Architecture Commons^™

Portland State University Engineering Building Expansion Feasability Study, Nicole Dunbar, Huafen Hu, Sergio Palleroni, Ben Deines, Zgf Architects, Glumac

Research-Based Design Initiative

he building was certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold after its construction, achieving a 45% reduction in energy use from the original building. A geothermal (ground source heat pump) cooling system is the primary cooling device in the building, along with operable windows in classrooms for natural ventilation and cooling (PSU).

Portland State University’s commitment to sustainability sparked the impetus to push for a design that would achieve the LEED Gold standard. Originally designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (ZGF) Architects and PAE Engineering, the building serves as the main space for all of the branches of Portland …

An Anthropology Of Urbanism: How People Make Places (And What Designers And Planners Might Learn From It), Brooke D. Wortham-Galvin

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

In their word play on what design praxis might succeed the New Urbanism movement in the United States, the July 2013 article “Newest Urbanism” in the Architect introduced to the uninitiated the concept of tactical urbanism. Defining tactical urbanism as "temporary, cheap, and usually grassroots interventions—including so-called guerrilla gardens, pop-up parks, food carts, and 'open streets' projects—that are designed to improve city life on a block-by-block, street-by-street basis," the article claims that it took this approach to shaping the city less than a decade to mainstream into the practices of US cities and firms alike. While Architect used the term …

Post-Occupancy Daylight Analysis: Vernonia K-12 School, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

Early design approaches are becoming increasingly important in the architectural design process. Studying the buildings performance after occupancy has allowed our field to study the accuracy of design modeling. This has been especially true with daylight analysis. Specifically in school settings, daylight is not only desirable but crucial to the health and performance of children. Analysis of daylight in the architectural field has increased as the opportunity to perform more accurate simulations during the design process. Alongside this development, there is a move to explore the efficiency of software analysis to real world projects. This research examines the effectiveness of …

Evaluating Sefaira: A Research Collaboration, Mart Schaefer, Sergio Palleroni, Huafen Hu, Ben Deines, Boora Architects

Research-Based Design Initiative

Sefaira Concept is a plug-in that runs in Trimble SketchUp, a 3D modeling program with wide usage in architecture design. Known for its ease of use, SketchUp is particularly useful during a project’s schematic design phase. Until now, however, it lacked robust analysis tools. Sefaira Concept fills that gap and allows designers to explore a variety of options for reducing energy impact early in a project’s life. Before a tool of this nature existed, energy modeling and analysis would be done by consultants with more specialized knowledge and at a point in the design process where it was too late …

Renton Highlands Library Daylighting Analysis, Sergio Palleroni, Vanessa Vanderhoof, Huafen Hu, Ben Dienes, Angela Cutright

Research-Based Design Initiative

It is common knowledge that natural light is better for the built environment and occupying such environments. It also is important to note that society spends the better part of their lives in structures or buildings; these spaces have a hand in our daily experiences. Not only do people benefit from natural lighting, physically and mentally, but daylighting systems can also lower dependency on electricity, lowering the usability and lifetime costs of a structure. There is also a chance for creating too much daylight, bright surfaces and areas can hinder the occupants and some spaces do not need daylighting. It …

Life Cycle Assessment American Center, Rangoon, Myanmar, W. Uebelacker, Cole Poland, Corey T. Griffin, Ben Deines, Ygh Project Team

Research-Based Design Initiative

This LCA looks at the cradle to grave operations of a building, quantifying the environmental impacts of the materials, production process, transportation, operating use, deconstruction, and disposal. There are several environmental categories that can be identified for evaluating global impacts including global warming, ozone depletion, eutrophication, acidification, smog formation, particulates, and fossil fuels. According to the International Organization for Standardization, there are four phases for performing LCA of a building: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory (LCI), impact assessment and analysis of results. The goal and scope defines the intent of the LCA (cradle to gate, cradle to grave) …

Faulty Measurements And Shaky Tools: An Exploration Into Hazus And The Seismic Vulnerabilities Of Portland, Or, Brittany Ann Brannon

Dissertations and Theses

Events or forces of nature with catastrophic consequences, or "natural disasters," have increased in both frequency and force due to climate change and increased urbanization in climate-sensitive areas. To create capacity to face these dangers, an entity must first quantify the threat and translate scientific knowledge on nature into comprehensible estimates of cost and loss. These estimates equip those at risk with knowledge to enact policy, formulate mitigation plans, raise awareness, and promote preparedness in light of potential destruction. Hazards-United States, or Hazus, is one such tool created by the federal government to estimate loss from a variety of threats, …

Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Change: Portland, Oregon 1990-2010, Kelly Ann Howsley-Glover

Dissertations and Theses

Commercial corridors in neighborhoods experiencing change have been relegated to a footnote in research on residential phenomena. It is taken for granted that the process of change experience by businesses within these neighborhoods mirrors that of the residential change. This assumption is often predicated on the underlying model of invasion succession, suggesting that inmovers displace native populations, whether they are residents or businesses. Analyzing time series data on neighborhood commercial corridor change, research attempted to first test data against the invasion succession model to see if it is an effective framework for analysis. Second, through comparison of case study areas …

Measuring The Effects Of Environmental Certification On Residential Property Values - Evidence From Green Condominiums In Portland, U.S., Xi Yang

Dissertations and Theses

Green building, as an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient product, has emerged in recent decades. Along with the growing interest in green building design and operating practices, a number of green building certification standards and rating systems have been developed by different organizations worldwide. Those rating systems allow government regulators, building professionals, and consumers to embrace green building with confidence. Many recent studies find that LEED and Energy Star certified commercial buildings gain significant rental and sales price premiums and have higher occupancy rates. However, little research has been conducted to measure the market value of certified multi-family residential buildings, for …

The South Kelso Revitalization Plan, Ashley Harris, Aaron Lande, Chris Myers, Beth Otto, John Verssue, Kate Williams

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Workshop Projects

The city of Kelso has a rich history based in a strong community ethic, hard-working people, and an economy deeply rooted in the bounty of the natural environment. This economy has changed over the last several decades, however, and the difficult transition has left its mark on the community. South Kelso in particular- one of the four neighborhood quadrants- is battling its fourth generation of disinvestment and widespread poverty. To help the City revitalize South Kelso, the aim of the South Kelso Revitalization Plan is to give voice, strength, and direction to the concerns and priorities of the South Kelso …

Public Space And Urban Life: A Spatial Ethnography Of A Portland Plaza, Katrina Leigh Johnston

Dissertations and Theses

The Urban Center Plaza at Portland State University is a high profile place situated in downtown Portland, Oregon. In some ways it is the ideal university plaza providing space for eating, conversing, or limited recreational activity. It is a place that has been studied before, but not in a more in-depth method incorporating quantitative and qualitative analyses. It is also a place that has gone through several stages of development and is the target of many opinions based on casual observations, at times due to these changes. This thesis focuses on an ethnography of place in this particular plaza in …

Development Of Dynamic Thermal Performance Metrics For Eco-Roof Systems, Seth Sinclair Moody

Dissertations and Theses

In order to obtain credit for an eco-roof in building energy load calculations the steady state and time-varying thermal properties (thermal mass with evapotranspiration) must be fully understood. The following study presents results of experimentation and modeling in an effort to develop dynamic thermal mass performance metrics for eco-roof systems. The work is focused on understanding the thermal parameters (foliage & soil) of an eco-roof, further validation of the EnergyPlus Green Roof Module and development of a standardized metric for assessing the time-varying thermal benefits of eco-roof systems that can be applied across building types and climate zones. Eco-roof foliage, …

Lincoln-Juarez Land Port Of Entry Vehicle Processing Facility, Nathan Clifford, Dylan Morgan, Chad Norvell, Chris Kline, Raul Bayoan Cal, Matthew S. Melius, Tha Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The indoor environmental quality of a building has a significant impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity. Exposure to the exhaust fumes of idling vehicles is a dangerous but avoidable toxic hazard. Proper ventilation of vehicle inspection areas is essential, and to the maximum possible means, should be accomplished by natural ventilation. We intend to research the extent to which it is possible to use passive ventilation strategies to alleviate the auto exhaust exposure of officers and travelers using the Port of Laredo entry.

Osu Teaching And Learning Facility, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

OSU Teaching and Learning Facility

Balancing Optimal Daylight And Optimal Solar Gain Using Climate-Based Daylight Modeling, B. Deines, Corey T. Griffin

Research-Based Design Initiative

Designing an envelope that optimizes the solar radiation entering a building is critical to the quality of interior spaces. Some of this radiation is necessary for illumination. This decreases the need for electric lighting and significantly contributes to the quality of architectural space. In contrast, direct solar radiation can heat a space. In large buildings this heating often contributes to the cooling load and decreases overall energy performance. This study analyzes the daylighting potential of a five-story children’s hospital in Kentucky. It was an ideal candidate for a building which required both high quality daylight and minimal solar gain.

