Architecture Commons^™

Process, Place, And People: A Study Of Contemporary Land Art And Environmental Awareness, Lauren Wright

Landscape Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This capstone investigates how land art can evolve within contemporary environmental, cultural, and educational contexts. The research addresses the issue that much historical land art, while innovative, often lacked ecological accountability, public accessibility, and environmental integration. Through precedent analysis, literature review, and site-based field observation, this study evaluates selected works in the United States and the United Kingdom using a framework focused on site specificity, ecological sensitivity, materiality, construction process, cultural relevance, public engagement, aesthetic value, and longevity. Photographic documentation and annotation were used to translate on-site experiences into comparative analysis. The results reveal that successful contemporary land art prioritizes …

Federal Government Shutdowns And Gateway Communities: Impacts On Businesses, Communities, And Workers’ Perceptions And Attitudes, Dean W. Zakrzewski

Landscape Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study aims to answer a presented gap in the literature on how gateway community workers and businesses are directly impacted by federal government shutdowns. Three gateway communities were selected as case-study communities for this research based on a set list of criteria, including size, proximity to urban centers, geographic context, and the prominence of their associated park. The selected communities are Bar Harbor, Maine; Estes Park, Colorado; and Moab, Utah. Community profiles were drafted for each community to understand them from a contextual level, including the breakdown of their workforce and other general descriptions of their communities. A combinational …

Collage To Wallcovering: A Method To Sustain Memory In Memory Care Facilities, Mikala Sexton

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

As the aging population continues to grow, dementia and Alzheimer's have become increasingly relevant in healthcare. In the United States, memory care facilities, focusing on medical attention, often lack humane design, leaving the interiors to feel sterile and detached. This study explores collage as a method for developing a systematic approach to interior finishes of memory care facilities, specifically wallcoverings, making design accessible to memory care facilities while supporting the memory function of its residents.

This project utilizes qualitative and image-based methods, along with interviews, to inform the production of a collage and wallcovering. By analyzing pieces from a collage, …

The Log Cabin | Public Perception And Mediated Reality (1840 – 1980), Aspen M. Regan

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This capstone examines the evolution of the log cabin from 1840 to 1980. At its core, the project questions the legacy of the log cabin from its origins as simply being a traditional dwelling typology to its establishment as a cultural icon or rather, an enduring vessel that established the American Dream and ideals of self-reliance, freedom, and individualism deep within the heart of American culture.

Chapter One situates the log cabin historically and architecturally, defining the popular frontier dwelling as being a single-pen horizontal log constructed cabin. It then explores the cabin’s emergence as a cultural image through political …

Rekindling Hearth: An Investigation And Discussion Of The Traditional And Evolving Roles Of Hearth In Architecture, Ruth E. Prenzler

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research explores the evolving role of the hearth in domestic architecture, examining its historical significance and its continuing symbolic and architectural significance. Once essential for heat, cooking, and gathering, the hearth has shifted from necessity to nostalgic artifact due to technological advances and changing domestic patterns. This study reexamines the hearth’s spatial, social, and functional roles in architecture through a combination of literature review, theoretical analysis, and visual diagramming. Six case studies, spanning pre-modern to contemporary housing, are analyzed to identify patterns and transformations in hearth placement and significance. Through detailed diagrams, the paper offers a visual and theoretical …

Affective Perception Of Color In Classroom Design, Emmalyn Burns

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

The physical environment of a classroom plays a crucial role in shaping how students learn, engage, and interact with their education. This study focuses on color’s influence on well-being, focus, and overall academic experience. Many higher education classrooms still rely on a standard that implements neutral colors, which does not always align with student preferences. While prior research has shown that color can have measurable cognitive and emotional effects, its thoughtful application in university settings remains limited. Current architectural design processes often overlook ongoing user-based feedback past the pre-design phase, leaving students without input on the decisions for their learning …

