Architecture Commons^™

Y'All Come Back Now, Ya Hear: A Reflection On Tourism And The Carnivalesque, Kolby Forbes

Architecture Thesis Prep

With the departure of manufacturing and industrial production from urban centers, contemporary American cities have turned to tourism as a method of turning the experiences and memories of a site into a commodity for public consumption. This pursuit of capital produces bubbles of pure spectacle that neglect historical events of significance through a series of simplifications and reductions. The investigation of this thesis is to hyper accelerate these negations, creating spectacles of commodity fetishism into an absurdist event of carnival through a series of urban pavilions, similar to those produced in John Hejduk's Masque explorations, revealing the discrepancies and contradictions …

Any Given Sunday, Dabota Wilcox

Architecture Thesis Prep

Our lives are defined by the things we surround ourselves with. They captivate our thoughts, moods, and desires, but besides their ability to transfix us, they posses a power to transform us. They can shape our needs, values, and behaviors. They ultimately leave us with transformative experiences that provide and enforce within us our beliefs. The rise in prominence of pop culture as a force in shaping the way in which people see and confront the world has meant that our attachments are as disparate and ubiquitous as ever. We communicate and enforce that which we hold close by the …

Learning From The Informal, Cherif Farid

Architecture Thesis Prep

Architecture could learn from the socio-cultural norms of informal Cairo and could implement professional expertise to create a new housing typology that achieves the people’s needs.

Housing 20 million people and still growing, Cairo mirrors the global phenomenon of unplanned urban growth. The people have been forced to construct their own dwelling units as the government fails to provide them shelter. Approximately 65 percent of the population of Cairo lives in so-called informal housing: four to ten story concrete and brick infill structures built without legal permits in the desert or on former agrarian land. These informal housing projects are …

The Architecture Of Collapse, Alison Sekerak

Architecture Thesis Prep

The world is changing around us. There is no more denying it. We are running out of resources. We are polluting our air and water. Sea levels are rising, and with it, natural disasters. Hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, drought. We are killing each other. Economies are collapsing and countries are dissolving. The world is changing. Stories of apocalypse have been prevalent in our society for decades, but they may not be a thing of science fiction anymore. When the world does change, what are architects going to do about it?

An architecture must be designed to enable the survival of …

Ruin-Naissance, Fatma Gonca Tunc

Architecture Thesis Prep

Ruin-naissance is the term I use to describe not only the resurrection of an archeological site, but also the rebirth of an idea about how we think about ruins and how new construction can enhance the experience of these kinds of sites.

The principle contention of this thesis is that a better understanding of the fragmented evidence presented by an archeological site can be seen through the lens of a contemporary architectural intervention that responds sensitively to an ancient site. In doing this, the intervention needs to address issues of identity, narrative and historiography. The new architecture should not ignore …

Contemporary Infrastructure For The Sustainable Mid-Sized City, Christian Martinez

Architecture Thesis Prep

Embedded within the Feasibility Assessment of Sustainable Transportation: Syracuse study’s goals is an interest in urban mobility particularly in mid-sized cities in America. Well referenced texts tend to deliberate on issues of urban infrastructure in great urban metropolises. This presumes infrastructure improvements can universally have a positive impact on urban mobility irrespective of city size. But is it possible for the prosperity of cities to be augmented by virtue of investing in policy and infrastructure for sustainable transportation through following megalopolis biased guidebooks? Vishaan Chakrabarti advocates for a more urban America in “A County of Cities”, because of their ability …

Siege Of British Forces In Newport County By Colonial And French In August 1778, Kenneth M Walsh, Christina Alvernas, Jon Bernard Marcoux, John Quinn, Jessica Analoro, Allyson Boucher, Aaron Bradshaw, Drew Canfield, Mersina Christopher, Stephen Jordan, James Rehill, Ralph Weiss, Dean E. De La Motte, Mary Pedley, John Hattendorf

Faculty and Staff - Ebooks

Funded by a grant from the National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program, this study delves into the technical, often forgotten, aspects of the Siege of Newport - a Revolutionary War engagement that took place in Middletown, RI in August 1778. It pairs the historical record with scientific analysis of the artillery, fortifications, geography and unforeseen circumstances that impacted the Siege. While much of the original earthen defense-works are now gone, there are a small number of sites that still exist. This study also covers what sites remain, their condition and thoughts on how to preserve and commemorate them.

