Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions On The Moral And Ethical Applications Of Generative Ai In Creative Game Development, Isabella Maccera

Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity

As AI tools become increasingly embedded in creative industries, they introduce both opportunities for efficiency and concerns regarding authorship, intellectual property, job displacement, and professional identity. Guided by three research questions focused on creativity, ethics, and workflow adaptation, this research employs a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews to capture participant experiences and interpretations. This study frames GenAI not as an isolated tool, but as part of a broader system that reshapes creative labor, collaboration, and organizational structure. Inductive coding and thematic analysis reveal five central themes: perceptions of AI in creative workflows, ethical and intellectual property concerns, employment and identity …

American Industry And Soviet Blood: U.S.-U.S.S.R. Collaborations During The Interwar And Wartime Years, Evan Banaszewski

History

This project will examine the connections between American corporations and the Soviet state from the late 1920’s through WWII. In particular, this project will focus on ventures undertaken by said corporations towards the modernization of Soviet industrial might, including, but not limited to, Ford-built automotive plants, Albert Kahn-designed factories, and General Electric-built hydroelectric grids. These ventures not only helped the Soviets transform a historically agricultural society into an industrial one but also enabled the rapid conversion of peacetime infrastructure into hubs of wartime production. The project then situates these private indirect contributions alongside the direct aid provided by the American …

Los Juegos De Rol Como Una Herramienta Psicoeducativa, Víctor E. Quintana Villarreal

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

Los juegos de rol han funcionado durante mucho tiempo como un medio para compartir y crear historias en conjunto con colegas y amigos. De ellos, se desprenden también habilidades y herramientas fundamentales para la vida, por lo que un método para sistematizar estos juegos de tablero y dados a funciones educativas es necesario para potenciarlos como herramientas psicoeducativas.

La siguiente, es una propuesta planteada desde el marco constructivista para generar espacios con los juegos de rol como eje central del aprendizaje, y se relatan a través de un marco teórico, seguido de una proposición metodológica, una serie de pasos para …

Journal Of Roleplaying Studies And Steam (Jrpssteam) Vol. 5 [2026], Número 1 (Issue 1), Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd, Cristo Leon, Ivan Avila, Sarah Lynne Bowman, Kjell Hedgard Hugaas, Alexandra Schreiber Ma, Jaime Eduardo García Maya, Víctor Emmanuel Quintana Villarreal Vic Emma, Francisco Gonzalez Ing., Daniel Romero Benguigui, Antonio Roda-Martínez

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

El presente número del Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM examina la convergencia entre las prácticas lúdicas, el diseño narrativo y los procesos de mediación sociocultural en la investigación contemporánea. Las contribuciones reunidas en este número abordan el juego de rol como un dispositivo de producción de conocimiento, intervención psicoeducativa y reelaboración de representaciones culturales. Nos podemos atrever a señalar que la educación es la convergencia entre la ludología, las ciencias sociales, los estudios visuales y el análisis cultural; entendiendo a la educación como la actividad consciente e intencionada de transmitir información y conocimientos a las siguientes generaciones.

Martin Heidegger …

Confluence: From Barrier To Connection: Reconnecting The Lower Ninth Ward To The Industrial Canal Through An Inhabitable Water Edge, Ciara Albrecht

Architecture Theses

Confluence reimagines the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans as a resilient waterfront community shaped by memory, ecology, and adaptive housing. Located along the Industrial Canal at the site of the 2005 levee breach, the project replaces defensive separation with an inhabitable water edge composed of amphibious housing, public circulation, constructed wetlands, visible water systems, and an underground memorial. The thesis argues that post-disaster rebuilding cannot be measured only by infrastructure or replacement housing, but by dignity, return, cultural identity, public health, and long-term stewardship. Through buoyant foundations, concealed mooring systems, passive climate strategies, and a spatial sequence that moves …

Reviving The Mill District: Post-Industrial Revitalization Through Recreational Development, Kylee Frisbie

