Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Think tanks are generally described as nonprofit institutions made up of experts who achieve change by offering policy prescriptions to lawmakers and by strategically marketing their ideas in the media. They have been part of the American political landscape since the turn of the 20th century, and there are now hundreds of such organizations across the country. This study was directed to state-based groups on the conservative side of the political spectrum that produce policy research in support of their political philosophy of a limited role for government, free enterprise in the marketplace, and greater individual liberty. The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of state-level, free-market think tanks, using some of the same criteria that have been applied to national think tanks; evaluate their use of nonprofit networks and the types of social capital they generate; and provide new insights into this relationship.

Architecture is a spatial reality and, as such, should be designed spatially. Traditional methods of two dimensional design offer limited insight to the nature of the built project. By designing a project in three dimensions from its inception, an architect comes closer to the actuality of the building. This thesis addresses the possibilities and realities of three dimensional computer aided design. Radical changes in computer technology have made interactive three dimensional design possible. Clusters of processing units acting in parallel offer unprecedented flexibility and computing power. New methods of input such as voice and gesture activation are allowing greater flexibility of input. The future of three dimensional computer aided design points to higher resolution displays, holographic imaging, and spatial object manipulation. The vehicle for this architectural thesis is a computer research facility; The National Institute for Advanced Media. The project addresses the demands that new computer technologies place on architecture. It also offers a direction for designing with these new technologies. This thesis contains an analysis of the architectural project, a complete description of the architectural process, and a summary of all software packages considered. The Apple Macintosh IIfx was chosen as the hardware platform for this investigation because of its object oriented graphical environment and for its advanced multimedia capabilities. / Master of Architecture

Factors involved in the development and performance of interdisciplinary university based research centers were investigated by an analytical case study of one such center, the "University Research Center" (URC). A description of URC's life cycle and the various factors that affected its performance is presented. The sociocognitive ideals of university-based research centers emphasized the promotion of interdisciplinary research and education. The organizational reality, however, showed that a variety of other factors, both internal and external to a center, may significantly influence its operations. Factors internal to URC included leadership, support of loyal participants and their motivations to participate in interdisciplinary research. External factors included the effects of university departments and the availability of funds. The interpretation of these factors made it possible to construct generalizations about the organizational characteristics of university-based research centers. In order to function effectively, a university-based research center must manage its sociocognitive ideals and its organizational characteristics simultaneously and with some degree of balance. / Master of Science

When the design of a building is understood as a creation of ideas, and construction as putting these ideas into reality, then a building is only created once, and every change or growth will be just another construction phase. Under these circumstances, the act of creating the basis for flexibility requires the knowledge about quality and location of changes at a time when the building, Its use and Its user configuration do not exist. Since form and function are closely tied together, designing for flexibility will influence form. In the past, what was thought to be the most flexible building tended to have the most unspecific form. It must be the contributIon of architecture to achieve both, the adaptability for change, and the ability to express and interpret time, place and meaning. Since the introduction of mass production, building flexibility has been a leading economic factor in the planning of industrial and commercial facilities. Technological progress not only affects production conditions, but also constantly redefines requirements for spatial quality and the building conception. For the benefit of architectural meaning, and a work environment that can meet human requirements under changing conditions, planning methods and architectural concepts must distinguish between spaces with different flexibility demands. The sum of functions in a building can be divided in work-related and people·related activities. Work-related activities are production-oriented involving a relatively high degree of technology. People-reIated activities are oriented toward the basic human needs involving a relatively low degree of flexibility. Whereas work related functions have a high frequency of change affecting the building in many degrees, people-related spaces hardly ever change experiencing rearrangements rather than construction work. In architectural design, the relationship between these two different types of space finds expression. As examples in the past show, there is a variety of architectural interpretation of flexibility. The ability to replace elements in a building’s metabolic transformation is influenced by architectural order. In the design of a Research and Development Center an order is created serving work and people functions and distinguishing between temporary and permanent areas. / Master of Architecture

M. Tech. Architecture (Professional) / The aim of the dissertation is to create an architectural interpretation of a new interactive center. The center will explore the adaption of buildings in a natural context within the city of Pretoria, to promote research, solutions and understanding of climate change in a developing country that is dependent on energy. The awareness center will be situated on a prominent untouched site within the Innovation Hub campus. The aspiration for this site is to reintroduce the link between two major research facilities namely the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University of Pretoria (UP). The development of the design will investigate the following issues: The background and effect of climate change; Climate change as a reality and architecture in an eco-systemic approach; and How architecture should respond to climate change and nature.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture (Applied Design))--Tshwane University of Technology, 2012. / The aim of this dissertation is to design a National Food Technology and Research centre in Marabastad, Tshwane. The focus of the proposed project is to introduce an urban food system by way of reviewing available foodstuffs, seeds and products in a scientifically responsible manner. This will be achieved by attempting to create an awareness concerning food and all related aspects, to challenge the old habits of consumers and to promote a responsible and sustainable lifestyle. The centre's programme will aim to manage innovative research and develop public and community activities related to future urban agriculture and related food technology. This proposal will also aspire to initiate networking and development of relationships amongst farmers (producers), the commercial sector (production and processing sector) and the consumer (public). The architectural intervention will promote social and economic development, contributing to the general self-sufficiency and up-liftment of the Marabastad community. The architectural language is in contrast to the surrounding context but simultaneously celebrates the existing Marabastad social culture and architectural elements. This development intends to rejuvenate the existing proximate environment and establish an urban building typology, which aims to contribute to the future development initiative for Marabastad. The design and layout of the facilities are based on social, pragmatic and cultural actions, evident within Marabastad and particularly the area known as Jazz Square, between Bloed and Struben Streets. The proposed Research Centre will consequently embrace and respond to the site's unique and historical genius loci.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / This proposal deals with the design of a beekeeping research centre on the Wonderboom farm on the northern outskirts of Pretoria, alongside the Magalies mountain range. The site forms a link between urban and agrarian fabric. The project serves as a tool of recreation, knowledge, understanding and response with regard to the protection of bees.

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