Architecture Commons^™

Soybean Oil-Derived Acrylate/Methacrylate Ether For High Resolution Additive Manufacturing (3d Printing) Technology, Tanuj Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Additive Manufacturing is one of the rapidly developing techniques, as industries continue to explore new ways to create prototypes and end-use parts, one of the significant challenges that remains is the reliance on petroleum-based plastics for 3D printing, especially in the production of photocurable resins. that may be used to prototype complex structures and sophisticated geometries that are typically challenging to produce with conventional methods. Thus, replacing petroleum-based plastics with renewable resources is increasingly important for additive manufacturing (3D printing) of photocurable resins. The use of bio-based renewable resources in AM is a feasible alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Henceforth, …

Stakeholder Opinions On Design And Management Strategies At The Pharr Mounds Site, Lauryn Elizabeth Polito

Theses and Dissertations

The Pharr Mounds site along the Natchez Trace Parkway is a culturally significant burial location that is visited by thousands each year. This site is home to the remains of an ancient group of individuals that the current Chickasaw Nation are descended. To provide culturally sensitive management strategies, enhance visitor experience, and to analyze the perspectives of others on design solutions, a mixed-method approach including individual interviews and online surveys were used for three main stakeholder groups including members from the Chickasaw Nation, employees from the National Park service, and public site visitors. Questions addressed mound significance, site accessibility, interpretation, …

A Timber Tradition: Pacific Northwest Architecture And The Role Of Local Wood Sourcing In Oregon, Kaleb Patrick Paiker

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Within the study of Portland’s architectural heritage, there is a deep connection to

materials local to the region. The use of these materials, combined with sensitive

architectural design, delineates a building as being from a place rather than an

imposition. The impetus to define the local wood architecture of Portland, Oregon led

me to an understanding that the health of the forest is predominant in design and

construction. I have found that environmental stewardship promotes a distinct typology

of architecture; one that can be recreated and derived from the same source—a tree.

Inferring from local wood sourcing, I have determined …

Presence Of The Past: The Translation Of Traditional Culture Into Contemporary Form Among The Igbo Peoples Of Southeastern Nigeria, Nelson Agalaba

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Architecture serves as the physical embodiment of a group’s cultural values, history, and social dynamics- or identity. The arrival of European colonialism and modernism brought about a paradigm shift, prioritizing a universal European aesthetic and “international style”, displacing indigenous architectural traditions and severing the deep connections between culture and the natural and built environments. The global south has experienced the brunt of this process, especially the African continent. For example, the Igbo peoples of southeastern Nigeria have lost nearly all examples of their building traditions and have been in a constant struggle to create an architecture that captures their rich …

Passive Envelope Retrofits As Climate Justice Infrastructure Against Extreme Heat: A Gis-Guided Approach For Outdated Single-Family Homes In Urban California, Mert Oztekin Mr.

Master's Projects and Capstones

I examined the opportunities to enhance equity in energy performance, climate resilience, and environmental adaptation through climate-resilient envelope retrofitting and spatially guided implementation strategies (via mappings of the Urban Heat Island -UHI- and socio-economic vulnerability indicators). Passive envelope retrofits of attic insulation; high-performance windows; cool roofs; and green roofs / walls, are examined across multiple climate zones of California' aged single-family housing stock, focusing on the Disadvantaged Communities (DACs). Through spatial analysis, strong overlap between Urban Heat Island(UHI) exposure; pre-1980 housing; socioeconomic disadvantage, and thus the need for spatially-directed action is underlined. The policy landscape analysis provides confirmation of the …

Empowering Egyptian Neighbourhoods With The 15-Minute City Concept, Farah Adel Shabanna, Marwa Adel El Sayed

Architectural Engineering

Car dependency has become a significant challenge in Egypt, especially in big cities due to high vehicle density, lack of public transport, and inefficient traffic management. The 15-minute city is an urban planning concept that aims to create self-sufficient neighbourhoods with essential services such as shopping, healthcare and education are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. Hence, this study adopted a comparative case study methodology to compare two cities that adopt this model in terms of urban design, infrastructure mobility, and implementation policy. The research aims to successfully implementing the concept in Egyptian neighbourhoods ensuring accessibility and …

Heritage Sites In Digital Age: New Pathways To Sustain Cultural Identity, Raneem Mohamed, Aya Said, Marwa Adel El Sayed

Architectural Engineering

Heritage sites are essential as they represent the natural and cultural heritage of the world, promoting identity and contributing to education. To ensure that future generations connect with their past, heritage preservation is essential for safeguarding societies' historical identity and traditions. However, with the current digital age where technology has a prominent role in modern society, its integration into preservation efforts has become crucial. By bridging the gap between tradition and innovation, a harmonious balance can be achieved, allowing technological advancements to thrive while ensuring the preservation of rich cultural identities. This research aims to investigate preservation techniques, with a …

