Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1975. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 1945. / Includes bibliographical references. Expanded book length manuscript also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of California, Berkeley, 1915. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 3-4).

Thesis (M.A.)--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 27-28).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1973. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1975. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

The topic of people's overall health and happiness has been gaining increased attention and press in recent years. Evidence that `happy people live longer' has been given by many studies that investigate the contributions of subjective well-being (SWB) to health and longevity. Some studies have explored areas that may contribute to SWB such as health care systems, eating habits, and physical attributes among other factors. As one of a designer's primary responsibilities is to promote the welfare of their clients, it is reasonable to assume that it is also a designers' responsibility to investigate and add useful information to the body of knowledge about SWB and its potential connections to the built environment. As advocates for healthier environments it seems logical to research the living environments of societies that report an elevated state of SWB to evaluate how their values are expressed in their living environments. Further, could the manifestations of those expressions be a contributor to their elevated sense of well-being? Global-scope surveys of SWB consistently identify residents of the Nordic countries as the happiest and healthiest in the world. These elusive societies are often noted as the most progressive in areas such as technology and education; however, little is published about how they live. This thesis reveals findings from exploratory research into Nordic peoples' traditions and habits that are related to their welfare and elevated SWB. The research specifically evaluates how these traditions and habits are expressed in their living environments. In so doing, the study identifies residential elements that contribute to the perceptions of elevated SWB. The literary findings coupled with the qualitative research findings may add to the interior designer's body of knowledge regarding improved welfare, an important but also sometimes neglected element of the health-safety-welfare paradigm. The intent of this study was to discover the main cultural values of Nordic society and explore the physical manifestation of those values with-in the built environment to understand how they relate to residents' elevated levels of SWB. The researcher chose residential homes as a starting point for a series of studies which will include the exploration of SWB in regards to other built environments such as commercial buildings. Future studies will also include comparative analysis with other countries. Chapter 4 showcases living environment features and norms gathered from extensive interviews. The interviews with Nordic residents and the photographic documentation provided in answer to the research questions can be used by design educators to teach their students about global populations and the contributors to an elevated state of well-being. The examples and conclusions from the study may also help designers and educators expand their understanding of SWB and the living environment. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Summer Semester, 2012. / May 23, 2012. / built environment, living environment, mental health, Nordic, subjective well being, well being / Includes bibliographical references. / Jill Pable, Professor Directing Thesis; Marlo Ransdell, Committee Member; Eric Wiedegreen, Committee Member.

Priorities for office environment continue to evolve. As people spend significant time at work, the need for employee satisfaction is increasingly important. This thesis provides a possible solution to increase satisfaction in an underground office environment. These environments often lack in windows, or a view, and most often, a negative perception is associated with them. The creation of this study's design for a scientific company that grows experimental plants underground aims to address negative perceptions of such spaces in order to speak to workers' health and well being in the absence of above ground windows. This project's original research analyzes the viability of various types of views and nature contact that are feasible to be placed in an underground working environment. These findings become groundwork for design considerations, which drive final design decisions in the project's design solution. The goal is to create an exciting and welcoming underground office, which attends to the need for views as well as increasing employee satisfaction. / A Thesis submitted to the College of Visual Arts, Theater, and Dance in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Summer Semester, 2012. / June 22, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references. / Jill Pable, Professor Directing Thesis; Marlo Ransdell, Committee Member; Jim Dawkins, Committee Member.

Consensus building is a mediation approach in the field of conflict resolution. It involves a neutral third-party facilitator leading stakeholders through a dialogue process to help them develop mutually agreed-upon solutions to their problems (United Nations, 2011). Effective communication in a consensus building process is key to a successful outcome (Susskind, McKearnen, & Thomas-Larmer, 1999), and multiple experts across diverse fields of study stress the fact that communication is profoundly impacted by the built environment in which it is occurs (Lewin, 1936; Rappoport, 1982; Gudykunst & Kim, 1984; Rodriguez, 2005). It stands to reason, then, that the design of the built environment in which consensus building is occurring may impact the success of the communication, and ultimately the success of developing solutions to conflict. When examining scholarly conflict resolution literature specifically written for professional mediators, however, there is little systematic discussion of the built environment and its potential impact on communication and consensus building outcomes. Mediation expert Suzanne Ghais (2005) notes that her recommendations for addressing interior considerations come solely from personal experience and oral tradition among practitioners. This author's study therefore seeks to identify interior environment qualities or features that enhance consensus building in Western societies. That is, the study's goal is to generate guidelines for dispute professionals that aid them in selecting and/or modifying interior spaces for successful consensus building processes and events. Additionally, the study may be assistive to design professionals responsible for creating such supportive spaces. Twelve environmental aspects emerged from the review of literature that likely influence communication and behavior within a space, including symbolic meaning; personal space; space planning; materials and finishes; windows and views of nature; lighting; indoor air quality and odor; ambient temperature; sound and noise; auxiliary spaces; security, safety and surveillance; and environmental control. The study used quantitative and qualitative data gathering and organization methods in a two-phased process involving 476 members of the Association for Conflict Resolution, the largest trade organization of dispute professionals in North America (Association for Conflict Resolution, 2012). Respondents assessed and verified the potential impact of each of the proposed twelve aspects on communication in a consensus building process, identified key factors that related to each, and proposed additional or alternative categories based on their personal professional experience. Results showed that each of the twelve environmental aspects was valued by participants, and that each of the aspects can exert at least some influence on consensus building processes. No additional or alternative environmental categories were identified within the scope of interior design that may influence consensus building. Particularly assistive is the emergence of eight themes that potentially may be used as a guideline for assessing the twelve interior environment aspects in a space used for consensus building. They are: a lack of distractions; comfort; confidentiality; safety; positive tone; parity; support of space planning logistics; and flexibility. The establishment of environmental guidelines for conflict resolution may ultimately assist in an increased likelihood of unhindered communication that is the foundation to successful consensus building. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Summer Semester, 2012. / June 29, 2012. / Conflict, Consensus, Design, Environment, Interior, Resolution / Includes bibliographical references. / Jill Pable, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa Waxman, Committee Member; Peter Munton, Committee Member.