Motivated by a desire to create an architectural response to the environmental and social challenges of today, the following thesis project... Show moreMotivated by a desire to create an architectural response to the environmental and social challenges of today, the following thesis project attempts to offer new paths for the future development of the solar chimney energy plant concept originally developed by the German engineer Jӧrg Schlaich in the early 1980s. The starting point of this thesis was to analyze the solar chimney prototype completed in the Manzanares desert in 1982 in order to understand the parameters guiding the design. The analysis allowed me to better understand the potential of the concept and to recognize the opportunity that existed to push the technological boundaries to craft a new design that reflects the current socio-political, economical and environmental context we live in. In the following pages, I attempt to demonstrate that the concept could be made even more appealing through the use of technology and locally available resources. By doing this, I seek to reinvigorate the idea, opening paths for a new conversation about the potential of the project as a social agent for progress. Throughout this thesis, I remain respectful and aware of the accomplishments of the pioneers before me, simply taking cues from their work to suggest new alternatives and solutions to a problem that has been made even more pressing due to the world’s energy crisis and economic uncertainty. M.S. in Architecture, December 2012 Show less
to create a vertical community bound together by two key issues/requirements in Korean society: urban agriculture and mental health care to... Show moreto create a vertical community bound together by two key issues/requirements in Korean society: urban agriculture and mental health care to create a ‘vertical façade farm’ capable of producing 156 tons of vegetables (predominantly lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries) and 200 tons of fish per year to create a mental health sanctuary (or sanatorium) that provides short term (days), midterm (months) and long term (years) residence and care for people with mental health issues that may require physical operations and/or psychological care. to actively engage the mental health residents in aspects of the agricultural production to draw on research showing that engagement with plants/nature assists in mental healing. to create a large multi-purpose space at the ground floor of the building which will largely serve as a farmer’s market for sale of the agricultural produce and engagement between the community residents and the public to create a series of gardens/green spaces at height within the complex, as well as vertical green walls, for healing (residents and urban issues) to use the double-skin ‘façade farm’ for assisting in passive natural ventilation of internal spaces Show less
Every experience of architecture is rooted in multi-sensory and embodied interactions with surroundings. All sensory modalities as well as... Show moreEvery experience of architecture is rooted in multi-sensory and embodied interactions with surroundings. All sensory modalities as well as linguistic paradigms are integrated in the sensorimotor cortex of brain where mirror neurons are originated therein. Neurological understanding, on the other hand, suggests that meaning is always contextually grounded. Metaphor, in its very essence, is an expression to convey meaning to spectator. It stimulates ventra premotor cortex of brain, wherein mirror neurons activate the embodied simulation of actions, emotions, and corporeal sensations. So conceptual metaphors in everyday language are highly based on bodily interaction and encountering with surroundings. Additionally, they are also rooted in context and primordial images. Metaphor creates an interactive atmosphere in which symbolic and literal meanings are conveyed to beholders. Atmosphere is the essence of a space, in other words, understanding this atmosphere is the most crucial for understanding architecture. Spatial experiencing in its complete entirely could be taken through the emissions of atmosphere. In general, interaction in the 6th sense is focusing on a methodology of design to facilitate immediate perception of spatial settings of architecture. Far from abstraction and intellectualism, an atmosphere conveyed meaning through sensual perceptions. In this case, several modalities of architectural design, including materializes and de-materialized qualities such as light, texture, geometry, reflection, smell, sound, air, have been identified as contributing to atmosphere. M.S. in in Architecture, May 2014 Show less
The purpose of this thesis is to develop an ideal environment for developing new cities, that are not just green and clean but also self... Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to develop an ideal environment for developing new cities, that are not just green and clean but also self-sustainable. Current cities in world supports great infrastructure and accommodates approximately 6-7 Million people. According to UN, the population growth in next 15 years would be 10-15 million people will be living in the cities and that would increase loads on existing cities infrastructure. To avoid these inevitable circumstances we need new sustainable cities. In last two decades rapid urbanization and industrialization has caused indelible effects on our ecosystem. This thesis will provide in-depth insight on current urban problems and present a solution in form of new sustainable city. A holistic approach has been taken towards developing a new city at Dahej in Gujarat, India, which will be a prototype for new sustainable community development in future. It focuses on creating a perfect balance between environmental, social and economic sustainability. This new city will provide quality of life and environment. This thesis is a sincere approach to provide a strategic solution for post-carbon world and qualitative phenomena of the sustainable low-carbon future. M.S. in Architecture, July 2013 Show less
