This study focused on an unprecedented case when a sudden increase in wealth creates total transformation in a nation's architectural development. The discovery of oil in Kuwait and the movement toward modernism led to the deconstruction of the design identity and the development of a collage of different design styles that are alien to the cultural, traditional and environmental characters of Kuwait. This thesis dealt with analyzing the current residential identity in Kuwait and identifying the influential factors that can enhance the design identity of houses in Kuwait to improve the living quality in terms of social, cultural and environmental aspects. The objective of the study was to create a foundation framework to design a better housing environment that meets the physical and psychological needs of Kuwaiti families. The thesis started with illustrating the historical development of Kuwaiti houses before the 1950s through the present to better understand the historical influences. Information gathered through the review of literature and a fact finding trip to Kuwait result in a design project of a typical Kuwaiti residence. The purpose is to design a housing unit that meets the general needs of Kuwaiti families and that adapts to the social, cultural and environmental aspects of the country. The design aimed to address the functional, cultural, aesthetical and environmental needs of the Kuwaiti society. The intention of this project is to enhance the living style in urban, architectural and interior perspectives and to create a residence that has the potential to be developed into a prototype for future Kuwaiti housing. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Summer Semester, 2007. / June 25, 2007. / Identity Design, Architectural Identity, Design Identity, Kuwait Architecture, Interior Design / Includes bibliographical references. / Eric Wiedegreen, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa Waxman, Committee Member; Tock Ohazama, Committee Member.

Ever since the advent of modern theories in architecture and design, the concept of Rationalism has revolutionized the process of design in the built environment. Rationalism, being the art of logic, has elevated this profession from decoration to design. A number of designers and theorists have tried to approach and achieve this concept by embracing different means and methods. The intent was to encapsulate logic, function and aesthetics in the formulation of a design approach to develop an architectural vocabulary for the built environment. Space and time, being two important aspects, play crucial role in the perception of built environment. Theorists in conjunction with the designers through the ages have tried to understand and use the dynamics of space and time. This thesis addresses the concept of space-time dynamics in the built environment and explores its application as an approach to design. The research explores this concept from a multitude of perspectives ranging from scientific to philosophical views. The end result may not be a completely new definition of architecture and design, but is an expanded view from various perspectives bearing the potential of developing new perception. These approaches can be rationally used towards the spatial solutions to enliven the present urban realm. With these theories as a backdrop, the study explores works and approaches of several contemporary designers and their novel solutions. The thesis culminates with a design project in which these concepts are applied in a real world situation. For the purpose of this thesis, a site was chosen for a mixed-use development project at the Centennial Park in Ybor city, Tampa, Florida. This site provides an opportunity to provide spatial solution for the present day program in this historically and contextually rich setup. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester, 2006. / March 24, 2006. / design vocabulary, visual perception, design lexicon, design strategy, approach to design / Includes bibliographical references. / Ricardo Navarro, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa Waxman, Committee Member; Eric Wiedegreen, Committee Member.

Community centers have a long history of helping bring people together, giving a common ground for strangers to meet and interact. This study explored a potential design solution that could be beneficial to the people displaced due to natural disasters who are relocated to FEMA trailer parks. This design thesis examines several different aspects important to the design of a community center for people who have been displaced, then applies these concepts to a theoretical design. Modular building units were used because they allow the center to be moved and quickly assembled. Place attachment allows a greater appreciation of the behavioral bonds associated with the displaced person's homes that they were forced to abandon. Historic Southern architecture provides solutions to manage heat and climate conditions in the Southern states. Finally, architectural standards of successful community centers and architectural pattern theory are examined. This research forms the foundation for a theoretical community center design solution intended for a Federal Emergency Management Agency hurricane disaster trailer park. The proposed design is a mix of shipping containers combined in a way to meet the displaced individuals' social needs. Careful thought is given to the individuals' social needs, helping to provide a solution for these new residents of Federal Emergency Management Agency's temporary housing. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2006. / Date of Defense: November 6, 2006. / Mobility, Hurricane, FEMA / Includes bibliographical references. / Jill Pable, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa Waxman, Committee Member; Eric Wiedegreen, Committee Member.

