundary between public and private space, building internal and external connections, and uniting the city's horizontal movement with the high-rise's three-dimensional movement. By doing so, it seeks to create a sense of community within high-rises and enhance the urban experience for their residents.

Eluding Caricature, Rafael Hernandez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Caricature, defined as exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics, has taken over the outskirts of cities across the country of Mexico. A landscape once characterized by intelligible urban form, architectural diversity, and walkability has been exchanged for walled in developments so poorly designed Levittown appears bespoke in comparison. But why Caricature? Simply, new residential developments value the erosion of public space, contiguous grids, and manufactured reliance on the automobile that is supported with a myriad of ill understood urban design elements inspired by American suburban design. With exaggerated features such as cul de sacs, gated …

Square One Station: Atlanta's New Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal, Mariya Georgieva

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The Atlanta Journal Constitution Building and its block is located in arguably the most historically significant area to Atlanta: The Gulch. Being so close to the original Zero Milepost location, this is where the City of Atlanta was founded. The Gulch started out as the center of downtown’s business district, but has since steadily declined in popularity, initially triggered by people moving out to suburban homes

Even after multiple attempts to revive the area, it proved unsuccessful. This is best illustrated by the fact that the city lost money on the property even during big events like the 1996 Olympics …

Reconnecting Roots: The Role Of Nature And Culture In Community-Based Design, Ben Audinet

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Mental health is a growing challenge in today’s world despite being a critical component of well-being. One in five adults in the U.S. experience some form of mental health issues. Among that population, Native Americans suffer disproportionately with higher rates of depression, suicide, drug overdose, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). These disparities faced by the Indigenous population stem from several factors—historical trauma, social and economic inequalities, and cultural disconnect. Despite modern treatments for mental health, many individuals—both indigenous and non-indigenous—continue to struggle.

Nature and the environment are a core part of Native American culture, bringing together communities. While exposure to …

Livable Vessel: Amphibious And Nomadic Living, Dalton Hill

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The idea of nomadic living is something that has been done for thousands of years throughout history, this way of life in which people that do not settle down and move periodically. Unlike that of migration, nomadic living involves a total change of habitat and often when adopting the nomadic lifestyle, it calls for having a limited amount to own and carry as the more stuff means less space in a fixed vessel. Amphibious living refers to the idea of having a house or structure that rests on the ground but has the ability to rise in the case of …

Liminality In Cultural Narratives: Reviving Abandoned Mall Spaces With Focus On Economic Efficiency And Social-Environmental Cohesion, Edwin Osmin

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis focuses on the problematic design trends of malls, particularly those that prioritize economic efficiency at the expense of social and environmental considerations. It highlights how many struggling or closed malls share similar design strategies, often focusing on retail anchor stores and circulation-centric layouts. These design choices have contributed to an unsuccessful typology over the years.

The thesis aims to address this issue by proposing a new approach to a case in Duluth, Georgia. It centers around the concept of liminality, referring to a transitional state characterized by continuity, obscurity, and sentimentality. By applying this concept, the thesis suggests …

Architecture As A Form Of Care, Sara Clement

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The emergency department (ED) is often internalized, cut off from the natural world, and structured around efficiency, despite its effect on patient health. It’s a critical healthcare setting where patients seek immediate medical attention for a wide range of conditions, often under circumstances of extreme stress and urgency. Efficient patient care within the ED is paramount to ensuring positive outcomes, yet the question remains: Can emergency department design optimize efficiency without compromising the experience of patients and staff? Given the pivotal role of EDs in healthcare delivery, it is essential to strike a balance that ensures efficient patient care processes, …

Alt-Sensory, Yevguenni Marseille

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

For blind pianists like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, or a deaf drummer such as Evelyn Glennie, how is it that they explore music? For a deaf and blind activist like Helen Keller, how could she have explored the world? The intent of this thesis is to discern and then integrate the spatial qualities that enhance communication and exploration for the sensory impaired into the public fabric. Simultaneously, the goal is to design a space that supplies to the needs of the sensory Impaired while incorporating the desirable features of the unimpaired. Typically, sensory impaired design, otherwise known as accessible …

De-Fragmentation: Bridging Two Fragmented Communities Through Well Being In The West End Neighborhood, Mark Pinkney Jr

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The intention of this thesis is to create a “Bridge” between two communities that are dealing with Physical and Social fragmentation. To address the issue of fragmentation, the design’s program will introduce 3 Well Being Programs. Physical Well Being, Intellectual Well Being, and Well Being through Sense of Community.

