Architecture Commons^™

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 …

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.

Examples And Evaluation Of Sustainability Research With Tribes, Aaron M. Canter, Sharon Hausam

Faculty Publications

This is a working paper produced as part of National Science Foundation project #2115169, “Transforming Rural-Urban Systems: Trajectories for Sustainability in the Intermountain West,” known as the “Intermountain West Transformation Network” (TN), led by the University of New Mexico with institutional partners at three additional universities in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one each in Utah, Colorado, and Washington. The TN’s Indigenous and Tribal engagement was supported through a contract with Dr. Sharon Hausam, additional work by Aaron M. Canter, coordination with Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie, and an Advisory Committee on Indigenous Information Needs primarily comprised of Indigenous representatives in …

Indigenous Community Research Opportunities, Sharon Hausam, Aaron M. Canter

Faculty Publications

This is a working paper produced as part of National Science Foundation project #2115169, “Transforming Rural-Urban Systems: Trajectories for Sustainability in the Intermountain West,” known as the “Intermountain West Transformation Network” (TN), led by the University of New Mexico with institutional partners at three additional universities in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one each in Utah, Colorado, and Washington. The TN’s Indigenous and Tribal engagement was supported through a contract with Dr. Sharon Hausam, additional work by Aaron M. Canter, coordination with Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie, and an Advisory Committee on Indigenous Information Needs primarily comprised of Indigenous representatives in …

Opportunities For Leadership In Indigenous And Tribally Engaged Research At The University Of New Mexico, Sharon Hausam

Faculty Publications

This is a working paper produced as part of National Science Foundation project #2115169, “Transforming Rural-Urban Systems: Trajectories for Sustainability in the Intermountain West,” known as the “Intermountain West Transformation Network” (TN), led by the University of New Mexico with institutional partners at three additional universities in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one each in Utah, Colorado, and Washington. The TN’s Indigenous and Tribal engagement was supported through a contract with Dr. Sharon Hausam, additional work by Aaron M. Canter, coordination with Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie, and an Advisory Committee on Indigenous Information Needs primarily comprised of Indigenous representatives in …

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), …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Understanding Agricultural Irrigation Practices Along Utah's Wasatch Front Through Farmer-Reported Data, Garland Ledbetter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Water is a growing concern in Utah, especially along the Wasatch Front, where cities, farms, and communities all rely on the same limited water supply. Agriculture uses a large portion of the state’s water, so understanding how farms manage irrigation is important for statewide water planning. Utah currently uses a dataset called Water-Related Land Use (WRLU) to estimate agricultural water use across the state. This dataset provides useful information about irrigated land and crop types. However, it does not capture many of the day-to-day decisions farmers make when managing irrigation.

To better understand irrigation practices, this study surveyed 61 farmers …

Charleston's Cottages: A Comprehensive Study Of Freedman's Cottages In Charleston, South Carolina, Hamzah C. Jule

All Theses

The freedman’s cottage is a distinct vernacular building type in Charleston, South Carolina. Though it is recognized for its historical significance, the freedman’s cottage remains one of the most understudied building typologies in Charleston. This thesis presents a comprehensive study of the freedman’s cottage, possible origins, chronology, material composition, geographic distribution, and architectural expressions. Identified by its architectural form – a one-story, pen-style, dwelling spanning one room wide and two rooms deep; adorned with a Charleston piazza – this vernacular architecture has decorated the Charleston landscape since. The freedman’s cottage has undergone numerous changes throughout its history, though final iterations …

City Farm Slo - Market Stand Modernization, Juan Diaz

Construction Management

This paper analyzes the design, planning, and buildout of a custom multi-level stand, farm signage, and supporting equipment for the non-profit organization City Farm SLO. The overall goal of the project was to provide the farm with a modernized and functional market space. The project first addressed any owner design requirements, the approval of materials lists, and the assessment of existing conditions. The pre-construction consisted of developed drawings, materials lists, cost estimates, and a project schedule. Aside from setting up requirements, the owner provided specific milestones to be achieved during the construction phase of the project. A major risk found …

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; …

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 …

Community Efforts To Fulfill The Availability Of Green Open Space (Rth) Through Activities Urban Farming (Case Study: Rw 01, Rawasari Village, Johar Baru District, Central Jakarta Administrative City), Fajri Ananda Hade

Cities and Urban Development Journal

Background: The Special Capital Region (DKI) of Jakarta's achievements in the Global City indicators for environmental and sustainability aspects include meeting the availability of micro and macro scale green open spaces (RTH) to optimize space utilization. The need for RTH refers to Law No. 26 of 2007 concerning the availability of RTH with a percentage of 30%.

Aims: This study reviews community efforts to fulfill the availability of green open space through urban farming activities in the Central Jakarta Administrative City with a case study of the RW 01 area, Rawasari Village, Johar Baru District.

