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Title: Incorporating the Structure of Tall Buildings within an Architectural Form Generation Process
Creator: Almusharaf, Ayman M.
Date: 2011-05-04, 2011-05
Description: Traditionally, the development of tall buildings’ forms was a direct product of a close and meaningful collaboration between the architect and...
Show moreTraditionally, the development of tall buildings’ forms was a direct product of a close and meaningful collaboration between the architect and structural engineer. This was particularly evident in Chicago during the Modern Era in the architectural design of tall buildings, which provided the key ingredient of architectural form–structure interaction. The quest for iconic, individualistic forms during the Postmodern Era, however, has led to the shift away from the traditional format. New approaches to design began to overemphasize aesthetics and style while paying less attention to structure and the rigorous discipline it requires. In such approaches, issues pertaining to structure are typically addressed after the fact – that is, after the architectural form is well articulated – which necessarily limits the structural design role to solving the problem rather than integrating the structural solution into the architectural concept. This has resulted in an apparent disconnect between architectural form and structure in contemporary tall buildings. To address this disconnect, this research proposes a methodological digitallybased design approach that permits direct and concurrent interaction between the structural and formal design considerations pertaining to tall buildings during the conceptual design phase. Such an approach builds on the generative capabilities offered by available parametric/associative systems and the added potential of integrating them with structural analysis and evaluation tools. Through such integration, a performance feedback loop has been initiated to guide the iterative, parametric form development. Demonstration of the design approach has been carried out based on a number of design scenarios. Such demonstration illustrated the tool’s potential for assisting architects in realizing their conceptual ideas not only visually, but also structurally and materially. The process developed in this research yields architectural forms that respond positively to structure without in any way jeopardizing the visual intent of the architectural concept. The research concludes by remarking on the validity of the proposed approach, highlighting the research’s achievements, addressing the research’s limitations, and proposing directions for future research.
Ph.D. in Architecture, May 2011
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Title: GREEN FACADES IN ARID CLIMATE: EFFECTS ON BUILDING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA
Creator: Binabid, Jamil
Date: 2017, 2017-05
Description: In recent decades, the population of Saudi Arabia has increased significantly, reaching thirty-two million in July 2016. This proliferation of...
Show moreIn recent decades, the population of Saudi Arabia has increased significantly, reaching thirty-two million in July 2016. This proliferation of residents, along with substantial economic growth, has precipitated the construction of numerous new buildings, particularly residential structures. Consequently, post-1940, with the introduction of subdivisions and setbacks, more surfaces were exposed to solar radiation, leading to rising levels of surface heat. With the growing use of air conditioning since the early 1970’s, electrical energy consumption increased, exacerbated by the poor performance of building envelopes, the common use of concrete blocks for construction and, as reported in 2013 by the Saudi Electricity Company, the fact that 70% of buildings are not thermally insulated, all of which contributes to high cooling loads and the increased use of air-conditioning to provide building occupants with the desired level of thermal comfort. In response to this trend, the Saudi government established the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (“SEEC’) in 2014, requiring that all new construction must have insulation. This policy did not, however, address the study of existing buildings in order to adopt appropriate energy-efficiency solutions. Green facades present an important and efficacious approach to meeting this need. The following research focuses on green facade design strategies, which in conjunction with thermal insulation retrofitting can significantly enhance building envelope performance on existing low-rise (one to three floors) single-family home structures in the arid climate of Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia, located in the western area in the most populated province of Mekkah. The city was selected as a case study because the residences require cooling and air-conditioning almost all year round due to low diurnal temperature variation resulting from low elevation and high humidity. Research methods included an experimental approach to understand how much solar radiation is blocked through green façade. After researching both native and nonnative plants, as well as certain vegetation properties provided from previous literature resembling evapotranspiration and thermal conductivity, Bougainvillea Glabra, Clerodendrum Inerme, Ipomoea Pes-Caprae, Jacquemontia Pentantha, and Pentalinon Luteum were chosen as the optimal plants for use in this study. Data collected from existing green façades in Jeddah during the summer season were analyzed for comparison and evaluation. In addition, energy simulation by Energy Plus was used to predict potential cooling and air-conditioning energy savings for buildings in Jeddah in respect to the differences between the types of plants and green façade systems used. Finally, the recommendations on the best design solutions for arid climate of Jeddah will be formulated and could be incorporated into the city policies and regulations from SEEC and the Municipality.