Hydroponic Green Walls As A Sustainable Solution For Thermal Comfort And Energy Efficiency In Office Buildings, Hosam Abd El-Aziz Amr, Maya Hisham Fathy

Architectural Engineering

Since Egypt is urbanizing rapidly, office buildings suffer from severe thermal comfort and energy efficiency issues. Poor insulation and high temperatures result in heavy energy consumption in cooling. This study proposes the application of hydroponic green walls to enhance thermal performance and aesthetics in urban office buildings. With these exterior walls integrated into building facades, issues of heavy energy consumption due to poor insulation and high temperatures are resolved. Hydroponic green walls not only enhance insulation and energy consumption but also render working conditions greener and more productive. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are employed by this study in evaluating …

Proceedings Of The 12th Research Symposium At Mammoth Cave National Park, Pat Kambesis Editor, Lee Anne Bledsoe Editor, Ana K. Celis Editor

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Proceedings of the 12th Research Symposium at Mammoth Cave National Park: Celebrating 100 Years of Scientific Research & Resource Management in the Mammoh Cave Region.

A Framework For Establishing An Automated Traffic Violation Detection System In New Assiut City Using Ordinary Cctv Units, Mahmoud Owais, Ali Shehata, Abdou Shaband, Ghada S. Moussa

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Violating traffic rules in transport networks is a genuine concern for operators as it is one of the most important causes of fatal accidents. With the increasing number of residents in the new cities in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the incompleteness of the transportation system in those cities, including traffic signs, light signals, and control points, the possibility of committing such violations increases. The study aims to propose the framework for establishing an intelligent monitoring system in the new city of Assiut consisting of high-resolution cameras optimally distributed on the traffic network points in the city. They will …

Integration Of Hydrological Simulations Into The Design Process To Assess The Performance Of Green Infrastructure Designs, Clara Jimenez

Design Research

With the growing threat of flooding in coastal and inland communities, it is necessary to migrate nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure. However, one of the challenges that designers face with this strategy lies in the design phase where it is difficult to quantify the performance with traditional design tools. Thus, there is an incentive to incorporate hydrological models within GIS to aid designers in quantifying performance. The goal of this research is to demonstrate that hydrological simulations can be used as a design tool for designers–such as landscape architects & architects– to analyze the feasibility of green infrastructure designs …

Designing An Economically Viable Off-Grid Photovoltaic System Considering The Battery Discharge Rate, Ahmed S. Abdelrazek, Eslam Mohamed Ahmed, Mahmoud Elsisi, Mokhtar Said

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The primary significance of harnessing power from clean and renewable sources lies in the fact that numerous rural areas are far from the utility system. Among the renewable energy technologies catering to power needs in residential areas is the solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Despite the potential of PV technology and the abundant sun radiation exposure in Hurghada, Egypt, there is a lack of empirical studies evaluating the feasibility of off-grid power production using this system. A notable aspect of this study is the consideration of the discharge rate of the battery for sizing the off-grid system, involving the distribution of …

Egyptian Government Actions To Implement A Green, Smart, Secured And Sustainable City In Africa, Egypt To Host Cop27, Enas Samir, Eman Metwally

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Smart cities are essential for addressing globalization, urban overpopulation, and urban growth. This paper discusses the Egyptian government's strategies, policies, and procedures for transforming Sharm-Elsheikh city into a green, smart, safe, secured, and sustainable city. The research aims to learn from COP28 and export an action plan to convert the city from a touristic to a smart green, secure, and sustainable city. The main research question is how COP27 in Egypt will become the COP of implementation, and the hypothesis is that the current mindset for managing economic files may not be suitable for the new economic orientations.

Book Review: Creating Inclusive Libraries By Applying Universal Design: A Guide By Carli Spina, Hannah P. Martin

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Research On The Positioning Models And Elemental Guarantees Of Convention And Exhibition Buildings In Small And Medium-Sized Cities: Based On Empirical Case Studies, Yuchen Xie, Jianhe Luo, Peng Du

College of Architecture and the Built Environment Faculty Papers

With industrial upgrading and increasingly diversified urban functions in small and medium-sized cities in China, the demand for convention and exhibition buildings has been steadily rising. However, current research mainly focuses on the planning and operation of such buildings in large cities, with a lack of systematic and targeted studies on small and medium-sized cities that have relatively limited resources and varied development orientations. According to data collection and field surveys of convention and exhibition buildings in 148 small and medium-sized cities nationwide, this paper constructs a case database and conducts in-depth research on building types and factor guarantee mechanisms. …

