Architecture Commons^™

The Phenomena Of Urban Sprawl – Study Case Of City Of Prishtina, Ilirjana Mejzini

UBT International Conference

Urban sprawl is a phenomena that affected the entire world, in particular the capital cities. There are different cases and forms of the city extensions, which influence the community in many ways, like: social behaviour, economic prosperity, irrational land use, infrastructure disorder, energy inefficiency as well as polluted environment. This paper explores typical examples of urban sprawl evident in European cities and the core reasons of its appearance. The analyses will focus on the rapid urban extension of Prishtina; it’s over population and all consequences affecting daily life. The aim of the p ap er is to highlight the most …

Know Tommorrow Brown University Poster, Shepard Fairey, Risd Archives

Ecology and Environment

Poster for Brown University student event to demand action to counter climate change. "Brown emPOWER is joining dozens of colleges across the country for Know Tomorrow, a national day of action to raise awareness about climate change and its consequences. 2015 is the year for climate action as world leaders meet for the UN climate talks in Paris to sign a global agreement on climate. On October 2nd, join us for an evening of live music, engaging speakers, and environmental action on the Main Green at Brown University! Featuring: Kerry Kennedy, What Cheer? Brigade, Voces Verdes- Latino Leadership in …

Reyner Banham, Mike Davis, And The Discourse On Los Angeles Ecology, Jonathan P. Bell

Jonathan P. Bell

UrbDeZine, July 14, 2015.

Smart Cities: Environmental Aspects And Opportunities, Marcus R. Wigan

Marcus R Wigan

Affect Of Space: Nature Connectedness, Christian Lee

Architecture Senior Theses

This research will be mainly focused in promoting connectedness with nature through control of light. The “house” will be used as a connector in restoring the relationship. It is because the “house” is not just a shelter, but something more. It is the place where people, consciously and unconsciously, engages with one’s inner mind. It is not only “a machine for living in”, but also a connector linking between the inner world and nature. It is full of sensual quality which could mentally affect dwellers. However, the consequences of modernization are driving people’s focus away from material object of aesthetic …

The Effect Of Room Environment On Patient Experience In A Prenatal Genetic Counseling Session, Elizabeth C. Baack

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

An important facet of aesthetic design, a topic of increasing interest in healthcare, is the concept of using positive distractions to promote wellness (Ulrich, 1991). To date, this concept has largely been explored in long-term, in-patient care settings and findings suggest these positive distractions decrease patient anxiety. This study sought to understand the effects of a supportive healthcare design characterized by positive distractions on patients receiving short term, out-patient care, specifically prenatal genetic counseling. Participants were patients at a Houston high-risk pregnancy clinic randomly assigned to one of two room environments: an experimental room which incorporated positive distractions, …

Towards A Collective Spatial Form:An Analysis Of Achill’S Deserted Village, Noel Brady

Conference papers

This paper examines an earlier study by Bob Kingston and along with onsite observations develops an environmental theory behind the particular siting and location of the deserted village in Achill, Ireland. The paper relies on the survey conducted by Kingston in the first instance but then by translating the material into a different format has concluded on statistically significant evidence of willful and careful planning and design in the construction of the houses.

Measuring Good Architecture: Long Life, Loose Fit, Low Energy, Craig Langston

Craig Langston

Good architecture is something that we all seek, but which is difficult to define. Sir Alexander John Gordon, in his role as President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, defined ‘good architecture’ in 1972 as buildings that exhibit ‘long life, loose fit and low energy’. These characteristics, nicknamed by Gordon as the 3L Principle, are measurable. Furthermore, life cycle cost (LCC) provides a method for accessing the economic contribution or burden created by buildings to the society they aim to serve. Yet there is no research available to investigate the connection, if any, between 3L and LCC. It might …

Designing For Better Building Adaptability: A Comparison Of Adaptstar And Arp Models, Sheila Conejos, Craig Langston, Jim Smith

