Architecture Commons^™

The Catalyst For Preservation: Assessing The Impact Of Historic Tax Credit Leverage On Surrounding Property Values In The State Of South Carolina, John Sutton

All Theses

The historic rehabilitation tax credit, in its many forms, is the single greatest driver of historic preservation investment in the United States. Despite this, very little research has been done regarding the secondary effects of historic tax credit leverage. The goal of this thesis is to assess the impact that substantial historic tax credit projects have had on the value of the properties that surround them in the state of South Carolina. Property tax assessment records were solicited from three different county governments within South Carolina to analyze the change in the assessed value induced by the introduction of tax …

Quantifying Hurricane Effects On Housing: Evaluating Damage, Loss, And Shelter Demands Using Historical And Simulated Storm Tracks, Adish Deep Shakya

All Theses

This research introduces an advanced framework which employs parametric wind field models for peak wind speeds, and building fragility curves, loss functions, and demographic data to estimate for estimating housing damage and loss. The uninhabitable units immediate displaced households, short-term and long-term shelter need households are determined. with a particular focus on those eligible for FEMA assistance. The framework's validity is reinforced by a high correlation in the analysis of recent hurricane events between estimated numbers of displaced households and actual FEMA aid recipients, where FEMA aids about 20-60% of the predicted long-term displaced households. A novel application of the …

Keeping Tradition Alive: Studying The Evolution Of Sweetgrass Basket Stands On Highway 17 In The Charleston Lowcountry, Megan Adornetto

All Theses

Sweetgrass baskets are a popular souvenir for tourists visiting the Lowcountry and for collectors who admire the folk art of the Gullah Geechee people. The stands at which these baskets are sold can be found along Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant, SC. This area was once a rural community that has been developed due to suburban sprawl since the early 20th century. Due to this development, as well as the lack of availability of sweetgrass and other natural resources to create these baskets, the landscape of roadside business at these basket stands is different than it was when the first …

Choices Behind The Color: An Analysis Of Paint Finish Variations In South Carolina Slave Dwellings, Lyrik Castro-Bailey

All Theses

This research sought to discover what analytical methods would allow a preservationist to access, analyze, and interpret the agency enslaved people had in selecting the interior finishes of their living quarters. Ten sites ranging in construction from 1712 to 1847 were analyzed including: Lavington Plantation Slave-Quarters, Drayton Hall Cellar, Nathaniel Russell House Kitchen-Quarters, Aiken-Rhett Slave-Quarters, John Fullerton House Kitchen-Quarters, 38 Church Street Kitchen-Quarters, 72 Anson Street Kitchen-Quarters, 54 Hasell Street Kitchen-Quarters, Capers-Motte House Kitchen-Quarters, and the Heyward House Kitchen-Quarters. Photomicrographs collected by the author and conservationist Dr. Susan Buck were organized to examine the layers of pigments. Munsell Colors were …

An Analysis Of Communication Trends Of East Coast Historic Preservation Nonprofit Organizations, Caroline Byrne

All Theses

Communication in preservation is key to elevate the momentum of preserving the built environment, historic communities, and cultural landscapes. Effective communication should expand diversity and inclusion of key demographics that have not been sufficiently reached via current or historic outreach methods. Intentional and direct strategies to message specific communities could make an impact on the future success of preservation.

This thesis uncovers the trends of current communication practices at historic preservation nonprofits along the East Coast in an effort to evaluate factors that impact methods and evaluation. The purpose of this study is to understand the current methods deployed by …

An Analysis Of The Demolition Of Seismically Damaged Historic Structures After The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, California, Claire Ann Cox

All Theses

The Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 was an event that greatly impacted the lives of those living in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The 6.9M_w earthquake severely damaged buildings and infrastructure, inevitably leading to the demolition of some of these structures. Older buildings constructed before modern seismic codes were most vulnerable to damage. Yet, age is the same reason many of these buildings were considered historic and valuable in their communities. In the wake of Loma Prieta, an alarming trend of the demolition of historic buildings arose.

This thesis analyzes the demolition of historic structures due to damage …

Something Old, Something Blue: An Analysis Of Identification Methods For Determining The Presence Of Indigo Within Historic Textiles For The Charleston Museum, Chris Cone

All Theses

Identification methods for the analysis of indigo dye within textiles have been compiled in multiple studies. Though few examples demonstrate chemical analysis and phase separation as a technique that can assist in the identity of the dyestuff. The inclusion of nontechnical methods, techniques that require little knowledge of chemistry and can be completed without the assistance of high-tech machinery, can contribute toward these efforts. The goal of this thesis was to provide a simple testing procedure where eight historic textile samples dating from the mid-eighteenth to the mid-nineteenth centuries were subjected to chemical analysis and phase separation to determine the …

In Search Of A Blind Tiger: A Cultural And Historic Landscape Analysis Of Prohibition-Era Charleston, Chloe Martin

All Theses

Though Charleston, South Carolina is known as a historic city, many of its historic landscapes lack representation within modern compiled histories. One such landscape is that of Dispensary and Prohibition-era Charleston, which can be defined as the period between 1893, with the ratification of The Dispensary Act, and the repeal of the National Prohibition in 1933. This thesis research documents and assesses the cultural and historic landscape of the Charleston peninsula during the Dispensary and Prohibition eras. This study intends to create a baseline with which this period in Charleston can be studied, both culturally and architecturally.

The primary data …

Navigating The Future: The Material Effects Of Sea Level Rise On Lighthouses Along The East Coast Of The United States, Brianna Schmidt

All Theses

Multiple aspects of climate change will affect coastal structures. One type of structure in these coastal environments that will be affected is lighthouses. These structures are and important symbol for marine navigation. Without their presents, the coastline loses an important aspect to its significance. There have already been cases of climate change scenarios affecting these structures such as erosion and wave impacts. This thesis focuses on the material vulnerability of lighthouses when in contact with new sea water levels. How vulnerable are lighthouses in terms of their material property to submersion in salt water due to sea level rise along …

The Effect Of Natural Light On Mental Health, Gianna Arquilla

Honors Projects

All students have experienced low motivation at one point in their academic career, but what are the factors that can affect this? Is it solely based on their personality and work ethic, or can the environment have an effect? This study discusses the effects on mental health through architecture. Can the amount of natural light in a building affect the motivation of students? Natural light is something that is often overlooked, mostly considered as a perk rather than a necessity. How can students truly feel passionate about their work sitting in a dark place? To evaluate this data, this study …

Understanding Community Engagement As A Tool For Equitable Project Outcomes: Lessons From Domino Park And Hudson Yards Public Square, Sanjukta Hazarika

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores the significance of community engagement in urban planning within the project management framework. In the face of intricate challenges in contemporary urban environments, adopting effective project management strategies prioritising the community voice has become crucial. This study inquires into the methods, barriers, and the scope of using community engagement as a tool for successful and fair project outcomes in urban environments. The aim of this thesis is to provide valuable insights and practical recommendations to practitioners in the fields of urban planning, project management, and urban policymaking. There is a growing recognition that inclusive and participatory processes …

Adopting Information System Technologies In Construction Project Management, Hadi Haikal

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The construction sector has remained late in integrated information systems' adopting process to perform the system improving processes. Lack of adoption of technology has been a root cause of the early issues they faced, such as budgetary and scheduling overshoots, quality defects, safety occurrences, and generally poor communication and coordination among the stakeholders. This research looks into the benefits and challenges, the key success factors, and the implications of using an array of information systems, including building information modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) sensing, and enterprise systems, to comprehensively address issues in project management in construction …

Analyzing Stakeholder Feedback Using Ai, Nancy Susan Manoj

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing stakeholder feedback analysis in urban planning. This study aims to determine whether artificial intelligence can be used to increase stakeholder feedback analysis efficiency in urban planning projects. Additionally, the study will examine whether urban planning professionals are ready to adopt artificial intelligence into their practices. This study uses a structured quantitative research methodology, consisting of an online survey with Likert-scale questions to collect insights.

Based on the results of the survey, it appears that Boomers and older Gen X are more open to …

Consumerism To Community: Bringing Main Street To The Suburbs, Constantina Mead

Interior Design Capstones

The decline of traditional shopping malls poses a significant urban development challenge. This research endeavors to explore the transformative potential of repurposing defunct shopping malls into vibrant, community-focused mixed-use developments. The objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these spaces, both within the mall buildings and the surrounding properties, can serve as catalysts for the betterment of communities, emphasizing revitalization, social cohesion, and sustainable urban living, while redefining v role in modern urban environments. By reconceptualizing the role of the present-day mall, this study aims to inspire new opportunities for the revival of neglected urban areas, ultimately fostering …

Unblocked Re-Imagining Incarceration By Restructuring The Cell Block, Carlee Castle

Interior Design Capstones

Prison cell blocks, often overlooked as monolithic structures of confinement, conceal a rich tapestry of complex social environments. This study delves into the interplay between the architectural and interior design of cell blocks and the individuals who reside within them, highlighting the profound impact of built elements on the promotion of privacy, independence, and collaboration among cellmates.

