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Title: Efficiency of Carbon Fiber Composite Structural Systems for Tall Buildings: A Parametric Simulation Based Framework for Finite Element Analysis
Creator: Khairnar, Piyush Rajendra
Date: 2022
Description: The rate of global urban migration has increased drastically over the last century. With increasing population, the need for dense urban...
Show moreThe rate of global urban migration has increased drastically over the last century. With increasing population, the need for dense urban habitats is growing. Tall buildings are at the forefront of this growth and changing skyline of different cities around the globe is evident. The Structural system is an important and critical component of any tall building. Structural material can significantly impact the performance of a structural system as well as the way it is constructed. Carbon composite is known for its high strength and stiffness, also it is a lightweight structural material. Current industrial techniques allow for manufacturing of structural components made of carbon composite to be used in building structures. Carbon composite as a structural material shows potential to be used in tall buildings where strength and stiffness requirements are a key parameter.This research focuses on applications of Carbon Composite, also known as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), as a structural material for tall buildings. The research aims to study the properties of carbon composite as a structural material and to explore its application in the structural system for tall buildings. Mechanical properties of CFRP such as strength, stiffness, etc. are studied with available literature to assess the potential of the material to be used in the design of structural system for tall buildings. Manufacturing processes along with fabrication methods are also studied to investigate the constructability using CFRP. The research draws attention on the issues of connectivity within CFRP structural components as well as performance of CFRP as a structural material in tall building structural systems. Computer based simulations are utilized to develop digital models and analyze the performance of the material in structural systems of tall buildings. Current applications of the material in building and construction sector are addressed in the literature review. This research evaluates the performance of the structural systems for tall buildings using carbon composite as the primary structural material. Connection level simulations presented in this research provide insights on the significance of fiber orientation in the fabrication of structures. Other challenges in the widespread use of CFRP material in tall buildings are addressed in the research but focus of the research is on the structural applications of the material in tall buildings. The research provides information about the use of CFRP as a structural material in tall buildings. The results of this study offer significant insights about the issues of connectivity and constructability related to use of CFRP in tall buildings. This research also provides a parametric framework for architects and designers to evaluate and study the performance of a structural materials to be used in tall building structural systems using finite element analysis.
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Title: DESIGN FOR COMFORT: DESIGN BUILDING ENVELOPE TO IMPROVE THERMAL COMFORT FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN AL-MUKALA, YEMEN
Creator: Bakarmom, Aamena Mubarak Saeed
Date: 2021
Description: This thesis is about the research into the design of building envelopes to reduce energy consumption and moderate thermal performance of the...
Show moreThis thesis is about the research into the design of building envelopes to reduce energy consumption and moderate thermal performance of the residential buildings in Yemen, which is in an arid climate. A suitable building envelope is important because of the building occupants’ thermal comfort. The most important question is how architects could implement high-performance envelope technologies in their designs, especially in residential buildings. These technologies have some basic principles which are applied differently from one region to another. One of the most promising strategies applied to house envelopes in a hot-dry climate is the passive cooling design. This thesis reviews the results of other research in the same region that discuss proper parameters of building envelopes such as form, width, climate, walls, materials, and windows design. Passive cooling strategies will be the key to providing potential design building envelopes that provide thermal comfort and reduce energy use. This study applies the natural ventilation principle (single-sided, cross- or stack ventilation), thermal mass, and shaded devices. The research methods were to collect data and create quantitative models to analyze the data. From this analysis, I suggest specific architecture guidelines for design in residential buildings which could improve comfort in indoor spaces for occupants.
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Title: INFORMAL AREAS UPGRADING STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF ADEN CITY-YEMEN
Creator: Ba Tis, Ahmed Abdullah Obaid
Date: 2022
Description: Informal areas are global problems that pose a threat to the urban environment and their consequences prompted urgently to search for...
