Architecture Commons^™

Rust Belt Rhizome, Kathryn L. Hier

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

The Detroit phenomenon is happening at smaller scales in dozens of cities across the Rustbelt as a result of industrial decline, suburban growth, and increased poverty levels. This disjuncture in the urban fabric is manifested as a rich figure-ground of two opposing forces: city and “un-city”. The “un-city” is a complex and dynamic collection of foreclosed homes, vacant lots, unoccupied property, condemned buildings, and unused infrastructure that pervades the viable urban systems of the city. The presence of scattered emptiness takes observable socio-economic tolls in the form of increased crime, decreased property values, loss of community, and perceived isolation.

This …

Adaptive Value: Design For Changing Economies, Adam S. Post

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

The intent of this thesis is to better understand how architects can increase the value of under utilized sites amidst changing economies. Initial explorations of material reuse, reconstruction, deconstruction, and adaptive reuse have culminated in a better understanding of the value of architecture.

Inherent to any building design is the initial program for its construction. These programs help define the building and set up parameters upon which architects base their designs. The problem that often arises is that nothing happens to these spaces once the programs have changed. This thesis looks to examine how an adaptive reconstruction process can take …

Building Performance, Aaron K. Wong

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

This project is a critique on current sustainable practices and looks to create a better system for sustainability that can build upon itself, serve as a progressive system for future use, and ultimately offer a means for self sustaining cities. The current standards for sustainability are far from being progressive or even par for current needs. The means in which buildings are evaluated and means in which sustainability is thought of is very limited, and has lost sight of fundamental goals. A new system in which sustainability is not thought of on as a one off building, but on a …

Self-Fixturing Architecture, Darin C. Russell

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

“Fixturing” as a concept and practice is applied almost exclusively to manufacturing. Mass production utilizes the fixture to assemble volumes of identical parts into volumes of identical assemblies via holding and locating. This results in accurate and repeatable assembly of parts. Typically, the fixture is only economical when a large enough volume of assemblies exist - a small number of assemblies does not warrant the design and fabrication of a fixture. In this context, the fixture is external from the assembly - that is, the parts do not intrinsically locate and hold themselves within the assembly. It is arguably more …

Data Driven Architecture, Zachary S. Soflin

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

There is a change in the paradigm of architecture and the approach toward the development of forms. A change that strives to get past the shallow ascetic of Post modernism and its view of architects as the generators of forms whose priority is appearance not performance. This change continues the movement away from the shallow facade of Post modernism toward a priority of performance and accuracy in architecture. By this, I mean an architecture that serves its users better, and attempts to accurately address the issues & needs of the user.

While performance based design is not a new concept, …

Into The Seam: The Architecture Of Boundary, Erik T. Leahy

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

The current conflict occurring in the State of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is representative of a trend which is becoming common in the modern political era: the walling off of the ‘first world’ from the ‘third world’; ‘civilization’ from ‘wilderness’. Examples of this include (but not limited to) the US-Mexico border, the 38th Parallel between North and South Korea, the economic remnants of the Iron Curtain, the subdivision of the Balkans, and the division and nationalization of the Indian Subcontinent. These border zones reflect cultural, political, and economic differences. Recently, however, through infrastructural definition and physical manifestation, many …

Rail (Re) Connection, Benton J. Cooper

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

The primary goal of this project is understand why the passenger rail industry in the United States has fallen short of the rest of the world over the last several decades and to promote the revitalization and re-connection of the passenger rail industry within the United States, with the focus starting in the Midwest. The overall scope of the project is to use existing rail infrastructure, track and existing smaller depots, and new hub terminals to integrate passenger traffic back into the rail industry. As the existing infrastructure becomes outdated and/or worn new infrastructure to support new rail technology will …

Ecotourism, Grant M. Ronchi

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

The idea to design a fully functioning ecotourism lodge was conceived as a result of two projects, the first being an academically organized team assignment and the second, an actual venture of one of my relatives. The challenges that arise in designing solutions for an environmentally-conscious uniform facility are especially stimulating when they are to be executed abroad. The marketability of such a facility needs to be contemplated carefully, respecting a well established culture. Deliberate attention to a triangle of three components will drive this design as a thesis project: the natives and their culture, construction methods and materials, and …

Design Capitalism, Emily Van Court

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

Social business examples are few in the architecture profession. In fact, humanitarian architecture as a concept is new to the field. Left to non-profits and academics (Architecture for Humanity and Rural Studio respectively), humanitarian architecture is not traditionally regarded as a profitable business.

However, other fields have found ways to combine a social initiative and a profitable business. Grameen Bank founder Dr. Muhammad Yunus not only defined the term, but created the model for social business. Subsequently, many non-profits have followed suit and applied the successful system, increasing the capacity for social change within their fields.

My thesis will aim …

Permanent Impermanence, Craig A. Weflen

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

"This is the real news of our century. It is highly feasible to take care of all of humanity at a higher standard of living than anybody has ever experienced or dreamt of. To do so without having anybody profit at the expense of another, so that everybody can enjoy the whole earth. And it can all be done by 1985." -Buckminster Fuller, 1971

41 years later, we still have people living in abject poverty, forced into situations where the politics of displacement actively prevent them from improving their living situation. For an organization that puts out a "Handbook for …

Fused, Abby A. Baumert

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

Since the 1800’s, the consolidation of rural schools in the United States has been a controversial topic for policymakers, school administrators, and rural communities. Primary concerns with consolidation include budget, efficiency, student achievement levels, school size, and community identity. In the history of American education, consolidation has been an alternative way to solve rural issues. Currently, rural schools and communities facing declining enrollments and financial cutbacks are challenged by the growing trend of consolidation and school reorganization.