Incarceration, by its nature, places inmates in close proximity, fostering interactions that range from cooperation to conflict. However, the prison environment is not equivalent in different countries, and the layout of cell blocks varies widely. By examining these variations, it becomes evident that …

Stones Have Personalities Too, Grayce Sprecksell

Interior Design Capstones

The natural environment is a system we as humans can learn from. We after all, benefit from the system of nature, it is the idea that there are three groups who inhabit the built environment, that is flora, fauna, and human. By working together, we create a circular approach to sustainable development. What it means to be self-sufficient is to work alongside nature and what it has to offer. Creating a built environment that benefits all four tiers of sustainability can create a circular approach to sustainable systems that will benefit all three groups who inhabit the built environment.

Biomimicry …

Emotionally Responsive Design: Shaping Spaces + Engaging Senses, Colleen Harmon

Interior Design Capstones

This research project delves into the intricate and symbiotic relationship between the human body and the built environment, with a particular emphasis on the transformative influence exerted by a nuanced integration of various textures. The primary focus revolves around the profound impact that these textures have on shaping sensory experiences and spatial perceptions within interior spaces.

The study employs a comprehensive exploration of tactile, visual, and auditory sensations, seeking to unravel the intricate ways in which intentional textural choices contribute to the overall design of architectural spaces. Beyond a superficial understanding, the research takes a deep dive into the collective …

Embarking On A Maritime Retirement - Re-Imagining The Retirement Experience, Carolynn Hoezee

Interior Design Capstones

In a constantly changing landscape of retirement options, retirement livingon cruise ships has emerged as a compelling alternative addressing several prevalent challenges in contemporary retirement communities. This research evaluates opportunities and concerns of retirement housing on a cruise ship or maritime setting.

The complex and ever-changing needs of older adults often go unmet in traditional retirement communities. There are a lot of adults who are retiring and the cost of retirement continues to increase.Retirement can cause health issues in older adults and a lot of people lose their identity when they retire.Current mainstream retirement communities face many issues, such as …

Designing Dignified Spaces: A Holistic Approach To Addressing Homelessness Among Children And Families, Megan Clark

Interior Design Capstones

In the face of the persistent and complex issue of homelessness in America, this project aims to reimagine the landscape for children and families facing housing insecurity. Seeking to tackle the problem at its roots by establishing resource hubs.

By innovatively establishing central resource hubs, the primary objective is to create dignified spaces connecting individuals with vital resources. This hub goes beyond being a mere refuge; it is envisioned as a dynamic center where individuals access essential services, receive mentorship, and rebuild a sense of belonging.

Given the ongoing urgency of homelessness, this project’s efforts strive to make a meaningful …

Reconnect: The Importance Of Beauty Within Architecture, Rebekah Lueck

Interior Design Capstones

In a world where secular design has become the norm, this project addresses the profound disconnect individuals experience in modern spaces. This research investigates the impact of contemporary design principles on user well-being and the built environment. It explores how secularism and modern design have contributed to this disconnect and alienation, and further how reforming a classical view and approach of architecture and design contribute to its remedy.

The integration of classical architecture not only offers an aesthetic and functional solution but also serves as a powerful response to the negative impacts of the fragmented view that has been embraced …

Beneath The Waves, Meredith Bol

Interior Design Capstones

In an age marked by technological advancements and a growing need for meaningful human-nature connections, aquariums and conservation programs stand as unique platforms for enhancing both education and human wellbeing. This design will dive into the conceptualization of interactive exhibits within aquariums, focusing on their potential to enrich visitor experiences and contribute to human wellbeing. By blending innovative technology, immersive environments, and educational narratives, aquariums can transform into dynamic spaces that not only showcase marine diversity but also actively engage visitors through these elements.

Intellectual: The aquarium space is meticulously designed to cater to varying intellectual levels, achieved through a …

From Healing To Happiness, Lauren Hannah

Interior Design Capstones

Animal shelters play a crucial role in providing care and rehabilitation for stray or abandoned dogs. However, there is a growing understanding that rethinking the conventional role of animal shelters can lead to significant improvements in the lives of dogs through specialized behavioral therapy and rehabilitation programs. By implementing these programs, shelters have the potential to regenerate and transform dogs’ lives, enabling them to overcome behavioral challenges and increasing their chances of finding loving adoptive homes.