Show moreInformal areas are global problems that pose a threat to the urban environment and their consequences prompted urgently to search for solutions and methods to address these problems and limit their effects. This thesis examines the issue of informal areas in Yemen. Informal areas are houses built on illegal public or private real estate. In Yemen, these illegal areas began as a relatively new phenomenon and since then have grown at an extremely rapid rate. Increasing rates of urbanization, poverty, and unemployment have led to the rapid rise of slums and informal housing in Yemen. The UN-Habitat database of global urban indicators estimates that 60% of Yemen's urban population lives in informal settlements. The cities most affected by the rapid growth of informal settlements include Taiz, Al Hudaydah, Sana'a, and Aden. The Yemeni government has done little to address the growth of informal areas. However, there was growing concern about this issue, and governmental and non-state actors alike began to consider new approaches to urban policy development and implementation. The importance of the thesis is that it will limit the spread of slums in Aden in the future, and it will also be a good starting point for further research and studies on the issue of developing the problem of informal areas in Yemen. There are many ways to deal with the problem of informal areas, including demolition and resettlement, and development upgrading and each method differs according to the region’s conditions, whether the urban, social economic, location of the area. This study focuses on urban upgrading to clarify its concepts, types and strategies, because it has become one of the most appropriate ways to deal with informal areas and to reach a sustainable urban environment. The thesis aims to find solutions for informal areas in Yemen and limit their growth in the future by preparing a new strategy for dealing with informal areas, in light of the experiences of other countries, and in line with the reality of Yemen.
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Title: Habitat 2022+
Creator: Cho, San Lae Lae
Date: 2021
Description: Globalization and urbanization have led a vast group of population to shift from rural and suburban areas to urban centers. According to the...
Show moreGlobalization and urbanization have led a vast group of population to shift from rural and suburban areas to urban centers. According to the United Nation’s (UN) projection, around 2.5 billion more people will live in the cities by 2050. For cities to accommodate such a population, cities can grow horizontally or vertically. If cities were to grow horizontally, this population would need to commute majorly by car which has a very high carbon footprint. By building vertically, the population’s commute becomes more efficient if the vertical structure is built as such is a city within a city. Although having existed for 500 years, tall buildings and skyscrapers have been topics of controversy for their excessive use of resources, ignoring environmental and contextual problems. In order to mitigate this sustainability issue, mass timber as a construction material has been recently introduced into the American market. Mass timber is the building material for a carbon neutral future according to Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats (CTBUH). Another means is to grow plants around the buildings meaning they are regrowing greenery back into nature with the hopes to take a step towards mitigating climate change. In addition, with the argument of tall buildings lacking neighborhood-like qualities that for instance, a Chicago block of housing may give, more and more tall buildings around the world have tried to implement the lush spaces onto the building perimeters. These spaces with plants and trees mimicking nature can exist as both indoor and outdoor spaces. While neighborhoods have parks, these spaces or sky gardens will substitute as modified parks for skyscrapers.With psychological benefits tied to spaces linked to nature in high-rises, such spaces should be integrated in all high rise, residential buildings. Today, in addition to Covid pandemic, many people practice working from home. Meanwhile, it is human nature since birth to want to be surrounded by plants and nature, either spending time under a tree or lying on the grass. To mitigate spending excessive amounts of hours indoors, spaces linked to nature have become crucial in providing a sense of peace and reconnecting back to nature. However, currently architecture that has nature integrated, results in spaces only for the wealthy. Furthermore, architecture in the US is so commercially driven with developers aiming for the most cost effective, most efficient and largest floor areas. For nature to be more available to the living spaces of middle class and ideally working class, the city planners and city development authorities need to get involved. For instance, the city could aid by allocating some of the tax collected to build more green architecture. With the tax fund assistance from the city, high quality living of green architecture will become available and much more affordable.Another option to making living more affordable is by implementing co-living. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, co-living remains relatively high in demand in Chicago according to Chicago Tribune. For the younger generations such as the Millennials and younger, it is predicted that due to the nature of student loan debts, these generations are less likely to be financially well off after graduation. Hence, they are less likely to establish a family as soon as the previous generations, as most people tend to start a family when they feel financially stable.Hence, in this design thesis, a certain prototype will be tested out regarding some of these issues. This is just one option to the issues above and there are many options and other nuances still available to explore.
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Title: RE-DEFINING LABOR HOUSING COMMUNITIES IN DUBAI
Creator: Chavadi, Sanjana Mrutyunjaya
Date: 2022
Description: From the moment they are duped into believing in a utopian lifestyle, to their day to-day working and living conditions once they arrive in...
Show moreFrom the moment they are duped into believing in a utopian lifestyle, to their day to-day working and living conditions once they arrive in the country, to the denial of theirrights for years after they are stuck in the country, the migration of workers from other countries into the Emirates is a neglected humanitarian issue. The United Arab Emirates and several other GCC countries have a heinous habit of recruiting illiterate foreigners into their country and abusing them as if they were modern-day slaves. Many nations and individuals have legal control over immigrants by applying the Kafala sponsorship system and ignoring international norms and rights established by organizations like the International Labor Organization. While the Kafala system is only one of many aspects of the whole problem, this thesis will seek to identify the influence of architecture on the lives of the South Asian labor force who work behind the beautiful façade of the United Arab Emirates by reconstructing the labor community. These colossal structures are built and shown while the individuals who construct them are ignored and hidden. Immigrant low income labor employees bear the brunt of their hard life-work imbalance with the intention of providing assistance to their family in their home nations. The labor force of Dubai becomes the major target of the terrorists, isolated from Dubai's pleasure amenities, socially detached from the rest of the population, and separated from their creations. By creating a landmark and developing a sense of social coherence, integration, and empowerment among the labor community, this initiative intends to bridge the divide and commemorate the labor community. This project will propose a new sort of community and housing typology that embraces the ideals of modularity, adaptability, and community as a solution to the immigrant worker dilemma.
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Title: A BIM-BASED LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT TOOL OF EMBODIED ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE TALL BUILDINGS
Creator: Ma, Lijian
Date: 2022
Description: Today 55 percent of population in the world lives in urban areas which is expected to increase to 68 percent by the year 2050. In the cities,...
Show moreToday 55 percent of population in the world lives in urban areas which is expected to increase to 68 percent by the year 2050. In the cities, high-rise buildings as symbols of the modern cityscape are dominating the skylines, but the data to demonstrate their embodied energy and environmental impacts are scarce, compared to low- or mid-rise buildings. Reducing the embodied energy and environmental impacts of buildings is critical as about 42 percent of primary energy use and 39 percent of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the building sector. However, it is an overlooked area in embodied energy and environmental impacts of tall buildings. This doctoral research aims to investigate the effects of tall buildings on embodied energy and environmental impacts by using process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology within Building Information Modelling (BIM) environment, which provides construction industry platform to incorporate sustainability information in architectural design. This doctoral research is carried out through a literature review on embodied energy of high-rise buildings. Current LCA methods of buildings are also discussed in the literature review. It then develops a framework for BIM-based assessment of the embodied energy and environmental impacts of tall buildings. To achieve that, a case study of tall reinforced concrete building is applied, by using ISO 14040 and 14044 guidelines with available database, Revit and Tally application in Revit. The author concentrates on embodied energy and environmental impacts of reinforced concrete tall buildings. Finally, the association between design and construction variables with embodied energy and environmental impacts is explored. This research will lead to significant contributions. A comprehensive study on embodied energy and environmental impacts of high-rise building will address a major gap in LCA literature. Researchers and environmental consultants can use the results of this research to create design tools to evaluate environmental impacts of high-rise buildings. Also, architects can use the results of this research to develop insight into the environmental performance of tall buildings in early design stage. Architects and engineers can also use the results to optimize tall building design for low embodied energy and environmental impacts. Finally, the results of this research will enable architects, engineers, planners, and policymakers develop more sustainable built environments.
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Title: ARCHITECTURE FOR COLLABORATIVE CREATIVITY - SPACE WE-Q: SPACE INTELLIGENCE EMPOWERING CREATIVE WE CULTURE IN LEARNING-DRIVEN ENVIRONMENTS
Creator: Mor-Avi, Anat
Date: 2020
Description: Changes in societal culture, along with research on how we learn, challenge current architectural solutions. Education’s shifting paradigms...
Show moreChanges in societal culture, along with research on how we learn, challenge current architectural solutions. Education’s shifting paradigms align with these changes and move teaching strategies from teacher-centered to learner-centered, and from formal and passive, to informal and active modes. Another shift emphasizes collaboration and participatory creativity, which evolve the idea of the “collective,” or “We” versus “I” scenarios. In addition, studies show that creativity flourishes in specific contradictory performances. Supporting these reported changes, new knowledge, and paradigm shifts, this research studied how an active, adaptive architectural design approach might emerge into the learning and creative processes. Evidence indicates that “design and space do matter,” particularly in learning- and working-driven domains. Empirical research has been weak in addressing this understanding relative to architectural solutions, affordances, behaviors, and emotions, promoting collaborative creativity. This research aimed to investigate patterns of architectural affordances believing to impact and empower collaborative cultures and behaviors in learning environments (“WE CULTURE”), specifically motions and emotions. A Mixed-method research design was conducted, using two techniques: (a) a content analysis of awarded learning and working environments, and (b) a post-occupancy evaluation using ethnographic techniques to study the Kaplan Innovation Institute at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois, USA. In an effort to provide an applied design study, a visual pattern language related to cultures of learning, environment behavior, and emotions was developed. The pattern language is the platform for designing intelligent spaces, SPACE WE-Q, promoting collaborative behaviors, and creativity through adaptive and behavior-based systems of active affordances. SPACE WE-Q offers a planned adaptive system for unplanned creative processes that emerges into learning and suggesting a new relationship between architecture and education, between architects and users, and between users and space.
