Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1979. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references. / This study was done in relation to contextual levels; A general level of structural-methodical rationalization problems of the planning and design process. This general level was related mainly to the building types which respond to extreme external conditions (such as topography,climate or social economic conditions) The specific level of terrace houses as an example of buildings of that kind and their adaptation process and mechanisms to the external conditions as rational, systematic development process. The S.A.R. approach serves as a background reference for this study. Some proposals were made to adopt the S.A.R design methodology in the case of terrace houses. The 'Morphogical Box' method which was developed by F. Zwicky for the systematic generation of alternative planning solutions was modified and applied in the classification and analysis purposes as well as in structuring the planning and design process to accommodate different external conditions and changing design objectives. These two systematic approaches were applied in the proposals for the rationalization of terrace houses. / by Gabriel M. Nattel. / M.Arch.

Ever since the 1841 arrival of British troops in Hong Kong have people decided staying in the city with rugged contours been finding solutions to face the geographical reality of the scarcity of land, whether are they European merchants or Chinese settlers. Public spaces that serve as a buffer and an extension to the private domain are of fundamental importance to the well-being of the people and the city. However in recent decades there is a prevailing trend to worship Western concept of public spaces such as squares and piazzas that were tailor-made to suit the habitual behavior of Europeans who and whose ancestors possess a strong culture of public living. The Western public spaces do not suit the mode of living of Chinese who are not used to exhibit themselves publicly and would prefer to stay close to their dwellings. The key issue addressed by this dissertation is that public spaces suiting the needs of Hong Kong people should learn from traditional urban public spaces for Chinese settlers who share if not identical, similar cultural background to us. Hong Kong Terraces that were formed by the British government to practically address the difficult circumstances of geographical, political and social factors are a valid example that has helped to solve the overcrowding problem and contributed to the history of the city. In other words, these are Hong Kong’s heritage public spaces that shall be treasured and learnt from. Given this, it is urgent to begin researching such spaces before they are erased from our sight. The dissertation will acknowledge Hong Kong Terraces as successful public spaces in Hong Kong, investigate the causes of formation, and identify their qualities with the illustration of several surviving cases. The research will provide alternative solutions and notes to the design of valid public spaces that shall help to improve Hong Kong urban life. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

Leisure is most basically defined as the time free from work. The ancient conception and forms of leisure were quite different from the modern ones, which came into discussion during the industrial era. The Roman society was highly stratified and comprised of diverse social classes for which leisure acquired different forms and meanings. Every stratum of the Roman society enjoyed the possibilities and pleasures of leisure proportional to its hierarchy in the social system, so that leisure can be investigated in both public and private contexts in the Roman world. This study aims to investigate leisure, which was one of the main driving social forces in the Roman society, in spatial terms with reference to Roman domestic architecture. The study focuses on central Italy and particularly on Ephesus, the latter of which is a good example to discuss how the Roman conception of leisure was spatially materialized in a provincial private setting since a group of well studied, documented, and published houses constitute an appropriate comparative sample and context in Ephesus. The spatial organization and characteristics of the spaces housing leisurely activities are discussed on the basis of an axes-scheme that regulated and even dictated the visual and bodily interaction of the participants with certain spaces and elements during leisure activities either in a static state (sitting, reclining), or a kinetic one (walking, perambulating). The visual axes are those perceived in either of these states, along which the eye is directed towards a visual focal point, whereas the dynamic axes are those along which people move during a kinetic leisurely activity. The location, architecture, and use of leisure-oriented spaces in the Roman period houses in Ephesus, such as triclinium, exedra, oecus, museion, and peristyle courtyard are examined with reference to the proposed axes-scheme to present and compare the operation of leisure in the Roman provincial and private setting.