Architecture Theses

Transforming post-industrial cities through recreational development examines how medium-sized communities can transition from declining industries to new economic identities by expanding sports and recreation infrastructure. Centered on Sartell, Minnesota, this study addresses the civic and economic void left behind from the destruction of the Verso Paper Mill in 2012. Using the “research by design” method utilizes qualitative analysis, a community-focused survey, and case studies showing how a hybrid sports complex can function as an economic engine and replace a community’s lost identity. The findings show that these facilities activate “sports-led regeneration” by attracting regional engagement, generating annual economic impact while …

The Social Seam: Combating Social Isolation Through Architecture, Elissa Hammrich

Architecture Theses

A lack of walkable environments and well-supported public spaces has created a crisis of social disconnection across the United States. Historically, dating back to the public squares of ancient Greece, the public realm was a place of communal ritual from which citizens drew their primary identity. Today, however, modern cities are driven by commerce and technology, rapidly losing the genuine spaces that create face-to-face human interaction. By prioritizing the efficient movement of vehicles and goods over human connection, it has left behind fractured, isolated communities.

This thesis explores architectural strategies to combat this social isolation, focusing specifically on the Near …

Architecture Of Healing Beyond The Institution: A New Model For Veteran Care, Megan Lyn Welk

Architecture Theses

The transition from military to civilian life presents unique challenges for veterans navigating trauma, yet traditional clinical settings often aggravate anxiety and disconnection through sterile, institutional design. This thesis addresses the critical “mismatch” between current healthcare environments and the neurological needs of veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Arguing that architecture must evolve from a passive vessel to an active therapeutic partner, this research proposes a comprehensive rehabilitation center located on O’ahu, Hawai’i, which integrates the island’s profound cultural connection to the ‘aina (land) with evidence-based design strategies.

The design methodology synthesizes three core …

Advancements In Wall Systems For Cold Climate Timber Frame Structures, Albert Gérard

Architecture Theses

Timber frame buildings hold a privileged place in the homebuilding industry, where they are prized as a uniquely desirable construction method. Commonly cited reasons for their appeal are the way they feature natural materials and the prominent use of solid wood joinery. Although construction methods for the structures themselves were established through a series of seminal 1980s and 1990s English-language publications, the lack of a suitable wall system has continued to present challenges to achieving more widespread adoption.

Renewal: Connecting The University Campus To Improve Student Success, Micah L. Wood

Architecture Theses

The modern university increasingly faces many challenges such as competition to get and maintain students, relevance in a digital world and beyond. But what if we take a deeper look into how the built environment influences and has potential to improve student success. To do this, we must understand one of the main reasons campuses still exist beyond education, which is community. Most things that can be achieved from a university could be received in a digital format, but human connection is increasingly important. It is important to realize that, through the built environment, we can help empower campus communities. …

Cycles Of Work And Shelter: Adaptive Architecture For The Rhythms Of Rural Labor, Gabriel Ketcham

Architecture Theses

This thesis explores temporary modular housing as a flexible, context-driven solution for North Dakota’s rural agricultural communities. As a land grant university, North Dakota State University carries a mission to address state needs, yet many small farming towns face growing challenges in providing seasonal and affordable housing for agricultural workers. By examining regional farm labor patterns, harvest seasonality, and construction logistics, this project proposes a modular housing system adaptable to various rural conditions. The design emphasizes mobility, adaptability, and durability, enabling North Dakota’s farming communities to reduce operational costs, minimize worker transportation demands, and lower carbon impacts associated with daily …

Right Up Your Alley: Integrating Affordable Housing And Walkable Infrastructure To Revitalize Denver's Neighborhoods, Mason Anchondo

Architecture Theses

This thesis examines how existing single-family neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado can be transformed into more walkable, socially connected, and affordable communities by reactivating the city’s underutilized mid-block alleyways. Through policy analysis, GIS-based spatial research, and on-site neighborhood observation, the study identifies opportunities to introduce accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and pedestrian-oriented design strategies that improve connectivity and housing diversity without displacing existing residents. A multi-scalar site selection process ultimately focuses on the Barnum and West Barnum neighborhoods, where intact alley networks and demographic conditions support a replicable framework for gentle density. Informed by case studies and interdisciplinary research on walkability, human-scale …