The Seedling, Caden Bent

2026 Research Poster Competition

This research investigates attainable housing for the missing middle through the integration of mass timber construction, prefabrication, and biophilic design. The project proposes a modular housing system that leverages the structural efficiency, quality control, and ecological performance of mass timber while emphasizing replicability as a means of adaptability rather than uniformity. Through prototyping modular systems, material life cycle studies, and iterative design across replicable and adaptable units, the study examines how prefabrication can accelerate construction timelines without erasing local, cultural, or temporal specificity. Central to the research is an expanded understanding of biophilia, not as applied aesthetic, but as a …

Resilient Communities: Affordable Solutions To Extreme Heat, Rylee Ball

2026 Research Poster Competition

Climate change is wicked. The term itself lacks a single definition and individuals vary in understanding of its causes and effects. Often, it is considered through the lens of global phenomena: deterioration of the ozone layer, destabilization of the arctic circle, or other abstract impacts that are often difficult to fully comprehend. Harder to trace is the impact on a local scale: access to food and water, increase in natural disasters and displacement. The impacts threaten to deepen already wide inequalities. Design theorists Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber characterized such challenges as “wicked problems,” a concept that aptly describes climate …

St. Peter’S And The Altar: An Exploration Of Its Transformation And Its Development As The Focal Point Of Sacred Space, Chloe Balkcom

2026 Research Poster Competition

This study explores the evolution of the high altar at St. Peter’s, tracing its history as a ritual focal point within the basilica. Rooted to being the presumed burial site of the Apostle Peter, the basilica served as a primary testing ground for the evolving relationship between altar, relic, and liturgy. Arguably, the altar's gradual formulation in its position from a movable object to a fixed structure, mirrors the actual Church’s broader effort to find its identity, authority, and ritual practice following the legalization of Christianity. Through architectural, material, and liturgical analysis across the centuries, the paper examines spatial consequences …

The Log Cabin | Public Perception And Mediated Reality (1840 – 1980), Aspen Regan

2026 Research Poster Competition

This capstone examines the evolution of the log cabin from 1840 to 1980. At its core, the project questions the legacy of the log cabin from its origins as simply being a traditional dwelling typology to its establishment as a cultural icon or rather, an enduring vessel foundational to the American Dream and ideals of self-reliance, freedom, and individualism deep within the heart of American culture. Various case studies, traditional literature review, and archival analysis was required to complete and produce a comprehensive study of the log cabin and its history in this context, culminating into three distinct chapters. Chapter …

Rekindling Hearth: An Investigation And Discussion Of The Traditional And Evolving Roles Of Hearth In Architecture, Ruth Prenzler

2026 Research Poster Competition

This research explores the evolving role of the hearth in domestic architecture, examining its historical significance and its continuing symbolic, spatial, and architectural relevance. Once essential for heat, cooking, and social gathering, the hearth has gradually shifted from a functional necessity to a largely symbolic and nostalgic artifact as a result of technological advancements and changing domestic lifestyles. Despite this functional decline, the hearth persists as a powerful cultural and architectural element, deeply embedded in collective memory and the perception of home. This study reexamines the hearth’s spatial, social, and functional roles through a combined methodology of literature review, theoretical …

Hybridized-Highway Infrastructures, Will Sutton

2026 Research Poster Competition

This research explores highways and their evolving functions through hybrid programming, from the modern era to the present day. As early as 1916, the federal government began funding state construction of the National Highway System. From this point onward, by design, highways became redundant and homogenized networks of automobile movement, crystallizing their function. Despite this, there are global examples of architecturally utilizing space within, above, or below highway infrastructures that hybridize their function beyond vehicular movement. I am currently studying hybridized-highway infrastructures through a literature review that examines them through the lenses of underutilized space associated with highways, the roles …

Navigating Transportation Barriers: Older Adults’ Familiarity With New Mobility Options And Perceptions Toward Autonomous Vehicles In Arkansas, Arna Nishita Nithila, Suman Kumar Mitra, Michelle Gray, Alishia Juanelle Ferguson, Jennifer D. Webb

