Architecture Commons^™

Gaining From Captured Indian Traditional Knowledge Systems: Paths Taken And Way Forward, Ramasami T

International Journal of Traditional Knowledge

India’s scientific heritage is deeply reflected in Ayurveda, a tradition of integrative medicine documented for over two millennia. P.C. Ray, the father of modern chemistry in India, highlighted the depth of ancient chemical knowledge and early use of mercury compounds, while M.S. Valiathan later revived and analyzed the classical texts of Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhata to bridge Ayurveda with modern science. Building on this foundation, the Government of India launched initiatives linking Ayurveda with genomics, personalized medicine, and rasayana therapies, yielding promising insights such as the genetic basis of prakriti classifications and protective effects of Amalaki Rasayana. Efforts like the …

"The Man Who Stopped Henry Ford", George Baker

Documents

Although American industrialist and business magnate Henry Ford planned a potential "super-city" in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the actions of Senator George Norris of Nebraska were a contributing factor to its end.

Analysis Of Application Of The Tod Concept In The Istora Senayan Area, Herika Muhamad Taki, Salsabila Dhania Wibowo, Muhammad Zaydan Bethaziarennur, Kelvin Erlangga

Jurnal Geografi Lingkungan Tropik (Journal of Geography of Tropical Environments)

TOD (Transit Oriented Development) is a concept of developing a mixed area that is integrated with transportation modes. This article aims to analyze the application of the TOD concept in the Istora-Senayan area. Research of The Application of the TOD concept in Istora Senayan area generally combines primary and secondary data. Primary data consists of field observation: recording real conditions of pedestrian paths, cycling infrastructure, transit access, land use, and connectivity. Spatial mapping/GIS analysis: mapping walking distance radius (400-800 m from station), measuring accessibility, block permeability, and connectivity (74,4% of the area within 800m walking distance to transit). Surveys: researchers …

Correlation And Redundancy Analysis Of Statistical Features For Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Fault Detection, Ibrahim Muhammad, Benjamin Olabisi Akinloye

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Feature selection plays a critical role in designing efficient and interpretable condition monitoring frameworks for electrical drives. In this paper, a correlation analysis of statistical and spectral features is performed for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) fault detection in naval windlass systems. Using both simulated data from a MATLAB/Simulink model and real shipboard current signals acquired from five Nigerian Navy vessels over one-month monitoring periods, higher-order statistical moments (Mean, Variance, Standard Deviation, Skewness, Kurtosis) and the Fault Severity Index (FSI) were computed alongside Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). Pearson correlation coefficients were employed to quantify feature relationships under healthy and faulty …

Numerical Parametric Assessment Of Lap-Spliced Reinforced Concrete Beams With Steel, Gfrp, And Hybrid Reinforcement, Salah Mohsen, Mohamed H. Makhlouf, Marwa I. Badawi, Gamal Ismail

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study presents a numerical parametric investigation into the flexural performance of reinforced concrete beams incorporating different reinforcement types and lap splice configurations, based on finite element modeling using ABAQUS and benchmarked against ACI 440 design provisions. Sixteen beam models were developed and analyzed under four-point bending to evaluate the influence of reinforcement type (steel, GFRP, and hybrid), splice length, and number of spliced bars on the global structural response. The results indicate that splice detailing plays a governing role in controlling failure mode and ductility. Beams without lap splices exhibited enhanced ductile behavior, whereas shorter splice lengths and higher …

The Everyday Monument: Architectural And Spatial Transformations Of Rome's Nasoni, 1874–Present, Sandra L. Santos

McNair Summer Research Program

Rome's nasoni are small public drinking fountains that have provided free water throughout the city since 1874. There are approximately 2,500–2,800 nasoni in Rome, actively supplying people with free drinking water. Although they are usually understood as ordinary and mundane hydraulic infrastructure, their persistence across different political periods makes them useful objects for examining the relationship between architecture, public service, and political meaning. This research asks how the forms, materials, and spatial contexts of late-nineteenth-century nasoni differed from fountains constructed or modified during the Fascist era.

