This thesis explores the boundaries and transitions within architecture. What makes a solid boundary? And what blurs the lines of transition in between? Possibilities were explored and limits pushed through the studying of elements such as thickness, transparency, material, texture, and light. The result is an architectural space in which a person can experience nature, while being separate from it. The building becomes a transition into nature while also a part of the landscape. The intent of this thesis is to bring the site together with the thesis idea and program in a cohesive way. / Master of Architecture

In February 1914, Sweden faced a time of constitutional crisis, dubbed the Courtyard Crisis, when King Gustaf V publicly distanced himself from Prime Minister Karl Staaff and the Liberal Government over differences of opinion regarding the Swedish defence. Behind this, however, was also a dispute between two different political systems. On the one hand, there was the current form of government based on monarchical rule, and on the other hand, the advancing form of government, a government based on parliamentarism. This thesis is concerned with explaining the tension that arises between, on the one hand, different forms of government, and, on the other hand, aspects of decision making in the process of securitisation. To do this, the thesis uses Buzan, Wæver, and de Wilde’s securitisation sectors, though limited to the military, political, and societal sectors, as entry points for the analysis and uses political discourse analysis to analyse the language used by the Left and the Right during parliamentary debates held between 6 and 18 February 1914. The thesis concludes that, though the results were not conclusive, the Courtyard Crisis can be used as an example to explain the tension between different forms of government by showing the difference in ideas between the two powers of state in Sweden and how these affect the decision making in the process of securitisation.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Traditional architectural and urban artefacts are showed over the centuries as a powerful imprint of human actions and practices and are being developed on the basis of concrete socio-cultural factors and environmental rationalities. Spatial and morphological patterns of traditional environments have exceedingly evolved to fulfill and accomplish the social and cultural needs of the populace in their dialectical interplay with the surrounding environment. This relationship conceptualises the man-made environment, as the repository of meaning, in users‟ reciprocal relation with the surrounding environment. In the context of history, the human tends to dwell when experiencing the built environment as meaningful. Traditional contexts are highlighted as physical and spatial interpretations of human activities, skills, thoughts and resources creating identifiable and meaningful realms related to space/place, time and society. The study uncovers the process of the formation of the house and mahalla in order to shed light on how the built environment responds to inhabitants‟ socio-cultural determinants and everyday lives. It unfolds how changes in the nature of Iraqi society and its priorities affect the architecture of home and mahalla by reference to the impact of modernity with all its alien socio-cultural principles. This thesis focuses on the architecture of home and mahalla within the traditional core of Kadhimiya city and similar Iraqi socio-cultural contexts. At the macro analytical level, the research investigates the spatial and physical formation of the mahalla as a whole through detecting the socio-spatial aspects of its realms, and how its spontaneous form has responded to the socio-cultural aspects of the community in an integral pattern. At the micro level, the research will go deeper in the perception of the basic aspects of the individual and the family. It investigates how the traditional house reflects and satisfies the personal values of the individual, and achieves his socio-cultural beliefs and everyday life on the basis of inherent norms and conventions. In this vein, public, semi-public/private and private domains are investigated to highlight the mutual interplay between these spheres as key factors in understanding the architecture of the house and mahalla. The research discusses indigenous aspects and principles contained or embedded in the structure of the traditional environment, such as privacy, social solidarity and stability, neighbourliness and so on. It reveals insight into the male-female relationship in the social life of the traditional context, and how the position of women and their idle qualities impact the structure of the house and the hierarchical sequence and organisation of spaces. Identity, tradition, sustainability and everyday life are the main fields discussed with a specific end goal to outline and uncover the role of social factors, cultural beliefs and daily practices in the creation of this particular form. Building on these values, the research adopts an interpretive historical method in revealing the characters of the traditional environment referring to residents‟ habits, customs, rituals and traditions. Several approaches to the built and home environment are discussed for paving or detecting reliable one in the methodological inquiry within which many tools and methods have been utilised and used i.e. archival records, interviews, historical narratives, personal observation and photographic surveys. Data generated consists of photos, maps, interviewees‟ comments, analytical diagrams and historical and travellers‟ descriptions. Research findings indicate many of the inherent and underlying principles upon which the architecture of Iraqi traditional house depends. Within this context, the study has tried to unfold how the formation of the traditional house and the mahalla responded to the socio-cultural aspects of the community and the daily life of its members. Findings, concerning the design principles of the traditional mahalla, were realised as indigenous norms and standards embedded in the structure of society, which can be useful for architects, designers and planners to reconcile traditional and contemporary urban forms through the application of former rules and conventions in City‟s conservation or redevelopment plans. The study reveals that the traditional environment had less socio-cultural contradictions, active day-to-day practices and clear, identifiable and meaningful identity compared with contemporary built environments. Research findings, thus, lead to a set of relevant recommendations addressed to many of the community categories, architects, planners, stakeholders and those interested in this field. They aim to promote the impressive role of socio-cultural factors and strengthen users‟ competence in their physical and spatial settings for home. Moreover, research recommendations discuss how social factors, cultural values, beliefs, practices and rituals can be re-employed in our approach to achieving a more sustainable living environment. Recommendations relating to identity and tradition aim to draw attention and shed light on the significance of traditional built environments in the development of special identity, which played a big role in the sustainability of these contexts for centuries.

