Architectural Technology Commons^™

Searching For The Hyperobject: Crystals As Transscalar Vehicles, Jay Costello

Masters Theses

When I touch the street outside my house, I'm touching Los Angeles—a contiguous vector of material bisecting a continent. A slab, a stone, dust and oil, a googolplex of tightly packed anisotropic particles... At nightfall, I sneak to the edge of the highway and break off a piece. 'What does it mean for a worm to be aware of the scale of the planet?' Bruno Latour's evocative questioning of scalar jumps prompts an existentialism that places me somewhere between the hyperlocal and the massively distributed. Like a cosmic traveler floating through the universe, I feel adrift. I look around, grasping …

Bilateral Vertical Urbanization, Yifan Huang

Masters Theses

Bilateral Vertical Urbanization envisions a bright future for urban development. Metropolises are currently facing the dilemma of dense population, small living area per capita, long commuting times, traffic congestion, and other urban problems. My thesis proposes an innovative urban development strategy, suggesting the redevelopment of underground space resources in cities to improve urban space utilization and help alleviate the crisis of overcrowding. San Francisco, the shining jewel on the West Coast of the United States, is facing this dilemma, as well as the long-term risks of devastating earthquakes and rising sea levels.

My urban planning methodology points out that we …

Frontier: Land, Architecture, And Abstraction, Jacob Boatman

Masters Theses

The abstraction of land is a colonial process by which physical land is transformed into a conceptual or symbolic entity. This transformation occurs through various economic, architectural, and cultural practices that imbue land with abstract values, meanings, and functions beyond its physicality. This includes the division of land into parcels for economic transactions, the design and construction of built environments that shape human interactions with the land, and the cultural narratives and representations that ascribe significance to particular landscapes. Through abstraction, colonial powers devalue indigenous perspectives and relationships to the land, reducing them to mere obstacles in the path of …

House Calls, Gregory Goldstone

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the unique architectural challenges and opportunities present in rural communities, with a focus on addressing the crisis of affordable housing. Grounding the discussion in the author's personal experiences growing up in the rural town of Cambridge, New York, the thesis illuminates the diversity of identities, needs, and values that coexist within the rural context.

The thesis critically examines the architectural academy and its urban-centric biases, which have led to a neglect of rural design issues. It highlights the shortcomings of standard affordable housing approaches, such as public housing and mobile homes, in meeting the independent spirit and …

A Dispatch From The Site Office, Adrian Pelliccia

Masters Theses

In the middle of the 20th century, a rare confluence of political, economic, and cultural forces aligned to produce a slate of highly progressive policy and design agendas for social housing in the United Kingdom. A widely shared utopian ambition to house all people with dignity was made real by a motivated government and its well-resourced planning and architecture offices, tasked with bringing this vision to bear in the built environment. In London, the London County Council Architect’s Office and later local council-led architecture and planning offices were at the forefront of designing and delivering high quality, formally ambitious housing …

Beyond The Idle Machine: Spatio-Subjective Architecture, Andrew Schnurr

Masters Theses

.

Corner Revolution: Beyond “Skynet”, Brightening Grey Space And Building Security, Caimin Shen

Masters Theses

The existence of surveillance areas restricts many bad behaviors, but why do we still feel vague anxiety and uneasiness when walking through street corners and promenades in a city protected by a network of cameras? As China has implemented grid management of cities through the establishment of the “Skynet”—— a system that uses facial recognition and surveillance cameras to strengthen public safety, the crime rate has dropped significantly. But public safety doesn’t just mean fewer criminal activities. Reducing people’s perceived insecurity and anxiety has become a new challenge in China today. “Corner Revolution” explores the transformative power of architectural design …

Ace Mentor Program - Central Coast Chapter, Brayden Samuel Groshart

Construction Management

For my senior project, I established a chapter of the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) Mentor Program in San Luis Obispo, California. This program provides high school students with hands-on experience and exposure to careers in the architecture, construction, and engineering industries. The program spanned eight weeks, balancing theoretical knowledge and practical application. The curriculum began with sessions on the fundamentals of architecture, engineering, and construction. In order to expose the students to real world practices, we organized tours of an architecture firm, an engineering firm, and an active construction site. These visits allowed students to engage with professionals, observe …

Unsettling Climate: The Consequences Of Domestic Buildings Technologies Across The Spanish Empire, Alberto Martinez Garcia