Research On Automated On-Site Construction Of Timber Structures: Mobile Construction Platform Guided By Real-Time Visual Positioning System, Kang Bi, Da Wan, Haining Zhou, Wenxuan Zhao, Chengpeng Sun, Peng Du, Hiroatsu Fukuda

College of Architecture and the Built Environment Faculty Papers

In recent years, the AEC industry has increasingly sought sustainable solutions to enhance productivity and reduce environmental pollution, with wood emerging as a key renewable material due to its excellent carbon sequestration capability and low ecological footprint. Despite significant advances in digital fabrication technologies for timber construction, on-site assembly still predominantly relies on manual operations, thereby limiting efficiency and precision. To address this challenge, this study proposes an automated on-site timber construction process that integrates a mobile construction platform (MCP), a fiducial marker system (FMS) and a UWB/IMU integrated navigation system. By deconstructing traditional modular stacking methods and iteratively developing …

Case Studies Of Racism As A Force Of Ruin, Bassie Chin

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

The connection between racism and the physical environment can be seen in the segregation, disenfranchisement, discrimination, and fear which, as culturally defining attitudes, become baked into where, why, and when cities develop. Strict neighborhood boundaries from previous redlining, decaying infrastructure from a waning tax base, and entire villages which have been wiped out speak to racism’s extreme power as a force of corrosion. This paper discusses how racism contributes to the creation of ruins as a method of artificial decay.

In order to examine the effects of racism on infrastructure in different contexts, case studies of three different American cities …

Identifying Predictors And Scorecard Ranking Systems For Deck Park Development, Archer J. Morrow

Planning Masters Professional Reports - Archive

This report uses geographic data to identify development predictors and assemble site-ranking scorecards for deck park development. Deck parks are an increasingly popular, if understudied, urban intervention often used to mitigate the effects of highway development, pedestrianized urban areas, and promote development. This research collected data from 19 parks across the United States using the American Community Survey and observed Geospatial Features to develop predictors that relate to deck park implementation measured in $/ft^2. Predictors were analyzed using Pearson correlation testing to assess if there was a significant correlation between certain variables. If a correlation was found, predictors were moved …

Visibly Invisible: Reclaiming Atlanta Black Architecture Through Black Expression, Sean M. Spencer

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Architecture has long grappled with questions of self, community, and cultural identity. While the number of Black architects is growing, architecture that genuinely reflects Black identity remains rare. This lack of representation has contributed to a sense of invisibility for Black communities within the built environment—whether by design or neglect. There is an urgent need to define and celebrate Blackness and Black space in ways that reflect the cultural richness of Black communities. As George Will points out, broad labels like African American or African often obscure the unique cultural experiences within Black communities. Historically, the lack of economic and …

Threading The Void, Jessica Hut

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The contemporary architectural environment is commonly characterized by fragmented and underutilized space. These areas, often overlooked, hold the potential to be reclaimed in a way that activates our spaces through integration and minimal intervention. By deriving the design logic from organic forms found in nature, these structures are able to embrace logic and reason that has had centuries to optimize itself. Learning through this natural wisdom, we can make use of the underutilized spaces in our built environment. Allowing a shift away from static, isolated objects while also blurring boundaries in a way that critiques the spatial organization of contemporary …

Identifying Barriers, Challenges And Opportunities Of Implementing Retrofitting Strategies In Existing Buildings In The Uae, Ahmad Ghalib Masri

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The UAE’s built environment significantly impacts sustainability due to its high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating effective retrofitting strategies to improve the efficiency and performance of aging buildings. This research aims to identify the barriers, challenges, and opportunities associated with implementing retrofitting strategies in the UAE, providing insights to guide policymakers and stakeholders toward sustainable practices. A mixed-method approach was adopted, including comprehensive literature reviews, stakeholder surveys, and interviews. The results reveal significant barriers such as high upfront costs (reported by 68% of respondents), limited awareness among building owners (54%), and fragmented regulations, including inconsistencies in thermal insulation …

Connecting The Disconnected, Jared Garner

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The basis of this project is people, community, and equal opportunity to have access to technology, sporting equipment, a place to work, create, play, learn, and to assemble with the intention of having a sense of place and purpose. With the goal of giving people a place to go to and creating a site-specific design that will encourage communal interaction and participation. If successful, the center will improve citizens’ well-being, safety, and involvement. The people in this area need this project to provide them with sporting facilities, event space, study rooms, classrooms, computer labs, and a place to access educational …

Link - A New Interface: Bridging Social Isolation Through Immersive Discovery, Andrew Phillips