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The objective of this study is to analyze older adults’ familiarity with new transportation options (ride-hailing services, bike-share services, and shared e-scooter services) and their perception towards autonomous vehicles (fully autonomous cars), as well as how transportation barriers influence their familiarity and perceptions, in Arkansas, a predominantly rural state. Data from 775 older adults aged 60 years or older were collected between October 2021 and October 2022. To fulfill the study objective, the study used Latent Class Cluster Analysis to segment older adults into classes based on their familiarity with new transportation options and their perceptions of autonomous vehicles. The …

Designing And Installing A Disability Accessible Teaching Garden, Annabelle D. Denham

Horticulture Undergraduate Honors Theses

As horticulture becomes increasingly popular as a subject, activity, and form of therapy, its inclusivity has not kept up with the pace of its growth. In order to address the need for inclusivity and accessibility, gardens must adopt universal design. Individuals with special needs continuously face discrimination. While horticulture therapy has long been studied and catered to primarily neurotypical and able-bodied individuals, there is limited research on creating gardens specifically to include those with disabilities. This project aimed to create a garden that could serve the needs of all participants, regardless of their ability and sensory needs. The garden was …

From Plate To Perception: A Comparison Between Fine Dining, Fast Casual, And Fast-Food Restaurant Lighting Design In Dallas, Texas, Allison Nicole Cain

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

This capstone explores the intersection of lighting psychology and interior design within restaurant environments, focusing on the impact that lighting design has on the dining experience. The research evaluates how lighting design varies across fine dining, fast casual, and fast-food restaurants in Dallas, Texas, and how it affects customers’ perceptions, emotions, and satisfaction. A mixed-method approach was used, combining qualitative interviews with industry professionals and restaurant employees with quantitative analysis of lighting parameters such as color temperature, illuminance, and fixture types across nine case studies. Key findings reveal that fine dining restaurants prioritize warm, high-contrast lighting to enhance intimacy, fast …

Fungi To Form: Exploring Mushroom Mycelium As A Bio-Material For Zero-Waste Interior Furnishings And Forms, Drew M. Gobbi

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

This capstone explores new applications for mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, in the architecture and interior design industry. Due to its naturally renewable and 100% compostable nature, mycelium proves itself to be a highly sustainable material. Through a combination of research, analysis, and hands-on experimentation, both the challenges and possibilities of mycelium are documented and defined in the context of solutions for fast-furniture waste, a phenomenon that includes mass-produced, low-cost items designed for short-term use. Following a foundation of literature reviews and case studies, this paper documents small-scale prototyping of mycelium-based models for the Ground-Up Chair, a simple yet …

Experiential Advertising: The Immersive Evolution Of Marketing, Julianna Ferguson

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

Experiential advertising is revolutionizing marketing by creating immersive, emotionally resonant brand environments that foster consumer engagement and loyalty. This thesis explores the integration of experiential design in commercial branding, emphasizing how sensory-driven storytelling enhances brand identity and consumer connections. Through case studies such as the Gucci Garden in Florence, this research highlights the effectiveness of flagship stores, pop-ups, and sensory campaigns in transcending traditional advertising methods. Employing firsthand observations and analytical frameworks, the study identifies critical design strategies, including interactive installations and curated spaces, that reshape retail environments into platforms for emotional connection and advocacy. Findings reveal that experiential design …

The Utilization And Deterioration Of Travertine In Classical, Baroque, And Fascist Architecture: A Case Study From Rome, Italy, Kaitlyn V. Fitzgerald

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Travertine limestone has formed the resilient backbone of Roman architecture for over two millennia and across several cultural periods. This study identified the leading causes of travertine decay in Rome across Ancient, Baroque, and Fascist periods in order to efficiently prioritize conservation and restoration efforts across the city. The methodology developed here can then be utilized in other urban settings. Rome’s iconic landmarks such as the Flavian Amphitheater, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Spanish Steps all owe their existence to this local limestone. High rates of urbanization now dictate how architectural travertine interacts with its surrounding environments and landscapes. Grand …

