As our climate continues to shift, it is fundamental to understanding these unprecedented changes through field research done in biomes most critically impacted. Due to the remoteness and extreme climatic nature of these research stations, they are typically either hastily built flat pack constructions or sterile pill boxes with little consideration of the immediate surrounding. This investigation looks at structuring the restrictions of environment to give the architecture a sense of place, rather than looking at these extremes as limitations. This proposal is sited in the Alaskan Arctic circle, where research is being conducted to understand the intertwined issues of climate change and permafrost melt. It is the intent of this project to present a prototype of a responsible and responsive architecture for Toolik Station, Alaska,a renowned destination for arctic climate research. This thesis synthesizes unpredictable site and environmental factors, elements which will become increasingly commonplace as our planet's climate shifts. The proposal for the Northern Reach interrogates and responds: How are we best equipped to live and work in a rapidly changing measure of extremes? What imbues an architecture with a sense of place when that place is inherently mercurial? / Master of Architecture / To best understand the unprecedented effects of climate change on critical, research is often conducted in remote and often extreme areas of the planet, where the living conditions are less than ideal which affects the longevity and effectiveness of said research. This project investigates the extremes of living and working as a field scientist in Toolik Station, Alaska, and proposes housing and accommodations which are more sensitive and appropriate for its site than what is currently being used. The proposed project can be used as a prototype to replace other buildings at the chosen site.

Modern research on the shared points of natural and cultural heritage has opened new opportunities for the investigation of the dimensions of this natureculture phenomenon. Theo bjective of this study is to develop this subject by analysing the dialogue between the most critical human geographies and the heritage field. The theories on social space and place, non-places, liminality or phenomenological dwelling help both to find the character of a place and observe threats in the crisis of “loss of place” processes under postmodern conditions. These background phenomena that I name here as the Spatial Turn is linked to the heritage field through the (2008) Québec Declaration on the Preservation of Spirit of Place. This heritage factor in the search for the Spirit of Place is put into practice with the Arctic region as a case study. Analysing the Spirit of Place of the area, we shall also search for some of the threats and prospects for the region that will see the most changes in its natural and cultural heritage in the next years.

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Genius loci has been described as "the spirit of place". The main interest in considering an urban monastery program is to create a place that embodies the spirit and culture of Tibetan Buddhism in the context of urban Washington, D.C. Given Tibet's unique culture that has developed over centuries without much Western influence, and it recent history of Chinese rule, religious persecution and infiltration of its language, culture and environment, the challenge of this program is to represent the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in a modern language of architecture. / Master of Architecture

This dissertation investigates to use and increase existing vibrancy to revitalize an urban environment. The urban response is to consolidate existing functions within Rua De Bagamoyo, as a night- life precinct through the introduction of gaming as an extension of the existing night- life activity. The architectural response is to focus on a building that houses a casino and facility for prostitutes that challenges the private-public relationships of place by extending the street into the built form and the form into the street through a series of threshold spaces that explore the notions of visual and physical access. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted