published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

Ideas of typology are pursued, expanding on popular preconceptions of automobile culture and strip architecture. The elements of type are investigated through an analysis of their physical, social, and economic relationships. An argument of complicity is developed as an alternative to the traditional "eurourbanism" common to many municipal design guidelines. This position seeks to work within the context of the existing city, taking pleasure in its margins, gaps, and adjacencies. Considering the particular physical, cultural and economic conditions of the City of Richmond, this project is framed as the identification of an emerging spatial conception and program/use. The physical space of the city is seen to be shaped most directly by the inclusion of the automobile. The cultural influences of immigration are read on the surfaces of the city and through building programme. Economic realities shape the space of the city as a commodity to be constructed, marketed, and consumed. Through the analysis of the site and contextual conditions, strategies of spatial investigation emerged: the folding of the plane of the city (street) into the space of the building, the horizontal framing of the space of the city (serving as reference and dis-locator to both the automobile and the body as these move through the spaces of the project), and the assemblage of existing types to produce hybrid/mutant types.

The thesis presents a comprehensive overview of the context and significance of ventilation cooling techniques and their feasibility in the United States. Passive cooling is one of the more architecturally interesting ways by which architects could make buildings energy efficient. There is great interest in passive systems since they can lead to a huge reduction of energy costs and support more sustainable building solutions. A number of ventilation system options are available to fill the need for a lower cost alternative to active [conventional] systems. It is the non-residential sector where energy consumption is of most concern and integrating passive natural ventilation in new non-residential buildings is receiving a lot of attention internationally and the U.S. building industry. Interest in improving air quality by passive ventilation is also increasing. / Department of Architecture

This thesis has explored the development of the automobile showroom as a twentieth century building type. The showrooms of Indianapolis, Indiana were used as the primary source of physical evidence. Buildings erected specifically for sales and service of automobiles between 1900 and 1955 chosen. The development was traced in regards to size and layout of the departments. The involvement of manufacturers, dealers and architects was also traced. / Department of Architecture

This creative project has explored the relationship between fire codes and adaptive reuse of historic commercial architecture. The goals of historic preservation and fire codes are at opposite ends of the spectrum. The goals of preservation are to save and reuse historic spaces and materials that are frequently in conflict with the fire codes. Fire codes seek to ensure the health, safety and property of the community by regulating the design and materials of buildings in the community. Many of the buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places were built before building codes were implemented. As a result, it is difficult to apply modern code standards to these buildings without destroying the spaces and elements that make them unique.Finding compromises that best satisfy the intent of the fire codes and the goals of historic preservation has been the objective of this creative project. Fire codes vary widely from model code to model code. This problem is compounded by the adoption of the codes: many municiplities choose to exercise the right of home rule and alter the model codes to the need of the comm. This has resulted in fire codes that vary widely from community to community. This creative project has, therefore, dealt with general issues which are most likely to arise in the adaptive reuse of historic commercial architecture.In addition, this creative project has used the W. A. McNaughton Department Store (Ball Stores) as the test building. The McNaughton building is scheduled for demolition in the spring of 1989. As a result of this creative project, the exterior and interior of the McNaughton building have been thoroughly documented. / Department of Architecture

Building Simulation is widely used for understanding how a building consumes energy and for assessing design strategies aimed at improving building energy efficiency. The present research study uses eQUEST, a popular simulation software. Various simulations are done here to analyse and critically comment on the best design strategies to be used in order to vastly reduce the energy consumption of a recently constructed small (1800 m2 floor area) commercial building in Brampton, Ontario, which is a heating dominated region. The limitations faced with eQUEST while simulating the modified design are critiqued. A complete understanding of the building science and heat flow through the building envelope has been applied to modify the building in question. After all the changes applied, the overall heat load of the building was reduced to 15 kWh/m2/yr and the overall energy consumption reduced by 60 percent.

Building Simulation is widely used for understanding how a building consumes energy and for assessing design strategies aimed at improving building energy efficiency. The present research study uses eQUEST, a popular simulation software. Various simulations are done here to analyse and critically comment on the best design strategies to be used in order to vastly reduce the energy consumption of a recently constructed small (1800 m2 floor area) commercial building in Brampton, Ontario, which is a heating dominated region. The limitations faced with eQUEST while simulating the modified design are critiqued. A complete understanding of the building science and heat flow through the building envelope has been applied to modify the building in question. After all the changes applied, the overall heat load of the building was reduced to 15 kWh/m2/yr and the overall energy consumption reduced by 60 percent.

Thesis (M.R.P.)--University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 212-240).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-64).