This thesis project explored the merging of eastern design theories with modern western building methods. More specifically, the thesis examined Feng Shui principles, specifically the methods used in the Form School. These Form School theories were synthesized together and used as a basis to inform the design of a cancer treatment facility prototype. Feng Shui emphasizes harmony with nature and surroundings, with the goal of creating and maintaining positive chi, or energy. In this project, design decisions were based on what would create the most suitable environment for healing. Feng Shui has made a significant contribution to design in the eastern world for many centuries. In western society, the primary concern when constructing a building has included methods involved in scientific analysis using measurable data. These western scientific approaches have included bioclimatic design, ecological design, and environmental psychology. This scientific approach has become the norm for many designers and architects in the west. Although Feng Shui principles have become more commonplace in western countries in the last fifteen years, many architects and designers still view these principles as lacking a scientific foundation and little more than superstition. This thesis challenged the notion that Feng Shui is based on superstition and has no value in contemporary design practice. In addition, this thesis project illustrates the potential for incorporating these eastern philosophies, alongside western principles, into other healing environments. / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Interior Design in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2006. / June 30, 2006. / Cancer Center, Human Health, Design Program, Nature Environment, Feng Shui, Interior Design, Chinese Culture, Architecture, Climatic Influence, Modern Design Methods, Healing Environment / Includes bibliographical references. / Ricardo Navarro, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa Waxman, Committee Member; Tock Ohazama, Committee Member.

This study addressed the relationship between the design of the office environment and aging workers in a collaborative office that is shared by younger employees. In both developed and developing countries, workers are staying in employed positions well beyond the traditional retirement age and changing the makeup of the workforce. With an increased aging population and many developed nations displaying negative birth rates, a growing gap between adults able to work and youth entering the workplace is forcing employers to find new ways bridge this fissure. Many industries have begun hiring employees beyond the traditional working age in order to stay competitive and to fill hiring gaps; however, with this shift in the makeup of the workforce, there has yet to be a shift in how office spaces are designed. The emphasis of this study is the manner in which office spaces are currently designed and how they can be redesigned to assist older workers within the office environment. The objective of this study was to better understand and implement in a theoretical design, elements that assist older adults within an office environment selected for this project, located in Chicago, Illinois. The goal of this study is to create criteria for designing an office space that accommodates older workers who share an office space with younger employees. This developed criteria will then be demonstrated in a theoretical design of a space that is used by these workers. In order to develop design criteria for redesigning this office, the researcher reviewed published studies and materials focusing upon theories of current office design, ergonomics, universal design, lighting, and job accommodation. Focus group interviews with employees and customers within the target age range of 55 and older were then conducted after an interview with the head of the Human Resource division was completed. Twelve hours of onsite observations were also conducted with photographs used to document the current design and use of the office. The result of the research was a design that met criteria developed from published literature and testimonials from employees who use the office space. The design met these criteria through a solution that focused on: how employees were grouped within the space; creating a custom and enjoyable working environment; utilizing a combination of exterior views and sunlight in the office; the combination of various types of artificial lighting sources and fixtures; and the selection of furniture and materials to accommodate older workers. This study contributed new information to the subject of aging and office environments by implementing the published theories into a specific application that is designed for older workers but flexible enough to be used by their younger colleagues. / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Interior Design in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Spring Semester, 2010. / March 19, 2010. / Aging Workforce, Ergonomics, Job Accommodations, Retirement, Universal Design, Workplace Design / Includes bibliographical references. / Tasuku Ohazama, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa K. Waxman, Committee Member; Jill Pable, Committee Member; Peter Munton, Committee Member.