Using Scaffolding, Gamification, And Self Awareness To Create Responsive Ux/Ui In Cad Software To Nurture Metacognition In Novice Users, Obed Ibrahim Gonzalez

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Computer-aided Design (CAD) software represents a significant shift from manual and analog design processes to digital workflows, offering substantial utility, accuracy, and productivity benefits. However, CAD software often presents a steep learning curve, particularly for novice users who are new to the software or possess only basic knowledge. Traditional CAD curricula have predominantly focused on technical problem-solving—teaching tools and systems—while often neglecting strategic knowledge that encompasses reflection, planning, and refining, which are essential components of metacognition. Metacognition is crucial for transforming novices into experts who use fewer and more complex commands, employ sophisticated planning, and achieve their goals more efficiently. …

Deconstructing The Anthony Timberlands Center: Making Preparations For A Building’S End-Of-Life., Sarah Myane

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

Based on a speculative future where mass timber has become a normalized structural material, integrated into the building envelope as commonplace, and material reuse and reclamation are standard practice. The Anthony Timberlands Center is slated for deconstruction due to age and necessity for more updated programing. Today in 2025 as the building has not even reached completion, how can its assembly and use influence its purpose after the initial lifespan?

This study is based on principles of design for deconstruction from two different theories: the 6 S’s of a building devised by Stewart Brand, and Philip Crowther's 10 frameworks for …

I-630: Divisive Connection, Jacob A. Key

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

The United States’ highway infrastructure provides ease of access to and through cities and towns across the nation. For many of us, this system of interconnected infrastructure is little more than a means of wayfinding with easy access via plentiful exits to just about anywhere along their footprint. This study peels back this veneer of excess and access to relay an uncomfortable truth: these highways have been and continue to be weapons of segregation and White Supremacy, afflicting millions nationwide with mental and physical health issues, restricted mobility, and further restricted access to social mobility in a nation already rife …

Curated: The Impact Of Architectural Sequence On The Journey Through The Art Museum, Zairis Padilla

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

The museum is a culturally significant institution used for learning, thought, and contemplation from its conceptualization in The Enlightenment Movement of the 17th century. The art museum has the potential to create a powerful relationship between the art and the architecture that houses it. The architecture of an art museum becomes a critical participant in the experience of art and affects the spaces in a dramatic way. If the art or architecture overpowers the other, the user experience is impacted; therefore, the connection created between the two within the museum is one of great importance. When a symbiotic connection, or …

Stories From El Dorado: An Exploration Of Art, Design, And Community Belonging, Madison Harper

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project examines the history and cultural impact of the downtown arts district in El Dorado, Arkansas through a series of interviews with local community members conducted in February 2025. El Dorado is a city in Southwest Arkansas popularly known as “Arkansas’ first boomtown.” Since the discovery of oil in the area in 1921, El Dorado saw a rapid rise in population from 3,000 residents to nearly 30,000 residents. This rise in population brought in a desire for more entertainment, which led to the development of cultural institutions including the “new” Rialto Theater built in 1929 on top of the …

Rebuilding The American Dream: Understanding And Alleviating First-Time Home Buyer Affordability Challenges In Northwest Arkansas, Samuel R. Butler

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream. It is linked to numerous socioeconomic benefits such as social cohesion, civic engagement, imbalance in opportunities, education, and public health. However, in recent years, housing affordability across the nation and in Northwest Arkansas has become challenging.

Part I of this thesis explains the importance of homeownership nationally and the deteriorating conditions of first-time homebuyers. It explains the key drivers of housing affordability over time, and it explains the connection between zoning and affordability.