Craig Langston

Can sustainability and adaptability be integrated in a single decision tool for designing future buildings? Indeed, it is not possible to know what lies ahead for future buildings but, using current research on sustainability and the impact on natural resources and climate, it is possible to forecast the connection between built environment activity and sustainability. This paper demonstrates that the assessment of future adaptation in newly designed building is achievable by using the adaptSTAR model. This new design-rating tool, based on detailed analysis of 12 award-winning adaptive reuse projects in Australia, will assist designers in making decisions to achieve optimum …

Moving Towards A Greener Future: An Investigation Of How Transit-Oriented Development Has The Potential To Redefine Cities Around Sustainability, Margaret E. Smith

Scripps Senior Theses

How does transportation shape the cities we live in? This paper takes a close look at the practice of transit-oriented development to assess its implications for the future of urban areas. Through the design of a hypothetical light rail station in the suburb of Redmond, WA, this paper demonstrates how targeting sustainable development around transit has the potential to influence entire towns to “go green,” and proposes that, moving forward, cities be designed to maximize mobility, livability, and sustainability.

Impact Of Fly Ash On Concrete Production Cost, Lulëzim Bytyçi, Fisnik Kadiu, Musa Stavilevi

UBT International Conference

In this paper we have analyzed the Ash deriving from the residue of burnt coal in Kosovo Power Plants, especially in Power Plant "Kosova B". Given the large amount of Ash deriving from the combustion of coal and which is left as residue (redundancy), it was considered as necessary to carry out a study about the impact of Fly Ash in the reduction of Concrete production cost, but always having in mind to preserve the quality of concrete. The study is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of European standards. European Standard SK EN 206-1, EN 450-1 and EN 450-2. …

The Value Of Less Light, Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska

Dr. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska, IALD, IES, CIE, RIBA

Dr. Karolina M. Zielinska – Dabkowska is an architectural lighting designer and researcher. As one of the plenary speakers during the inaugural ALAN 2013 conference considering the problems of light pollution, she offers her overview of the event.

The Value Of Less Light – Sustainable Architectural Lighting Design, Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska

Dr. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska, IALD, IES, CIE, RIBA

Since its beginning, the art of external illumination has substantially influenced the creation and the perception of architecture and the night-time urban environment. In this paper, the author examines and defines the significant interdisciplinary conditions related to architectural lighting design that have evolved over the years, starting from the first simple exterior lighting projects to the more modern, complex concepts of illumination.

Bird Mortality In The Human Built Environment, Stacie Schwartz

Honors Theses

Human development is having a detrimental effect on bird populations around the world. One hundred million to one billion birds are killed every year from colliding with human-built structures. I explored factors influencing the inability of birds to avoid man-made structures. If we can better understand these reasons, we can find solutions to this problem. After a known bird avoidance method, fritted glass, was installed in the Wold building, I investigated whether this glass actually deters birds from striking windows. Strikes on windows were noted daily through observation of specific windows on campus. Results show that vegetation outside of windows …

Color Theory: The Effects Of Color In Medical Environments, Sarah E. Babin

Honors Theses

The relationship between color and the environments we live in is one of great dynamics. It not only helps us to define our personal spaces, but it can also affect our temperaments and our reactions. In the medical field, color is equally as important, as it has the ability to heal and to comfort. A combination of literature review and a short survey were utilized in order to find out exactly how color can influence our mood. While previous studies and other research have been conducted, the use of a new survey helped to confirm the findings. In previous studies, …

A Profile Of Travelers Who Are Willing To Stay In Environmentally Friendly Hotel, Michelle Millar, Karl J. Mayer

Hospitality Review

The purpose of this study is to describe travelers that have indicated they are willing to stay in green hotel in order to better understand the market segment. There is very little knowledge about these types of travelers, thus making it difficult for hoteliers to know how to create marketing campaigns that target them. Data were collected via an online survey company. Behavior characteristics provided a more distinguishing profile of the traveler than did demographics or psychographics. Most travelers were willing to pay the same amount for a green hotel as a traditional hotel. Implications, future research, and limitations are …