Social Sustenance: Nurturing Change, Daniel Aguilera

2016 Fall Inclusion and Neighborhood Resilience with IISTL

The site’s direct connection to S. Grand Blvd. and the existing building are the fabric on which program, design and intent were concentrated. The building presented for adaptive reuse was originally the South Buick Auto Center, a structure capable of vehicle occupation on each floor, including the roof. The elevated rate of youth crime and the lack of activity space in the community brought about an idea for an alternative to re-incarceration, low employment rates and low educational and economic mobility for those individuals convicted of crimes between the ages of 17-25. Social Sustenance proposes a food truck incubator catered …

The Third Space: Creating A Community Anchor, Suzannah Grasel

2016 Fall Inclusion and Neighborhood Resilience with IISTL

Third Space is a civic space that proposes journalism as a programmatic outlet for the Gravois Park and immigrant communities of St. Louis. Throughout history, journalism has been an invaluable platform and voice for marginalized communities through Foreign Correspondents Clubs [FCC]. FCCs are hubs where journalists, correspondents, diplomats, and citizens convene within the community. In these spaces community and club members can create periodicals, host forums and exhibitions, network with fellow members, learn about topical issues, reference libraries, and generally engage with their community in a meaningful way. Third Space provides these resources concurrently with a digital library to the …

Interactive Education, Savannah Hecker

2016 Fall Inclusion and Neighborhood Resilience with IISTL

The building was constructed in 1926 as the Southside Automobile Company’s service center. The automotive industry has been an integral part of St. Louis’ history and precedents along Grand Blvd. My intention is to transform the building back to the historic use, bringing the lively nature of the automotive industry back to this area of Grand. The automotive service in St. Louis is still thriving and within the St. Louis area, and I propose a Trade School for Automobile Service. The School will have a service learning so parents and students will be able to work during their training. There …

Trade(In) Space: International Incubator, Lindsley Etienne

2016 Fall Inclusion and Neighborhood Resilience with IISTL

Immigrants and refugees come into the United States with vast amount of skills and traits, but are not always granted the opportunity to showcase them. The International Business Incubator creates the opportunity for incoming refugees and immigrants to have a space that allows them to startup their own businesses. Incubation is defined as something that develops or produces or hatches. The space proposed is experienced through physical and visual connections that provide the guest with the ability to witness the production. The Incubator provides a series of spaces that our linked to classrooms, where guest can come learn how to …

Mountain Climbing Childhood, Xinzhi Pan

2016 Fall Inclusion and Neighborhood Resilience with IISTL

The proposal for the reuse of the Donna Brown Building was the result of the analysis of the public space layout on S. Grand Ave. This included an understanding of the qualities of the promenade created in the S. Grand Commercial District through a “street diet”, and the beautification of the streetscape. I was in particular interested in studying parking as it clearly affects walkability and circulation. Through a series of studies in plan and section, I was able to look at the different parking typologies that exist along Grand. It was apparent in this study that as a pedestrian …

Early Beginnings: Inclusive Early Head Start Program, Amanda Malone

2016 Fall Inclusion and Neighborhood Resilience with IISTL

Gravois Park is a unique neighborhood for its density and diversity, yet it is troubled with issues of economic disparity and crime at a rate similar to north St. Louis. Research shows that low income and education lead into crime. Gravois Park confirms this by showing the lowest education levels of degrees attained within the City of St. Louis, along with some of the highest high school dropout rates for the public schools. School readiness, particularly among poor children, may help prevent the cascade of consequences of early academic failure and school behavioral problems. Specifically, the years before a child …

Barriers To Mass Timber Adoption Mid To High-Rise Buildings, Bianca Viggiano, Chad Wallace, Corey T. Griffin

Research-Based Design Initiative

Advancements in technology and manufacturing have provided the means to construct tal l wood buildings that are safe and cost effective while gaining the aesthetic and environmental benefits associated with mass timber. The objective of this research is to identify perceived barriers of the integration of mass timber as a desirable bui lding material for architects and structural engineers. Building on a previous study, surveys wi ll be distributed to professionals in the building science field to detect information gaps pertain ing to wood as a viable alternative to concrete in mid to high - rise applications.