Masters of Environmental Design Theses

Upon their arrival in the Americas in the sixteenth century, Spanish colonizers encountered a tropical climate previously unknown to Europeans. In the four hundred years of their empire, the colonizers set themselves on a collision course of maladaptation, violence towards Indigenous people, and erasure of their knowledge. Unsettling Climate investigates the domestic constructions of Spanish colonization in the tropics during the colonization of the Americas and the Philippines. Using case studies from patio houses in Cartagena in Colombia and bahay na bato (houses of stone) in the Philippines, this project analyzes the relationship between the natural environment, domestic space, and …

Straw Bale Net Zero: Sustainable Building Solutions, Nick Antoine, Michael Ray Malonjao, Mohamed Hassan, Fareda Elsherif, Brailyn Ventura

Publications and Research

Our primary building material will be rice straw bale, which has a high thermal mass and is bio based. Straw bale, a natural byproduct derived from the dried stems of cereal plants, serves as a carbon sequester. When a straw bale decomposes, it releases its stored carbon; however, by utilizing it as a building material, we effectively retain carbon within the bales throughout the building's life cycle, thereby keeping it from being released into the atmosphere. By using bio-based materials with high thermal mass, we effectively reduce the energy demand for heating. Our building also has renewable energy sources and …

Architronics: Utilizing Virtual Reality In Architectural Pedagogy, Constantine Lambros

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This research is about integrating the recent advancements in VR technology as a way to ‘playtest’ and design in architectural pedagogy. To better gauge the interest in VR and prove the need for VR integration, surveys were conducted among students and faculty within KSU’s College of Architecture and Construction Management (CACM).

A ‘site analysis’ was then conducted within surrounding firms in the greater Atlanta area, leading to precedent studies of local firms that use VR in their practice. By utilizing the firms advancements, this shed new light into how VR could be implemented into architectural pedagogy, and why it hasn’t …

Modulating Recycled Plastic: A Sustainable Solution To Plastic Pollution Through Innovative Recycling, Galo Cruz

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Initially celebrated as a miracle material, modern society’s dependence on plastics has resulted in urgent environmental challenges. The consequences of this dependence are: widespread plastic pollution, an environment grappling with near-indestructible waste, and a health crisis fueled by malignant microplastics. In response to this urgent junction of environmental challenges, this research sets forth to further the transformative approach explored by Janel Sitt’s 2020 thesis and aims to answer the following questions:

1. Why does our dependence on single-use plastic jeopardize our environment, severely impacting food supplies, marine life, and overall quality of life?

2. As designers, are there opportunities for …

[A]Rchitectural_[I]Ntelligence: A Visual Design Journey Through The Lens Of Ai, Cameron Fiveash

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in architecture has revolutionized design thinking, providing architects with powerful tools for exploration and creation. This thesis examines the transformative potential of AI engines, particularly MidJourney, in enhancing architectural design processes. MidJourney's advanced image analysis capabilities offer architects a unique opportunity to study architectural forms through AI, fostering a symbiotic relationship between human creativity and machine intelligence.

The research explores AI's evolving role in the creative process, emphasizing its ability to augment human ingenuity rather than replace it. Architects can leverage MidJourney's AI engine to explore diverse design possibilities and discover innovative solutions to …

Modulating Recycled Plastic - A Sustainable Solution To Plastic Pollution Through Innovative Recycling, Galo Cruz

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Initially celebrated as a miracle material, modern society’s dependence on plastics has resulted in urgent environmental challenges. The consequences of this dependence are: widespread plastic pollution, an environment grappling with near-indestructible waste, and a health crisis fueled by malignant microplastics. In response to this urgent junction of environmental challenges, this research sets forth to further the transformative approach explored by Janel Sitt’s 2020 thesis and aims to answer the following questions:

1. Why does our dependence on single-use plastic jeopardize our environment, severely impacting food supplies, marine life, and overall quality of life?

2. As designers, are there opportunities for …

Resurgence, Caleb Willis

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

As much as technology has advanced in the past couple of centuries, it appears that the relationship between the architect and the site has only grown thinner. Working from home and technological advancements have created an environment that loosens the grasp that architects have with the site. Documents are sent directly to contractors over email, buildings are standardized and plotted unto any landscape desired, and buildings are demolished at the touch of a button. With this loss in connectivity, this project aims to reconnect the architect to their site, as they shall be issued land for development, not a building. …

Considerations For Virtual Reality In Architectural Design Development, Alexander White

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This is an undergraduate thesis research about the exploration of Virtual Reality (VR) in the architectural design career field at the design development stage for architectural projects. VR is a tool that is available for designers to use to make design decisions for their projects and is used to explore the design in space at a one-to-one scale. VR has proven itself to be a valuable resource for designers and clients; however, it has been personally observed that VR is not as utilized as much as it could be in the architectural design development workflow. The purpose of this research …

