Architecture Commons^™

Mapping Stratcom: The Architecture Of Offutt, The U.S. Military, And Strategic Command, Anna Miles

Honors Theses

Architecture and the military have always been intertwined. The built environment both on and off U.S. military installations responds to the events, history, and influences of the military. This project explores one example of this by investigating the history of the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, through the lens of architecture.

When exploring USSTRATCOM, this project aims to understand not only its history, but also its impact: on Offutt, on the world, and most importantly, on architecture. Firstly, the project explores the history of the military in the state of Nebraska and …

The Effect Of Natural Light On Mental Health, Gianna Arquilla

Honors Projects

All students have experienced low motivation at one point in their academic career, but what are the factors that can affect this? Is it solely based on their personality and work ethic, or can the environment have an effect? This study discusses the effects on mental health through architecture. Can the amount of natural light in a building affect the motivation of students? Natural light is something that is often overlooked, mostly considered as a perk rather than a necessity. How can students truly feel passionate about their work sitting in a dark place? To evaluate this data, this study …

Efficient, Affordable, And Accessible (Eaa) House Design, Jack Holohan, Matthew Carpenter, Faith Dalton, Payton Tindal

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Recent trends in the housing market, along with household income disparities, underscore the need for efficient, affordable, and accessible (EAA) housing for middle to lower-middle-income families. The EAA House Design project presents an alternative solution through a detailed set of construction documents encompassing architectural, electrical, mechanical, structural, plumbing, and interior design. Revit software was used to plan, design, and manage the project. The completed project will be submitted for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Engineering Education Award.

Health And Healthcare: Designing For The Social Determinants Of Health And Blue Zones In North Nashville, Rebecca Tonguis, Honor Thomas, Olivia Hobbs

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Owned by North Nashville’s First Community Church, a now empty site in the Osage-North Fisk neighborhood of North Nashville has been identified as a potential site for a new location of The Store, in addition to a community-centric architectural development based on the social determinants of health and informed by the principles behind Blue Zones, the locations with the highest lifespans in the world. Opened by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, The Store is a free grocery store that “allow[s] people to shop for their basic needs in a way that protects dignity and fosters hope”, for which North Nashville …

Photography, Architecture, And Environment: An Architectural Analysis Of Edward Ruscha’S 26 Gasoline Stations, Rebecca Tonguis

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

This presentation explores Edward Ruscha’s photobook 26 Gasoline Stations through an architectural lens. Specifically, it treats Ruscha’s work as historic evidence of how consumption, industry, and commodity have infiltrated all kinds of environmental contexts through architectural manifestations. Known for being the first artist’s book, 26 Gasoline Stations ambiguously exists as both fine art and documentation of everyday conditions, with the overall graphic character highlighting its perceived focus on overarching narrative. Since gasoline stations are the primary subject of each of the 26 photographs, the subject of this work is arguably architecture, suggesting that the historic relationship between mass gas consumption—or …

From Affordable To Equitable: An Analysis Of Affordable Housing As A Solution In A National Shortage, Machelle Cooper

Honors Theses

Amid a national shortage of housing, the United States needs housing solutions that both remedy infrastructural concerns imposed by outdated standards of urban development and address a widespread lack of equity across several urban areas. Conventional approaches to public housing have proven ineffective in promoting equitable change within underdeveloped contexts. These areas desire innovative, intentional interventions that adequately address all aspects of their social, economic, and environmental needs that existing patterns of development have neglected for decades. Public and state sentiments regarding areas of concentrated poverty and segregation in urban space must change for a future of equitable housing to …

Exploring Imageability Through Architecture To Study Neuroscience: Preliminary Results Of A Systemic Review, Cristian Maestre, Shana Garza, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: Neuroscience and architecture are often combined to study the impact of environment, physical spaces, colors, shapes, and buildings on brain activity and health. This is an emerging field with distinct areas examining architecture in relation to neuroscience. Among the numerous elements of architecture, imageability seems to be of particular interest. Imageability refers to the quality of a physical space that evokes strong images in people’s mind, and influence cognitive functions including visual, memory, and spatial recall. It is hypothesized that environments, spaces, and buildings with poor imageability might negatively affect cognition, behavior, and brain health. Diverse studies have been …

Visualizing Voices: Exploring The Use Of Architectural Visualization To Present Complex Qualitative Findings, Oriana Abboud Armaly

The Qualitative Report

In this paper, I discuss the promising use of visual architectural drawings to present findings of qualitative studies, particularly when dealing with a complex, multidimensional human experience. I examine an interdisciplinary integration between qualitative research and architecture that embraces visual elements. I propose using visual drawings borrowed from architecture as a tool to present deep meanings of human experience within a social phenomenon and make the findings visually transparent. The architectural drawings offer distinct views: one provides an overall view of the building, while the other exposes its hidden layers. I employ this visual means to highlight deep meanings obtained …