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the interior spaces of child care centers and the impact these spaces have on young children and the adults who care for them. A review of the existing research and the data gathered in this study were subsequently used to inform the design of a child care center that is nurturing and supportive of the activities that both young children and adults perform on a daily basis. The final design for the child care center, Tallahassee Learning Center, a facility offering preschool education and child care services for children ages three to five, was based on the data gathered from this study and the key areas of research addressing early childhood development, young children's play, crowding, privacy, preschool classroom spatial arrangements, and green child care facility design. The first five years of a child's life are the most crucial to their physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development (Woodward, 1966). In the United States, with 65% of women working outside the home as of 2009, many children of this age are in a child care center, away from the comfort and familiarity of home (NACCRRA, 2009). In 2009, it was also reported that nearly 14.5 million children under the age of six needed care while their parents were at work. The design of built environments where child care takes place deserves particular attention with the increasing number of children who spend many of their days in such settings. An understanding of how young children interact with their peers and their built environment can significantly impact and inform the design and spatial arrangement of spaces regularly occupied by young children. Three child care centers in Tallahassee, Florida, were selected as the sites for conducting the research. Three qualitative methods of data collection were utilized for this research study, including interviews, visual documentation, and observation. Interviews were conducted with the directors of each facility and the teachers of the classes that were observed. Photographs were taken of the exterior and interior of each facility as a means of visual documentation. Observations of children who were three to five years old were conducted in the form of behavioral mapping using nonparticipant observations over the course of three consecutive months. The research findings suggest that young children's behavior and social interactions with their peers and teachers are impacted by the spatial arrangement of their preschool classrooms. The organization and adjacencies of the activity centers influenced children's interactions and the teacher's ability to monitor the children. Both physical and visual proximity to the teacher was an indicator of the children's behavior. When teachers could clearly see all the children in their care, less fighting and other inappropriate behaviors took place. Children required less adult support when toys, supplies, and fixtures were easily accessible. Children's play behavior and social interactions were positively enhanced when the preschools were arranged in such a way where several children could play together at each activity center with enough toys or other play materials for each child to be involved in the play process. Occasionally, children would desire privacy or time to play alone. By going to a quiet corner of the room and turning his or her back to the other children, a child was able to create their own place of private retreat away from the stimulation of their surroundings. Based on information gathered in this study, design guidelines were developed to help inform the design of child care centers that are intended to bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood by creating spaces which are supportive of the activities of both young children and the adults who care for them. The final design for Tallahassee Learning Center presented in this thesis provides a developmentally appropriate setting that balances the practicality of establishing a safe, healthy, and educational environment while also ensuring that the child care center evokes a sense of wonder, delight, and meaning for the young children. / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Interior Design in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Summer Semester, 2011. / June 22, 2011. / Architecture, Children's Play, Interior Design, Preschool Design, Sustainability, Child Care Center Design, Daycare, Early Childhood Development, Children's Social Interactions / Includes bibliographical references. / Lisa Waxman, Professor Directing Thesis; Marlo Ransdell, Committee Member; Peter Munton, Committee Member.

This study dealt with identifying factors related to the interior environment of a restaurant, which enhance the dining experience. The objective was to identify the effects of various attributes of an interior and their effects on the human psyche and behavior. The major aspects that were studied in the course of the review of background literature were color and light and their effects on human emotions as well as perception of the interior environment. Several studies reported factors that influence preferences in interior environments and reinforced the need for studies in the field in order to create more meaningful environments that are comfortable and relaxing. Other factors also emerged and literature with suggestions on design and development of environments conducive to positive attitudes, behavior and emotions was documented. Knowledge of these attributes formed the basis for the design of a prototype for a seafood restaurant in Tallahassee – Coral Reef. Both the functional and ambient requirements were laid out to guide the design and the site was chosen on the outskirts of Tallahassee. The basic concept behind the design evolved from the client's need for a highly sophisticated atmosphere and also from the client's background as a naval officer. References to marine life were kept subtle and the major element of the restaurant was designed as a channel of water that meanders through the entire spaces and ties it all together. The design was based on the idea of transforming the space into an experience that would give the visitor relief and comfort away from the routine busy life. / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Interior Design in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2003. / November 6, 2003. / Interior Environment, Restaurant, Dining, Design / Includes bibliographical references. / Lisa Waxman, Professor Directing Thesis; Peter Munton, Committee Member; Tock Ohazama, Committee Member.

