Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1981. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references. / The following thesis weaves together three major themes. First, it is a design investigation of architectural continuity across scales, seeking to identify principles and attitudes by which design decisions at every level can reinforce one another and produce a rich and understandable whole. Second, I use my own experiences in the Maine woods as an example of how the natural world can be a useful reference for the built environment. Finally, the work is an attempt to integrate those two themes through an understanding of architecture as language and composition. The design itself is a series of studies for a Friends (Quaker) Meetinghouse and Center of approximately 14,000 square feet. The design uses the site of the present Cambridge Meeting on Longfellow Court, in Cambridge. / by Jay H. Weber. / M.Arch.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1981. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 147-148). / This is a study of the ways in which the forms in landscapes - natural terrain adapted and inhabited - can serve as references in architectural design. As references for design, landscapes provide a richness of responses to local and evolutionary factors and a richness of associations which are central to our own identity and the identity of places or regions. In this thesis several perspectives on ways in which landscapes serve as references are analyzed. The landscape and surrounding context of each particular site importantly define its character and offer significant references for forms to be extended or generated. More broadly, landscapes can be viewed as sources for forms which can be transposed in multiple ways; the ultimate test of their value being whether they provide habitable, usable spaces. Landscapes can also be studied for the associations which they bring. These associations may explain feelings which we have about the quality and character of places . A series of principles for design are proposed. These principles reflect convergence amongst the several perspectives on how landscapes can serve as references and constitute a collection of suggestions for design. The principles are organized along a continuum of "forms", "processes of addition and change", and "associative qualities". Design studies for a site along the Neponset River at the south edge of Boston have been undertaken to aid in the development of the principles and illustrate their application. A mix of uses and building methods have been studied. The site for the studies is near the village center known as Lower Mills. The natural topography, the river's transition from narrow rapids to open estuary, and the historic collection of industrial buildings form a landscape rich in references and associations. / by James P. Batchelor. / M.Arch.

O setor da construção civil é o maior e o que mais consome recursos em qualquer economia, considerando todas as suas fases, desde a fabricação de materiais até a ocupação e demolição. No Brasil, os edifícios são responsáveis por cerca de 50% do consumo de eletricidade e por 21% do consumo de água. Na cidade de São Paulo, a maior do país, o mercado imobiliário residencial é o principal mercado da construção e, por consequência, responsável por impactos socioambientais compatíveis. Desde 2007, ferramentas de certificação Green Building (internacionais e nacionais) ganharam força no mercado brasileiro, com destaque para os empreendimentos comerciais e de serviços. A partir de 2010, foram criados sistemas de avaliação voltados exclusivamente ao setor residencial, que ainda pouco explora o conceito de sustentabilidade nos projetos e canteiros de obra. Com base em um estudo detalhado do mercado da construção civil e das ferramentas de avaliação e normas técnicas brasileiras, foi possível definir 29 requisitos de sustentabilidade para a concepção e o desenvolvimento de projetos residenciais multifamiliares na cidade de São Paulo. Os requisitos (qualitativos) se desdobram em critérios (quantitativos) e devem servir de ferramenta para incorporadores e projetistas (com ênfase no arquiteto), durante a concepção e o desenvolvimento do projeto, incluindo a escolha do terreno e a especificação de materiais e sistemas. Abrangendo temas importantes como conectividade urbana, áreas verdes, uso racional de água, eficiência energética, materiais de menor impacto ambiental, gestão de resíduos, conforto ambiental e acessibilidade, os requisitos e critérios, uma vez adotados em projetos, resultarão em melhor desempenho econômico, ambiental e social do edifício ao longo de toda a sua vida útil, reduzindo as emissões de CO2, os custos operacionais e a exploração de recursos naturais, além de melhorar a qualidade de vida dos usuários. Entretanto, esta deve ser entendida como uma abordagem inicial, visto que ainda há muito a se pensar quando o assunto é sustentabilidade na habitação e a participação de todas as partes interessadas nesse processo de mudança (governo, incorporadores, construtores, projetistas, fabricantes de materiais e equipamentos, pesquisadores, consultores e consumidores) é de fundamental importância. / The civil construction sector is the biggest resources consumer in any economy, considering all phases, from the material fabrication to the occupation and demolition. In Brazil, buildings are responsible for 50% of electricity consumption and 21% of water consumption. In São Paulo city, the largest in the country, the residential property market is the main construction market and, therefore, responsible for compatible social-environmental impacts. Since 2007, Green Building certifications (international and national) became relevant in Brazilian market with highlights for commercial and service enterprises. In 2010, some evaluation systems were created exclusively for the residential sector, which is still less explored in terms of sustainability during design phase and construction sites. Based on detailed study of the civil construction market, evaluation tools and Brazilian technical Standards, it was possible to define 29 sustainability requirements for the conception and development of multifamily residential projects in São Paulo city. The requirements (qualitative) were translated into criteria (quantitative) and shall be used as a tool for developers and designers (with emphasis on the architect) during the conception and project development, including site selection and material and systems specifications. Covering very important issues such as urban connectivity, green areas, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials with less environmental impact, waste management, environmental comfort and accessibility, the requirements and criteria, once applied in projects, will result in a better economic, environmental and social performance of the buildings throughout its lifetime, decreasing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, operational cost and natural resource exploration and also improving the user´s life quality. However, this should be understood as an initial approach, since there it still plenty to be thought when it comes to sustainability in dwellings and the participation of all stakeholders in this process of change (government, developers, builders, designers, materials and equipment manufacturers, researchers, consultant and consumers) is extremely important.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 212-221).