Over my three weeks of fieldwork in Rome, I documented seventy-five public drinking fountains …

Indigenous Ontologies And Architecture, Reconstructing Interrelational Relationships, Arlene Garcia Guzman

McNair Summer Research Program

Contemporary architecture faces a growing pressure to respond to the socioecological crises with regard to the consequences of design that so often accept environmental systems as separate from the living. In contrast, many Native systems, often referred to as Traditional Knowledge (TK), comprehend cumulative, place-based bodies of knowledge that are developed through extended histories of interaction with specific environments. In this context, Traditional Knowledge encompasses resource use practices, sustainability, spirituality, and an emphasis on a relational worldview. It is characterized in such a framework that different layers of existence, such as humans, animals, plants, water, climate, and materials, are understood …

Waterfront Ecologies: Coastal Resilience And Urbanization In Cali-Baja Region, Agniya Seliuzhytskaya

McNair Summer Research Program

This research contributes to “Waterfront Ecologies,” a binational initiative addressing urbanization and climate change along the San Diego-Tijuana coastal area and watershed systems. By examining the threshold between land and water, this paper investigates the impacts of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, watershed contamination, and rapid urban development. The study employs a case-study methodology focused on coastal conditions within the Cali-Baja region. Through this framework, it reviews planning history, environmental reports, and past precedent studies. Methodologically, the project produces analytical drawings and comprehensive base maps that synthesize regional environmental systems, urban patterns, topography, hydrology, and infrastructure.

Preliminary findings reveal that post-colonial …

Template Housing: A House For The Next 100 Years, Sophia Rico, Jb Barrientos, Armando Munoz

McNair Summer Research Program

This research examines over a century of prefabricated housing to understand how standardized housing production has changed over time and how it continues to influence housing today. By investigating archival records of historical prefabricated housing, alongside contemporary pre-approved housing plans, this study shows how housing has been designed across different time periods.  By comparing historical and modern examples, the research identifies recurring strategies for increasing efficiency, reducing construction time, and expanding access to housing. As communities across the United States continue to face a housing shortage, this research is especially relevant following the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to …

From Centralized To Decentralized Care: Assessing The Role Of Design In Cardiovascular Unit Performance, Lindsey Fay

Interiors Faculty Publications

This report presents a comprehensive pre- and post-occupancy evaluation of the University of Kentucky HealthCare Cardiovascular Unit, conducted through a collaborative effort between the College of Design, College of Communication and Information, UK HealthCare, and GBBN Architects. The study examines the transition from a centralized to a decentralized care delivery model within a newly constructed hospital environment, with the goal of understanding how spatial design influences healthcare delivery, staff performance, and patient experience.

Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques, including behavioral mapping, communication tracking, pedometer data, acoustic measurements, and staff and user feedback. …

The Adaptive Reuse Of Old Brainerd Junior High, Madison L. Christiansen

Honors Theses

This thesis looks at how Old Brainerd Junior High can be brought back to life in a way that supports the surrounding community in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Once an important part of the neighborhood, the building now sits mostly unused, reflecting how much of the city’s energy has shifted toward downtown. Instead of continuing that pattern, this project focuses on creating something meaningful within Brainerd itself. The proposal reimagines the school as a place for music, entertainment, and everyday gathering. It builds on Chattanooga’s growing presence in nightlife and the arts, while giving people a reason to stay, connect, and spend …

Brainerd Junior High Adaptive Reuse: Independent Senior Living And Community Center, Samantha E. Bowlan

Honors Theses

Brainerd Junior High's proposed adaptive reuse is Bell & Brick: Independent Senior Living and Community Center. The goal is to redefine senior living by integrating it with community engagement. Bell & Brick is place where older adults can enjoy independence while actively participating in community life, bridging the gap between generations. Public spaces are accessed on level one while apartments are on level 2 and 3.

Effective Locations And Landscape Design For Ev Charging Sites In The Intermountain West, Eli Woodward

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

The rapid growth of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the United States, particularly in the Intermountain West, has created an increasing demand for accessible and well-distributed charging infrastructure, yet limited attention has been given to how site selection and landscape design influence the effectiveness and user experience of these locations. This thesis explores how EV charging stations can be strategically located and designed to improve usability, encourage engagement, and support local economic development through a multi-criteria site selection process that considers major transportation corridors, regional demographics, Opportunity Zones, and proximity to recreational and public lands. Using geographic information systems (GIS), …

Field Calibration Of Flow Over Tilting Weirs In Canals, Joseph E. Pugh, Timothy K. Gates, S. Karan Venayagamoorthy, Caner Kutlu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Tilting weirs are widely used to regulate water levels in open channel irrigation systems and can also provide flow measurement capability that helps optimize irrigation efficiency and ensure equitable water distribution. This case study demonstrates adaptation of lab-based tilting weir ratings to field settings, where flow behavior is more complex. We compile and analyze an extensive data set derived from independent studies of five structures within three canal systems, featuring both lined and unlined channels with discharge ranging from 0.35 to 15 m3/s (12 to 530 ft3/s). Results indicate that lab-based rating equations can be calibrated to account for site-specific …

Developing A Resilient Park For Palisade State Park: A Model For Intermountain West State Parks, Hirone T. Warner

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Palisade State Park in central Utah is a cherished natural resource, offering diverse recreational opportunities and serving as an important ecological habitat. However, the park faces increasing challenges due to increasing visitation and the impacts of climate change. This thesis presents a strategic master plan for Palisade State Park, designed to guide its development over the next 20 years.

