Architecture Commons^™

Kujtesa Kolektive Nëpërmjet Arkitekturës Në Qytetin E Prishtinës, Drilona Berisha, Arbër Sadiki

UBT International Conference

This research aims to focus on the topic of “collective memory”, what does collective memory mean and what are the main approaches to its use and preservation? Which is the role of Architecture as a discipline in all this vicious circle of collective memory, considering as a special case study the drastic transformation in the city of Prishtina. On this occasion, the golden periods and the flourishing years of architecture in Prishtina will be presented, in order to a better understanding of the genesis of Modernism in Prishtina and the socio-economic and political factors that influenced the destruction of the …

Brutal Encounters: Primitivity, Politics, And The Postmodern Revolution, Archer Thomas

Honors Projects

The switch from late modernism to postmodernism in Western aesthetic theory and criticism took place in the mid-to-late 20th century, radically changing the face of cultural criticism. Much has been written on how postmodernism broke from modernism, but what factors paved its way in the decades following the Second World War? This paper argues that postmodernism represents both a reaction to and a necessary evolution of late modernism, specifically as it manifests in architecture, politics, and the politics of architecture. It focuses on the crisis of confidence among Western left-wing circles following the upheaval of the Second World War and …

Brutalism And The Public University: Integrating Conservation Into Comprehensive Campus Planning, Shelby Schrank

Masters Theses

The University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Commonwealth’s flagship campus, is home to several Brutalist buildings. Similar to other buildings of this genre, they have gone unrecognized for their importance to the campus and their prominent architectural significance. Additionally, due to the ravages of close to 50 years of exposure coupled with limited maintenance and, in some instances, neglect they are now at a point where restorative maintenance is critical in ensuring their future contribution to the campus.

This thesis addresses the importance of creating a comprehensive, long-term plan for these buildings, by first looking to the University’s most prominent, yet …

Modernism In Prishtina, Nora Fetaj

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to define the importance of the Modernism Period in Prishtina, from the very beginning until the present day. Its main focus is the presentation of the architectural values of this era, and also the social impact it had in our nation especially after the Second World War The events and buildings that are presented in this research are sorted chronologically in order to understand better the genesis of Modernism in Prishtina and the socio-economic factors that impacted this topic. The events date from 1947 when the destruction of the historical layers of the city began to happen …

Defense In Desolation, Dounia Bendris

Theses and Dissertations

This paper discusses different forms of defense strategies in architecture throughout history as well as how a building’s function morphs over time in relation to the political and social climate that surrounds it. Both of these concepts provide a framework for understanding my thesis drawing, “Defense in Desolation,” which uses bunkers in abandonment as a reference to the psychological impact of architecture outside of functionality.

Preserving Brutalism Through Color Theory.Pdf, Marissa Gudiel

Marissa Gudiel

For The Love Of Concrete, Steve Carlson

Honors Capstone Projects - All

For the Love of Concrete celebrates the beauty, versatility, durable sustainability and authenticity of concrete in architectural design. This capstone is born out of the contentious debate around the mid twentieth century architectural style “Brutalism”. I acknowledge the shortcomings of concrete as a material (chiefly its carbon-intensive manufacturing process), but forefront its positive attributes. This in the face of increasing demolitions of concrete structures, and the trend toward superficiality in architectural design as architects more than ever focus too much on the design of the skin or facades of buildings, rather than focusing on designing good bones.

A Period Examination Through Contemporary Energy Analysis Of Kevin Roche’S Fine Arts Center At University Of Massachusetts-Amherst, L Carl Fiocchi Jr

L. Carl Fiocchi

Studies of buildings belonging to a subset of Modernist architecture, Brutalism, have included discussions pertaining to social and architectural history, critical reception, tectonic form and geometry inspirations, material property selections, period technology limitations, and migration of public perceptions. Evaluations of Brutalist buildings’ energy related performances have been restricted to anecdotal observations with particular focus on the building type’s poor thermal performance, a result of the preferred construction method, i.e. monolithic reinforced concrete used as structure, interior finish and exterior finish. A valid criticism, but one that served to dismiss discussion that the possibility of other positive design strategies limiting energy …

For The Love Of Concrete: Embracing The Ugly Duckling, Not The Decorated Shed, Steven Carlson

Architecture Senior Theses

For the Love of Concrete is at its heart an homage to concrete, advocating beauty, versatility and durability; celebrating concrete's ability to create spatial experiences that are compelling, varied, acoustically attuned and thermally tempered. In the face of increasing superficiality, in architecture and the world at large, this thesis celebrates the authenticity and substantiality of concrete.

A Period Examination Through Contemporary Energy Analysis Of Kevin Roche’S Fine Arts Center At University Of Massachusetts-Amherst, L Carl Fiocchi Jr

Doctoral Dissertations

Studies of buildings belonging to a subset of Modernist architecture, Brutalism, have included discussions pertaining to social and architectural history, critical reception, tectonic form and geometry inspirations, material property selections, period technology limitations, and migration of public perceptions. Evaluations of Brutalist buildings’ energy related performances have been restricted to anecdotal observations with particular focus on the building type’s poor thermal performance, a result of the preferred construction method, i.e. monolithic reinforced concrete used as structure, interior finish and exterior finish. A valid criticism, but one that served to dismiss discussion that the possibility of other positive design strategies limiting energy …