Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-143). / The starting point of this thesis is a strong critique of the conventional design of housing. The thesis suggests a new approach to the perception of environments and the act of "dwelling." Inhabitants are not assumed to act as passive consumers of "set facts" or of a "potential variety," but as instigators in the design of their living environments. Through conflict, inherent or built into the design, people are stimulated to appropriate their surroundings according to their needs. Environments have to be designed such that they can be interpreted and contain the "clues" (the elements for adaptation and change) for people to intervene. Inhabitants control the design by means of social interaction as well as physical intervention. Four theoretical concepts are discussed which shall assist designers in understanding environments more completely in terms of potential use and sympatric relations, and in finding new innovative solutions in design. The concepts deal with (1) the complexity of environments, (2) the importance of community, (3) privacy and territoriality, and (4) form. Two case studies are presented as evidence to document the importance of the theoretical concepts by means of a detailed analysis of the selected environments, and to demonstrate how two very different participatory processes are translated into the "sympatric" design of physical environments. / by Jürgen J.K. Engel. / M.S.

This thesis develops a transitional approach for moving the design and construction installation of the mechanical systems of the single family dwelling from its custom construction to industrialized products and construction. The approach is referred to as the MECHCORE Approach. Research of the past attempts to industrialize mechanical systems showed that the primary reasons for failures were high production and product coats, lack of flexibility, and demands for changes too rapid for the housing industry to bear. A review of physical, technical, economic, and business factors of the industry shows that there is a need for industrialized mechanical systems that the industry can take steps toward this end if the steps are transitional enough to cushion the shock of change. The objectives industrialized mechanical systems must reach for to succeed are formulated from research data and used to guide the MECHCORE Approach. Examins.tion of conventional house framing revealed no real attempt to coordinate it with the physical requirements of medical systems. Ways are suggested to alleviate the problem. A study of distribution and intensity of mechanical systems in the home indicate that there is a great potential for integrating components and coordinating their installation. This can be capitalized on by dividing mechanical components into three functional areas (core, transport, and service) and dealing with them in terms of these areas. This thesis organizes the home’s mechanical system on this three element basis and proposees component integration and levels of rationalization that evolve to industrialize systems. / Master of Architecture

The subsequent data, analysis and case study is an attempt to clarify architectural approaches to meeting housing shortages in developing nations. This thesis is directed towards providing a greater understanding of the Third World building environment by examining unforeseen constraints, design parameters and the architect's new role vis-a-vis housing design for developing countries, as well as design approaches and strategies related to the housing problem in the developing world. These aspects of low-cost housing design in developing nations have been distilled into a process of design which is intended to further define a direction an architect can pursue in order to arrive at a feasible design solution regarding low-cost housing in developing countries. As a conclusion, the thesis provides a frame of reference to the previous analysis with a case study of the Dominican Republic, describing the country itself, its housing problem and some design proposals put forward by regional architects as a part of an international seminar on housing sponsored by the Dominican housing organization, CII-VIVIENDAS. Chapters one, two and three approach the topic of low-cost housing in developing countries as an analysis of the broadest architectural considerations. Chapter one, "Design Constraints for Low-Cost Housing in Developing Countries" introduces the initial design considerations of building conditions in the developing world from the perspective of an architect trained in the construction practices of the more advanced industrial nations. In comparison to the conventional architectural environment of the developed nations, the limited construction resources of developing nations constitute severe building constraints. These constraints are examined. Chapter two, "Summary of Design Parameters for Developing Countries" derives design guidelines from the architectural constraints of chapter one. Chapter three. "Housing Design for Developing Countries: New Architectural Roles, New Design Approaches & New Design Process" supplements the analysis of the first two chapters with a review of current architects' design responses to the rigid building parameters inherent in low-cost housing design for developing countries. Chapter four, "A Case Study of the Dominican Republic: Country & Housing Characteristics" provides a frame of reference for the previous analysis with information concerning the country, the architectural influences and the housing data of the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic suffers from housing problems typical to most developing countries. Chapter five. "Dominican Low-Cost Housing Seminar: Possible Low-Cost Housing Solutions for the Dominican Republic" concludes the thesis with a synthesis of the analysis and the case study. The synthesis is presented in terms of the diverse solutions to the housing shortage of the Dominican Republic reached by the participants of a low-cost housing seminar in the Dominican Republic. The seminar held in the winter of 1985 included foreign participants from both developed and developing countries in addition to the native Dominican participants. The design options described at the conclusion of chapter five are reflective of the current paths of low-cost housing development. / Master of Architecture

No description available.

No description available.