Lai Pui Man. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2010-2011, design report." / Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T19:25:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Leocir.pdf: 6158165 bytes, checksum: dbfdb8042a4030d3241c3f71a79f1525 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-21 / This trial aimed at testing the turning, cover courtyard and inoculation with a Commercial Biological Product (CBP) at the composite period and the produced compost quality using agro-industrial residues. The experiment was carried out at the Experimental Center of Agricultural Engineering (NEEA), at Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE). The following wastes were used during the composting process from the activities developed by the Agricultural Cooperative Consolata - COPACOL: hatchery waste, flotation sludge, ash and remaining coal from boiler, solid fraction of swine manure, solid fraction of waste from trucks washing and waste from cleaning and pre-cleaning of cereals. Twelve treatments were performed and composed of three combinations of shift plowing frequencies with these conditions: uncovered and covered courtyard without and with CBP inoculation. The windrows were piled with 300 kg of weight each, so that each one could have the same composition. The pile temperature was daily monitored. The parameters as reduced mass, volume, total and volatile solids were weekly monitored. Electrical conductivity, pH, carbon and nitrogen were measured at the beginning, 28, 56 days and at the end of the process. The contents of P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were determined at the beginning and end of the composite process. The electrical conductivity, pH, carbon and nitrogen were measured at the beginning, at 28, 56 days and at the end of the process. The levels of P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were determined at the beginning and end of the composite process. The coverage at composite courtyard showed significant effect on volume and nitrogen decreases (p<0.05) and increases electrical conductivity, contents of Na, Mg, K and composite time (p <0.05). The use of frequent turnings at the beginning of the process allowed greater volume reduction and composting reduced the time within 20 days (p <0.05). However, there were greater losses of N, C, and consequently the C / N ratio. The frequency of shift plowing was twice a week on the first month (F2), so it was more effective in keeping nitrogen in the pile. The CBP use was not significant for any of the variables (p> 0.05) and pH, concentration of P, Ca, and micronutrients were not affected by any of the variables. / Esta pesquisa objetivou testar o turno de revolvimento, cobertura do pátio e inoculação com Produto Comercial Biológico (PCB) no tempo de compostagem e qualidade do composto produzido, utilizando resíduos agroindustriais. O experimento foi conduzido no Núcleo Experimental de Engenharia Agrícola (NEEA) da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE). Os resíduos utilizados no processo de compostagem, oriundos das atividades desenvolvidas pela Cooperativa Agrícola Consolata COPACOL foram: resíduo de incubatório, lodo de flotador, cinza e carvão remanescente da caldeira, fração sólida de dejeto de suíno, fração sólida do resíduo da lavagem de caminhões e resíduos da limpeza e pré-limpeza de grãos. Foram implantados doze tratamentos, compostos pelas combinações de três frequências de revolvimento, com as condições: sem e com cobertura do pátio; sem e com inoculação do PCB. As leiras foram montadas com 300 kg de massa fresca cada, com composição igual. A temperatura da leira foi monitorada diariamente. As variáveis redução de massa, volume, sólidos totais e voláteis foram monitoradas semanalmente. A condutividade elétrica, pH, carbono e nitrogênio foram mensurados no início, aos 28, 56 dias e ao final do processo. Os teores de P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn e Fe foram determinados no início e final do processo de compostagem. A cobertura no pátio de compostagem teve efeito significativo nas reduções de volume e nitrogênio (p<0,05), além de aumentar a condutividade elétrica, os teores de Na, Mg, K e o tempo de compostagem (p<0,05). Os frequentes revolvimentos no início do processo possibilitaram maior redução de volume e reduziram o tempo de compostagem em até 20 dias (p<0,05). Entretanto, causaram maiores perdas de N, C e consequentemente da relação C/N. A frequência de revolvimento de duas vezes por semana no primeiro mês (F2) mostrou-se mais eficiente na manutenção de nitrogênio na pilha. O uso do PCB não foi significativo para quaisquer das variáveis analisadas (p>0,05). O pH, teores de P, Ca e micronutrientes não foram influenciados pelas variáveis.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:48:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Leocir.pdf: 6158165 bytes, checksum: dbfdb8042a4030d3241c3f71a79f1525 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-21 / This trial aimed at testing the turning, cover courtyard and inoculation with a Commercial Biological Product (CBP) at the composite period and the produced compost quality using agro-industrial residues. The experiment was carried out at the Experimental Center of Agricultural Engineering (NEEA), at Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE). The following wastes were used during the composting process from the activities developed by the Agricultural Cooperative Consolata - COPACOL: hatchery waste, flotation sludge, ash and remaining coal from boiler, solid fraction of swine manure, solid fraction of waste from trucks washing and waste from cleaning and pre-cleaning of cereals. Twelve treatments were performed and composed of three combinations of shift plowing frequencies with these conditions: uncovered and covered courtyard without and with CBP inoculation. The windrows were piled with 300 kg of weight each, so that each one could have the same composition. The pile temperature was daily monitored. The parameters as reduced mass, volume, total and