My project is an urban redevelopment following catastrophe. A catastrophic explosion in 2010 left a portion of Nanjing city destroyed. The... Show moreMy project is an urban redevelopment following catastrophe. A catastrophic explosion in 2010 left a portion of Nanjing city destroyed. The project proposes a new urban plan to rebuild the neighborhood and restore the community. A powerful explosion at an abandoned plastics factory in Qixia district of Nanjing city has left several people dead and dozens injured. Buildings and vehicles within 100m of the factory destroyed, 3000 citizen got the key of the street and buildings suffered varying degrees of damage in the area 8 miles in circumference. The blast was caused by a leak from a gas pipeline inside the factory, the blast happened after workers dismantling the plant damaged a propylene pipeline. The leaked gas was then ignited when a car engine was started at the scene. There were a community college and several kindergartens in this area, fortunately, it was summer break at that time, no students hurt reported. It is a unique opportunity to develop a plan in an urban context when the prior years of development have been wiped away. The purpose of the project is giving condos return to 3000 people who lost their houses in the explosion and planing mix-used buildings of the community for next 20 years. At present, many old nerghbourhoods in China are being replaced by new ones. In the most cases, the existing urban patternes are erased and a town is built with out any links to what had previouly existed there. My ptoposal is reusing most of the existing tree line streets, river and bridges. The key of this proposal is sustainability, first idea is using existing river to develop a nice wetland park and the second idea is farming gradens. Show less
This project compares multiple construction materials and assemblies in order to find options which will improve the life cycle performance of... Show moreThis project compares multiple construction materials and assemblies in order to find options which will improve the life cycle performance of retail big box structures, using Walmart Supercenters as a specific case study. It utilizes the Athena EcoCalculator to accomplish this task. Show less
The aim of this project is to develop a cluster of hybrid houses in Evanston designed to produce energy and reduce resources consumption in... Show moreThe aim of this project is to develop a cluster of hybrid houses in Evanston designed to produce energy and reduce resources consumption in comparison to the houses surrounding it. The project goals are to demonstrate performance improvement. Maximize sun exposure and the interaction between the houses and its gardens. To raise awareness that it is possible to live in a more environmentally friendly unit without hardship is another purpose of the project. Sponsorship: Denison, Dirk Show less
Compared to the rich literature on urban sprawl in Western cities, relatively little is known of the driving factors, processes, and future... Show moreCompared to the rich literature on urban sprawl in Western cities, relatively little is known of the driving factors, processes, and future trends of urban sprawl in China. This research will analyze the socio-economic forces behind two parts of urban sprawl in China: urban decentralization (the creation of development zones and new towns) and urban renewal (infrastructural changes to existing urban fabrics) and reveal two basic characteristic for Chinese urban sprawl: a). de-densification; and b). expansion of urbanized areas (urban built-up areas). This proposal aims to use the term “urban sprawl” to consider the reasons behind urban land-use changes and urban pattern transformations on a regional level. It begins with definitions of sprawl in Western and Eastern countries, and follows an analysis of the social, political, and cultural factors of sprawl. Three case studies will focus on three urban centers in China: Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Still another component is data analysis with the program SPSS based on related Index for urban sprawl and sustainable development for 15 top urban regions in China during 10 years. This research has explored causes of urban sprawl in China: a). the changing residential preferences of some residents: willing to move out of the core; and b). overcrowded, deteriorated, and old-fashioned structures in central cities becoming targets for demolition in pursuing a new era of modernity, prosperity, and renaissance. Then, this research has pointed out: a). uneven land reform is the key to understand Chinese-style urban sprawl and it is also the necessary condition to the paradox posed by development zones and urbanized villages; b). China’s urban sprawl is driven by both market and government forces; and c). there are a series of new conditions for urban sprawl in China, for example: rising private automobile ownership, rising demand for space and changing residential preference, local public policy, and the real-estate industry. This research intends to provide a comprehensive definition of “urban sprawl” in China, identify the patterns of urban sprawl and growth in three urban regions (Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou), and illustrate the concepts and possible alternative strategies for green urban growth and change in China. Finally, it will offer suggestions on how to effectively control urban sprawl in China, as well as provide a pathway to achieving sustainable development. Ph.D. in Architecture, July 2012 Show less