The newest generation of college students, the millennials, have been shown to be vastly different than their predecessors. Born between the years 1982 and 2002, these students exhibit traits and preferences that can be linked to their unique upbringing (Howe & Strauss, 2000). Of the many differences they exhibit, millennial student learning preferences are perhaps the most notable. This thesis study seeks to determine how millennials' learning preferences and their experiences in interior design classes intersect. Understanding how students learn and prefer to learn can help educators fit their teaching style together with the needs of their students. There are many ways to instruct students, but research has shown millennials to be selective about how they receive information. Research suggests millennial students usually prefer more hands-on or interactive instructional techniques to other more traditional techniques such as lecture. Specifically, research suggests college-age millennials generally prefer the use of these five techniques in their classrooms: 1. Moderate levels of interactive technology 2. Presence of team or group activities and/or projects 3. Presence and quick turnaround of instructor feedback 4. Presence of hands-on learning or interactivity 5. Presence of peer evaluation opportunities (Oblinger, 2003; Howe, 2005; Prensky, 2001) This proposal reports the results of an ongoing study which examines how millennial interior design students respond to current instructional techniques employed in studio and non-studio interior design classes. Aligning educational tactics with student needs and ways they learn best is a logical goal in secondary education. It is helpful, therefore, to examine the interaction between educators and their students to identify and examine possible strengths and weaknesses of classroom learning and the teaching tactics that facilitate this learning. For the purposes of the study, second year interior design students in classes entitled 'Studio 1' and 'Social/Psychological Aspects of Interior Design', are queried regarding their reactions to instructional techniques noted. This study specifically provides students the unique opportunity to express their feelings about ways they prefer to learn. The intent of this study is to provide interior design educators an opportunity to see through the eyes of their students and to determine if class learning strategies used in the examined interior design courses are in fact preferable by these millennial learners. The findings of this study in brief are that generally millennial interior design participants did respond favorably to millennial-preferred instructional techniques. They also responded favorably to the traditional techniques observed in the study. Participants seemed generally pleased with the mix of both millennial-preferred and traditional techniques used in their interior design classes. / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Interior Design in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Spring Semester, 2009. / March 20, 2009. / Instructional Techniques, Education, Interior Design, Millennials, Learning Preferences / Includes bibliographical references. / Jill Pable, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa K. Waxman, Committee Member; Peter Munton, Committee Member.

For thousands of years our ancestors lived the majority of their lives outside of walls and solely depended on the natural environment to sustain life. Today, Americans spend 87% of their lives indoors within the confines of steel, wood and drywall, blocking out the natural world (Klepeis et. al, 2001). This thesis will explore the theory of biophilia, the idea that human beings have an innate and evolutionarily based affinity for the natural environment. This thesis will examine the effects the natural and built environment have on human health and well-being. The emphasis of the thesis is to understand and utilize, in a design, how the built environment can connect people with the natural world. The culminations of research lead to the development and design of a corporate retreat facility for corporate groups. The goal for the design will be to create a connection between the natural environment and the users as well as to unify the built environment with the natural environment. The retreat facility will also be designed to encourage socializing, creativity and collaboration. The design will accommodate corporate groups of up to fifty persons and will provide sleeping accommodations, food service and meeting spaces. / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Interior Design in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Fall Semester, 2007. / October 26, 2007. / Biophilic Design, Human-Nature Connection, Biophilia, Restorative Environments, Corporate Retreat, Sustainable Design / Includes bibliographical references. / Peter Munton, Professor Directing Thesis; Lisa Waxman, Committee Member; Eric Wiedegreen, Committee Member.

This study deals with a university's responsibility to adopt sustainable practices in both education and building. The study places emphasis on both the social and fiduciary responsibilities that affect students, faculty and universities alike. The objective is to address universities and companies that have taken leadership positions in identifying the positive benefits, such as increased performance from students and staff, reduced environmental impact and reduced costs associated with energy and maintenance fees. Field research was conducted to seek out leaders in the architecture and design industry that are carving new paths in financing, documenting and building green buildings. The culmination of research from the review of literature and field interviews led the way to a project that analyzed the costs and benefits of a conventional university classroom building versus a sustainable one. The purpose is to design a general use classroom building that incorporates attributes that improve productivity and learning such as increased ventilation control, temperature control, lighting control as well as an increase in day lighting and use of non-toxic materials and surfaces. The project aims to analyze the costs from a net present value standpoint, in contrast to initial costs, to show that sustainable building not only increases student and staff success but also benefits the financial bottom lin / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. / Spring Semester, 2008. / March 26, 2008. / Green Building, Sustainable Building, Energy Model, Financial Benefits Of Green Building / Includes bibliographical references. / Eric Wiedegreen, Professor Directing Thesis; Jill Pable, Committee Member; James Doran, Committee Member.