The Bridge Newsletter Winter 2016, Missouri University Of Science And Technology

The Bridge Newsletter

-World's only cold-formed steel conference
-2016 Alumni of Influence
-National intelligence leader speaks
-Senne Memoria

Solid Waste Management Of Disposable Diaper Sanitation And The Connection To Environmental Awareness For Women In Zanzibar, Micalea Leaska

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This project examined the solid waste management of disposable diapers in three locations, Stone Town, Mangapwani and Vikokotoni, within Zanzibar, Tanzania. Its methods included field observations of the solid waste disposal system in Zanzibar and interviews with women about their rationales for buying and using disposable diapers. For one of the first times, the data collected during this project will further assist to educate women about the benefits of cloth diapers and the negative effects disposable diapers create for Zanzibari families and the environment. This study has observed one of the most growing concerns regarding excess solid waste contributing to …

Exploring Access To Portable Water And Sanitation Practices In A Post-Conflict Environment: The Case Of Gulu District, Northern Uganda, Peyton Going

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Over the course of 30 days of fieldwork in October and November of 2016, data was collected through interviews conducted with local government officials, researchers and academics, and village community members of Gulu District.

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which agencies have improved water and sanitation in the region. The case study of Gulu utilized in-depth interviews with key informants, focus groups, and observations, and sought to determine who the local stakeholders in water and sanitation are, the water sources and sanitation facilities available and their uses, the perception local people have about their …

Biosafety Cabinets In Laboratory Planning, Carrington Crities, Amy Peterson, Nicholas Papaefthimiou, Tucker Jones, Zgf Architects

Research-Based Design Initiative

The purpose of this research and white paper is to design architectural module layouts for practical laboratory use by integrating biosafety cabinets (BSCs) in replacement of traditional fume hood ducting systems and discuss the findings. The desired outcome of this work is to use knowledge gained from research to propose potential BSC layouts within a laboratory type building, and how BSCs can benefit laboratory design. Based on advantages and restrictions between each BSC class, BSCs are strategically placed in appropriate locations throughout the structure. The results show that implementing BSCs reduces the floor-to-floor height and allows for more flexible module …

Pcc Rock Creek Post Occupancy Evaluations, Ossie Pleasant, Ryan Ngo, Opsis Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

The objective of this research is to determine whether the new additions to Building 5 and Building 7 of Portland Community College at Rock Creek Campus fulfill the requirements for the LEED IEQ 7.2: Thermal Comfort-Verification credit for LEEDv2009.

Occupants of the new additions will take an anonymous survey regarding their thermal comfort and other aspects of the new additions via SurveyMonkey.

If the survey results indicate that more than 20% of occupants are dissatisfied with thermal comfort in the building, a plan for corrective action must be developed to fulfill the requirements of the credit. The results from SurveyMonkey …

Unitized Wall Systems, Ossie Pleasant, Lauren Sanchez, Nick Vipond, Sergio Palleroni, David Posada, Tucker Jones, Zgf Architects

Research-Based Design Initiative

ZGF is working on multiple large towers with short timelines that would benefit from quicker construction, which led us to unitized wall panels from a series of manufacturers. What often makes the construction process difficult is that there are independent organizations with differing priorities that must work together toward a common goal. By decreasing the number of trades, and minimizing construction time, a prefab system might allow earlier occupancy to regain building costs. With direction from discussions with the ZGF team, our efforts were initially focused on the comparison of three specific unitized wall systems: Island Exteriors, Sotawall and Enclos. …