This thesis explores the notion of site as a generative basis for architecture. Site is conceived not only as a plot of land where a building is located, but also as something that is the result of agency: the architectural intervention. Site is thus constructed with architecture; it is as much a consequence as a thing. Still Creek was chosen as a provocative site in which to explore this idea. Once Vancouver's largest salmon-bearing stream. Still Creek now exists in a barren, degraded state — the result of a century of urbanization. In its fragmented course from its headwaters to Burnaby Lake, Still Creek flows above and below ground through a diversity of site conditions, ranging from a primeval ravine to a polluted industrial area. Recently, sensibilities about the stream have changed. There are presently a variety of groups interested in Still Creek, not only as a public amenity, but also as an urban ecosystem. In response, it was proposed that (1) an urban trail be located along the discontinuous course of the stream, and (2) a facility be located along the stream that addresses some of the needs of these interested groups. The Still Creek Interpretive Facility marks both the beginning of the stream and the start of the urban trail. Located at the edge of the Renfrew Ravine where the stream first emerges from a subterranean culvert, the building makes apparent the many forces present on the site. An initial gesture of excavation reveals the culvert and demarcates a constructed and a natural edge. The constructed edge of the excavation is heightened with a veil of translucent solar panels that diffuse sunlight and help power the building. A wood screen along the natural edge of the excavation acts as a foil to the alder forest, allowing the building to maintain a quiet presence in the ravine as well as creating shimmering views of colour and light. The stream fills the lowest part of the excavation, mitigating high runoff flows and making a reflective pool for light, precipitation, and sound. The excavation and screen walls form a vessel into which mute volumes are inserted, creating a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, some relating more to site, others relating more to programme. Exterior building circulation winds through the whole assembly — an extension of the urban trail — forming a rich experiential descent from street...through building...to stream beyond...

This thesis explores the notion of site as a generative basis for architecture. Site is conceived not only as a plot of land where a building is located, but also as something that is the result of agency: the architectural intervention. Site is thus constructed with architecture; it is as much a consequence as a thing. Still Creek was chosen as a provocative site in which to explore this idea. Once Vancouver's largest salmon-bearing stream. Still Creek now exists in a barren, degraded state — the result of a century of urbanization. In its fragmented course from its headwaters to Burnaby Lake, Still Creek flows above and below ground through a diversity of site conditions, ranging from a primeval ravine to a polluted industrial area. Recently, sensibilities about the stream have changed. There are presently a variety of groups interested in Still Creek, not only as a public amenity, but also as an urban ecosystem. In response, it was proposed that (1) an urban trail be located along the discontinuous course of the stream, and (2) a facility be located along the stream that addresses some of the needs of these interested groups. The Still Creek Interpretive Facility marks both the beginning of the stream and the start of the urban trail. Located at the edge of the Renfrew Ravine where the stream first emerges from a subterranean culvert, the building makes apparent the many forces present on the site. An initial gesture of excavation reveals the culvert and demarcates a constructed and a natural edge. The constructed edge of the excavation is heightened with a veil of translucent solar panels that diffuse sunlight and help power the building. A wood screen along the natural edge of the excavation acts as a foil to the alder forest, allowing the building to maintain a quiet presence in the ravine as well as creating shimmering views of colour and light. The stream fills the lowest part of the excavation, mitigating high runoff flows and making a reflective pool for light, precipitation, and sound. The excavation and screen walls form a vessel into which mute volumes are inserted, creating a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, some relating more to site, others relating more to programme. Exterior building circulation winds through the whole assembly — an extension of the urban trail — forming a rich experiential descent from street...through building...to stream beyond... / Applied Science, Faculty of / Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of / Graduate

No description available.

Economic efficiency has traditionally been the major consideration while planning sites and services projects. But, in addition to economic considerations, equal stress needs to be given to social, cultural, and environmental factors. With these concerns in mind, the Centre for Minimum Cost Housing at McGill University has developed a set of planning guidelines for the design of sites and services projects in the Indian context. This thesis assesses the physical and economic implications of using this set of planning guidelines. Following these, four alternative layouts were prepared and evaluated through graphic and quantitative methods of analysis for their land-use and infrastructure efficiency. The study shows that the use of these planning guidelines can significantly improve land-use efficiency and the environmental quality of sites and services projects and still be at par with the economic performance of conventional planning.

No description available.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 W37 / Master of Landscape Architecture

This study observes how the size and type of land development can often be limited by the supply of fresh groundwater sources. Multiple-use recharge basins were found to be effective in diverting pollutants around a potable source of groundwater, thus reducing the chances of that source becoming contaminated. A computer-aided numerical model was used to simulate groundwater flow and its responses to recharge basins in a hypothetical situation.Through a series of trials, artifical recharge was able to abate the problem of groundwater contamination in certain geohydrologic conditions. Optimum rates of recharge and discharge were determined to effectively divert contaminated groundwater around several types of developments. From these findings, land use options and development intensities can be safely recommended for areas which otherwise may have been nearly undevelopable. / Department of Landscape Architecture

No description available.

A Research Report proposal submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science (Building) Project Management in Construction. Johannesburg 2015 / The construction industry is one of the major industries in the world and has one of the poorest records in Occupation Health and Safety. In developing countries with improved political and economic stability in recent years, infrastructure developments have significantly increased which has implications for the industry to deliver projects safely. Many designers’ in the construction industry in developed countries believe that contractors have knowledge to offer concerning safety as they have the experiences from different projects and can pin point potentially hazardous risks in the design phase of the project and consequently improve on the Health and Safety and Safety Performance of a project. This research aimed to discover what designers’ in the South African construction industry perceived about the use of ECI in the industry and its effect on the safety performance on construction sites. A review of the literature showed that the designers in the construction industry had various perceptions towards trust and commitment of the contractor towards safety and liability issues among other concerns. Twenty-nine questions were identified, which formed the basis of the quantitative analysis that was undertaken. Five hundred architects, engineers and project managers were identified from the Gauteng Province of South Africa and a questionnaire survey emailed to them. A census sample was used in this research and despite the low response rate (9%) from the participants; the data collected was seen as representative of the population. Analysis of the data collected from this survey revealed that designers believe that the use of ECI in the construction industry may improve the safety performance of the project as well as including contractors earlier in the design phase may be beneficial in enhancing safety during construction. The research also revealed that the designers believe that contractors have knowledge to offer in designing for safety as well as identifying potentially hazardous risks that may elude the designers during the design phase. From the data collected, a number of recommendations were developed to promote the use of ECI in developing countries including a review of policies and guidelines in the construction regulations so as to boost the use of ECI and consequently reduce the number of accidents and fatalities in the industry and as well as improve the overall safety performance of construction sites in South Africa. The overall finding of this research show that the designers in the South African construction industry have a positive attitude towards the use of ECI in the construction industry and are ready to implement it mainly due to the fact that it has a positive impact on the health and safety of workers as well as the overall safety performance of construction sites.

No description available.