Architecture Commons^™

Beneficial Invasive: A Rhizomatic Approach To Utilizing Local Bamboo For Covid Responsive Educational Spaces, Megan Futscher

Masters Theses

The United States has an abundant stock of naturalized wild growing bamboo species that are generally considered invasive. This project explores the use of locally harvested, so called “invasive” bamboo as a potential building material incorporated into a modular, kit-of-parts style construction system. These structures are uniquely suited to address the need for expanded spaces and extensions that bridge between the strictly indoor vs. outdoor distinction of existing buildings, as revealed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The rhizomatic mechanism of spread that is characteristic of bamboo species is used as the framework to propose a tectonic system that is decentralized, adaptable, …

Seaport City Adaptation: Buenaventura's Settlements, Mariana Corredor

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Buenaventura is one of Colombia's most important cities, it houses one of the biggest ports on the continent and covers more than 60% of Colombia's sea imports and exports. Unfortunately, most of the population is impoverished and lives in improvised shelters made up of wood, trash, and debris with no access to potable water, electricity, and sewage systems. How can architecture be used to create better conditions? How can we use local materials in Colombia to design affordable and aesthetically pleasing settlements for the inhabitants of Buenaventura?

My research starts with materials that are sustainable, economical, local, and recyclable, that …