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What will our future cities, public buildings or homes look like and how will they be constructed? Given the climate challenges of today it is clear that we cannot continue to waste material in the same pace as we have done historically, and one way to reduce the impact on the environment is to keep the materials in use for as long as possible. We all know that concrete has a high impact on the environment and it is actually the second most used substance in the world after water, and the most widely used building material by far. Obviously it is best to never demolish buildings but in cases where demolition or major alterations is necessary, reuse of the building material is key for a sustainable industry. This will have an impact on how buildings are demolished, designed and built. For this diploma project explores what would happen if we instead of crushing obsolete concrete structures could cut them into smaller pieces and build something new out of it.

The city block may be seen as the fabric of the urban environment. It is often a compacted form, divided only by changing facades and party walls. Boxes all in rows. There is an inescapable sense of enclosure. Architecture has the potential to unlock the box, allowing interaction between inside and out. The opening, be it a window, skylight, or void, becomes the way that the interior and exterior inform one another. The opening must not only relate to the street and city, but also to the sky and sun. It is an intangible element, created by the form and material that reside in proximity to it. Experiencing the intangible allows a connection to be made with the nature of the site. The opening, generated by form, mass, and material, in turn generates, through visual interaction and the play of light, space that informs and transcends. / Master of Architecture

In doing research for the documentation of the Huntley Meadows Plantation for public record at the Library of Congress and assessing a possible use for this site for the Friends of Huntley, i saw a humble little piece of Virginian history decaying and being swept away by sprawling development. Sufficient research of historical American architecture is important to determine whether it has cultural or architectural significance. This thesis does not provide a solution to this problem of preserving architecture. It is a case study for preserving and reactivating Huntley Meadows Plantation and Huntley Meadows Park through adaptive reuse and renovation. / Master of Architecture

1,4-dioxane is a probable human carcinogen frequently found in water and wastewater systems at concentrations above the EPA one-in-one-million cancer risk level of 0.35 ug/L. 1,4-dioxane is not well removed through conventional treatment methods due to its polarity and resistance to biodegradation, especially when present at low (μg/L) concentrations. Cometabolic degradation of 1,4-dioxane has been achieved in groundwater remediation by stimulating bacteria carrying cyclic ether-degrading soluble diiron monooxygenases (SDIMOs) through the addition of simple alkane gases, such as propane. A recent pilot-scale study demonstrated that addition of such co-substrates prior to biological active filtration (BAF) holds potential as a novel potable reuse treatment approach that can effectively remove 1,4-dioxane. Characterization of the microbial communities associated with propane-induced cometabolism of 1,4-dioxane has largely been limited to culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-dependent methods, which are highly limited in throughput, generally providing information about one organism or one gene at a time. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing is a high-throughput nontargeted means of broadly profiling microbial taxa and functional genes involved in various metabolic processes. In this thesis, methods for DNA extraction from granular activated carbon applied to full-scale BAF amended with propane for the purpose of 1,4-dioxane cometabolism were optimized and metagenomic sequencing was performed. Insights were gained into the microbes and functional genes involved in 1,4-dioxane biodegradation, furthering our understanding of a potentially powerful new water reuse treatment technology that effectively polishes recalcitrant contaminants. / Master of Science / Water reuse systems use advanced wastewater treatment technologies to treat wastewater to such high standards that it can even be used as a source for drinking water. Expanding water reuse is a vital means of protecting water resources, but the treatments can be very costly. Biofiltration is a reuse treatment technology in which water is filtered through media - such as activated carbon - that is commonly used in household filtration systems, providing surface area for the growth of beneficial microorganisms that can naturally biodegrade contaminants in the water. Some contaminants are more difficult to degrade than others, especially trace levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. One common manufacturing ingredient that ends up in wastewater and is difficult to biodegrade is 1,4-dioxane, a compound that is potentially carcinogenic to humans at μg/L concentrations when consumed via drinking water over a lifetime. It was recently discovered that adding propane to a biofilter can help to improve biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane down to very low levels. Propane acts as a co-metabolite, i.e., providing a food source on which 1,4-dioxane-degrading bacteria can thrive. In this study, DNA sequencing technology was applied to help identify the bacteria that are responsible for co-metabolic degradation of 1,4-dioxane in a granular activated carbon biofilter. The research was conducted at a demonstration-scale research facility that is investigating innovative ways to treat wastewater to levels that are suitable for recharging a groundwater aquifer that is used as a drinking water source. The main contributions of this study include an optimized protocol for obtaining DNA from the BAF media for DNA sequencing and new insight into the bacteria and enzymes involved in co-metabolic degradation of 1,4-dioxane.