Neutra's Pedagogic Designs, Sarah Sheridan

Conference papers

Richard J. Neutra’s seminal model schools are generally disregarded in critical literature, yet the underlying preoccupations were significant. Based on exploration of contemporary themes in medicine, education and architecture, one favoured preoccupation of Neutra’s is nature. He concludes that its potency is manifold, suggesting that exposing children to nature in an experiential way could contribute to their health, well-being and education. His model school design became the idea manifest, placing particular responsibilities on the form to achieve these ideals. However interrogation of Neutra’s forms in context reveals a lingering sense that the ideals are not always achieved. Neutra suggests particular …

Seismic Hazard Assessment In Banja Hpp Project Area And The Urban Surroundings, Megi Rusi

UBT International Conference

The Banjë Hydropower project area, located some 100 km south of Tirana, includes the middle reaches of Devoll Valley close to the village of Banjë (Elbasan district). HPP “Banja” is the lowermost stage of that will be constructed in Devoll river and it is a middle-head scheme with an annual storage capacity for peaking energy production. Closely related to the complicated tectonic pattern of the Dinarides-Albanides-Hellenides mountain range, Albania is one of the most tectonically active countries in Europe. For this purpose an assessment of the seismicity of the project area in general and the dam locations in particular has …

Impact Of Collective Residential Building In Environmental Sustainability Of Cities In Region, Ferhat Bejtullahu

UBT International Conference

Cities in region haze experienced social disturbances. War, crime and corruption divert resources from areas of greatest human need; damage the capacity of societies to plan for the future, and generally threat human well-being and the environmental sustainability. Sustainability is studied and managed over many scales of time and space and in many contexts of environmental, social and economic organization. The focus of this study is on Environmental Sustainability of Cities in region thru impact of collective residential buildings in neighborhoods, occupations, lifestyles, behavior patterns and so on. Best international approaches and principles will be analyzed and compared with regional …

Sustainable Architecture And Quality Of Place, Arlinda Sheqiri

UBT International Conference

A major part of this challenge is the development for better city-better life and being able to create sustainable architecture solutions through more effective ways to implement in our everyday life process. Strategists, designers and planners are also concerned with combining means and time efficiently. We can see, for example, nearly half of the city in Prishtina has faced wild development or re-development. This has happened as a result of individual construction projects which were undertook without municipal building permits because the pressure to develop was much high than capability of local authority to provide this service. Nevertheless even after …

Combating Suburban Sprawl In The Capital District: An Outline For Regional Sustainable Development, Andrew J. Cahill

Honors Theses

Urban centers in America have commonly been plagued by high rates of pollution, decaying infrastructure, and the overall image of being undesirable places to live. Beginning in the second half of the twentieth century, masses of people vacated the cities that they called home, for literally greener pastures, settling in outlying, low-density living areas that became known as the suburbs. Suburbanization has particularly impacted the land use pattern in the Capital District of New York State, as countless suburbs developed away from the region’s urban centers of Albany, Schenectady and Troy. Recently people have moved back into the Capital District’s …

Encouraging Creativity In The Workplace Through The Physical Environment: Focusing Of The Office Workstation, Dale R. Landry

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

People can be creative anywhere but how can designers and organizations encourage this process to occur at an office workstation through the physical work environment? This four stage study investigated what Interior Designers, experts in a field that judges creativity, felt they needed to enhance their creativity while occupying a workstation in a commercial or home office.

An exploratory mixed method of social science qualitative and quantitative research was employed that applied methodological triangulation validating the data through cross verification of codes produced through the narrative process that were perceived to influence the creative phenomena in office workers. In stage …

Environmental Architecture: Environmental Discovery Center On The Woonasquatucket River, Nathan Bonaiuto

Architecture Theses

The Woonasquatucket River Environmental Discovery Center (WREDC) is a place where students of the environment can enjoy a natural space within their own community. It provides a much needed connection to a site which, for far too long has been off limits to the community. As a potential learning environment for young students, the WREDC becomes a platform for a sustainable lifestyle. In this place we learn about the past, connect it to the present, and allow for change in the future.