Improving The Integration Of Sustainable Strategies In Schematic Design: Developing A Multi-Faceted Tool To Improve Thermal Resistance In Architectural Enclosure Systems, M. Boyce Postma, Jacob Spence

Research-Based Design Initiative

This study seeks to develop a tool that can be quickly and easily used by schematic designers to set a thermal resistance target for the complete enclosure system and receive options in a variety of variables to achieve that goal.

Airflow Simulation And Analysis Of A Campus Courtyard Research For The Design Of U.C. Davis International Complex, Phase I, Corey T. Griffin, J. Moore, Srg Partnership

Research-Based Design Initiative

Natural Ventilation has the attractive qualities that it is free and unlimited. The task is how to utilize it in such a way that it properly transports its capacity in making a well-conditioned environment. Preliminary design of a campus is tested and studied, in an attempt to find out if the geometry of the building provides suitable amount of air through its courtyard. The courtyard is the most important space requirement of the project. The main focus of the preliminary design analysis is to create a comfortable condition within the courtyard, since it will open up onto the different wind …

Air Temperature Stratification: A Post-Occupancy Study Of The 12|West/Zgf Office, Justin Wells, Matt Sedor, Corey T. Griffin

Research-Based Design Initiative

The primary method for cooling is through the ventilation system during winter. HVAC studies were done using computational fluid dynamic models by the engineers. They predict that heat will be transported by convective air currents that rise from the floor, through an “occupation zone” to the ceiling and then exhausted through the ceiling air plenum. Although the air is distributed relatively evenly through floor-mounted diffusers, it is unknown how evenly the heat flow through the office space is actually functioning. Therefore, a distributed network of sensors was found to be the best approach to sample air temperature from many points …

Preservation Sustainability Modernism: The Qualitative Analysis Of Valuing Modern Architecture Through Preservation And Sustainability, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

As sustainability becomes increasingly important, it has transformed design, construction, and operation of new buildings. Preservation has become a common sustainability strategy; however, it is much easier to argue the historical value of a hundred year old wood-framed house than a modern glass structure. Many buildings constructed with modernist ideals have more currently become a topic of debate for sustainable preservation. The tension stems between preserving embodied energy of existing buildings and reducing the operational energy with new construction. Originating from the counteracting beliefs in authenticity and modifications, the current need for better energy performance is best improved by integrating …

Optimizing Efficiencies In Multi-Performance Upgrades To Unreinforced Masonry (Urm} Buildings, Julie Mcevoy Baines

Research-Based Design Initiative

In 2001, the City of Portland identified over 1,900 URM's, many of which have never been seismically upgraded. These structures will pose a serious risk to occupants both during and after a seismic event. In this collection of historic structures live and work thousands of families, school children, and professionals. Additionally, due to their lack of wall insulation and outdated mechanical systems, these URM buildings tend to perform poorly in terms of their energy use. It is important to understand why energy upgrades to our existing building stock is necessary. Buildings account for 40 percent of the emissions of carbon …

Barriers In The Implementation Of Cross-Laminated Timber As A Sustainable Alternative Structural System In Multi-Family Multi-Story Housing, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) was first developed in the early 1990s in Austria and Germany and has been gaining popularity in residential and non-residential applications, mainly in Europe. Currently, panels are being manufactured in a limited number of places in North America, which allows CLT to be used in a few projects while trade organizations and governmental agencies adopt specifications and codes for its use. CLT is being used in Europe as the structural system for eight and nine story buildings with proposals up to seventeen stories. CLT is an engineered wood product consisting of glue laminated wood boards, approximately 20-60mm …

A Critical Assessment Of Concrete And Masonry Structures For Reconstruction After Seismic Events In Developing Countries, Heather Mcwilliams, Corey T. Griffin

Research-Based Design Initiative

Overview: The infrastructures of developing countries, old and new, are in severe danger of the next natural disaster, only due to the fact that there is zero concern for the overall use of materials. And although the awa reness of poor construction tech niques have been presented, engineers and arch itects are continuously proposing systems tha t are destined to be hazards once the next disaster hits. Not only is the use of concrete economica lly unsustainable, but it is also the most vulnerable material when seismic activity hits the surface. As the international community helps developing countries such as …

Efficacy Of Replacement Windows In Building Energy Retrofits: A Post Occupancy Evaluation, Chris Rockhill, Heidi Crespi, Corey T. Griffin, Boora Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