Bridging The Urban Moat In Downtown Fargo: Downtown Riverfront Reconnection, Haitham Al Nemri

Architecture Theses

Downtown Fargo is the city's cultural and economic hub, but it is currently constrained by a lack of riverfront activation and an outdated limited variety of building typologies and uses along the eastern downtown edge. The main issue is the lack of a clear physical connection bridging the infrastructure that cuts the civic core off from the Red River. This thesis tackles this problem by proposing a "Reconnection Framework" that combines reusing existing infrastructure, adapting to the harsh "Winter City" climate, and adding mid-scale residential housing, to expand housing options in Fargo downtown. The design proposal transforms the downtown riverfront, …

Re:Grain: Elevating Community Through The Adaptive Reuse Of Grain Structures As A Catalyst For Downtown Development And Cultural Identity In Horace, North Dakota, Gracie Mae Erickstad

Architecture Theses

This thesis explores how the adaptive reuse of wooden grain elevators can preserve living heritage, sustain cultural identity, and anchor downtowns in small towns facing rapid suburban expansion. Centered on Horace, North Dakota, the study positions grain elevators as evolving typologies that respond to contemporary community needs while maintaining symbolic and material ties to the agrarian landscape. Through design research, site analysis, and comparative case studies, it develops strategies that integrate preservation, sustainability, and public engagement. Findings demonstrate that reimagined grain elevators can serve as multi-use civic anchors, fostering social cohesion, economic activity, and a sense of place amid dispersed …

The Phenomenology Of Home: Exploring The Interlinked Relationships Between Dwelling And Domestic Architecture, George Martin Grunklee

Architecture Theses

This thesis explores the concept of home from a phenomenological perspective to inform a communication method and design process for domestic architecture. While “home” holds multiple meanings, this study traces the phenomenological relation between human’s embedded existence and place—to understand home as a condition shaped by the lived experiences of its inhabitants. The aim of this thesis is to understand how the design of domestic architecture is intrinsically linked to dwelling and to the accumulation of lived experiences.

The thesis critically engages phenomenology in architectural practice by exploring case studies which exhibit and foster the concept of home. Frank Lloyd …

Curating Sense-Of-Place In Residential Development: The Development Of A Strategy For Residential Construction, Ryan Anthony Calhoun

Architecture Theses

This thesis addresses the dual-faceted United States housing crisis, characterized by economic inaccessibility and a deteriorating sense-of-place due to urban sprawl and homogenous tract housing. The research investigates how architectural intervention can create a profound sense-of-place within the contemporary residential landscape despite escalating construction costs. By synthesizing phenomenology, housing economics, and urban planning, the study develops a new residential construction stratagem. This strategy utilizes social, economic, and ecological optimizations, such as shared liminal spaces, mass customization, and vernacular design, to foster community and identity. The research culminates in the design of "Prairie Haven,” a 174-lot medium-density neighborhood in Forest Lake, …

Re-Barn: Adaptive Barn Reuse As A Model For Aging In Place And Multigenerational Living On A Rural North Dakota Farmstead, Jared Eggermont

Architecture Theses

Across rural landscapes, agricultural buildings are increasingly left vacant as farming practices evolve, while a growing senior population remains in homes ill-equipped to support aging, often facing challenges with daily needs, health, and social connection as younger generations leave for urban areas. These underutilized farmsteads present an opportunity to support multigenerational living through the reuse of existing structures, allowing families to remain rooted while adapting to changing needs. This thesis explores how rethinking agricultural buildings can sustain social and physical continuity, drawing on research into adaptive reuse, aging in place, multigenerational households, and rural living. It proposes design strategies on …