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Link: A New Interface explores how public spaces—historically designed to encourage social interaction—have declined in vibrancy due to shifting behaviors, remote work, and the long-term effects of the Covid pandemic. Modern digitalization, while offering convenience, has also contributed to decreased face-to-face engagement, reduced attention spans, and increased social isolation. This thesis proposes a revitalization of public social spaces by reimagining digitalization not as a distraction, but as a tool to foster immersive, multisensory experiences that reconnect people. The project focuses on bridging generational divides, nurturing meaningful social interactions, and creating inclusive spaces that support intergenerational engagement. The methodology introduces a …

Resilience Through Experience, Nathan Johnson

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Resilience Through Experience answers the question: How can architecture contribute thematically to the climate crisis? The project transforms and renews a polluted EPA Superfund site in Pasadena, Texas into a center for ecological research and climate simulation. The design constitutes an addition to the new Apocalyptic Architecture: architecture which actualizes the climate crisis for its users.

The site is split into two primary zones: an active soil washing pit that will reclaim the site from its pollution and a constructed bioswale wetland that floods every two hours. The endless cycle of rising water levels will serve as a spatial and …

Restoration In Slowing Down, Alejandra Montalvo

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

As public community colleges like Kennesaw State University, Marietta Campus, see an increase in admissions due to the rise in higher education enrollment, the social, emotional, and creative well-being of first-year and first-generation students can be at risk. Public community colleges often become overwhelmed with other programs, leading to the neglect or underfunding of resources that genuinely support students. These students often face unique challenges in adapting to academic pressures, new social environments, and balancing personal and cultural expectations.

This thesis proposes the development of a design framework for restorative, neutral third places on public community college campuses. These spaces …

Sculpting Healing Spaces: Bridging The Gaps In Cancer Care Facilities, Mayra B. Mendez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Healthcare environments become a vital component in patient outcomes, particularly in Cancer Care Facilities, where the emotional and physical requirements of treatment are profound. Exploring how the reconsideration of cancer care facilities can reshape the patient’s experience and improve the healing outcomes. Traditional clinical spaces, often sterile and impersonal, can increase patient stress, anxiety, and discomfort. Cancer care facilities in the Atlanta region are struggling to meet the demands of modern cancer treatment due to architectural limitations such as overcrowded spaces, inefficient layouts, and a lack of patient-centered environments. How can the integration and experience of Biophilic Design Principles bridge …

Age Well Spaces: A New Model For Elderly Healthcare Architecture, Will Traylor, Ameen Farooq

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

In America, most try to plan for every aspect of life from birth. The country is home to some of the most advanced education systems in the world and has office buildings that aim to not only prioritize work efficiency, but also worker health. From cradle to Casket, architects challenge themselves with the task of making everyday spaces better. It was my experience and privilege over the past few years to bear witness and assist my grandparents through the last, fragile stages of life. I watched as each of them moved from home life, to assisted living, and then nursing …

Breath Of Formosa: Designing For Respiratory Health In Taiwan, Andi Chen

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Climate change and environmental pollution have led to an alarming increase in respiratory diseases, particularly in urban populations and especially for children. The effects of air pollution are significantly detrimental to children because they are far more susceptible to air pollutants. This is due to their developing lungs and immune system, higher breathing rate, and their proximity to ground level pollutants. Respiratory diseases caused by air pollution can have long term effects on children such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumonia, or asthma. Struggles with these respiratory diseases will lead to absenteeism in schools, further damaging children’s development. Additionally, according …

Save Old Newspaper Building, Andrew Wilkins

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Atlanta has a long history of demolishing its beautiful historic buildings. Known for its rapid growth and modernization, the city has sacrificed much of its architectural heritage in favor of new development. This trend has been ongoing for decades, leading to the erasing of Atlanta’s cultural history and the irreversible modification of the city’s built environment.

With so many of Atlanta’s great historic buildings gone, we must preserve what still remains. Currently, Downtown Atlanta’s most dilapidated and historically significant building is the Atlanta Constitution Building. Once a beautiful gem, this neglected old structure sits on the corner of Forsyth St. …

Grafted Symbiosis: Strategically Revitalizing The Abandoned Atlanta Medical Arts Building Via Jeanne Gang’S Theory Of Grafting, Matthew Reddick

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The Atlanta Medical Arts building, vacant for decades, stands at risk of demolition amid large-scale redevelopment efforts. Without an existing program to sustain it, how can we activate the site in a way that ensures both its immediate utility and long-term viability? This thesis explores a strategy for adaptive reuse, drawing from both parasitic architectural methodologies and Jeanne Gang’s concept of architectural grafting—while also critiquing the shortcomings of each approach. Rather than opting for a seamless integration, the design embraces disjunctive architecture by introducing a contemporary addition that is intentionally distinct from the historic Beaux-Arts shell, yet strategically …