The thermal performance of replacement windows has made considerable progress in a short time frame. Few studies have been carried out with regard to application of new and retrofit windows to pre-retrofit windows. The goal for this energy retrofit is occupant comfort, as 80% of a buildings energy use goes toward maintaining this standard.Any effort to make this load more efficient is worth investing and warrant post occupancy evaluation to make more informed decisions about future investments. This study gives great insight into the potentials, positives and negatives for utilization and employment of data loggers with thermal couples, infrared thermography, …

Comparing The Embodied Energy Of Structural Systems In Parking Garages An Analysis Of Three Built Projects: Cellular Steel, Precast Concrete And Post-Tensioned Concrete, Corey T. Griffin, L. Bynum, A. Green, S. Marandyuk, J. Namgung, Kpff Consulting Engineers

Research-Based Design Initiative

The structure of a typical office building contributes roughly one-quarter to one-third of the total embodied energy. Although the occupation phase of a building’s life cycle currently dominates energy use, as operational energy use is minimized through high-performance design, construction and equipment, embodied energy will play a larger role in the overall energy consumption of a building. Consequently, the structural system should be a primary target for reducing the embodied energy of a building. Parking garages offer an ideal case study for comparing the embodied energy of a variety of structural systems. As above grade parking garages have little operational …

The Role Of Structures In Daylighting Retrofits For Existing Buildings: Exploring An Iterative Workflow For The Schematic Design Phase In Building Retrofits, Portland State University. School Of Architecture

Research-Based Design Initiative

Existing buildings, particularly those with deep floor plates, must be retrofitted to reduce electricity consumption. The structural systems of existing buildings can both inhibit and support daylighting retrofits, specifically the use of skylights. This research explores the interactions of structural systems and daylighting through the use of simulation software, specifically the ability of structure to reduce glare by blocking direct sunlight and distributing light more evenly.

A Multi-Performance Comparison Of Long-Span Structural Systems, E. Douville, B. Thompson, Corey T. Griffin, Kpff Consulting Engineers

Research-Based Design Initiative

When a building requires a long span, especially on the ground floor of a multi-story building, the long span often determines the structural system used early in the design pro-cess without any other consideration. Commercial and residential buildings are responsible for roughly 40% of all carbon emissions and energy use, more than any other sector in the USA. Moreover, this excludes the significant energy and emissions required to extract, process, trans-port and assemble building components. Globally, the production of cement alone accounts for 4% of carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, reducing the environmental impact of building construction and operations is critical …

The Principles Of Exterior Wall Systems, M. Coon, A. Green, T. Stephens, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects

Research-Based Design Initiative

To assist designers and clients alike in understanding, investigating, and detailing wall systems, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects has created a document known as the Principles of Exterior Wall Systems (PEWS). This assemblage of information highlights their main types of wall systems including rain screens, mass walls, curtain walls and other systems while consisting of graphic models, sections, and diagrams. In an effort to further enhance the PEWS document, an investigation of alternative material options provides additional consideration to provoke conversation and deliberation. This additional materials database documents a variety of different interior and exterior insulation types. Detailing the attributes of …

Narrative Processes In Urban Planning: A Case Study Of Swamp Gravy In Colquitt, Georgia, Ronald David Pate

Dissertations and Theses

In 1990 many in Colquitt, Georgia considered themselves to be a dying town due to the loss of jobs and outmigration that occurred when labor intensive farming transitioned to the machine. In response citizens brought in a theater director from Chicago who helped them launch a performance series of inclusive stories that were acted by local volunteers. The resulting series called Swamp Gravy has run from 1992 to present (2012), and has led to purported claims of community revitalization. The purpose of this study was to discover what this ongoing narrative community engagement meant to the people of Colquitt in …

An Empirical Study Of Particulate Matter Exposure For Transit Users At Bus Stop Shelters, Adam Moore

Dissertations and Theses

Congested traffic corridors in dense urban areas are key contributors to the degradation of urban air quality. While waiting at bus stops, transit patrons may be exposed to greater amounts of vehicle-based pollution, including particulate matter, due to their proximity to the roadway. Current guidelines for the location and design of bus stops do not take into account air quality or exposure considerations. This thesis provides a unique contribution to roadside air quality studies and presents an innovative method for the consideration of bus shelter placement. Exposure to roadside pollutants is estimated for transit riders waiting at three-sided bus stop …

Interview With Ethan Beck, Ethan Beck Homes, 2011 (Audio), Ethan Beck

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Ethan Beck by Sara Scott at Portland State University on June 2nd, 2011.

The interview index is available for download.