The West End community presents two forms for fragmentation Physical and Social. The specifically strives to create engagement between the older community in the West End historic neighborhood and younger community of the Atlanta University Students.

The 3 Well Being programs include on the Intellectual side a Trade school. The Physical …

Submerged Sanctuary, An Nguyen

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Ho Chi Minh City shines as one of Vietnam’s swiftly expanding urban centers. However, this rapid growth has brought challenges. Many areas in the city have reached maximum capacity, leaving no room for additional housing. Moreover, inadequate regulations, particularly concerning natural disasters such as floods, have left the city vulnerable, particularly for those living along the riverbanks. The project aims to uplift the riverfront community, promoting economic development and enhancing living standards. To achieve this, I plan to improve infrastructure and introduce communal spaces. My strategy involves harnessing the river’s potential as a central feature, integrating programs and architectural designs …

How Can Kinetic Architecture Enhance Public Space?, Tamia Durden

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Although rudimentary kinetic architecture types were displayed in the Middle Ages the original definition of Kinetic Architecture was coined in 1970 By Engineer and Architect William Zuk. This has led us to a more modern definition of “buildings that are designed to allow parts of the structure to move, without reducing overall structural integrity. Due to technological advancements and design innovation architecture is now able to incorporate movement and responsive gestures to environmental and human interaction. Now, why is this important? Uniquely, kinetic architecture gives built structures the opportunity to adapt to their environments in more ways than one, similar …

The Question Of Design In The Context Of The First Australian Nations: Designing Reparations Through Decolonial Architecture, Eli Abamonte

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Forget about tourist postcards and picture-perfect landscapes. Australia's true heart beats in the ancient stories of the Indigenous communities that tell them, their vibrant cultural tapestry woven beneath the surface. My research dives into this tapestry, not as an Architect with blueprints imposing my own vision, but as a student with an open ear and collaborative spirit. Australia’s vastness holds countless stories, but my research led me deep into the heart of East Arnhem Land, where ancient legends whisper in the wind and the Yolngu people dwell. Anthropologists like Bruno Descola shattered my singular view of the world, revealing a …

Digital Tectonics: Developing An Architectural Design Process, Megan Eaton

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis investigates the transformative role of computer software in reshaping architectural design processes. It explores how digital tectonics, facilitated by Grasshopper, revolutionize architectural practice by offering novel avenues for innovation and efficiency. Central to this research is the development of a systematic design methodology that seamlessly integrates Grasshopper into the architectural workflow. This study looks at worship spaces and war memorials as precedents and studies their procession and experience. It uses the procession as a design parameter to be input into Grasshopper to generate design ideas. Additionally, the thesis addresses practical considerations, including the constructability of Voronoi structures. By …

Reviving The Lao Vernacular: Preserving Culture Through Floating Communities, Julianna Viengxay

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The goal of this project is to strengthen a community through a series of cultural activities coexisting with nature with treehouses, houseboats, and a community center through ecotourism in Lao. There has always been floating communities on land, and water due to the heavy amount of rainfall, and monsoons from May to October. A strong focus on design elements such as material, form, and structure while preserving the local culture. Emphasizing the importance of the Lao vernacular with form, and how symbolism throughout in Lao architecture as expression.

Analyzing the indigenous way of local construction to understand the complexities of …

Dialectical Utopism In Architectural Praxis: A Critique And Vision For Spatial Revolution, Self Governance, And Social Transformation In Niger, Abdoulaye Idrissa

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

In January, amidst one of Niger's most turbulent periods of socioeconomic and political unrest, I departed from the chaos-laden streets that had become scenes of collapse and despair. As an architecture student, compelled by the urgency of the situation, I embarked on a journey to explore the transformative potential of architecture in the face of such crisis.