A cada dia a disputa pelo uso da água entre os diversos setores aumenta gerando sérios conflitos entre os usuários. Para minimizar a crise da água, tem-se desenvolvido técnicas, estudos, projetos e medidas que visem a proteção e conservação dos recursos disponíveis. Neste contexto, a possibilidade de substituição de parte da água potável, para usos menos restritivos, por uma de qualidade inferior está cada vez mais em evidência. No entanto, a falta de regulamentação específica sobre o assunto pode trazer conseqüências indesejáveis como riscos à saúde pública e ao meio ambiente, criação de práticas inadequadas; conflitos de competências e de interesses e, até, o descrédito da prática do reúso de água por parte da população. Este trabalho visa propor as variáveis de qualidade e seus respectivos limites para água de reúso urbano não potável de modo a garantir que esta prática seja viável e segura. Para tanto, são apresentados os potenciais usos urbanos da água de reúso e os riscos associados; as experiências internacionais e nacionais dos programas de reúso; a legislação e diretrizes existentes. Com base na pesquisa concluiu-se que a qualidade da água está relacionada aos perigos do reúso de água, contaminação química e contaminação microbiológica, sendo esta a mais relevante. Desta forma, definiu-se como variáveis de controle: os coliformes termotolerantes que indicam a contaminação por microorganismos patogênicos; de sólidos dissolvidos totais que causam danos materiais como incrustação e corrosão; da matéria orgânica que pode causar o ressurgimento dos microorganismos e aumentar o consumo do agente de desinfecção; da turbidez que interfere no processo da desinfecção; do cloro residual que deverá garantir a eliminação dos organismos patogênicos e garantir um residual para evitar o ressurgimento de bactérias. / Every day the dispute for the use of water between the sectors increases creating serious conflicts between the users. To minimize the water crisis, several options have been looked for through development of techniques, studies, projects and measures that seek the protection and conservation of the available resources. In this context, the possibility of replacing part of the potable water for one of lower quality is more and more in evidence. However, the lack of specific regulation on the issue can bring undesirable consequences as risk to public health and to the environment; creation of inadequate practices; conflicts of competences and of interests; and mainly the precipitate condemnation of water reuse from part of the population. This paper aims to propose the variables and quality of their water limits for urban non-potable reuse in order to ensure that this practice is feasible and safe. For that, are presented the potential uses of reuse water and the associate risks; the national and international experiences of reuse programs; the existing legislation and guidelines; and proposed quality criteria for the reuse water seeking a safe practice. Each one of these items will be evaluated and then the quality criteria will be proposed as well as their concentration for urban reuse. Based on the research concluded that water quality is related to the dangers of reuse of water contamination, chemical and microbiological contamination, which is the more relevant. Thus, it was defined as control variables of the limits of the thermotolerant coliforms that indicate the contamination by pathogenic microorganisms; of total dissolved solids that cause incrustation and corrosion problems; of organic matter that can cause the resurgence of the microorganisms; of the turbidity that interferes in the disinfection process; of the residual chlorine that must guarantee the elimination of pathogenic organisms.