Methods: This research method …

An Evaluation Of Green Energy Implementation In The Household Sector : The Use Of Energy-Efficient Lighting In Dki Jakarta, Aldi Gilang Permana

Cities and Urban Development Journal

Background: Rapid population growth and urban activities in DKI Jakarta have led to an increase in energy consumption, particularly in the household sector. This condition highlights the need for the implementation of the green housing concept, especially in terms of green energy, to promote more efficient and environmentally friendly energy use. One of the most common efforts is the use of energy-efficient lighting as a form of energy efficiency in household lighting systems. Although the adoption rate is relatively high, the implementation of green energy remains suboptimal, as the utilization of renewable energy such as solar panels is still very …

Transformative Climate Change Mitigation And Adaptation Policy Analysis In Medan City, Citra Tatius, Mega Anggraeni, Wiwandari Handayani, Rukuh Setiadi

Cities and Urban Development Journal

Background: Climate change is not only a global challenge but also a strategic issue of development in Indonesia. The Medan City Government has implemented various mitigation and adaptation efforts, yet it continues to produce greenhouse gas emissions and is exposed to climate change impacts. A transformative approach in mitigation and adaptation is needed to enable systemic change to comprehensively address climate change from its root causes.

Aims: This paper aims to elaborate on the extent to which mitigation and adaptation policies in Medan City can fulfill the principles of transformative climate actions.

Methods: Data collection for climate profiles and mitigation …

Land Use Assessment In The Concept Of Green Housing: A Case Study Of Mulia Gading Kencana, Serang, Banten, Dwiky Fajar Ramadhan, Lita Sari Barus

Cities and Urban Development Journal

Background: The application of the green housing concept in housing estates is important for maintaining environmental balance amidst the issue of global warming, which can accelerate the rate of environmental degradation.

Aims: This article aims to assess the application of the green housing concept in relation to land use and management at the Mulia Gading Kencana housing estate..

Methods: The research was conducted using observation, interviews and document review, based on the Green Neighbourhood 1.1 framework..

Results: The assessment results show that the Mulia Gading Kencana housing estate scored 6 out of a total of 10, with a score of …

Housing Precarity Among Marginalized Women In Neoliberal Contexts: A Systematic Literature Review, Faza Nur Syahida, Joko Adianto

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

This study presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) investigating the lived experiences of women from vulnerable groups in securing access to housing within the ideological contours of neoliberal capitalism. The inquiry delves into the layers of exclusion, precarity, and structural silencing that frame their trajectories. The study identifies five intersecting identities among vulnerable women: (1) single women; (2) single mothers; (3) survivors of gender-based violence; (4) elderly women; and (5) migrant women laborers. Through a rigorous database search guided by predetermined selection criteria, fifteen scholarly articles were selected for review. These were organized into the five categories, each containing two …

Systematic Review Of The Institutionalization Of Service Learning In Higher Education, Wilmer Hernan Cruz Gutierrez

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

An increasing number of universities are integrating service-learning (SL) to fulfill their social mission. However, sustainable institutionalization of SL remains a persistent challenge. This study identifies and analyzes the factors, actors, and strategies that drive and inhibit SL institutionalization in higher education. Using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic literature review analyzed 52 documents from seven academic databases (including WoS, Scopus, and ERIC). The findings were grouped into three sections: cultural (integration into institutional values/missions), process (articulation within teaching, research, and outreach), and structural dimensions (dedicated support entities). The results obtained reveal a reciprocal relationship where cultural alignment enables processual …

Assessing Coastal Vulnerability To Extreme Waves And Abrasion In Bandar Lampung City: Implications For Spatial Pattern And Infrastructure Adaptation, Adnin Musadri Asbi, Yudha Rahman, Fachri Muhammad Rasyid, Diyanti Isnani Siregar

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

Coastal cities in Southeast Asia face dual challenges of rapid urbanization and increasing climate pressures, demanding robust integration of risk assessment into spatial planning. This study assesses the vulnerability of Bandar Lampung City's coastal area to extreme waves and abrasion, analyzing implications for its spatial plan. Using a standard hazard index and a spatial overlay against the city's Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW), the research identifies a 'Medium' hazard classification across all four studied sub-districts. Crucially, this classification is not driven by significant hydrodynamic forces but is substantially amplified by anthropogenic vulnerabilities. A development-centric spatial policy has led to the dominance …

Unscripted Urban Interior, Paramita Atmodiwirjo, Yandi Andri Yatmo

Interiority

The urban interior has emerged as a site of unscripted performance. The unscripted urban interior can be understood as a dynamic field where spatial conditions, social practices, and temporal change interact to produce emergent and contingent spatial realities beyond the original script. Through unscripted performance, the urban interior becomes a site of transformative potential, where various forms of practices emerge to transform, appropriate, and mediate the situations. The articles in this Interiority issue highlight the indeterminate characters of the urban interior and the possible transformation practices emerging from such urban contexts through various techniques and media that create distinctive values …

Unplanned Public Nature Interiority, Kendra Locklear Ordia

Interiority

This paper advances a theory of urban interiority through the concept of public nature interiority, integrating ecological thinking into the spatial, sensory, and temporal conditions of exterior spaces that feel interior. Drawing on works by Tine Poot, Richard Sennett, Liz Teston, and Suzie Attiwill, it challenges binary distinctions between interior and exterior, emphasising relational and dynamic urban conditions. Using Attiwill's notions of collective individuation and an ecology of subjectivity, interiority is reframed as being shaped not only by human perception and experience with nature but also by biotic relations and multispecies interactions. The theory is situated within terrain vague—indeterminate, overlooked …