Workflow And Best Practices Of Planting Design In Virtual Reality, Becca L. Springer

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

The purpose of this study is to develop a technical workflow and deliver an instructional module for teaching planting design in Virtual Reality (VR). The developed workflow and instructional model will be presented to students enrolled at Utah State University in the Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) Department. The first objective of this thesis project is to explore and create a successful workflow of basic planting design principles and apply them in virtual reality with the use of new technology. The virtual reality and planting design software that were explored were Twinmotion, VR Sketch, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Land FX, Gravity …

An Architectural Approach To Neighborhood Design In The Quarry Road Informal Settlement In Durban, Viloshin Govender, Ameen Shaikjee

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Informal settlements, often characterized by inadequate infrastructure, housing, and services, are a significant urban challenge in the global South. Creating well-functioning and supportive neighborhoods within these settlements is crucial for improving the living conditions and livelihoods of those living there. This paper explores the strategies and principles of creating neighborhoods in informal settlements that promote community empowerment, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Conventional top-down development approaches often fail to address these settlements' unique needs and dynamics. In contrast, a bottom-up approach empowers residents, fosters community engagement, and promotes sustainable development. This paper explores how architecture can respond to the needs …

Digitalisation For A Circular Economy (Dice), Jimmy Fahy, Conan O'Ceallaigh

Reports

The construction industry is the world’s largest consumer of resources and is responsible for approximately 40% of global carbon emissions. In EU countries, building infrastructure plays a more significant role in energy consumption (40%) and energy-related Green House Gas (GHG) emissions (36%) (European Union, 2024) and for Ireland, the total GHG emissions of the built environment are estimated at 23 MtCO2eq/yr based on the 2018 level, which accounts for approximately 37% of national emissions, comprising 23% from building operations and 14% from embodied carbon (EC) emissions (O’Hegarty and Kinnane, 2022). These current emissions levels are stark given Ireland’s current commitment …

Parametric Design As A Tool To Reduce Solar Penetration By Outdoor Shades In Hot Arid Climate, Rana O. Aboulfaraj, Iman O. Gawad, Mostafa Khalifa

Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ)

Conventional design methods and current tools infrequently link performance with the geometry of the design. These methods rarely enable backtracking through the design process and can't achieve full performance criteria. In this context, using both procedural geometry and information from numerical assessments and performance simulations should be discussed to support the search for effective solutions. Architects have gained control over the process of design by utilizing parametric methods to generate a sustainable design that interacts with sustainable, climatic, and environmental restrictions, particularly in hot arid zones where outdoor life is overlooked. This paper will discuss the performance-oriented design and a …

The Role Of Symbolic Resistance In The Permanence Of Islamic Forms, Riyam Rajab Fanjan Rr.

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research

The Islamic forms reflect a symbolic content and spiritual and ideological dimensions. Between their resistance to change and their response to the formal transformations resulting from technology and contemporary techniques, new ideas and forms are generated. This puts the Islamic form in a challenge that could lead to its emptying of its symbolism and semantic expressions and between its flexible transitions across time and space. Therefore, the research raises the concept of resistance (symbolic-formal) that is known as the interconnected relationship between form, meaning, symbol, and spiritual values. Therefore, the research problem appears " The variation and formal diversity of …

Hygrothermal Risk Assessment Of External Wall Insulation Retrofit To Non-Traditional Wall Types In An Irish Context, Using The Glaser Method And A Heat, Air And Moisture Transient Model, Gareth Mcdonnell, Joseph Little

Articles

The Climate Action Plan 2019 targets the low-energy retrofit of 500,000 existing Irish homes before 2030.1 Up to 80 per cent of building failures can be attributed to moisture risks.2 The literature indicated that external wall insulation (EWI, ETICS) failures are mostly due to moisture ingress at junctions and interfaces. A hygrothermal risk assessment of EWI on three walls with rendered concrete/concrete blockwork/cavity walls in Dublin, Belfast and Belmullet was undertaken using transient numerical simulation and the Glaser method. The guidance, common practice indicates a preference for Glaser. The initial simulation results were compared to assess the appropriateness of Glaser. …

Exploring The Impact Of Design Professionals On The Energy Retrofit Of Dwellings In Ireland: A Qualitative Methodology, Olivia Golden

Conference papers

A qualitative approach was taken to investigate the role of design professionals in the energy retrofit of external wall insulation to dwellings in Ireland. The research method combines document analysis with semi structured interviews. Document analysis is used to both inform the questions for the interviews and for validation. The SEAI One Stop Shop grant scheme and PAS 2035 framework were selected for detailed document analysis to gain an understanding of the context in which design professionals are working in Ireland and compare it to the energy retrofit framework in the United Kingdom. This was investigated by mapping the data …