Digitizing Delphi: Educating Audiences Through Virtual Reconstruction, Kate Koury

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Implementing a 3D model into a virtual space allows the general public to engage critically with archaeological processes. There are many unseen decisions that go into reconstructing an ancient temple. Analysis of available materials and techniques, predictions of how objects were used, decisions of what sources to reference, puzzle piecing broken remains together, and even educated guesses used to fill gaps in information often go unobserved by the public. This work will educate users about those choices by allowing the side-by-side comparison of conflicting theories on the reconstruction of the Tholos at Delphi, which is an ideal site because of …

Reframing Perceptions Of Signares In French Colonial Senegal, Gabriela E. Weaver

Swarthmore Undergraduate History Journal

Fifteenth to nineteenth-century French Colonial Senegal was a period of unprecedented cultural contact and convergence in Western Africa. With these interactions came new social hierarchies and the emergence of the signare identity. Signares were wealthy mixed-race and African Women who became involved with French men. This paper examines nineteenth-century art by Frenchman David Boilat and Stanislas Darondeau, and the eighteenth-century house of signare Anne Pepin. It critiques the racism and sexism depicted within Boilat and Darondeau’s work as well as its misinterpretations by contemporary scholars Mark Hinchman and George E. Brooks. Signares were knowledgeable entrepreneurs rather than manipulative and seductive …

Beyond Aesthetics: Antoni Gaudí'S Revolutionary Use Of Biomimicry, Biomorphism, And Biosynchronization In Architectural Design, Yechan Sung

MA Theses

This paper explores the evolving paradigm of sustainable development in response to increasing issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ozone depletion. Recognizing the inherent connection between architecture and nature, the study highlights the substantial benefits that nature provides for human habitation. A rising trend in organic or nature-inspired projects reflects the increasing prominence of contemporary architecture, which aims to harmonize human needs with the natural environment. The application of nature in architecture extends beyond aesthetics, encompassing well-being, sustainability, economic benefits, and climate resilience. These broader environment-friendly elements were meticulously incorporated into the architectural works of Antoni Gaudi, who …

The Past Informing The Future: An Interview With Earl Santee, Populous, Rachel Hickey

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The facility expert in focus is Earl Santee, a senior principal, global chair, and founder at Populous. Populous is the leading architectural and design firm in the sport facility sector. Santee, having been has been recognized for numerous awards, including the Sports Business Journal’s 2019 Class of the Champions: Pioneers & Innovators in Sports Business, is excellently positioned to offer an expert perspective on the past, present, and future of sport facility design

Barriers To Use Of Cross-Laminated Timber In Maine, Shane R. O'Neill

Forest Resources Faculty Scholarship

To increase understanding of both the adoption rate and in-state manufacturing of mass timber In Maine, the 131^st Legislature and Governor Mills passed LD 881, a resolve directing a study of the barriers facing cross-laminated timber In Maine and provide recommendations to promote their use in construction. This study was developed in response to the resolve. The study engaged 108 unique participants to define available training, education, and experiences across the stakeholders throughout the building lifecycle process in the state.

From this information, the following five recommendations are proposed:

1. Understand the policies and initiatives of other states to develop …

Python Manual: A Learning Guide For Structural Engineering Students, Aaron Dewey, Kennedy Gomez, Meileen Yee

Architectural Engineering

This Python programming manual is a resource to assist architectural, civil, or structural engineering students as they learn to create scripts to solve various structural analysis and dynamics problems. Beyond providing guidance on Python libraries that enable numerical and symbolic mathematics (NumPy, SciPy, SymPy), the manual also focuses on the creation of tabular and plot outputs useful to communicate results through technical reports (Pandas, Matplotlib).

The content of this document was developed based on detailed review of curriculum for three architectural engineering computing courses typically offered to upper class students at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo as well as surveys …

The Brigham City Temple: An Architectural Intersection Of Standardization And Localization, Ashlee Mckay Hall

Theses

This paper analyzes the necessary interplay of standardization and localization within the design of Latter-day Saint temples. These buildings are sacred religious structures intended for spiritual growth, learning, and rituals. Previous scholarship has discussed different aspects of various temple designs within the context of contemporary history. These analyses focus on different temples constructed by the LDS Church and how the design of these building was impacted or influenced by contemporaneous events. Prior critical efforts have also focused on symbolic interpretations of motifs incorporated into temple design and criticized the standardization of Latter-day Saint buildings. This scholarship will consider the Brigham …

Impact Of The Built Environment On The End-Of-Life Journey, Kelechi Akwazie

Masters in Architecture Program: Theses

Several research studies and personal anecdotes show that home-based hospice care patients report better quality of life than their inpatient care counterparts – suggesting that the location of care/built environment is a critical component of hospice care. As a result, other research studies have attempted to provide evidence-based design recommendations for inpatient hospice facilities; however, several of these recommendations either conflict with each other or are vaguely prescribed – which may dull any attempts to implement them.