Information technology offers many tools for promoting collaboration and communication in architectural design. A growing number of companies and individuals are adopting computer-based techniques to facilitate remote collaboration between geographically distributed teams. Thus, it is important to investigate the use of technology in developing collaborative tools for architects, especially as required training in architectural education. This research explores the feasibility of augmenting communication in the design studio using a web-based collaboration tool. A prototype was developed for an integrated system that allows for streaming media, real-time collaboration, and multi-way video, audio and text messaging, tailored specifically to the needs of a distributed architectural design studio. The Collaborative Online Architectural Design Studio (COADS) is based on a three-tier client-server structure consisting of an interface tier, an application-logic tier and a data tier. COADS allows role-based participation for students and teachers, facilitating collaboration over design sketches and presentations using personal computers equipped with a microphone and a web-cam. The system was developed and subjected to usability testing in a design studio consisting of graduate-level students of architecture. The participants were required to use COADS for conducting peer evaluations of designs for their class project and subsequently, to answer a questionnaire assessing the usability of the system. The analysis showed that COADS has definite advantages as a tool to augment communication in the design studio. The biggest advantage was that participants could get immediate feedback about their designs from their peers, irrespective of their location. COADS was also relatively easy to set up on end-user machines and provided an integrated point for accessing relevant studio resources from a single location. The disadvantages were mostly due to the limitations of the hardware on end-user machines such as small screen sizes, low quality microphones and web-cams. Further, the collaborative whiteboard within COADS lacked essential tools, such as pan/zoom and erase/undo tools, which reduced its usability. In conclusion, systems such as COADS can effectively augment communication within the architectural design studio. However, they need to be integrated closely with the course structure, right from the introductory stage of the project to the final presentation stage.

Beginning with the study of type, house typologies, manufactured houses, and structure classification, this thesis proposes the design and fabrication of a hybrid structural insulated panel (SIP) and laminated-stud (Lam) framing system developed using contemporary three-dimensional modeling techniques and digital production methodology. Included within are prototypes, assembly diagrams, and structural tests of the proposed Cannoli Framing System (CFS) as well as three speculative Turnstijl houses whose systematic variation demonstrates the flexibility and scalability of the proposed system. In essence, this is the design of a framing typology capable of structural and formal variability to a degree that has previously been neither feasible nor affordable.

The aim of this study is to examine the role of &lsquo / Turkish Disaster Regulations&rsquo / on architectural design. Although the preliminary aim of Turkish disaster regulations is to provide knowledge for designers and builders to control structural and constructional system of buildings that can resist disasters in the pre-disaster period, these regulations can create some restrictions for architects in their design process. Following an analytical examinations of Turkish disaster regulations that have been developed continuously after different disaster experiences for years from an architectural view, the focus will be given to the 2007 disaster regulation called &lsquo / Specification for Buildings to be Built in Earthquake Areas&rsquo / in order to evaluate critically the limitations of those regulations for architects in their design process. Furthermore, seven types of irregular buildings that are mentioned in 2007 disaster regulation will be examined and discussed in detail.

The aim of this study is to examine the role of &lsquo / Turkish Disaster Regulations&rsquo / on architectural design. Although the preliminary aim of Turkish disaster regulations is to provide knowledge for designers and builders to control structural and constructional system of buildings that can resist disasters in the pre-disaster period, these regulations can create some restrictions for architects in their design process. Following an analytical examinations of Turkish disaster regulations that have been developed continiously after different disaster experiences for years from an architectural view, the focus will be given to the 2007 disaster regulation called &lsquo / Specification for Buildings to be Built in Earthquake Areas&rsquo / in order to evaluate critically the limitations of those regulations for architects in their design process. Furthermore, seven types of irregular buildings that are mentioned in 2007 disaster regulation will be examined and discussed in detail.

Information technology offers many tools for promoting collaboration and communication in architectural design. A growing number of companies and individuals are adopting computer-based techniques to facilitate remote collaboration between geographically distributed teams. Thus, it is important to investigate the use of technology in developing collaborative tools for architects, especially as required training in architectural education. This research explores the feasibility of augmenting communication in the design studio using a web-based collaboration tool. A prototype was developed for an integrated system that allows for streaming media, real-time collaboration, and multi-way video, audio and text messaging, tailored specifically to the needs of a distributed architectural design studio. The Collaborative Online Architectural Design Studio (COADS) is based on a three-tier client-server structure consisting of an interface tier, an application-logic tier and a data tier. COADS allows role-based participation for students and teachers, facilitating collaboration over design sketches and presentations using personal computers equipped with a microphone and a web-cam. The system was developed and subjected to usability testing in a design studio consisting of graduate-level students of architecture. The participants were required to use COADS for conducting peer evaluations of designs for their class project and subsequently, to answer a questionnaire assessing the usability of the system. The analysis showed that COADS has definite advantages as a tool to augment communication in the design studio. The biggest advantage was that participants could get immediate feedback about their designs from their peers, irrespective of their location. COADS was also relatively easy to set up on end-user machines and provided an integrated point for accessing relevant studio resources from a single location. The disadvantages were mostly due to the limitations of the hardware on end-user machines such as small screen sizes, low quality microphones and web-cams. Further, the collaborative whiteboard within COADS lacked essential tools, such as pan/zoom and erase/undo tools, which reduced its usability. In conclusion, systems such as COADS can effectively augment communication within the architectural design studio. However, they need to be integrated closely with the course structure, right from the introductory stage of the project to the final presentation stage.