This thesis topic is the evaluation of recycled water in Crete, Greece. Recycled water is a derivative of fresh water and as such it can be regarded as a good of a similar nature to fresh water (at least for some of its uses such as irrigation). The departure point for this research was given by specific articles and principles of the 60/2000 Water Framework Directive. According to them, recycled water evaluation can be viewed as a corollary of this directive. Since Crete is a European region with intense water shortage problems, this was a good opportunity to apply the suggestions of the directive: solve the problem of water shortage internally (i. e. in Crete, with the island's own means and plans, since Crete can be regarded as a single river basin district), make the most of marginal waters while at the same time enhancing the environment. The evaluation of recycled water has been implemented through the involvement of two distinctive groups of people: farmers and consumers. Therefore, on the one hand, the research asks farmers whether they would be willing to use recycled water of certain qualities for the irrigation of olive trees and tomatoes and on the other hand, the research asks consumers whether they would be willing to use and pay for food products irrigated with recycled water. Results show there is social acquiescence on recycled water usage. This is confirmed by the correspondence of willingness to use recycled water between farmers and consumers. Conclusions from the willingness to use and willingness to pay models provide useful pricing and marketing signals for recycled water. Besides the evaluation of recycled water, another part of the research dealt with the role water plays in the production of olive oil and the confirmation of irrigation water shortages.

A cada dia a disputa pelo uso da água entre os diversos setores aumenta gerando sérios conflitos entre os usuários. Para minimizar a crise da água, tem-se desenvolvido técnicas, estudos, projetos e medidas que visem a proteção e conservação dos recursos disponíveis. Neste contexto, a possibilidade de substituição de parte da água potável, para usos menos restritivos, por uma de qualidade inferior está cada vez mais em evidência. No entanto, a falta de regulamentação específica sobre o assunto pode trazer conseqüências indesejáveis como riscos à saúde pública e ao meio ambiente, criação de práticas inadequadas; conflitos de competências e de interesses e, até, o descrédito da prática do reúso de água por parte da população. Este trabalho visa propor as variáveis de qualidade e seus respectivos limites para água de reúso urbano não potável de modo a garantir que esta prática seja viável e segura. Para tanto, são apresentados os potenciais usos urbanos da água de reúso e os riscos associados; as experiências internacionais e nacionais dos programas de reúso; a legislação e diretrizes existentes. Com base na pesquisa concluiu-se que a qualidade da água está relacionada aos perigos do reúso de água, contaminação química e contaminação microbiológica, sendo esta a mais relevante. Desta forma, definiu-se como variáveis de controle: os coliformes termotolerantes que indicam a contaminação por microorganismos patogênicos; de sólidos dissolvidos totais que causam danos materiais como incrustação e corrosão; da matéria orgânica que pode causar o ressurgimento dos microorganismos e aumentar o consumo do agente de desinfecção; da turbidez que interfere no processo da desinfecção; do cloro residual que deverá garantir a eliminação dos organismos patogênicos e garantir um residual para evitar o ressurgimento de bactérias. / Every day the dispute for the use of water between the sectors increases creating serious conflicts between the users. To minimize the water crisis, several options have been looked for through development of techniques, studies, projects and measures that seek the protection and conservation of the available resources. In this context, the possibility of replacing part of the potable water for one of lower quality is more and more in evidence. However, the lack of specific regulation on the issue can bring undesirable consequences as risk to public health and to the environment; creation of inadequate practices; conflicts of competences and of interests; and mainly the precipitate condemnation of water reuse from part of the population. This paper aims to propose the variables and quality of their water limits for urban non-potable reuse in order to ensure that this practice is feasible and safe. For that, are presented the potential uses of reuse water and the associate risks; the national and international experiences of reuse programs; the existing legislation and guidelines; and proposed quality criteria for the reuse water seeking a safe practice. Each one of these items will be evaluated and then the quality criteria will be proposed as well as their concentration for urban reuse. Based on the research concluded that water quality is related to the dangers of reuse of water contamination, chemical and microbiological contamination, which is the more relevant. Thus, it was defined as control variables of the limits of the thermotolerant coliforms that indicate the contamination by pathogenic microorganisms; of total dissolved solids that cause incrustation and corrosion problems; of organic matter that can cause the resurgence of the microorganisms; of the turbidity that interferes in the disinfection process; of the residual chlorine that must guarantee the elimination of pathogenic organisms.