Part II focuses on the housing market in Northwest Arkansas (NWA). I forecast the NWA housing demand, which highlights …

The Changing Kitchen: Analyzing Sears Mail Order Home Kitchens And Gender Inequality In The United States Between 1908 And 1940, Ella G. Penney

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Sears Roebuck & Co mail order home was no exception to the idea that architecture and design are products of culture and society. Penny Sparke, a scholar of domestic interiors, writes that design is informed by “economics, politics, technology, culture, society, our psychological make-up, ethics, and the world’s ecological systems” (Sparke 8). In 1908, Sears responded to an increase in demand for single-family housing by releasing a home that could be delivered right to your door. This study investigates the ways in which gender inequality, particularly, the confinement of women to domestic space and housekeeping labor, manifests itself in …

Aspirational Architecture: How The Design Of The Barbie Dreamhouse Reflected The Cultural Influences Of Its Time, Eugenio Mendoza Jr

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

Similarly to the iconic cerulean monologue given by Meryl Streep in the film, The Devil Wears Prada (2006), the trickling and filtering of “stuff” from one art form to another is a significant point of discovery and contention. Whether it be the influence of art to architecture, architecture to art, fashion to architecture, media to art to architecture, or the amalgamation of all art mediums to form a confluence of design and a representation of time in history. This capstone explores the relationship between architectural and interior design to fashion, media, and even cultural events. Particularly, how design is affected …

Introduction To Building Energy Modeling And Analysis Using Energyplus, Jackson C. Burnett

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Retail stores are dynamic environments where human activities significantly influence energy consumption patterns, particularly affecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) demands. Existing energy models, such as those developed using EnergyPlus, often rely on generalized assumptions about human occupancy and behavior, leading to discrepancies between predicted and actual energy usage. This research aimed to enhance the accuracy of energy modeling for retail stores by conducting a sensitivity analysis of occupancy using EnergyPlus simulations. The study investigated how variations in occupancy levels impact HVAC loads, cooling and heating demands, and overall energy use. Results showed that increasing occupancy leads to higher …

Evaluating Ai As A Design Tool In Architectural Workflows: Exploring Its Effectiveness In Addressing Design Problems And Integrating Into Studio Processes, Seth S. Cutlip

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper examines the integration of AI imaging tools into traditional analog workflows within architecture studios. This looks specifically at the early conceptual design phase and examines, through a research through design approach, how AI imaging tools like Comfyui and Krita can support ideation, material exploration, and spatial composition. This approach will be remaking design exercises from a prior architectural studio, the study critically evaluates the effectiveness of AI tools in addressing design problems, enhancing workflow efficiency, and supporting creative agency. The findings show both the generative potential and the limitations of these AI imaging tools. This emphasizes the need …

Providing Proteins To Belizean Residents Through Poultry Products, Ellis Freel

Poultry Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Belize is a food insecure, developing country. Although Belize has plenty of nutritious food in-country, the exportation of that food to generate income contributed to a distribution issue of that nutritious food. More impoverished areas of Belize do not have access to nutritious food because of the lack of affordability and high export rates. Diets with a lack of food, or lack of balanced, nutritious food can negatively impact growth and cognitive development, especially in children. Poultry is one of the only products in Belize not able to be exported. Implementing poultry into Belizean diets would affordably alleviate food insecurity …

An Analysis Of Policies, Practices, And Barriers To Create A Multi-Dimensional Approach To Renewable Energy Transition For Us Communities, Hanan Wehbi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The transition from fossil fuel-derived energy resources to clean, renewable, affordable, and reliable energy necessitates a comprehensive approach. This approach must incorporate an interdisciplinary contribution to ensure the sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of the energy system. In the United States, many communities and local governments are developing ambitious plans, regulations, and targets to support the renewable energy transition and enhance energy efficiency. This research builds on the principles of sustainable development planning and transition theory to develop a framework that assists communities in planning their renewable energy (RE) transition and integrate these plans in their long- and short-term development approaches. …