Recognizing the need for a sustainable approach, this project adopts a participatory method, involving park users, residents, and environmental experts in the planning process. The goal is to create a master plan that not only addresses the park’s immediate needs but …

The Development Of A Plant Database For Waterwise Plants Along The Intermountain West, Tyler G. Peterson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis presents the rationale behind the importance of accurate 3D plant models. The research conducted provides logical explanations for why we should accurately represent plants in our 3D models, not only as landscape architects but as designers in general. In addition to this research, a database of waterwise plants was produced to provide designers with a resource to better represent landscapes. During the creation of this database, detailed process records were maintained to enable others to continue to add to and build on the work done within this thesis. It is hoped that this database, begun in this thesis, …

Reintegrating Contaminated Sites Into The Urban Fabric: Redevelopment In Pocatello, Idaho, Hadley Ocheltree

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Brownfield sites represent some of the most environmentally compromised landscapes in the United States and are frequently concentrated within economically disadvantaged communities, raising important environmental justice concerns. Redeveloping these sites requires integrated approaches that address contamination, urban form, ecological restoration, and long term community needs. This thesis examines the 143 acre former Union Pacific Railroad site in Pocatello, Idaho and proposes a comprehensive redevelopment framework that reconnects a historically significant industrial landscape to the surrounding city.

The project draws from an analysis of eight precedent brownfield redevelopment projects and applies key planning and landscape architecture principles, including New Urbanism, pedestrian …

Retrofitting Chapel Lawns: Shifting The Landscaping Paradigm In Utah, Jessica Snider

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Utah is facing a water crisis. The state’s aggressive rate of population growth combined with its dry climate makes it difficult to meet water demands and has pushed the Great Salt Lake to the verge of collapse. Utah residents can save water by installing waterwise landscapes instead of lawns. As one of Utah's most prominent organizations and a strong advocate for earth stewardship, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is well positioned to lead a cultural shift toward more sustainable landscaping practices by showcasing well-designed, well-maintained waterwise landscapes at its chapels. The purpose of this project is to …

Adaptive Reuse Of Old Brainerd Junior High: Community Driven Creative Spaces, Jenna Pumpelly

Honors Theses

Community spaces are becoming increasingly important and they are not just a fun space that someone can visit every now and then. They are actually a way of promoting health, welfare, and connection throughout a community (Francis et al., 2012). Creating what is called a “third space” is increasingly important in a world that is becoming more solitary. I propose that the Old Brainerd Junior High is a great candidate for a space like this. The arts are proven to be an increasingly popular way to bring people together. Creative spaces are an effective tool to foster community development. It …

Brainerd Junior High Adaptive Reuse: Transitional Living For Foster Care Graduates, Gavin J. Watson

Honors Theses

Brainerd Junior High is being reused as a transitional living and working facility for foster care age-outs in need of assistance as they learn skills of independence and confidence. The first floor serves the community of Brainerd with a variety of commercial spaces, offering the graduates onsite places for employment. The upper levels serve as studio and 1 bedroom apartments for 24 residents, with shared laundry and community building spaces.

Adaptive Reuse Of Brainerd Junior High: Creating Third Spaces, Nathan S. Shevick

Honors Theses

This thesis project explores how the transformation of a local building in the community can bring people together through adaptive reuse. The Brainerd Junior High School was built in 1930 and designed by Chattanoogan architect R.H. Hunt, who has designed many significant buildings in the area such as the Medical Arts Building, 2nd Presbyterian Church, Lookout Mountain Hotel (Carter Hall, Covenant College), Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Auditorium, the Chattanooga Bank Building, and many other beloved buildings in the area. The Brainerd Junior High School building was expanded in 1956 and 1959 and changed ownership and became the magnet school, 21st …

Adaptive Reuse Of Old Brainerd Junior High School: Fostering Community Through Art Education, Brooklyn T. Phillips

Honors Theses

The adaptive reuse project for Old Brainerd Junior High School aims to transform the historically significant building into a space that better serves the community, as it once did. The goal of this project is to create a space that meets the community's current needs while preserving the building's historical significance. ​ Research methods, such as interviews and surveys, showed that preserving and reusing the building is important to the community because the space holds many memories. When asked, the community mentioned the lack of arts and crafts centers available to Brainerd. With this information, the proposed use of the …