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Title: The Feasibility of Honeycomb Structure to Enhance Daylighting and Energy Performance for High-Rise Buildings
Creator: Geng, Camelia Mina
Date: 2022
Description: The world population is increasing at a fast rate and the projection is that there will be more than 12 billion people by the year 2050. It is...
Show moreThe world population is increasing at a fast rate and the projection is that there will be more than 12 billion people by the year 2050. It is also expected that at least 70% of the population will reside and work in urban areas (mostly cities) in some sort of high-rise building. At the same time, the climate is rapidly changing to increase the effects of man-made global warming. Conceivably, energy conservation, daylighting performance, thermal comfort and environmentally friendly high-rise buildings are necessary to facilitate sustainable working and living environments. The roles of the architects and planners are paramount at this critical era of history of mankind; for one thing they are responsible for the planning and design of sustainable high-rise buildings.Recently, there has been significant research to connect a branch of Biophilia design, which is Biomorphic architecture. This has developed a wonderful design approach, termed the Biomorphic idea. This focuses on the enhancement of the physical and psychological connection with nature, to acquire more natural light and the outside connection targeting energy saving. More and more, high-rise buildings are being designed following Biomorphic approaches. As such, these buildings are defined as sustainable and primarily, because they are energy efficient and, and in many cases tend to minimize the use of fossil fuels while promoting the use of renewable and clean energy sources. As such, a honeycomb structure approach successfully applies to high-rise building design. The intend of this research document is to simulate Biomorphic honeycomb structure which is the hexagonal rotation ring structure including 32 stories in18 different hexagon high-rise building configurations, to develop true daylighting and energy. performance. This is achieved by the using Grasshopper-Climate Studio simulation tool and multiple fuzzy mathematics for decision making. This document will provide a comparison of daylighting including sDA, ASE, sDG and the illuminance results from these 3 series of the 18 models configuring different honeycomb structures of high-rise buildings. The results prove that the hexagon honeycomb structure for high-rise building is feasibility and targets green buildings standards such as LEED V4.1 The success of the method depends on developing multiple criteria of Poisson ratio and Gaussian curvature within the hexagon structure to create different honeycomb facades and rotation of the ring for office high-rise building which is also a qualitative nature of the Biomorphic design parameters.
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Title: Toward an Extraordinary Ecotourism Destination on The Shoreline of Aseer Region, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia
Creator: Saleh, Abdulmalik Mohammad S.
Date: 2022
Description: Since the dawn of the Anthropocene epoch, human activities have been adversely influencing our globe and becoming a controversial phenomenon....
Show moreSince the dawn of the Anthropocene epoch, human activities have been adversely influencing our globe and becoming a controversial phenomenon. However, as a counterforce, multiple adoptions of sustainable green movements worldwide are continually attempting alternate resolutions to preserve nature. As the tourism industry grows, ecotourism, for instance, is a specific eco-friendly approach that asserts minimizing human impacts and conserving captivating nature, improving the livelihood of local communities, and involving interpretation and education. A demi-decade ago, Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision (the post-oil plan) was launched to diversify its GDP and develop public service sectors such as tourism. This thesis investigates the relationship between architecture and the possibilities of ecotourism principles, besides the governmental program, under multiple tourism indicators along the untouched Aseer shoreline, which has valuable attractions and amenities; it is faced with several issues, including informal planning, limited infrastructure, and low-income community. We built a suggested project based on a collection of written materials on the area’s environmental and culturally diverse aspects and case studies; architecture-to-ecotourism is thriving, but there is still potential for methodological development. The thesis findings demonstrate that architecture can immensely contribute to sustainable development through the ecotourism concept and can have a tangible impact on the project. Simultaneously, architecture, through ecotourism, is successful by improving the economic aspect of the host societies, reducing environmental consequences, and strengthening heritage identity. This research needs further studies on the correlation, which remains highly debated, between architecture and ecotourism norms to sustain nature.