Life Beyond Architecture, Mauro Benvenutto

Architecture Theses

This thesis argues that the loss of public life in many contemporary American cities cannot be explained by architecture alone. While placeless, standardized, and emotionally thin architecture remains an important symptom of the problem, the deeper condition is urban: cities and neighborhoods have been reorganized around the private automobile, separated land uses, oversized parking fields, high-speed commercial corridors, and development models that prioritize convenience and efficiency over human scale. The result is an environment where people technically have access to buildings, sidewalks, shops, and roads, but often lack meaningful freedom of choice. Walking, biking, transit, lingering, and informal social life …

Reminiscing: Architectural Impressions That Last, Ryann Vetsch

Architecture Theses

This research explores the relatively unknown intersection of human memory and architectural design to determine the characteristics of a memorable place. Through synthesis of psychological literature on memory and architectural theory, in conjunction with case study analysis, a “Hypothetical Memorability Network" was established. Within this network, five psychological characteristics act in sequence to provide the necessary tools for creating a long-term episodic memory: attention, emotion, place, meaning, and story.

These psychological characteristics were developed into a Memorable Design Framework to be used as a guide to creating memorable architectural projects. Testing the design framework, the research found is applied to …

Farming The Future: Urbanizing The Naturhus For Small Scale Food Cultivation, Madysen Brooke Rath

Architecture Theses

Modern urban centers face the pressures of rapidly rising populations and food insecurity, leaving a landscape of “urban voids”-underutilized lots that remain dormant and unproductive. While the Naturhus typology offers a potential solution for symbiotic, glass-encased green living and food production in rural settings, it has yet to be adapted as a viable infill solution for the American urban grid. This thesis investigates the potential for urbanizing the Naturhus concept by reinterpreting a row-house typology as an infill strategy to create “greenhouse villages,” where residents actively participate in their own food production. It focuses on the cold-climate urban fabric of …

Wellness Through Architecture: Connecting Nordic Wellness Traditions With Architecture To Promote Human Well-Being, Morgan Mae Klimpel

Architecture Theses

In society, the need for spaces that promote wellbeing has become increasingly pressing. Modern lifestyles are often defined by constant stimulation and high stress, leaving us with limited opportunities to truly recharge. Since architecture is the framework for how we experience the built environment, it plays a critical role in shaping our mental, physical, and emotional health. The historic Lutsen Lodge site currently sits undeveloped after being destroyed by a fire in February 2024. Representing a key extension of the Lutsen Resort, this location embodies a long-standing tradition of hospitality and the unique cultural heritage of the North Shore. This …

The Ethics Of It All: My Values As They Pertain To Architecture, Piper Thorson

Architecture Theses

Through careful contemplation I have determined that the most impactful topic for this thesis is the improvement of myself. If I become a better architect now, then the impact I'll have through my career will be greater than any other project I could do this year.

So how do I improve myself?

I thoroughly examined my deep-seated beliefs and explored the beliefs of others. This exploration concluded with the establishment of a personal code of values. Which consists of three core values, each with three subcategories: Ethics (Commitment, Altruism, Integrity), Sustainability (Eco-nomical, Small, Symbiotic), and Artistry (Detail, Craft, Beauty), all …

Roots In Timber, Tate Dawson Runge

Architecture Theses

This thesis investigates how mass timber construction can serve as a low-carbon framework for developing attainable, mid-scale “missing-middle” housing integrated with meaningful urban greenery. Contemporary cities face dual challenges: limited affordable housing options and reduced access to nature, both of which impact community well-being and environmental resilience. By examining mass timber systems such as CLT and glulam alongside green infrastructure strategies, including planted terraces, courtyards, vegetated facades, and indoor botanical spaces, the research explores how these elements can be combined into cohesive, replicable housing prototypes. Precedents and literature on timber construction, biophilic design, and urban development inform the project’s design …

From Steel To Sanctuary: Rethinking Sustainable Architecture Through Passive Design, Trent O'Neill

Architecture Theses

Architects, innovators, and the entire construction industry continue to push the newest, most expensive, high-tech solutions to problems that technology itself has caused. The broader public, however, seems to have little interest or support in investing in such endeavors. From Steel to Sanctuary presents a different solution, one with roots thousands of years in the making. Sustainable design is not a new way of thinking. Our ancestors had subsisted as active participants, rather than simply as a spectator to nature for millennia before the rise of the technological age. Today, we coin the strategies they employed as ‘passive’ architecture; Systems …

Building On Memory: Towards A Digital Future Informed By Historical Theory, Lucas Laskow

Architecture Theses

This project synthesizes 2,000 years of architectural theory to establish an ethical framework for integrating artificial intelligence into contemporary design. The research culminates in “The Chandler,” demonstrating how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human-driven spatial and cultural values.