The focus of these initiatives is to heal and nurture the dogs’ behaviors, addressing underlying issues that may have contributed to their arrival in …

Eduscape Shaping Tomorrow’S Leaders Through The Lens Of Neuroarchitectural Design, Viktoryia Shauchuk

Interior Design Capstones

Interior spaces hold undeniable significance; hence, the project advocates for a design rooted in well-being. The “EduScape” project seeks to redefine the design of K-8 schools by integrating an applied approach that prioritizes student well-being, safety, and the seamless blending of indoor and outdoor spaces. In an era where there is a heightened awareness of comprehensive wellness the physical environment cannot be ignored as it significantly influences a child’s emotional, mental, and physical development. Because the physical environment plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s emotional, mental, and physical development, it is necessary to transform the landscape of educational …

Cal Poly's Old Powerhouse Analysis Assessing Stakeholder Preferences, Marissa D. Burns

Construction Management

This research paper delves into the historical and cultural relevance of Cal Poly’s Old Powerhouse, the college’s oldest architectural landmark, which has remained in a state of disuse since the 1990s. Employing meticulous survey methodology; perspectives from faculty, staff, alumni, students, and community members are gathered to illustrate the significance of the Old Powerhouse within the various stakeholders. The study refrains from imposing interpretation but rather seeks to capture the sentiments expressed by stakeholders, providing valuable insights into the building’s perceived value. By centering on the community opinions, the research will underscore the building’s potential and expand on the collected …

Improving Early Design Processes With The Use Of Bim And Vr Technologies In The Gcc Construction Industry, Mohamed Wahid Mohamed

Theses

The early stages of construction projects play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the entire project life cycle. However, conventional early design practices have been facing significant challenges and limitations in recent times. These challenges include a lack of coordination among various disciplines, communication gaps, and poor decision-making. Unfortunately, these challenges often lead to increased costs, project delays, and change orders. To tackle these challenges, it is essential to adopt the latest technological advancements in the construction industry. This is especially important given the complexity of modern construction projects and the rapid construction growth. One of the most …

Cityscapes And Classrooms, Sheridan Britney

Capstone Projects

This analysis explores the complex interplay between Detroit’s infrastructure development, the city’s education system, and their correlation with the historical phenomena of urban sprawl. The city of Detroit has witnessed significant demographic shifts over the decades, driven by factors such as racial tension, socioeconomic disparities, and changing urban landscapes.

The expansion and evolution of Detroit’s roadways has been central to this transformation, which have shaped both physical and social aspects of the city. This study delves into how these transportation networks have contributed to, and in some cases exacerbated, disparities in educational opportunities, access, and quality within the city. It …

The Use Of Biomimicry In Urban Planning And Design, Cole Sorensen

City and Regional Planning

No abstract provided.

Reconstruction Of The Neglected: Cal Poly’S Old Powerhouse, Sophie Meier, Morgan Cuthbert, Luke Zamlich

Architectural Engineering

Cal Poly’s Old Powerhouse (BLDG 76) is the only remaining building from the original Polytechnic school left on campus. It was built in 1910 and placed on the national registry in 1993. The Powerhouse used to do exactly what its name implies, provide power to campus. After it retired from its purpose, it was used for many other use cases, particularly as a space for the College of Architecture and Environmental design. Through its time, it was used as a classroom space, pottery/creative space, a workshop, and even once contained a fishpond. The building was then abandoned in 1990, a …

Tefft Street Corridor Redesign, Andres M. Figueroa

City and Regional Planning

The Tefft Street Corridor Redesign is a proposal for a buffered shared use path along the most significant 1.75 mile portion of Tefft Street located in Nipomo, California. The proposal includes an introduction, background information, existing conditions analysis, regulatory standards analysis, community engagement, conceptual designs, and implementation framework.

Integrating Computer Vision In Construction Progress Monitoring: A Comprehensive Analysis And Future Perspectives, Muhammad Sami Rehman

Dissertations

This dissertation presents an in-depth exploration of the integration of Computer Vision (CV) in Construction Progress Monitoring (CPM), a field that has traditionally relied on manual and document-centric approaches. Such traditional CPM techniques lead to poor tracking of project progress, resulting in delays, cost overruns, bitter stakeholder relationships, schedule changes, and legislative proceedings to settle construction claims. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the potential of CV technology to transform CPM into a more efficient, accurate, and automated process. This is achieved through a series of comprehensive studies encompassing a systematic review, critical appraisal, barrier analysis, feature …