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Title: PREDICTING AND SIMULATING OUTDOOR THERMAL COMFORT-BASED HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
Creator: Khan, Zahida Marzaban
Date: 2022
Description: Rapid urban growth due to a constant rise in world population has amplified the need for sustainable design development of cities. Human...
Show moreRapid urban growth due to a constant rise in world population has amplified the need for sustainable design development of cities. Human behavior, a key performance metric of sustainable design, can be rewarding for urban policies and city planning. Due to its complex nature, human behavior prediction and simulation are increasingly challenging. Complexity is associated with multiple factors, among which social and environmental factors are critical, especially in urban conditions with tall buildings that create unique microclimates. Human behavior in this study referred to human spatial behavior. This research hypothesized that the microclimatic variations at seasonal and diurnal levels affect people’s behavior in outdoor urban environments. Additionally, interdisciplinary crossover studies on novel methodologies to predict human behavior is becoming popular. Moreover, architects and urban designers are interested in human behavior simulation tools that can help them make informed design decisions through ‘what-if’ scenarios and assess their designs before execution. This doctoral research investigated the inter-relationship between Outdoor Thermal Comfort (OTC), human behavior, and urban morphology for Plazas in urban conditions with tall buildings and within a specific climate zone. The study focused on two overarching objectives: (1) to present a novel research methodology to investigate and predict OTC-based human behavior in urban conditions; and (2) to develop HuBeSIM - a human behavior simulation framework using an agent-based model (ABM) to simulate OTC integrated human behavior in outdoor spaces. Daley Plaza – an urban public space built-in 1965 in downtown Chicago — was used as (1) a case study to test the feasibility of this research methodology and (2) a pilot study to demonstrate the HuBeSIM framework. The outcome of this study shows a significant impact in the outdoor urban environments with design goals that use human behavior as a key performance indicator. The research contributes to the modeling and simulation of OTC-based human behavior in urban environments to nurture livable communities and sustainable cities. The first part of the dissertation presented a novel research methodology involving data collection through an on-site observational study for behavioral mapping, and microclimatic CFD simulations for OTC index - Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET). The sample data consisted of two seasons, namely summer and fall, with more than 600 observations collected during the three-hour lunchtime period. The second part of the dissertation involved developing a Human Behavior SIMulation (HuBeSIM) framework in the popular computer aided design platform Rhino® and Grasshopper® (GH). This part integrated OTC using physics-based modeling and human behavior using mathematical agent-based modeling to develop a simulation framework for outdoor urban space design. The findings from the observational study revealed a moderate relationship between microclimate and human behavior in the fall, and a weak correlation in summer. The results showed that people’s behavior is not affected by PET values above 35°C. The proposed Human Behavior SIMulation framework has a high potential to develop into a comprehensive model by incorporating other behavioral factors. This study contributes to the sustainable built environment design that leads to the environmental, social, and economic upliftment of a city.
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Title: The Feasibility of Double-Skin Façades to Provide Natural Ventilation in Tall Office Buildings
Creator: Kim, Yohan
Date: 2022
Description: Many tall office buildings (i.e., buildings of or taller than 656 ft (200 m)) are on the rise around the world. The energy efficiency and...
Show moreMany tall office buildings (i.e., buildings of or taller than 656 ft (200 m)) are on the rise around the world. The energy efficiency and healthy environment of tall office buildings has become an important concern, given the current environmental challenges and health considerations. Natural ventilation has proven to be an effective passive strategy in improving energy efficiency and providing healthy environments given environmental challenges. However, such a strategy has not been commonly adopted to tall office buildings that traditionally rely on single-skin façades (SSFs), due to the high wind pressure that creates excessive air velocities and occupant discomfort at upper floors. Double-skin façades (DSFs) can provide an opportunity to facilitate natural ventilation in tall office buildings, as the fundamental components such as the additional skin and openings create a buffer to regulate the direct impact of wind pressure and the airflow around the buildings. Wind-driven natural ventilation has not been fully studied in DSFs as most previous studies focused on the stack effect. Moreover, the studies assumed that the indoor spaces are mechanically ventilated without regard to airflow behavior between the air cavities and the indoor spaces. This study investigates the impact of modified multi-story type DSFs on indoor airflow in a 60-story, 780-foot (238 m) naturally ventilated tall office building under isothermal conditions. Therefore, the performance of wind effect related components was assessed based on the criteria (e.g., air velocity and airflow distribution), with respect to opening size, number of openings per floor, cavity depth, and cavity segmentation. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software was utilized to simulate outdoor airflow around the tall office building, and indoor airflow at various heights in case of various DSF configurations. Two sequential CFD simulations were carried out not only to reduce computational time, but also to comprehensively analyze the impact of DSFs responding to positive and negative wind pressures on indoor airflow behavior. The CFD simulation results indicate that the outer skin opening is the more influential parameter than the others on indoor airflow behavior. On the other hand, variations of inner skin opening size help improve the indoor airflow, with respect to the desired air velocity and distributions. Despite some air vortexes observed in the indoor spaces, cross ventilation can occur as positive pressure on the windward side and negative pressure on the other sides generate a productive pressure differential. The results also demonstrate that DSFs with smaller openings suitably reduce not only the impact of wind pressure, but also the concentration of high air velocity near the windows on the windward side, compared to single-skin façades. Further insight on indoor airflow behaviors depending on various DSF configurations leads to a better understanding of the DSF design strategies for effective natural ventilation in tall office buildings. This study aims to develop a performance-based DSF design guideline to assist architects in their design of DSF components in the early design stage.
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Title: APPLICATIONS OF INTEGRATED DESIGN METHODOLOGIES: HYBRID AUTOMATION OF DESIGN SEQUENCING AND ITS INFLUENCE ON COMPLEX DESIGN PROJECTS
Creator: Elshanshoury, Waleed Farouk Omar
Date: 2020
Description: After the early development of Sketchpad in 1963 by Ivan Sutherland at MIT, the first system permitted drawing geometries parametrically;...
Show moreAfter the early development of Sketchpad in 1963 by Ivan Sutherland at MIT, the first system permitted drawing geometries parametrically; computation and algorithm aided design have significantly influenced the design practice. Computation and AAD are design approaches in which the medium of expression is logic instead of geometry. These approaches raised the curtain to various utilities, including but not limited to form-finding, automation, optimization, and robotic fabrication. Computational design and algorithm aided design are becoming fundamental approaches in most design practices because of their capability to solve complex problems.This thesis begins with a timeline presenting the evolution in design derivers and manifests how designers considered ideal design throughout history. This timeline starts with architecture approaches in ancient times when beauty, durability, and functions were the first principles to identify good architecture. It ends with the creation of computational technologies, which affected the design process and its logic. It will also investigate relations between software engineering and building design, where both fields intertwine with each other in general methodologies.This research examines how computation can generate integrated design systems to approach city planning and architectural design. IDS employs data, forces, and algorithms to construct a design system instead of solid geometries. This system combines the different design processes and chronological phases in interconnected blocks. This approach manages big data and assists in decision-making using automation, optimization, and machine learning technologies.This paper examines existing precedents, applications, and design projects that utilize IDS, including form-finding, materials, and energy. It will establish how evaluation criteria, simulations, solution optimizations, and processes automation play a vital role in integrated design systems. IDS is a dynamic workflow centered on principles and consists of components and aiding tools. This research explores technological aiding tools for these systems that help increase design performance and efficiencies using voice commands and automated functions.
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Title: Sex and Architecture
Creator: Nekkanti, Hashika C.
Date: 2023
Description: This thesis delves into the fascinating and intricate connection between sexual behaviour and architecture, offering a comprehensive...
Show moreThis thesis delves into the fascinating and intricate connection between sexual behaviour and architecture, offering a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted factors that shape human sexuality within the context of built environments. The research is divided into six chapters, each providing a distinct perspective on the complex relationship between sexuality and the spaces we inhabit. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction, setting the stage for the study and highlighting the importance of understanding how architectural design and spatial arrangements can influence and be influenced by human sexual behaviours. Chapter 2, "Milieu and Sexed Bodies," delves into the impact of environmental stimuli on sexual arousal. By examining how architectural elements, aesthetics, and spatial configurations can elicit eroticism and arousal, this chapter sheds light on the subtle ways in which built environments interact with our intimate desires. Furthermore, it delves into the psychological aspects of fetishism and voyeurism, exploring how these sexual behaviours find expression within architectural settings. Chapter 3, titled "Sexual Behaviour," delves into the profound influence of history on human sexuality. It examines how cultural norms, religious beliefs, and social backgrounds have shaped and continue to shape sexual attitudes and behaviours across different societies and time periods. The chapter also explores the concept of polymorphous behaviour, emphasizing how architecture can create spaces that cater to diverse expressions of human sexuality. Additionally, it investigates the impact of queer spaces, highlighting the significance of inclusive design in fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for individuals with diverse sexual identities. Chapter 4 turns its attention to "Mediated Sexuality," offering a historical analysis of how various forms of media have played a pivotal role in shaping sexual attitudes and behaviours. From ancient art to contemporary pornography, this chapter explores how media representations have influenced perceptions of sexuality, and it examines the emergence of pornomodernism, a cultural phenomenon impacting both media and architectural expressions of eroticism. Moreover, it investigates how architecture has incorporated and responded to the eroticized spaces depicted in media. Chapter 5 focuses on the "Coital Environment," a fascinating aspect of architecture that intertwines with sexual behaviour. This chapter delves into the realm of sex tourism, examining how certain destinations and spaces have become associated with sexual encounters. It analyses the design and function of dedicated places for sex within architectural contexts, providing insights into the factors that influence the creation and acceptance of such spaces in different societies. Finally, Chapter 6 presents a comprehensive "Conclusion," synthesizing the key findings from the preceding chapters. It emphasizes the critical role that architecture plays in shaping human sexual behaviours and highlights the social and cultural implications of design decisions in built environments. The chapter concludes with reflections on the significance of creating inclusive and supportive spaces that celebrate and embrace diverse sexual identities and experiences, paving the way for more empathetic and human-centric architectural design in the future. In conclusion, this thesis offers a profound exploration of sexual behaviour and architecture, shedding light on the intricate interplay of environmental stimuli, historical influences, and mediated sexuality in shaping our intimate experiences within the spaces we inhabit. It serves as a valuable resource for architects, urban planners, social scientists, and anyone interested in creating environments that foster a positive and inclusive approach to human sexuality.
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Title: Health and Well-Being Benefits of Different Types of Urban Green Spaces (UGS): A Cross-Sectional Study of Communities in Chicago, U.S.
Creator: Kang, Liwen
Date: 2023
Description: There are three main interrelated areas of focus in this doctoral research related tourban green spaces (UGS): general well-being, mental and...
Show moreThere are three main interrelated areas of focus in this doctoral research related tourban green spaces (UGS): general well-being, mental and physical health. In this study, these three different health aspects were analyzed separately. The data of these three health outcomes were collected from the Healthy Chicago Survey (HCS), an annual telephone survey that interviewed adults in Chicago, U.S., based on the randomly selected addresses.Urban green spaces have been associated with better health and well-being. Theyprovide sites for physical activity, buffer air and noise pollution, and alleviate thermal discomfort. Urban green spaces also promote social interaction and increase social cohesion. However, research is limited on the health benefits of different types of UGS exposure. This research aimed to reveal the associations between the provision of different UGS types and urban residents’ general, mental, and physical health in Chicago, the third-largest city in the U.S.Urban green spaces data were collected from the National Land Cover Database(NLCD), the Meter-Scale Urban Land Cover (MULC), and the Chicago Park District (CPD). Different types of UGS were obtained, namely 1) the percent tree canopy cover (TCC) from the first database; 2) the percentage of trees and the percentage of grass from the second database; and 3) the number of parks, park areas, percentage of park areas from the third database. Using hierarchical and logistic regression models that controlled for a range of confounding factors (age, gender, race, education level, employment status, and poverty level), this study assessed which type of UGS affects general well-being, mental health, and physical health, respectively. The results indicated that increased park area was significantly associated with better perceived general health; higher percent of TCC was significantly associated with a lower level of psychological distress (PD); and increased percentage of park areas and increased number of parks were associated with lower odds of being obese. Two micro-scaled on-site observations were conducted in the Avalon Park community and the Loop community to analyze some other UGS characteristics besides quantity and availability. Other characteristics of UGS, such as quality of facilities, attractiveness, and maintenance, are suggested to be taken into consideration for future studies. The study highlights that different UGS types have various impacts on general, mental, and physical health of urban residents. By providing scientific evidence, this study may help policymakers, urban planners, landscape architects, and other related professionals to make informed decisions on maximizing the health benefits of UGS and to achieve social equity. The findings of this study may be applied to other metropolitan cities.
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