From the bustling streets filled with the disheartened faces of the unemployed to the frontline confrontations between government forces and disillusioned inhabitants, the disarray of law and order paints a stark picture of societal fragmentation. Yet, amidst this turmoil lies an opportunity for …

Rock To Renewal - Depleted Quarry Revitalization, Daija Laney

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Healing the wounds of the earth and its people through the revitalization of depleted quarries Revitalizing depleted quarries is essential for healing both the scars on the earth's landscape and the adverse effects on local communities. Despite their necessity for construction, quarries often leave lasting negative impacts, diminishing the quality of life for nearby residents and harming the environment repeatedly. This thesis advocates for a comprehensive approach to revitalizing the depleted quarries by, integrating ecological restoration, economic redevelopment, and community engagement through an architectural lens. By implementing these restoration techniques and incorporating architectural design principles driven by ecological, social, and …

Viva El Vecindad, Sergio Nino De Rivera

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis explores the historical origins of courtyard housing, characterized by a central open space surrounded by residential units, has a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations. Through an in-depth examination of its origins and historical development, this thesis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how courtyard housing has adapted over time.

The focus then shifts to the unique challenges faced by elderly individuals in contemporary societies, including issues related to accessibility, social isolation, and healthcare. With an aging global population, the demand for housing that caters to the needs of older adults is increasing. Courtyard housing, …

Rethinking Shelter: Designing A Home For Atlanta's Homeless Families And Youth, Maddi Dutton

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Homelessness is a devastating experience, and its impacts are suffered by Atlanta’s families and youth who find themselves without stable housing. Family homelessness often results in the separation of families, leading to unaccompanied youth living on the streets or in uncomfortable shelters. Existing shelters do not provide family accommodations. They offer basic services and mostly lack a sense of community and personalized private spaces that are essential for fostering a sense of dignity. As emphasized in House as a Mirror of Self by Clare Cooper Marcus, humans need a ‘home’ not just a dwelling. A physical space becomes a home …

Windows Of The World: Postmodern Urbanism In Los Angeles And Shenzhen, Calvin Horning

Senior Theses and Projects

This work draws upon the ideas of Edward Soja and other spatial theorists to compare the postmodern urban development of Los Angeles and Shenzhen, China. Both cities have undergone rapid growth and become major urban metropolises, offering potential paradigmatic forms for contemporary urban studies. The thesis is based on the ideas of the LA School of Urbanism, of which Soja was a part, and reviews the school’s collective case for Los Angeles as a paradigmatic city for the postmodern age. This work then compares this account of Los Angeles with Shenzhen, a city that has risen from nothing to one …

Piece Of Mine, Tiffany Belmonte

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis introduces an innovative mental health retreat grounded in the principles of therapeutic and adaptive design. The current state of mental healthcare architecture lacks a focus on human-centered design, primarily due to their enclosed spaces, overcrowded dormitories, and conforming layouts. Adaptive design in architecture advocates for a more user-centric approach by implementing a system that empowers individuals to customize architectural components, such as walls, roofs, doors, windows, and furnishings. This approach aims to foster individuality, flexibility, freedom, control, and comfort. Therapeutic design in architecture emphasizes the influence of spatial, lighting, thermal, and acoustic design on the human brain, mind, …

Architecture Of The Second Sense: Inclusivity For Deaf Students, Lizzy Johnson

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Educational settings in the United States are primarily geared towards hearing individuals, posing challenges for those with hearing impairments. In 2020, 95% of school-age students with hearing loss attended conventional schools, while only 47 schools nationwide catered specifically to the deaf or hard of hearing. This oversight in design leads to issues such as inadequate spatial acoustics and limited sign language space in classrooms. My thesis proposes "Architecture of the Second Sense," advocating for a holistic approach to educational design, particularly targeting pre-kindergarten through 5th-grade schools. Drawing from phenomenological principles and the five key DeafSpace design elements—Proximity, Sensory Reach, Light, …