Ph.D. in Architecture, May 2017
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Title: BEYOND THE GREEN IDEAL - RESHAPING CHICAGO SOUTH LOOP
Creator: Hoeflich Brune, Vivian Eliese
Date: 2015, 2015-12
Description: Analyzing the growing metropolis, this research questions the relation between the built and open environment on its process of densification....
Show moreAnalyzing the growing metropolis, this research questions the relation between the built and open environment on its process of densification. Urban areas depend upon landscape and broader natural areas to be sustained. The current system, in which landscape is the center of extraction and production and cities centers of consumption, has an unhealthy one-direction flow of energy and materials. By linking the urban landscape, buildings, and parks, a new ecological infrastructure breaks this traditional system and can become the own natural living system of the urban environment. By preserving existing open spaces in the city and introducing new ones, this thesis explores how to increase urban density and, at the same time, create new social-ecological associations. Movement from outside city to its center resulted in urban population increase and recently is transforming the near South region of Chicago. Therefore, this study explores the introduction of a set of open spaces for collective experiences in two scales. First, is investigated the impact of inserting a new landscape infrastructure on the existing urban fabric of Chicago South Loop neighborhood. Through the study of the current site, the identification of underutilized or public lots set a framework for intervention, adding available spots into a network of open spaces that support diverse programs for the area. Rethinking the traditional urban block consists the second studied topic, exploring the relation of built and open spaces on a smaller scale. Not only the continuity to the open space infrastructure is essential for the project but also the creation of a new urban lifestyle inside one city block and its nearby areas. Being on a strategic site connected to the public transportation system and Museum Campus, the proposal works as a condensed program center. Both local neighborhood and a broader public of visitors and tourists are attended, combining a multiplicity of programs, users, built and open space typologies.
M.S. in Architecture, December 2015
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Title: SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN WITHIN CONTEMPORARY URBAN POLICY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN CHICAGO AND TAIPEI
Creator: Cheng, Chien-ke
Date: 2013, 2013-05
Description: This research and methodology develop a set of statistical measurements to evaluate sustainability – in terms of desired high urban density,...
Show moreThis research and methodology develop a set of statistical measurements to evaluate sustainability – in terms of desired high urban density, walkability for community amenity and convenience for everyday life – at the level of urban design for the cities of Chicago, USA and Taipei, Taiwan. The method, based upon GIS (Geographical Information System) technology, is used at this spatial level and for this type of academic study for the first time. The research analyzes and compares the percentage of each city’s population living within the “Quarter Mile Radius Sphere of Influence” (QMSI) for three classes of community amenities: parks, public elementary schools, and subway stations. The new and unique statistical data obtained in this thesis show a great disparity between the two cities. 1. Chicago has 31.98% of its population living within the QMSI of public elementary schools. Taipei has 49.64% of its population living within the QMSI of public elementary schools. 2. For subway stations, Chicago has only 8.09% of its population living in the QMSI, while Taipei has 25.99%. 3. For urban parks, Chicago has 44.06% of its population living in the QMSI, while Taipei has 88.80%. Further, based upon comparison, this research also discovers that the “sweet spot” areas – intersection of the QMSIs of all three community amenities – are mostly distributed along subway lines. With this indication, the research visualizes and supports the objective of improved public transit and walkability as key factors for sustainability in urban design in this case. The research also demonstrates the usefulness of GIS April 16, 2013 p.0B-xi PDD TF 0 20130416-13.doc xi technology’s new application in urban design studies for the future. The research shows that this new method has applicability for academic studies in other urban contexts, and for future international urban design and planning.