The assertion that human design is inherently superior to artificial intelligence relies on the flawed premise that intuitive leaps outweigh data-driven synthesis. Rather than diminishing the architect’s role, the evolution of AI demands that designers become ethical interpreters who ask the right questions. This project investigates how past architectural theorists, from Vitruvius’s foundational triad to Bruce Allsopp’s humanist return, provide a …

Behind The Badge: Rethinking The Police Department As A Functional Workplace, Benjamin Michael

Architecture Theses

While traditional design approaches often emphasize public engagement and community visibility, this project centers on the needs of law enforcement personnel, recognizing the high-stress, high-stakes nature of their work. By integrating architectural strategies that reduce stress, foster relaxation, and support daily workflows, the design aims to improve officer morale, enhance focus, and increase job retention. Key features include dedicated decompression zones, wellness and fitness facilities, natural lighting and biophilic elements, and spatial layouts that support efficient operations while promoting a sense of safety and comfort.

Erasing Boundaries: Strategies For Universities And Cities In Developing Integrated Planning, Jack Quinn

Architecture Theses

The population of the Fargo-Moorhead area is steadily growing per year, however since 2010 both Concordia and Minnesota State University Moorhead have seen a steady decrease in students. Factors such as President Trump’s immigration policies, lower birth rates, and high school students who are doubting the value of a college education has set the stage for a difficult future for universities in the United States of America. This thesis will explore Town-Gown relations, studentification, and the strategies behind the best designed campuses in America. It will explore the relationship between neighboring schools, P3 developments, dive into what the Metro college …

The Architecture Of Water Consciousness: Revealing Water, Culture, And Dwelling In Phoenix, Arizona, Luke Wendel

Architecture Theses

In the desert, water has always shaped how people dwell, build, gather, and survive. In Phoenix, Arizona, this relationship has become increasingly hidden behind canals, infrastructure, policy, and control. The river that once supported settlement is now often dry, and water is understood more as a managed resource than a visible presence in daily life. A reimagining is needed, as the future of desert cities depends not only on conserving water, but on changing how people experience and value it. Can architecture reveal water as something seen, felt, remembered, and shared? Located along the Rio Salado, this thesis proposes a …

Transformall: Redeveloping The Suburban Retail Space To Save It From Decay, Tate Trushenski

Architecture Theses

The decline of traditional retail has left behind expansive "Greyfield" sites underutilized shopping malls that disrupt the suburban fabric. This thesis presents Transformall, a comprehensive master plan for the Albertville Mall site in Minnesota, reimagining the 430,000 square foot footprint as a resilient, mixed-use town center. By employing adaptive reuse and strategic densification, the project transitions the site from a car-centric retail island into a walkable, community-oriented district.

Key interventions include the preservation of existing structural grids, the introduction of diverse housing typologies, and the implementation of green infrastructure. The resulting master plan demonstrates that suburban redevelopment can move beyond …

From Tech To Table: Moving Sustainable Proteins Beyond Marketplace Bottlenecks, Andy Fitch, Cynthia Hanawalt

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

Climate advocates may hope to see dramatic commercial breakthroughs over the next several decades that reshape emissions-intensive components of our everyday lives, such as our dietary choices, household energy use, and transportation habits. Yet transforming these consumer sectors will require not only scientific ingenuity and entrepreneurial ambition, but also nimble competition policy to address complex market dynamics.

Sustainable food production likely necessitates substantial departure from traditional livestock-management practices. Agricultural production currently generates about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions (“GHGs”). Animal livestock account for the largest share, while occupying roughly 40% of the Earth’s habitable land, much of which could …