volatile solids were weekly monitored. Electrical conductivity, pH, carbon and nitrogen were measured at the beginning, 28, 56 days and at the end of the process. The contents of P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were determined at the beginning and end of the composite process. The electrical conductivity, pH, carbon and nitrogen were measured at the beginning, at 28, 56 days and at the end of the process. The levels of P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were determined at the beginning and end of the composite process. The coverage at composite courtyard showed significant effect on volume and nitrogen decreases (p<0.05) and increases electrical conductivity, contents of Na, Mg, K and composite time (p <0.05). The use of frequent turnings at the beginning of the process allowed greater volume reduction and composting reduced the time within 20 days (p <0.05). However, there were greater losses of N, C, and consequently the C / N ratio. The frequency of shift plowing was twice a week on the first month (F2), so it was more effective in keeping nitrogen in the pile. The CBP use was not significant for any of the variables (p> 0.05) and pH, concentration of P, Ca, and micronutrients were not affected by any of the variables. / Esta pesquisa objetivou testar o turno de revolvimento, cobertura do pátio e inoculação com Produto Comercial Biológico (PCB) no tempo de compostagem e qualidade do composto produzido, utilizando resíduos agroindustriais. O experimento foi conduzido no Núcleo Experimental de Engenharia Agrícola (NEEA) da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE). Os resíduos utilizados no processo de compostagem, oriundos das atividades desenvolvidas pela Cooperativa Agrícola Consolata COPACOL foram: resíduo de incubatório, lodo de flotador, cinza e carvão remanescente da caldeira, fração sólida de dejeto de suíno, fração sólida do resíduo da lavagem de caminhões e resíduos da limpeza e pré-limpeza de grãos. Foram implantados doze tratamentos, compostos pelas combinações de três frequências de revolvimento, com as condições: sem e com cobertura do pátio; sem e com inoculação do PCB. As leiras foram montadas com 300 kg de massa fresca cada, com composição igual. A temperatura da leira foi monitorada diariamente. As variáveis redução de massa, volume, sólidos totais e voláteis foram monitoradas semanalmente. A condutividade elétrica, pH, carbono e nitrogênio foram mensurados no início, aos 28, 56 dias e ao final do processo. Os teores de P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn e Fe foram determinados no início e final do processo de compostagem. A cobertura no pátio de compostagem teve efeito significativo nas reduções de volume e nitrogênio (p<0,05), além de aumentar a condutividade elétrica, os teores de Na, Mg, K e o tempo de compostagem (p<0,05). Os frequentes revolvimentos no início do processo possibilitaram maior redução de volume e reduziram o tempo de compostagem em até 20 dias (p<0,05). Entretanto, causaram maiores perdas de N, C e consequentemente da relação C/N. A frequência de revolvimento de duas vezes por semana no primeiro mês (F2) mostrou-se mais eficiente na manutenção de nitrogênio na pilha. O uso do PCB não foi significativo para quaisquer das variáveis analisadas (p>0,05). O pH, teores de P, Ca e micronutrientes não foram influenciados pelas variáveis.

China has become one of the world’s economic engines. One major driving force is the rapid urbanization. Such fast development results in resource and energy depletion, pollution and environmental deterioration. The government has recently endorsed green buildings and urged ministries to work out a national action plan. It is predicted that green building will be the next big thing in China. But before importing any foreign green technology and green designs, is there something to be learned from the Chinese ancestors? In the long history of China, the Chinese have always employed a system of construction with the influences of geography, climate, culture, philosophy, economy and politics deeply rooted in China, making the Chinese traditional architecture distinct. Embedded in the formation of the city, siheyuan 四合院, the courtyard house in Beijing was one exceptional dwelling example that inherited the quintessence of the thousand years of building experiences and knowledge of the ancestors. This traditional urban type not only celebrated the rich and unique cultural heritage of China, it also played an important role in maximizing the natural forces to create a pleasant and comfortable environment for living. Population growth, political and economic reforms over time however have drastically changed the fate of this historical heritage. Especially under the pressure of the fast development and economic boom after the introduction of the Open Door Policy in 1978, the traditional courtyards were the first to be demolished due to the lack of modern facilities and the inability to accommodate the growing population. They were often replaced by apartment blocks and high-rise towers – imported types based on planning regulations developed in the West, outside the cultural and environmental milieu of Beijing. As a result, the city is now filled with many energy intensive buildings that eat away both the “city’s essence” and the valuable natural resources. With the current policy and ambition of China, the teardown courtyard sites within the old city wall that are still waiting for development offer the potential to address the remediation and reinterpretation of the traditional typology in a contemporary city. The thesis investigates the essences of the traditional courtyard house and explores the way to apply such qualities to the design of a new courtyard typology in contemporary Beijing. The proposal anticipates a holistic approach on both environmental, social, cultural and economic level, so as to carry out preservation that manifests in experience rather than physical restoration, and to create a project that is truly sustainable.

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture