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In the last two decades, China's economic reforms in general, and rural reforms in particular, have had an immense effect upon China's urbanization patterns. A large rural surplus labor force has transformed itself into irresistible migration waves sweeping across most of China's big cities. / An essential question is how could Chinese cities avoid going through the same process of trial and error as other Third World cities, or what are the feasible ways to accept and integrate migrants within the existing urban systems. The answer to this question could only be explored to a large degree by examining the current situations in existing migrant communities. / This thesis focuses on the study of the use of domestic space in migrant houses as a means to examine the question from an architectural perspective. A case study of Zhejiang Village, the most influential migrant community in Beijing has been conducted. From 30 survey samples, 15 are analyzed according to the range of economic activities pursued by the migrants. Two other samples from Zhejiang vernacular houses are also examined in order to conduct a comparative study. Detailed drawings and analysis are arranged to show how ingeniously they combine their businesses within their meager domestic space. / The study shows that economic activities and cultural traditions are the vital factors that influence the use of domestic space in migrant houses. It also confirms that the physical integration of migrants must take into account their cultural background and spatial traditions.

Studies on a variety of facets of the subject of indigenous African architecture have increasingly received the interest of many post-colonial researchers, in search for indigenous African identity in the international world of architecture. One of the challenges that provoked this project is that not many, if any, of those studies in this subject have attempted to find out where the indigenous traditional architecture of the African people can place itself in modern architecture today and what role it could play in the development of our contemporary modern built environment. This study seeks to identify the primary problem and attempt to find answers to certain key questions. One of the problem areas identified in general observations and literature review is the perception that the architecture of the indigenous people of KwaZulu-Natal belongs to itself only, and is not fit to participate in the development of the contemporary urban physical environment other than as a facility for tourism. What makes up the traditional architecture of amaZulu has been understood to be underdeveloped primitive construction materials only. For this reason, studies on the indigenous architecture of KwaZulu-Natal have been done primarily for historical records. A generally acknowledged factor in the development of some prevailing unfortunate perceptions in this subject is the ideology of European supremacy over every sector of life of the indigenes of the African continent. It is such ideological perception that questioned international wisdom in African indigenous architecture and suppressed it from global participation so far. This study investigates the rich cultural forces that directed the history of the indigenous architecture of this region. It also investigates historical socioeconomic factors that have influenced the direction of evolution of the traditional architecture of the indigenes of KwaZulu-Natal. From the latter, one would question the gap between the sophisticated indigenous artwork found in the informal trade of the province and the struggling state of architecture found in the rural built environments of the same people. ii Given that the indigenous people of KwaZulu-Natal today include several groups of abeNguni that merged into a nation over the history of the province, this study acknowledges the diversity of those various groups, and further searches for its global worth. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

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The involvement of nature happens at the edge of architecture, influencing the space of man from the outside and the inside. This design is intended to open man's space to his surroundings, and for establishing a new relationship between man and nature.Peter Noever writes in Architecture in Transition: "In order to become an autonomous subject, man distances himself from nature. This process of distance helps men to learn increasingly to control himself and nature. However, this origin of subjectivity becomes hybrid and turns against man himself: he falls prey to his natural need to dominate, and the dominator of nature becomes the prey of nature."The idea of dominating nature is strongly reflected in the American rural dwellings. Like an "icon of individualism," "operating objectively in their relationship to the landscape,"2 the houses appear isolated from the surroundings. Man might control himself by building this isolated relationship with his surroundings, but it does not have to be like this. Because man not only needs to control himself but also needs to live healthily. The energy of the natural world is an essential part of a healthy human life. Especially in the living environment, natural elements-(defined as "a creative and controlling force in the universe")--are indispensable. For a healthy life, in balance with nature, man should be receptive to his surroundings.The Involvement of Nature is a study of dwelling space, using the language of architecture to improve and cultivate a harmonious relationship between man and nature. This project will focus on the connection between the dwelling space and its natural surroundings. It will create a contextual connection by the interactions between human perceptions of space inside the dwelling and the natural or cultural landscapes which is the outdoor environmental phenomena and features; the sun, the wind and the changing landscape. / Department of Architecture

This creative project includes 30 images that were selected from a body of work to present to you The Suburbanessence. This study of the suburban housing concentration in and around Fort Wayne, Indiana, (SMSA), illustrates the emphasis placed on the suburban ethic within this region over the last 75 years. The Fort Wayne area was selected due to the median classification on the list of Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas.The photographic observations of the socioenvironmental application of the suburban ethic is posed to interpret the physical evidence of a chronological growth within these housing tracts, using architectural style classifications as a reference point. The subsequent photographs are not directed to formulate a specific judgment on this type of environment. Photographed over a six month period, several disturbing irregularities are in evidence. Deciding if these irregularities actually exist, or whether an individual's taste just leans in that direction is my challenge.

The opportunity for reducing energy expenditures in homes has never been greater nor has the need been more pressing. Based on the current analysis of weatherization programs, millions of houses do not receive energy efficiency measures and houses that are being weatherized are not receiving the kinds of measures that generate the greatest energy savings. Many of these problems are attributed to program policies, regulations and funding limitations. Given these critical issues. The creative project is a model residential energy efficiency program. Its purpose is to serve as a guide for planning, designing, developing and implementing the kinds of residential energy efficiency programs that will maximize services and benefits. More specifically, the model will assist in the design and implementation of programs that are effective, efficient and can deliver the “right” energy measures to “any” house that needs them. A community in a small Midwestern city was selected to help demonstrate the various components of the model program. / Department of Urban Planning

This paper explains typical knee wall construction and insulation in homes in Indiana and demonstrates the energy inefficiencies caused by such methods. Literature research gives examples of possible opportunities for changing the standard methods of knee wall construction and insulation. The methodology of the study is explained, as is energy intensity (EI) — the main evaluation tool used in this paper. EI allows a researcher to compare homes of different sizes in different locations. Overall, the study shows that homes whose knee walls have an air barrier backing use less energy than homes without knee walls. Additionally, as expected, homes with improperly constructed knee walls use the most energy. Finally, the paper contains recommendations about what methods might be used to change the standard practices involved in building and insulating knee walls. / Department of Urban Planning

Flexibility in housing has been studied and implemented both in Europe and North America. However, there is a need for more research on which spaces in the home and which elements in those spaces require flexibility to accommodate all phases of the family life cycle. The particular spaces in a single-family home requiring this flexibility were determined in five case studies covering a minimum span of 15 years of the family life cycle. The spaces that underwent changes most frequently were dens, studies and recreation rooms. Bedrooms changed frequently only when there were crowded conditions or when residents were unhappy with the status quo. Through a review of the physical limitations of the elderly, it was determined that a sensitive application of accessibility standards in all homes would extend the usefulness of the homes as the occupants enter the final stage of the life cycle.

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