This thesis is about making these connections of past and future through the current constructs of the Social, …

Environmental Problems Of Industrialization And Sustainable Development In Nigeria - A Review, Adejoh Iyaji

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

The main objective of this paper is to examine the impact of the quest for industrialization on the environment in Nigeria; others include, the identification of the objectives of sustainable development as well as making recommendations that will lead to the much needed sustainable environment both for the present generation and generations yet unborn. The researcher relied principally on secondary sources of data for this paper which is theoretical in approach. Findings revealed the emergence of a host of environmental problems such as air pollution, deforestation, desertification, solid and hazardous waste problems in the wake of the quest for industrialization. …

Green Buildings: A Maltese Perspective, Kevin Muscat

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

As construction and building development increases in the local scene, and the threat of climate change escalates, addressing green buildings on the national agenda is of vital importance. The building sector has a significant potential to implement positive change and hence become more efficient in terms of resource use. The term ‘green’ has been widely used throughout the last few decades to denote environmentally friendly policies, principles and measures. The ever growing popularity of the term was brought about by increasing concerns and issues such as those pertaining to climate change, energy crisis and resource depletion. Central to this debate …

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Greening An Older Modest-Sized Home, Delilah Zoe Leval

Master's Theses

This professional project estimates the upfront costs and utility savings expected from greening an approximately 1,100 square foot home built in the 1950s in the San Francisco Bay Area. Two sets of upgrades (alternative and original) were compared for costs and benefits. The alternative set (which included ceiling insulation and omitted upgrading to dual-pane windows) clearly out performed the original set. The alternative set would be expected to reduce resident utility bills by 28% annually, and to prevent approximately 2,700 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The water efficiency upgrades were the best performing group of upgrades, as they had …

Planning For Closure Of The Logan City/Cache County Landfill And Surrounding Landscape, Kristofor Lee Kvarfordt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Planning for closure requires in depth analysis into many operational, environmental, and social factors. Ideally, the planning process should resolve as many of the technical, social, and aesthetic requirements as possible by systematically addressing the various elements that influence the final design. This research identified the significant issues related to planning for the end use of the current Logan landfill after it reaches capacity in 18-20 years and the associated lagoons and wetlands. The current closure plan calls for simply recontouring the landfill to stabilize the slopes, then revegetating. The location of the site has serious implications for environmental impact …

No Child Left Inside: Environmental Education Through A Reciprocal Relationship Between Architecture And The Natural World, Leah Kleinman

Architecture Senior Theses

"Through a reciprocal relationship between architecture and the natural world, this thesis contends that environmental education programs can teach children to appreciate and preserve our natural environment. Architecture becomes an instructional tool itself and a way of experiencing the natural world while sustaining it and providing a healthy and comfortable setting in which to learn and have fun."

Building A Sustainable Housing Environment, Shanna Telesco

Architecture Thesis Prep

"There are three major factors being studied throughout this exploration: sustainability, housing, and the environment. Each factor can be carefully examined separately under its own terms, but ultimately, the goal of this thesis is to gain a better understanding of their possible integration within the processes of architecture.

My housing project seeks to integrate and improve the existing methods of sustainability that have evolved in architecture by carefully considering renewable resources found in nature, especially the sun, air, and water."

Green Reintroducing Nature To The City, Andrew Cunneen

Architecture Thesis Prep

"The architecture of present day America reflects the way in which we give little consideration to the impact that built forms have on the environment. American cities are expanding beyond their former limits into the natural environment previously untouched by built form. It is important for us to foster a sense of environmental concerns in an age of increasing development and advancements. While technology continues to progress it seems that these advancements are applied to everything but architecture. We have designed ways to get more mileage out of a tank of gas, and created appliances that reduce our electric consumption, …