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Frederick Kiesler's Endless House was a response to the principles of functionalism that dominated architectural theory during his lifetime. The house was developed from his philosophy of correalism and his galaxial art. Correalism explains his understanding of the universe as correlating proposing an integration of technology into architecture, and galaxial art is a method for producing art based upon his idea of art as ritual. Kiesler attempted to apply his new awareness to the Endless House design. In many ways, he was successful in uniting theory and design, but the house was never built. While highlighting the work's deficiencies this fact distracts his critics causing them to overlook his actual accomplishments.

It is commonly believed that by involving the user in the design process of his dwelling unit, a higher level of satisfaction could be achieved. Attempts have been made in several countries to include users in the design process of their units using different communication media including computers. However, today computers have been implemented primarily for the use of architects. This study aims at narrowing the architect-user communication gap by using computers in multi-unit housing design. The author reviews past work in user involvement in the design process through the use of computers and the possibility of introducing computers into the North American homebuilding Industry. Through an algorithm the author will demonstrate how the communication process can take place. Two simulations were conducted in order to test the proposed system in a realistic situation. The results of the study suggest that the user is able to make his own decisions, control his budget and satisfy his needs independently within a reasonable amount of time. These results could have further positive impact on the architect, user, building industry and the built environment.

Home builders are supplying mass housing projects which are designed without taking into consideration the specific needs and expectations of residents. As well, house are not produced with enough flexibility to enable homeowners to perform easy adaptations that would express their own choices and accommodate their particular requirements. On the other hand, due to economic constraints, most first-time home buyers usually cannot afford the professional services of architects in order to have a house specifically designed to suit their needs and aspirations. / This research explores the different types of modifications that occupants of affordable single-family housing in Montreal make to their residences upon occupancy. / The survey revealed a high level of user intervention--93.6% of the residents made the modifications by themselves. This demonstrates that residents fully engage in housing adaptations when they are given the opportunity to do so, as is the case in the researched houses which offered some type of flexibility in the form of an open and unfinished basement. 108 of the 141 households took advantage of the originally unfinished basement by finishing it and adapting it to their needs and desires. / The author concludes that a house should be adaptable and flexible enough to respond to residents' demands, allowing them to adapt their living spaces according to their personal choices and requirements, as well as to personalise it. As well, the author, convinced that houses do not need to be entirely finished since residents will modify them in any event, suggests certain guidelines and provides recommendations on how affordable single-family houses in Montreal can best be designed to allow for post-occupancy adaptation and user intervention. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

This thesis examines the house as symbol of God, self, and body. This is a way to explore the expression of individuality both incorporated in, and invoked by the middle-class single family home, particularly for women. The theme, "the temple within," is intended to create a conceptual framework for the identification of activities which give the elements of the house meaning for the occupants. The elements of house, garden, hearth, entrance, windows, attic/stair/cellar, and walls and spaces, are identified through the analysis of primary sources. These are the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Competition Series stock plans from 1947 to 1963, as well as two suburban homes from the Carlington neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the appropriateness of these symbols of home as a vehicle for women's identity of self.

The housing shortage in the United States at the close of World War II led President Truman and his National Housing Expediter, Wilson W. Wyatt, Sr., to enact the Veteran's Emergency Housing Act. Enacted in the spring of 1946, one goal of the V.E.H.A. was to encourage the production of prefabricated and factory-built housing units.The Lustron Homes Corporation, founded by Carl Strandlund, was a subsidiary of Chicago Vitreous Enamel Products Company which received over $37 million from the Federal Government between 19461950, in order to manufacture standardized all-steel houses.This creative project explores the wartime and postwar housing situation across the country, and specifically, in Louisville, Kentucky. An interview with Wilson W. Wyatt, Sr. is included.The production, assembly, and sales practices of the Lustron Homes Corporation are explored through research, and through an interview with the regional salesman who represented Kentucky. Documentation and photographs of Louisville's Lustrons are included. / Department of Architecture

This thesis gives a voice to the call for a holistic approach to the preservation of commercial and particularly domestic architecture. Interior architecture is an important piece of the whole in need of consideration. Arts and Crafts interiors in the state of Indiana are considered in reference to this fact and the case studies chosen exemplify the connection between cultural history and the interior architecture and design.The Arts and Crafts Movement's philosophy worked to integrate the entire design with the surrounding site. The interior was the focus of the synthesized design and it is this emphasis that must be captured. The Midwest played an important role in the development of the Arts and Crafts Movement and central Indiana's interior residential architecture gives evidence to the movement's influential philosophy as well as social changes in the early twentieth century.An introduction to the Arts and Crafts Movement briefly discussing its history in England and the United States is provided as well as a discussion of the Movement's philosophy. Following the history is a chapter concerned with the Arts and Crafts influence in Indiana. Manufacturers and retailers are identified as well as products marketed. Architects and artisans are discussed. Next, a chapter identifies significant interior elements, furnishings, finishes and floor plans. Finally, four case studies are examined ranging from a self-built bungalow to an architect-designed estate. Floor plans, architectural features, and finishes are covered. / Department of Architecture

As China's economy continues to grow, the problem of meeting urban residents' diverse housing requirements has become more and more important for government, housing developers, and architects. In western countries, especially in European countries and Japan, the "open building" concept is increasingly recognized as an alternative to the conventional approach in the housing sector, and many projects have been built. This thesis asks whether changing the housing process in the market-based urban housing production system in China can provide new and profitable opportunities for those business types which already set the stage for open building implementation in selected parts of the Chinese urban housing market.The thesis first studies China's urban housing development history and the current housing market. The changing roles of housing consumers and the characteristics of the market-based urban housing production system indicate that the open building process might be useful at least in some parts of the Chinese housing market.The second focus of this thesis is a study of a townhouse, one of four popular housing types in China. A townhouse in the market is chosen as a reference to demonstrate the principles of the open building process, showing the design and technical possibilities for this method in that context.The third focus is the study of an existing decoration company with successful experience in residential projects and an attempt to show that the open building approach is a possible outgrowth of an already operating process.In conclusion, the thesis seeks to demonstrate that open building will not only benefit companies and housing consumers in China's urban housing sector, but also promote the development of sustainability in the residential sector. / Department of Architecture

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / Department of Architecture