by Shrinath Tandur. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-125). / Chapter 1.0 --- BACKGROUND --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1 --- The Site --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2 --- Low-rise housing for Low and Middle Income groups (LIG & MIG) --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3 --- Use of space with respect to time --- p.28 / Chapter 1.4 --- Adapting for comfort --- p.31 / Chapter 1.5 --- The roof as a sleeping area --- p.32 / Chapter 2.0 --- OBJECTIVE --- p.34 / Chapter 3.0 --- METHODOLOGY --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1 --- DEROB - an overview --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2 --- Modelling the climate --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- The climate of --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Modelling the climate --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Special weather files --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- Fanger's Comfort Equation --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- The Predicted Mean Vote --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- The Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Range of values --- p.60 / Chapter 3.4 --- Modelling the housing unit on DEROB --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Standard building materials --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Modelling building materials --- p.65 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Development of a method --- p.66 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- The simplified cube --- p.69 / Chapter 4.0 --- The -DEROB exercises --- p.72 / Chapter 4.1 --- A study of variations air changes rates & times --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2 --- The damping effect of the earth's mass --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3 --- The effect of orientation --- p.79 / Chapter 4.4 --- The effect of external wall mass --- p.82 / Chapter 4.5 --- The effect of colour upon external wall mass --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6 --- The effect of shadowing upon a building --- p.87 / Chapter 4.7 --- The influence of internal wall mass --- p.91 / Chapter 4.8 --- The effect of the roof --- p.94 / Chapter 4.9 --- An analysis of parapet walls --- p.97 / Chapter 4.10 --- The effect of openings and shading --- p.103 / Chapter 5.0 --- A SUMMARY OF RESULTS --- p.106 / Chapter 5.0.1 --- A summary brief --- p.109 / Chapter 5.1 --- Preliminary Design Guidelines --- p.110 / Chapter 5.2 --- A validation of results using a model of a complete housing unit --- p.118 / Chapter 5.3 --- Afterword --- p.121 / Chapter 6.0 --- BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.122 / Chapter 7.0 --- APPENDICES --- p.126 / Chapter 7.1 --- Appendix A： Activity Chart --- p.126 / Chapter 7.2 --- Appendix B： Clo values --- p.127 / Chapter 7.3 --- Appendix C： Sundials for latitudes 12°. 14° & 16° N --- p.129 / Chapter 7.4 --- Appendix D; A shortlist of digital simulation models --- p.131 / Chapter 7.5 --- Appendix E: Weather Data for Chitradurga District --- p.133 / Chapter 7.6 --- Appendix F: HUDCO' s classification of income groups --- p.143

Submitted in fulfilment of the Degree Master of Applied Arts in Interior Design, Durban University of Technology, 2016. / This study discusses the impact of modernisation of rural homestead living spaces on dwellers in a selected area of Umbumbulu, south of Durban Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa. The study was conducted after a change was noticed within the rural homesteads built environment. Factors responsible for the changes in building/ dwelling shape, size, style, as well as the choice of materials (SSSM) used were discussed. The study further examined the impact of the listed changes within the social context of Umbumbulu’s rural dwellers, while addressing in-depth questions around the topic of modernisation, especially within the confines of rural homesteads and living spaces. A qualitative research approach was employed where an interpretative research paradigm was chosen as a theoretical framework for the study. Data consisted of seven semi structured interviews. The research design consisted of themes, the analysis, as well as the findings in relation to literature. The conclusion showed what the rural dwellers understand about modernisation in a rural context, as well as how it has impacted the changes in building/ dwelling shape, size, style, as well as in the choice of materials used. Three identifiable themes were discussed namely: 1. modernisation; 2. change in building shape, style, size and materials; and 3. positive living experience. Links were made between the themes which in turn indicate how modernisation has had an impact on rural homestead living spaces and dwellers. / M

The living situation of the older generation is a matter of increasing social concern. Demographic changes are leading to larger proportions of elderly people in the populations of the developed world. Tied into this evolution and even more important are the processes of social change - in particular the loosening of traditional family bonds - which make the living situation of older people extremely precarious once they begin to become frail.One aspect of the living situation of older people, namely their housing situation, or more specifically the question of housing and care, has long been neglected or mainly answered with uniform solutions of institutionalized housing for the elderly. Today, these cannot be seen as the only answer to the diverse needs of elderly people, especially since the housing situation has a very strong influence in determining their degree of self-sufficiency. The increased need for housing suited to the needs of elderly people is the impetus for additional investigation, improvement of present conditions, and studies of future developments. The resulting knowledge and impact on the built environment will be very important to academia and the future education of all environmental design professionals as well as society in general.The purpose of this investigation is to illustrate the significance and relationship of socialand spatial requirements within the concept of living and care, because only the simultaneous addressing of these conditions allows for 'aging with dignity'. The existing demographic situation as well as the inadequate housing situation for the elderly makes it important to investigate the provision of health care, social services, and everyday necessities along with a well-designed architectural and urban development framework.This paper consists of three main parts. The first two parts focus on the research of theoretical and practical design aspects as they pertain to current thinking in elderly care and assisted living. This is accomplished through an investigation of published international examples. In addition, valuable information about the housing needs and desires of elderly people was gathered by exploring four built examples in the United States and Germany, thus helping to identify the framework of the architectural exploration.The third part documents the development and process of both an operational and design concept for elderly housing in a selected urban community. The site is located in Potsdam, Germany, within an existing urban block of the old city core. The architectural design attempts to express the idea of 'aging in dignity' and includes thoughts about the interrelation of new and existing residential units as well as their impact on the context.The aim of the study is to ascertain information about the effects of diverse, networked and, in part, innovative facilities and services on the independent living capabilities of the elderly, and the control over one's living environment. Promoting independent living, this study should help to determine the extent to which these services could be provided. / Department of Architecture

This work seeks to explore the nature of a wooden boat and how a boat's design and construction can influence the building of a house. It is a search for a structure that bears a memory of a boat and celebrates the craft and care of which boats are built. The house is located on the north side of a secluded reservoir in the Northwest Georgia mountains. It is raised up on and supported by a structure that is reminiscent of the way a keel of a boat supports and connects the boat together. This structure extends out from the house to a small shelter for a boat over the water. On the interior, heavy frames support and give shape to the thin shell of the house. Their repetition encourages a view of the boat and its shelter. The house itself is thought of as a vessel, a place that provides a sense of holding, of protecting and keeping safe, and of strength. / Master of Architecture