PH.D in Architecture, May 2013
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Title: THE GARDEN BLOCK: A NEW MODEL OF SUPERBLOCKS TOWARDS SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL COHESION
Creator: Sharari Alzraikat, Saly Azmi
Date: 2016, 2016-12
Description: It is said that the contemporary Chinese city is a global model of future urban development, in terms of superblocks’ development, advanced...
Show moreIt is said that the contemporary Chinese city is a global model of future urban development, in terms of superblocks’ development, advanced technological applications and accelerated expansion. However, this model’s characteristics can be perceived as its own challenges; this mono-functional gated community is built on a blank slate without taking into consideration culture, transportation and socio-ecological infrastructure, creating bedroom communities that lack social cohesion, and ecological sensitivity and awareness. A hybrid typology is a potential adaptive prototype that generates community stability, public benefit and sustainable practices. Chinese authorities proposed the "Sponge City" initiative to ensure healthy urban expansion, control water flooding and diminish pollution. By proposing a “Garden System” as a solution that responds to the "Sponge City" objectives, quality of life of the block's users can be enhanced by juxtaposing contemporary garden applications that would directly target the current superblock conditions in China, and produce a superblock model that balances the socio-ecological infrastructure with density, culture, program and context.
M.S. in Architecture, December 2016
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Title: ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TOOLS FOR ARCHITECTURAL CURRICULA
Creator: Marriott, Christine A.
Date: 2012-03-26, 2012-05
Description: This research explores the process of assessment within the arena of architectural education by questioning traditional assessment practices...
Show moreThis research explores the process of assessment within the arena of architectural education by questioning traditional assessment practices and probing into the conditions that necessitate change. As architectural educators we have opened our studios to digital technologies for the purposes of design and representation, but how do we measure and judge new approaches to design process now that the tools students are using to solve problems have changed? New tools are available that allow us to examine the design process, but now that there are these new tools, how do we exploit them without completely uprooting our traditional assessment practices? Researchers have learned a great deal about how we learn, but how can this new understanding help to improve the learning that occurs in the architectural design studio? These are the questions that this research has investigated, and with an understanding of the conditions that surround architectural education, a model for assessment has been proposed. That model integrates the technology used for design and representation with the available tools of technology for the purpose of assessment and a growing body of knowledge about the way that we learn. This model is specific to the study of architecture and the teaching and learning of design process.
Ph.D. in Architecture, May 2012
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Title: CoA Presentation on IR
Creator: Cook, Matt
Date: 11/3/2010
Description: A presentation created to market IR and DSpace to the College of Architecture

Title: An aircraft hangar and the study of long-span metal structures
Creator: Sharpe, David C. (David Carold)
Date: 1962-06
Description: The study of long-span structures developed from a design problem for an aircraft hangar. The problem of the aircraft hangar was concerned...
Show moreThe study of long-span structures developed from a design problem for an aircraft hangar. The problem of the aircraft hangar was concerned with the development of a reasonable structurtal type into an architectural solution. Several types were considered; the truss, the arch, a rigid frame system in prestressed concrete. These were discarded in favor of a rigid frame system of steel that seemed to give the best visual solution.
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Title: Analysis on the Persisting Effects of Redlining on Green Infrastructure in Chicago Neighborhoods - Neighborhood Map files
Creator: Meyer, Joel, Eshraghi, Amirreza
Date: 2023
Description: This compressed collection of map files constitutes data used in "Analysis on the Persisting Effects of Redlining on Green Infrastructure in...
Show moreThis compressed collection of map files constitutes data used in "Analysis on the Persisting Effects of Redlining on Green Infrastructure in Chicago Neighborhoods", published in SoReMo, March 2023 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.18409/soremojournal.v3i1.221). The report looks at “redlining” maps produced by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) to analyze the current green infrastructure levels in various neighborhoods of Chicago.
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