Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-122). Also available online in Scholars' Bank; and in ProQuest, free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes special report study entitled : Victorian Garden : with case studies of roof gardens. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

This thesis explores the historic preservation projects in two cities: Suzhou, China, and Pasadena, California, United States. The purpose of investigating the strategies and policies used in each of the historic districts is to discuss whether preservation strategies applied in both cases could represent historic authenticity. The first two chapters focus on the project plan of the two historic districts. By evaluating the preservation policies at both national and regional level, histories of the districts, and approaches adopted by two cities, this thesis discerns the different perceptions of “authenticity” in preservation strategies in two countries. The next part of the thesis compares the two historic districts in terms of their distinctive focuses on preservation approaches. I, therefore, conclude that even though both cases have been deemed as successful models of preservation projects in each country, both historic district has demonstrated different levels of insufficient protection in culture and social sustainability.

Drawing from the ongoing revitalization efforts in the Western Massachusetts post-industrial city of Springfield, Massachusetts, this adaptive reuse project aims to bring the public back to the city center by providing a common space for cultural connections. Sensitivity to preservation of the historic fabric of the existing Court Square Building is blended with the transformative potential of introducing architectural expressions of dance theory to create a school and theater for the performing arts. The study of balance between opposing, yet complimentary forces, as they exist in architecture and dance, creates a conceptual interplay that guides the design of this project. Viewing the existing historic building as a dance partner to the proposed contemporary addition, leads an exploration in the tectonic translation of form, rhythm, weight, movement and breath, as elements of dance theory that are developed to represent the building envelope, structure, materials, circulation and openings. Ultimately, the adapted building creates a dialogue for the past and present city of Springfield, simultaneously honoring its unique cultural heritage and future potential in serving as an icon for successful urban transformation.

Comparative approaches in historic preservation usually involve two or more different buildings. The old Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts allows for a comparative approach with the same building, but in two different eras: one where the clamor to replace the library building came close to resulting in its destruction (1960s); the other, 35 years later, where the question of the building’s survival was never in doubt, never even raised (2000s). From its earliest days, serious design and workmanship flaws have plagued the structural integrity of the monumental Victorian Gothic building that stands in the center of Pittsfield. Its grand space proved inadequate for the functioning of a public library. Yet it continues to survive, and in 2014, another major preservation project is underway to address the bulging of the masonry on the front façade. A narrative of the history of this building reveals broader trends in public attitudes towards the preservation of our cultural heritage, and insights into the contributing elements that provide justification for preservation as well as into the role of the public historian in connecting preservation with the community.

This thesis explores the role of community participation in urban preservation planning processes. A case study of the North Central neighborhood in Charleston, SC is used to investigate this inquiry. This study seeks to explore what residents in North Central value as heritage assets and how this information compares to ongoing preservation planning, interactions with the City and local preservation advocacy organizations, and overall community engagement. Qualitative methods were used for data collection and an analytical framework was developed based in theories of democracy, participatory planning, and values-based heritage. The results indicate that residents of North Central value the built environment and architectural integrity of the neighborhood, however the intangible aspects of heritage resonate most with the community. These include the people, stories, experiences, and memories associated with the neighborhood and its features. While efforts to preserve the neighborhood have increased in recent years, there are still disparities in what is actively being preserved and what residents identify as important heritage assets. The thesis also reveals that a lack of democratic space for participation and a communication deficit serve as limitations to community participation in formal planning processes for preservation. Increased community participation in these processes could influence new development in the neighborhood to better reflect the contemporary needs and values of its residents. It also serves to foster better collaboration among organizations, governmental partners, and residents in order to continue developing inclusive approaches to neighborhood preservation and establishing initiatives in North Central with sustainable outcomes.

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / Increasing demand for new construction has made the building sector responsible for approximately 43 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States. Building conservation, an intervention strategy that refurbishes an existing building without compromising its architectural integrity, is a response to the population’s current infatuation with the new and now that has desensitized modern culture to the past, while surfacing one’s responsibilities to future generations. The focus of this study will be on the University of Arizona’s Bear Down Gym. Through a historical and architectural evaluation, this report makes a case for the rehabilitation of Bear Down Gym in respect to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

Historic buildings live a double life between climate-adapted largely-passive structures and draughty, poorly-maintained ones. Preservation professionals argue that preserving these structures is more resource effective than constructing new buildings, and that pre-electricity structures were built to take advantage of climate and geography, using passive technologies to perform efficiently. Modern technologies have also been adopted- electrical lights, air conditioning, fire alarms - as a natural progression of inhabitation. Yet in historic house museums, there is still the promise of historic representation, one unmarred by ‘inauthentic’ additions. If modern and past technological changes have been accepted and integrated, how is the historic house museum not a ‘living building culture’? And if house museums are indeed a living building culture, why not allow a more flexible representation of our historic properties if they are interpreted with integrity and honesty? The EPA estimates that buildings represent 65% of the U.S. electricity use, and predictions estimate 80% of the 2030 building stock exists today. If we truly plan to reduce our energy consumption, we must confront the reality that existing buildings are a significant contributor to our output. If, as curators, it is our hope for historic buildings to represent preservation, then we must admit that in preserving the past for the future, we must begin by preserving our future. This thesis analyses the opportunities and risks for historic house museums to respect their historic interpretation but adapt to changing conditions. Examples of energy efficiency strategies both historic and current, will be examined in historic structures, illustrating that caretakers of historic buildings are making value judgments about the future of their property, in terms of environmental, fiscal and historical sustainability. This thesis includes the analysis of a case study historic house museum in Austin, Texas, the French Legation Museum, which is used as a base model for estimating energy efficiency gains from the adoption of some low-energy technologies. Calculations based on this information indicate which integrations and additions could offer the greatest return on investment for this historic building to operate as or more efficiently than a modern code construction without visible or egregious alteration to the historic fabric. / text