Architecture Commons^™

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 …

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 Crucian Cultural Experience | Designing A Cultural Heritage Park For The Island Of St. Croix Usvi, Ashlee Martinez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Welcome to St. Croix USVI, an island of beauty and wonder, filled with rich history and splendor. The question posed throughout the thesis is – how can Architecture be used to preserve the history and culture of St. Croix?

This thesis proposes the development of a cultural heritage park based on the culture of St. Croix, USVI. The park's primary goal is to preserve the island's cultural heritage while providing an immersive and educational experience for tourists and locals alike. Using interactive exhibits (VR), performances, and hands-on activities, visitors will gain the opportunity to learn about the island's history, music, …

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 …

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 …

Knit Architexture: Crafting A Feminine Narrative, Cameron Shapiro

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

During the industrial period, a transformative wave swept through the realm of architecture. The advent of new technologies gave rise to a sleek and polished modern form, marked by its concise, efficient lines. This era brought forth remarkable advances in construction technology, leading to significant improvements in structural integrity and architectural form. However, in the midst of these innovations, a certain artistic touch began to wane. The landscape became dominated by the repetitive replication of similar structures worldwide, leaving the artistry of craftsmanship fading into the past.

To address this growing concern, a solution emerges: the reintroduction of craft. Craftsmanship, …

From Silence To Thriving: Architecture As A Voice For The Wayuu Tribe, Angie Son Pulido

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This research explores how stories, music, and patterns intersect to shape the built environment, with an emphasis on spotlighting the Wayuu tribe, a resilient culture facing extinction in the arid desert of La Guajira, Colombia. The Wayuu people have endured centuries of adversity, including colonialism, exploitation, drug trafficking, and internal conflict. In this place, water and food are scarce, and child mortality rates are very high. Despite hardships, they preserve a culture of resilience thanks to their tradition of oral storytelling. Drawing from the tradition of storytelling, the works of writer Gabriel García Márquez, particularly his Magical Realism, serve as …

Urban Metabolism, Clayton Champion

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis aims to reimagine urban living in San Francisco through the design of a utopian megastructure that transcends traditional notions of architecture. Megastructures, a post-war architectural concept, consist of a big frame with modules that have a short-term life cycle. By integrating principles of inclusivity, adaptability, and community empowerment, the proposed megastructure serves as a spatial bridge, addressing the city's multifaceted socioeconomic challenges.

Drawing inspiration from architectural precedents such as the Metabolist movement, Fumihiko Maki, Ralph Wilcoxon, Kisho Kurokawa, and Archigram, the research emphasizes the significance of modular and adaptable structures that evolve over …

Crux: Urban Ecology And Cultural Essence, Maria Del Valle

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The CRUX, stands for islands grappling with the aftermath of hurricanes. Its transformative vision is set against the backdrop of a city scarred by abandoned homes, tainted water sources, agricultural decay, and a crippled electrical grid. CRUX aspires to breathe new life into this urban landscape, envisioning a self-sustaining city dedicated to nurturing community ties for the resilient people of Yabucoa. The testament to the restoration is not just physical structures, but the research studies the very spirit of the community. By delving into the realms of art, farming, Afro-Carribbean culture, and food, the project seeks to create a vibrant …

Queer Underground: A Spatial Re-Imagination Of Underground Atlanta, James T. Lawrence

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

In the 1980s, stumbling upon the Imperial Lodge of Elks by night would have immersed one in an atmosphere characterized by expression, love, and cultural vibrancy. This locale, nestled within the ballroom culture of Harlem, NYC, has since evolved into a celebrated bastion of queer culture, serving as both a historical touchstone and a wellspring of inspiration for contemporary pop culture and the LGBTQ+ community. Drawing parallels between the architectural and functional dynamics of this bygone era and present-day queer spaces reveals intriguing insights. In downtown Atlanta, the once-thriving Underground Atlanta district grapples with the challenge of maintaining its relevance …

Revitalizing Sweet Auburn, Georgia: A Foodcentric Biophilic Inspired Solution, Cason Lott

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Revitalizing Sweet Auburn, Georgia: A Foodcentric Biophilic Inspired Solution addresses the critical issue of food deserts and the challenges of maintaining a healthy balance in densely populated urban environments. It underscores the importance of easy access to essential resources like food for community well-being and highlights the strain on individuals. The thesis emphasizes the potential for sustainable solutions to improve urban living conditions, promoting both physical and mental health while ensuring stability and community. Furthermore, the thesis explores the integration of urban farming, community education, and sustainability with biophilic design’s natural elements to create an enriching community center that acts …

Dead Malls Living Communities, Lucas Fernandez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis is about the revitalization of unused/ underutilized suburban land and how it can be transformed into a nuevo town center of sorts for the new millennium. It analyzes how to properly integrate a new urban center into the surrounding area its in and which approaches are successful and unsuccessful.

Interstate Rejuvenate, Brennan Taylor

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Throughout the history of the automobile, roadside amenities and architecture have continually adapted to the needs and desires of motorists. Along the rural interstate highway, landscapes blend with billboards and off-ramps that bring the traveler to food, lodging, and gas. A typical interstate exit is a sprawl of structures for transaction, each isolated in its own asphalt island, competing for the consumer’s attention with signage, architectural design, or folly. These predictable prototypes spread homogenous program and form across the highway with little to no account for a sense of place. When a state border is crossed, a flat, metal sign …

تأثير رؤية 2030 في مسعى الرياض لتصبح مدينة ذكية: أولوية القوة الناعمة لاستراتيجية التحول الاجتماعي على القوة الصلبة للبنية التقنية المادية, Tahar Ledraa Prof., Sami Aldubaikhi

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research

تناقش الورقة عملية تحول الرياض لمدينة ذكية. يروج في الأدبيات التي تتعاطى مع المدن الذكية التعامل معها كغاية في حد ذاتها وليست وسيلة لغاية. في هذه الحالة يكون التركيز على العناصر المادية للمدينة كالمباني الذكية والبنية التحتية لتكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات (ICT) وتطوير إنترنت الأشياء (IoT). على النقيض من ذلك، تتعاطى هذه الدراسة مع المدينة الذكية باعتبارها وسيلة لغاية، بمعنى أنها أداة مساعدة لتحقيق التحول الاجتماعي والانتقال لاقتصاد المعرفة. فهي بهذا تعطي الأولوية للإنسان على العناصر المادية في المدينة. لهذا أهم شيء يتم التركيز عليه هو إعداد السياسات الاستراتيجية لإحداث هذا التحول الاجتماعي المنشود. بناء عليه قامت الرياض بتبني رؤية 2030 …

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, …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald: Ways Of The Future, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Magazine edition of the College Heights Herald for the period April 8 - May 5, 2024.

• Anderson, Alexandria. Letter from the Editor – Science, Technology & Business
• Anderson, Alexandria. Women in STEM Make Advances
• Novoselia, Mariia. Turnover on Fountain Square: Local Businesses Share Concerns & Success Stories
• SOKY Rentals Offers New Apartments
• Walk2Campus: Where Home Meets Community
• Bush, Camden. Can a Baseball Team Reduce Their Goals to a Math Problem?
• Hawkins, Kaylee. Student Business Owners Share Experiences – Gatara Townsend, Andrew Garrett, Brittiny Sadler
• Ivory, Larkin. Bikewalk BG, WKU CHHS Offer Chances for Healthy Lifestyle – Health & Human Services

Garageband Acoustics, Ramiro Garcia

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

For anyone who has practiced an instrument, how often do you find yourself desperately searching for a place to play that doesn’t sound like you’re trapped in a tunnel or a cavern? Many musicians face this challenge, often resorting to the only open space available in their homes: their garages. Though a common choice, garages suffer from numerous acoustic shortcomings, including concrete walls that trap and scatter sound haphazardly, leading to poor sound isolation and excessive reverberation. Musicians struggle to hear themselves clearly, which often results in playing at excessive volumes that bleed beyond the confines of the garage, causing …

Aguaaaa!!!, Cory Villegas

Theses and Dissertations

“AGUA” is a call for new models of learning and sharing, celebrating the diasporic as a place of global revolution. Salsa, rooted in Latin American and Afro-Caribbean histories, is choreographer Cory Villegas’s expression of cultural legacy. As an Afro-diasporic dance, Salsa carries the wealth and variety of African and Indigenous roots. Villegas contextualizes her thesis event “Las Leyendas: An Afro Cuban Suite,” presenting herself and her troupe Soul Dance Co. as evidence that contradicts the erasure of Latin & Caribbean Culture in US dance history. The paper uses English and Spanish, written, visual, and oral materials with an accompanying webpage.

間, Lele Dai

Theses and Dissertations

LeLe Dai makes contingent participatory public interventions using sensory materials such as sound, flickering light, and water. This paper examines their works through the lens of Chinese character Jian (間), meaning “gap/slit/incision,” to investigate the concept of “in-betweenness.”