High-rise residential tower is an inevitable and prevalent building type in high-density areas such as China. Because of the large population such buildings accommodate, improving the quality of people's lives in these towers has significant meaning. One of the important problems in such environments is the loss of identity of individual homes. This occurs because living spaces cannot fit individual families' unique and changing physical and spiritual needs. People can identify their lives and express their individual values in their homes in only the most meager ways. Consequently, people and their communities suffer deeply for the loss of identity of individual homes.The first focus of this thesis is to bring the question of individual control into light with the issue of identity of individual homes. Identity of any built environment results from the interplay of both shared values and individual values. In an identifiable and accommodating environment, both value sets should be in balance, over time. In high-rise residential towers, individual values are hardly presented because of the lack of individual control. So the radical way to establish identity of individual homes is to enable individual control in the building process.The second focus of this thesis is a study in architectural design of the distribution of control in such high-rise environments. Two kinds of individual controls are assumed and distributed: the control of the dwelling layouts and the control of dwelling unit facades. To enable these tow configurations of parts to be subject to individual control, propositions for setting up a new balance between centrally controlled parts and individually controlled parts in high-rise residential towers are put forward.To demonstrate these propositions, a specific high-rise residential tower in Beijing is redesigned to the solution of technical problems, regulatory issues and conventions when control is distributed. Individual control of both the dwelling layouts and the facades are simulated in a methodical way.Finally, notes about supportive products and management techniques, broader developments in other types of high-rise buildings, and the cultivation of shared values out of individual values are offered. / Department of Architecture

The focus of this creative project is the interior rehabilitation of Renaissance Place, a historic alley-type structure in Downtown Muncie, Indiana, circa. 1895. The emphasis is on the rehabilitation of three of the six units with sensitivity to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Digital lighting studies of the interior space are completed for different times of the year by using a program called Accurender 3. The techniques and products introduced through this project will be presented to the owner. The final product is also intended to be inspirational for other individuals rehabilitating similar structures with desire to incorporate ADA and LEED guidelines. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 140-149).

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 140-149) Also available in print.

Ho Sin Sze, Celia. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2009-2010, design report." / "May 2010." / Includes bibliographical references.

Lam Kwai Pui, Patrick. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2009-2010, design report." / "May 2010." / Chapter 0.0 --- Abstract / [Introduction] / Chapter 1.0 --- Inspiration / Chapter 1.1 --- "Theory - ""a city is not a tree""" / Chapter 1.2 --- Theory - Symbiosis / Chapter 1.3 --- Buffer zone in nature- Rock / Chapter 2.0 --- Issue / Chapter 2.1 --- Urban Phenomenon / Chapter 2.2 --- Problematic aspects / [Research] / Chapter 3.0 --- Precedent Studies / Chapter 3.1 --- Contextual Figure and Ground / Chapter 3.2 --- Planar Proportion and Dimension / Chapter 3.3 --- Planar Programme / Chapter 3.4 --- Sectional Proportion and Dimension / Chapter 3.5 --- Sectional Programme / Chapter 3.6 --- Photo / Chapter 4.0 --- Waterway analysis / Chapter 5.0 --- Environmental analysis / Chapter 5.1 --- Hong Kong Natural coastal Typology / Chapter 5.2 --- Under Sea Contour / Chapter 5.3 --- Tidal change and Typhoon surge / Chapter 6.0 --- Site Intervention / Chapter 6.1 --- Waterfront Accessibility / Chapter 6.2 --- Transportation / Chapter 6.3 --- Public Amenities and Greenery / [Design] / Chapter 7.0 --- Grid Layout / Chapter 7.1 --- Grid Transformation / Chapter 7.2 --- Adaptation to Waterfront Geometry' / Chapter 8.0 --- Urban Structure / Chapter 8.1 --- "Fabric, Network & Programme Distribution" / Chapter 8.2 --- Sectional Network System / Chapter 8.3 --- Overall Geometry Definition / Chapter 8.4 --- Overall Network Definition / Chapter 9.0 --- Houisng Form & Sunligt Hour / Chapter 9.1 --- Generic Development Problems / Chapter 9.2 --- Criteria Setting / Chapter 9.3 --- Strategy to Waterfront Context / Chapter 9.4 --- Strategy to public open space / Chapter 9.5 --- Strategy to Communal open space & Street / Chapter 9.6 --- Final Result / Chapter 9.7 --- Integration with Diamond Grid / Chapter 9.8 --- Integration Final Result / Chapter 10.0 --- Design Development / Chapter 10.1 --- Territorial scale Planar Justification / Chapter 10.2 --- Fabric scale Planar Justification / Chapter 10.3 --- Fabric scale Sectional Justification / Chapter 10.4 --- Building scale Planar Justification / Chapter 10.5 --- 1:2000 Conceptual Model / Chapter 10.6 --- 1:1000 Study Model / Chapter 10.7 --- 1:500 Fabric Model / Chapter 10.8 --- 1:200 Housing Model