Debates continue today, whether the consolidation movement is considered a success. Opponents of school consolidation point to research that suggests consolidation may not …

A Computational Response To Arrested Development, Nay Z. Soe

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

Current improvements in transportation, communication technology, and a steady rise in globalization has lead to the effect of suburbanization. While the exact effects and implications of suburbanization remain a matter of great controversy, it is undeniable that substantial qualitative changes are taking place in the world economy, with major spatial and social implications. These conditions pose significant challenges to the normative design practices in concern to planning and housing, requiring an approach that operates beyond the quick fix or the local solution.

In order to operate critically and design effectively to these conditions, an examination of socio-spatial urban processes and …

A Step Towards Sustainable: The Meshing Of The Mormon Church Headquarters' Environmental Earth Stewardship Practices With Modern Trends Of Sustainability, Natalie Watkins

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Planners and landscape architects are decision makers whose commitment to sustainable development is integral in transitioning our built environment into a renewable and more self sustaining system. The built environment is a place where the three pillars of sustainability comprising social equity, environmental bear-ability, and economic viability are clearly manifested. The recent decades or scientific research in this area have offered us opportunities to make changes in the built environment that will better support future generations of our local communities. However, social and religious community structures can make change difficult on the Wasatch Front where the headquarters of the Church …

The Role Of The Household In Urban Forestry As A Measure Of Urban Sustainability: A Matrix Of Action And Change, Anthony M. Rodriguez Ph.D.

Faculty Scholarship

The urban forest holds several important positions within the built and unbuilt environments. Those positions include economic, health, sustainability, quality of life measures, and overall protection of the environment, including air, water, and soil. The points are highlighted by Wolf (2005, 2007), McPherson (2005), and Rowntree & Nowak (1991). This research references the four socio-economic sectors; the public or government sector, for profit or market sector, philanthropic or nonprofit sector, and the household or private sector (Biggs & Helm 2007). The common purposes and role of each sector with respect to the urban tree cover takes on importance as they …

Roger Williams Park Edible Forest Garden, Mark S. Scialla

Senior Honors Projects

An edible forest garden is a low-maintenance system that uses edible native and regionally-adapted plants arranged in beneficial relationships to meet human, wildlife and ecosystem needs. The forest garden in Roger Williams Park will transform underutilized urban land into a highly productive parcel producing market-viable fruits, nuts, vegetables, medicine and fiber. Forest gardens mimic natural forest systems in architecture and complexity. The design follows ecological principles to create a system that promotes biodiversity and enhances the surrounding ecosystem. This project also demonstrates the potential to grow food and create land-based livelihoods in the city.

Located on the edge of a …

Envision Downtown Hayward, Crp 410/411 Community Planning Lab

CRP 410/411 Community Planning Laboratory I & II

No abstract provided.

Design Of A Constructed Wetland For Wastewater Treatment And Reuse In Mount Pleasant, Utah, Yue Zhang

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Municipalities in the Intermountain West are facing water shortages based on their current population growth projections. Utah has the second highest per-capita culinary water use in the United States. Among other cities, Mount Pleasant, Utah, is seeking innovative and cost-effective ways to reduce culinary water use. This study presents a feasibility analysis of and a design for using a free water surface constructed wetland system to treat the city’s wastewater. The study further presents a cost-benefit assessment of using the treated water for landscape irrigation in the city. The study is based on an analysis of existing wastewater quality, local …

Ties That Bind: The Emergence Of Iron Tie Rod Reinforcement In Load Bearing Masonry Buildings Of Charleston, S.C., Jamie Lynn Wiedman

All Theses

Comprehensive studies of structural tie rods in Charleston's load bearing masonry buildings are scarce. While the presence of these anchors on building facades fascinates passersby and is appreciated throughout the city, a general knowledge of their history and emergence as a technology is lacking. Often associated with the earthquake of 1886, iron tie rods were in fact present in Charleston buildings as early as the 18th century. And while the effect of the 1886 earthquake on Charleston's built environment is typically looked at from a sociological or political perspective, and the physical effect has been studied extensively, rarely has the …

Assessing The Level Of Bicycle Planning In Local Planning Efforts: A Case Study, Christopher Michael Hussey

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

The transportation system in the United States has long been dominated by motor vehicles. The US Department of Transportation has encouraged cities to increase bicycle transportation as a means to improve health and activity, reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, reduce congestion, improve air quality, and reduce vehicle miles traveled. Bicycle transportation is improved in a city when thorough planning documents have been created to help guide and improve bicycling facilities

This research creates a framework to evaluate a city’s planning documents for the purpose of bicycle planning. The framework is derived from a thorough literature review and from …

Castle Pinckney: Past, Present, Future, David Weirick

All Theses

Castle Pinckney is one of a few surviving 'castle' style forts. At the time of Castle Pinckney's construction in 1811 these all masonry, circular, casemated fortifications were a revolutionary experiment in military architecture, inspired by the theories of the foremost military engineers in the world. The southern theater of the War of 1812 never materialized, and Castle Pinckney was not called upon to demonstrate its superior tactical capabilities. As military technology progressed during the nineteenth century, Castle Pinckney became increasingly outdated, but its strategic location in Charleston Harbor caused its continued use as an important military post during the Nullification …