This literature review takes a unique approach to the provision of evidence-based design recommendations for inpatient hospice facilities by holistically assessing hospice care, …

International Information Management And Bim Best Practice Report, Ted Mckenna, Davitt Lamon

Reports

In order to inform the Digital Leadership and Cultural Change pillar of the Build Digital, a study of international best practice in digital adoption within the built environment sector globally was undertaken and is presented here-in. In order to identify key learnings for Ireland in the context of digital transformation, eight countries were included in this study, namely, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. These countries were selected for various reasons, including the level of digital maturity, the scale of the built environment sector and geographic spread. Key data for each country is included …

Sustainability And Circular Economy Horizon Scan And Needs Analysis, Sadaf Dalirazar, Mark Kelly, Derek Sinnott, James O'Donnell

Reports

The construction industry plays a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis as it is the largest global consumer of raw materials and contributes significantly to global energy consumption and emissions. Considering the world’s continuous population growth and the imperative to address infrastructure and housing demands the construction sector needs to adopt further sustainable strategies in its activities to reduce the pressure on natural resources. In addition, the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector is responsible for generating substantial amount of waste known as Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), which is projected to increase due to the future construction developments. …

Information Management And Bim Standards And Supports Inventory, Ryan Dempsey, Barry Mcauley, David Burke

Tools

The Digital Standards pillar consists of industry experts who champion the benefits of common rules, guidelines, and workflows that facilitate the improvement of information flow and information management across asset life cycles. Digital standards provide a common language that can be translated to technical specifications enabling clients, designers, contractors, and facilities managers, irrespective of their preferred tools, to communicate efficiently and reduce cost, rework, and disputes. Working closely with the Digital Procurement and Digital Education and Training pillars, this pillar is developing and delivering Irish Information Management/BIM (Digital Construction) guidelines for the sector.

This report summarises existing digital construction standards, …

Digital Construction Annual Survey 2022 Report, Davitt Lamon, Ted Mckenna

Reports

The Annual Survey 2022 was conducted to assess the state of digital transformation in the Irish construction and built environment sector. This report presents the analysis of survey data, with a focus on implications for the Build Digital project and Build Digital’s five pillars: Digital Leadership & Cultural Change, Digital Standards, Digital Education & Training, Digital Procurement, and Sustainability & Circular Economy. Key findings from the survey indicated that a significant number of organisations have started their digital transformation journey, with many identifying themselves as proactive and possessing a clear business-focused strategy. However, a considerable cohort of respondents are keen …

Assessing Asset Management In Aec/Fm: Unveiling Limitations And Advancing Solutions With Digital Twin, Abdelmoneim Mohamed Abdelmoti

Theses

In recent years, the concept of Digital Twins (DTs) has emerged as a transformative technological innovation with the potential to revolutionize asset management practices. A Digital Twin is a digital representation closely linked to a physical entity, enabling bidirectional information exchange and data-driven decision-making. Within the realm of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Facilities Management (AEC/FM), DTs offer a diverse array of applications for enhancing asset management.
This thesis aims to demystify the concept of DTs and explore their existing applications in asset management, particularly within the AEC/FM industry. To achieve this, the research employs a two-fold approach: a systematic review of …

Industry Colloquium Report, Robert Moore

Reports

In the ever-evolving landscape of the construction industry, digital transformation has emerged as a pivotal force reshaping the way projects are conceived, executed, and delivered. This transformation, fuelled by cutting-edge technology and innovative practices, holds the promise of greater efficiency, sustainability, and collaboration within the construction sector.

This report offers a comprehensive summary of the Build Digital Project colloquium. It provides actionable insights and recommendations for clients, supply chain partners, and for prioritisation within the Build Digital Project pillars. As the industry partners seek to build a more efficient, sustainable, and collaborative construction sector, understanding and harnessing the invaluable insights …

Geometry Through Architectural Design, Maureen T. Carroll, Elyn Rykken

LASER Journal

In her 1912 geometry book, Mabel Sykes surveys complex and beautiful architectural designs from around the world to inspire exercises on geometric proof, construction and computation. In over 1800 exercises, Sykes analyzes geometric patterns from ornamental and structural features found in tile mosaics, parquet floors, Gothic windows, trusses and arches. As Sykes' writes, ``Geometry gives, as no other subject can give, an appreciation of form as it exists in the material world" . We have chosen four examples to illustrate how her appealing designs and the accompanying exercises of this hidden gem can be incorporated into any geometry course.