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma avaliação dos sistemas construtivos de casas de madeira baseadas no sistema Light Wood Frame, aplicados na região de Curitiba, Paraná. Foram realizadas entrevistas com empresas que utilizam o sistema construtivo Light Wood Frame. Foi utilizado um questionário com perguntas diretas e questões abertas relativas à produção, recursos materiais e tempo de produção. A conclusão foi de que o uso de madeira em tecnologia de construção de habitação é uma solução adequada e que o sistema Light Wood Frame é uma alternativa construtiva eco-eficiente, porque otimiza processos construtivos, utiliza-se de materiais recicláveis e/ou renováveis, e diminui desperdícios na obra, fornecendo soluções para problemas relacionados com a eficiência energética, sustentabilidade e habitação limpa no Brasil. Para um bom desempenho na aplicação de madeira para construção de moradias tornar-se uma realidade, a produção brasileira no sistema precisa ser submetida à normalização e regulamentos, para aumentar a produtividade dos sistemas existentes e incentivar a construção em madeira no Brasil. / The present study aims to conduct an assessment of building systems of wooden houses based in Light Wood Frame system, applied in Curitiba, Paraná. Interviews were conducted with companies that use system constructive Light Wood Frame in Brazil, more specifically in the region of Curitiba, Paraná. It was used a questionnaire with direct questions and open questions concerning production, material resources and production time. The conclusion was that the use of wood in housing construction technology is an appropriate solution and the system Light Wood Frame is a constructive alternative eco-efficient, because provides solutions to problems related to energy efficiency, sustainability and clean housing in Brazil. To a good performance in use of wood for houses to become a reality, the Brazilian production system needs to be submitted for standardization and regulations to increase the productivity of existing systems.

The Integrated Apartment Management System (IAMS) is a web-based system that allows tenants to make appointments with repairmen on line and notify both apartment managers and repairmen of appointments through an email directly from IAMS. IAMS also keeps a database of appointments, repairs, and payments that can be accessed by tenants, repairmen, and apartment managers.

In the past 30 years the size of new houses has varied considerably with a general trend to larger houses. These larger houses use more materials in their construction and consume more energy to heat and cool than a more compact house would. Meanwhile, the amount of resources that are available have not increased, and the environmental condition of the planet has become more and more tenuous. To end this trend of larger houses that make inefficient use of natural resources, architects need to design houses that are smaller and use energy more efficiently. By building houses more in tune with the natural rhythms of the sun and seasons the home becomes more energy efficient and can take better advantage of the natural energy supply available from the sun. Such a house will have less of an impact on the environment and keep the residents in touch with natural cycle of life. With this project I have addressed these issues and have designed a row of houses that provide a meaningful place to live that is also in tune with the environment. As with any project, I have found the answers to many questions and I have also discovered new ideas to develop further / Master of Architecture

The thesis of this project focuses on some possibilities for present day interpretation of the prairie style as it relates to the third dimension i.e. trying to use Frank Lloyd Wright as a departure point for my personal design explorations. I consider this thesis project to be an important step in the ongoing process of my personal development as an architect looking for some new ideas in the realm of the third dimension. / Master of Architecture