Environmental Psychology In Historic Preservation, Eva Kindall

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the adaptive reuse of the historic Brainerd Junior High School in Chattanooga, TN, as a catalyst for community revitalization. Initially built in 1930, the building served generations of students for 75 years. Currently, the main building is closed, while the additional buildings serve as the Midtown Community Center. Its architectural character, accessible location, and nostalgia present an opportunity to reimagine its role in the current economy. Adaptive reuse offers more than architectural preservation, but is a strategy to address urban challenges such as housing affordability, lack of amenity access, and cultural erasure. Through this project, the aim …

Effect Of Rheology Modification On Fiber Orientation And Dispersion In 3d-Printed Ultra-High-Performance Concrete, Haodao Li, Alfred Addai-Nimoh, Seongho Han, Kamal H. Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The extrusion process in 3D concrete printing (3DCP) facilitates horizontal alignment of steel fibers along the printing direction, thus enhancing the load-bearing capacity of printed elements. However, such shear-induced fiber alignment is highly sensitive to rheological properties. This study investigates how variations in dynamic yield stress (τd) and plastic viscosity (μ), influence the extrudability, fiber orientation and dispersion, and anisotropic mechanical behavior of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Five viscosity-modifying agent (VMA) types were incorporated at two content levels to modify the rheology of printable UHPC. Results showed that moderate VMA additions improved printability, whereas excessive contents markedly increased τd and μ; …

A Design Guide For Extreme Heat In Play Environments: Exploring Landscape Architecture Strategies, Amy Elise Guenther

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Urban heat is a rising concern and is affecting vulnerable populations such as our youth. A particular concern is exposure to extremely high temperatures on playgrounds – an environment that is meant to be safe for children even in extreme weather conditions. There has been an increase in many impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt in urban areas. These surfaces absorb solar radiation, which contributes to the heat island effect. These same surfaces are in and around playground areas, which are contributing to the extreme heat felt within these play environments. Therefore, requiring intervention to help mitigate the effects …

Blueprints For Resilience: A Delphi Study Of Architects' Competencies In Gulf Coast States, Richard J. Cantu

Dissertations

This study identifies and defines core competencies for licensed architects practicing in Gulf Coast states, emphasizing their critical role in protecting health, safety, and welfare (HSW) amid the region’s unique environmental challenges. Hurricanes, flooding, climate-induced risks, and other coastal hazards demand specialized expertise that existing architectural competency models do not adequately address. Leveraging Delphi’s research design, this study engaged Gulf Coast experts to develop and refine a region-specific competency framework across four iterative rounds. The findings highlighted the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required for resilient and sustainable architectural practice. The study advances architecture’s human capital development (HCD) by addressing …

Building Services Engineering July/August 2026

Building Services Engineering

This issue of Building Services Engineering features heat pumps, propane usage, solar power, and ventilation for indoor air quality. Features include district heating, HVACR optimisation, lift retrofitting, EU water policy, and an interview with WiBSE Ireland Chair Heather Holt.

The Role Of Public Spaces In Facilitating Social Interactions On Summer Weekends, Sierra R. Murray

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Public spaces such as parks, plazas, and pedestrian areas are important places where people meet, relax, and interact with others. While these spaces are intended to bring communities together, their design does not always support social interaction. This study explored how everyday design features influence how people use public spaces and engage with one another. Features such as seating, trees and plants, shade, water elements, and the way spaces are shaped were examined. The goal was to better understand how design choices affect social life in shared outdoor environments. 

The research involved observing how people naturally behaved in different public …

The Impact Of Ai On The Landscape Design Process, Jacob Owen Huff

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in design fields, including landscape architecture. For example, AI has been used to visually analyze park aesthetics and generate landscape design concepts (Jahani et al., 2022; Senem et al., 2023; Ploennigs & Berger, 2023). This study explores how AI, specifically an image-generation tool called Midjourney, affects the design process for landscape architecture students.

Students completed two design projects—one using AI-generated images and one using traditional, non-AI precedent images. Their final designs were evaluated by professional landscape architects who did not know which designs had been influenced by AI. Students also completed surveys about …

Visibility Assessment In Urban Areas: Exploring Measures And Approaches For Viewing Green Space, Doo Hong Lee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Urban greenery is often used to understand the quality of living conditions in cities. However, measuring greenery is not always simple. Some methods show how much vegetation exists from above, while others try to show what people actually see while walking or moving through streets. These are different ways of understanding green space. This dissertation focuses on visible greenness, or the greenery that people can see from eye level in everyday urban environments.

This research addresses a practical problem. Many existing methods for measuring visible greenness require large image datasets, advanced computing, or commercial street-view images. These requirements can make …