The Tectonic Evaluation And Design Implementation Of 3d Printing Technology In Architecture, Robert Buttrick

Masters Theses

This design thesis is an assessment of the tectonic capabilities and applications of large format 3D printing, given the current available and practiced technologies. This review consists of an analysis of the technical specifications and limitations of the various forms and methods of 3D printing at all scales, followed by an in-depth analysis of technologies that have been adopted and employed at an architectural scale. A number of case studies are assessed to create a typology of tectonic types created by employing 3D printing technologies. These tectonic types: Holistic/Homogenous, Complementary/Integrative, Structural, and Sculptural are then tested to see how they …

The Evolution Of Chinese Supermarkets In North America: An Alternative Approach To Chinese Supermarket Design, Ruoxin Lin

Masters Theses

This thesis begins by investigating the evolution of traditional Chinese markets to Chinese supermarkets in North America. By charting the trends of these structures in shop floor layouts and site approaches, a hybridized architecture is uncovered. Then, through the design of a contemporary Chinese supermarket in Philadelphia, PA, the thesis demonstrates how values of identity and cultural awareness can be brought into dialogue with architectural trends.

Rehabilitating El-Sakakini Pasha’S Palace As A Museum Of Architecture, Souzan Ibrahim Hassanein

Journal of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists

إعادة تأهيل قصر السكاكيني باشا كمتحف يروي تاريخ العمارة[Ar]

يُعاني قصر حبيب السكاكيني من الإهمال السيئ الذى كان حافزًا كبيرًا للباحث لإيجاد حلول قابلة التنفيذ لإعادة تأهيله وإعادته للحياة مرة أخري. يهدف هذا البحث إلى تحويل القصر إلى متحف. يُعتبر قصر حبيب السكاكيني من أهم القصور المصرية لإتباعه لأسلوب فني يُعرف باسم »الروكوكو«. يتسم هذا القصر بموقعه الفريد بحي الظاهر والذى كان مليئًا بالحياة حتى وفاة السكاكيني باشا الذى فُقِدَ ميراثه . يُعد استخدام الأدبيات السابقة لجمع وتحليل البيانات حول القصر نقطة الإنطلاق لهذا البحث. علاوة على ذلك، تهدف الدراسة الميدانية للقصر إلى زيادة …

Uncovering Emotional Contamination: Five Sites Of Trauma, Abigail Zola

Masters Theses

“Emotional contamination,” describes residual feelings associated with a space where a negative or tragic event occurred to an individual or group either personally, historically, or politically. Emotional contamination affects people’s associations with place and informs their willingness to spend time in them. This project considers a set of design principles rooted in uncovering and acknowledging the lifespan of a site, and considers how this acknowledgment can exist as an urban system rather than an individual architectural artifact. My thesis work analyzes five case studies in Berlin where political and economic factors determined the result of intervention, and how these sites …

Means And Methods: Pedagogy And Proto-Architecture, Daniel Choconta

Masters Theses

This project investigates the architectural mock-up as a process that is perpetually in the making. The 1:1 scale mock-up is treated as an opportunity to learn through the process of making and to establish a reciprocal relationship between design and construction.

Blowing Away, Ziyi Zhao

Masters Theses

Nature has always been playing one of the positive protagonists in the architecture field. Despite the disparate milieux and the cognitions discrepancy of nature in different eras, people keep exploring the interrelationships of nature, architecture, and h. In this case, “natural air” as an extensive component of nature, is an integration of sustainability foundation, architectural system enquiry, technological methods intervention, and research of human perception. In the process of exploring how to rebuild the “connectedness” between nature and humans in the architectural context, researching the human-sensible means that architecture interacts with the natural air and will be a primary “natural-representative” …

A Study Of Dwelling, Julia Mcarthur

Masters Theses

In teasing out natural phenomena in the unbuilt environment, through admiring beauty, and emphasizing the ordinary, meaningful moments can be brought about that can cause you to be more present with yourself and the world we live in. It is important to qualify that these spaces that encompass “ordinary” moments are not intended to be “idealized spaces,” but a domain that reconciles the chaos from the peaceful and the stress from the calm that is ever apparent in our daily lives. My thesis asks: Through critiquing the modernist condition of a prescriptive ideal space, how can we better understand how …