An Investigation Of The Physical And Thermal Properties Of Irish Hemp Fibres As A Loose-Fill Insulation Product, Killian Markey, Sameer Mehra Dr., David Palmer, David Knight, Timothy O'Leary

Conference papers

Construction and built environment sectors account for approximately 37% of Ireland’s carbon emissions. Of this 37%, 14% of the emissions consist of embodied carbon emissions from the construction materials from the production to the end-of-disposal of buildings. The construction industry can reduce its embodied carbon by using materials with a lower embodied carbon. Hemp fibre batt insulation is an example of a bio-based material and a lower embodied carbon alternative to conventional insulations. The existing hemp fibre batt insulation is typically composed of hemp fibres with a polyester binder. These polyester binders have higher embodied carbon while also being a …

Artificial Intelligence Can Help Detect Ada Accessibility Assets And Compliance, Camille Tischner

Research on Capitol Hill

Asset management is expensive. Computer vision makes collecting data efficient and saleable.

Using Biomimicry To Increase Daylighting Efficiency In Egyptian Office Buildings, . Nervana Osama Hanafy

Journal of Engineering Research

The aim is to design a biomimicry-inspired building skin for Giza City's business towers. Tasks to complete include enhancing daylighting efficiency and promoting visual comfort To improve the daylighting performance of office buildings in Giza City, Egypt, this article presents 144 alternatives for biomimicry-inspired building skin to improve daylighting efficiency and visual comfort for Giza City's business towers For modeling, Revit, Rhino v6, and Grasshopper were utilized. The suggested daylighting simulation application, ClimateStudio (v1.8.8244.25334), was chosen. The building orientation, used materials, surface level measurement, working hours, and pertinent weather file data have all been provided. The evaluation criteria include Annual …

Visual Privacy As An Approach To Improve Human Needs In Residential Buildings In Egypt, Inas Samir Ibrahim, Walaa Nour, Mustafa Alwan

Journal of Engineering Research

Architecture reflects a nation’s cultural, social, and environmental characteristics. As a result of the recent globalization, countries have lost their distinctive architectural identities; due to this, it is difficult to identify A country’s unique identity locally and regionally. Specifically, in Egypt, houses in the traditional style are considered one of the most iconic architectural styles. There is an amazing local identity and a unique spatial quality in the region that characterizes Egypt. On the other hand, Western influences have caused many of the values and attributes of houses to fade. One of the most prominent values is the home’s loss …

The Effect Of Building Information Modeling Technology On The Future Of Architecture Education Development In Universities, Mohamed Abd Elnaser Hamoda, Mahmoud Ahmed Zaki, Marwa Ahmed Kamer Faculty Of Engineering, Tanta University

Journal of Engineering Research

At the beginning of the current century , and with the development of computer technology , a new system based on three-dimensional drawings and modeling appeared with an accurate definition and description of all the elements in the submitted design , with the big development of construction methods and the advancement of the related technology and software, the advantages of the new system were defined and became more specific and relied in many organizations , companies and in design and construction institutions , and this system was called the building information modeling (BIM) .

Despite the importance of the system …

Biobased Construction From Agricultural Crops: Paper 1 - A State Of Play Of Commercial Solutions In Europe, Patrick Daly, Paula G. Barril

Articles

In response to environmental concerns and the global warming issue in particular there is a growing drive to decarbonise the building sector and transition it to more circular practices.

Biobased construction materials, products and systems are an important low carbon and circular strategy as they can enable low to negative carbon construction and have strong circularity advantages notably being able to enter the bio cycle, using renewable, low to zero toxic resources and provide a range of other performance benefits, including moisture and vapour regulation.

This novel research presents a unique state of play on the commercial application of biobased …

‘Hoa Gio’: The Development Of A Modern Vietnamese Architectural Element Beyond The Ventilation Block, Kat Huynhson

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research examines the development of 'Hoa gió,' a traditional Vietnamese architectural element, from the precolonial era, through colonial adaptations, to its reinterpretation in modernism. 'Hoa gió' offers sun shading, ventilation, privacy, and aesthetic value, fitting well with Vietnam’s climate, and was a key feature of the “golden era” of Vietnamese modernism. Although there is scholarly interest, studies on 'Hoa gió' are limited and often view it as a Western adaptation. This study examines how 'Hoa gió' was adapted and reinterpreted as a "traditional-turned-modern" component, interacting with external currents. Using a qualitative approach, this research analyzes 'Hoa gió' across historical …