"Between the Ocean and the Bay" is about a design process enabling the designer to see and know through three different graphic methods. The thesis concentrates both on the design of a specific structure, and on the ability to develop a design through two and three dimensional graphic manipulations. The three design methods are sketching, three-dimensional modeling, and computer drawing. All three have their unique qualities and all are effective. The Sketching method evolved through observing, seeing and drawing architecture in western Europe. The intimate visual process formulated a greater sense and comprehension of architecture. The on site drawing experience initiated this particular design expression. Furthermore the fragments of architecture recorded in these visual sketches became a vocabulary for all future designs. There are two kinds of three dimensional models. The first is for displaying a building or a project as an object in three dimensions. The second is a sketch, which is a fragment of a whole building or an idea. Fragmentary modeling provides a simple method of combining three dimensional elements enabling one to scrutinize them as they become part of a whole composition. This method of modeling allows the observer to see the spatial relationships between each element and the form as a whole. Modeling is a tactile experience. This physical involvement brings to the design a tangible relationship that develops scale and proportion. Fragment modeling was used in the development of the house between the ocean and the bay. Computer drawing produces two dimensional drafted plans or wire frame models that are viewed from infinite angles and then reproduced. Computer drafting lacks immediate tactile involvement of the other two methods of design discussed here. The results can appear to be flat and not dynamic. However, the computer provides discipline; by forcing one to make decisions on a design, it organizes abstract visual thoughts. There was a point in the designing of the house when turning to the computer to explore order was essential. The house between the ocean and the bay developed by employing the three different yet complementary design tools. Sketching was the strongest tool to explore a design problem through quick immediate production. Modeling forced the realization in space of the strengths and weaknesses of a design. The computer drawings in this project helped control the final shape of the house simply by forcing decisions and creating order. Each of these methods is productive by itself and together as they meld and feed on each other to create the product. / Master of Architecture

This inquiry attempts to examine different aspects of architecture and an understanding of space by exploring architectural expectations. The process described herein depicts the struggle to find a translation between two languages, one verbal and one visual. The key to my search was a constant set of ideas. The challenge was first to discern, and then to learn to use, the tools that would become my guide to the language of architecture. / Master of Architecture

The thrust of this project is twofold. The first is to create an addition to a reconstructed two-story log house. The second is to locate this structure upon the site in such a manner as to enhance the experience of its presence during approach. The first goal is addressed by connecting two appendage structures to the rear facade of the log house by means of a narrow transitional space. The intent is to maintain this transitional space as an architectural connection between the greater masses without allowing it to become a dominant element. The arrangement of the addition massing respects the prominence of the original log structure and compliments its dog-trot configuration. The shapes of the addition masses, freestanding studio/utilities building, deck area and pool also respond to the vehicular path which culminates in a circle. The second goal, the positioning of this structure within the boundaries of the selected site, was greatly facilitated by the site's numerous attributes. These range from the historical precedent of a previous log dwelling built upon the grassy knoll of choice to the natural enclosure of the site. A U-shaped, deciduously forested valley of dramatic slope along the three enclosing sides, the site provides a seasonally changing backdrop within which the entire structure can be experienced. Further enclosing this valley along the fourth side is a small, treelined river whose woody screen is permeated only in one small spot by a ford, which had been the site's previous access. / Master of Architecture

The medium of photography provides a first vehicle for the study of architectural and visual form. Through its employment, initially in a spontaneous and instinctive manner but with increasing understanding and awareness over time, a groundwork is laid for visual design in other media. Continuous tone pencil drawing becomes the means to realizing the lessons learned through these photographic exercises. Through this instrument, subsequent studies reveal the need for architectural design to evolve as discoveries of place rooted in a visual seed anchor point and evaluated by the same visual judgment developed in the earlier photographic work. Beginning with fragmentary images, the range of inquiry in the drawings broadens over time to encompass ever larger concerns in the design of architectural places. Reaching fruition in the design of a small retreat house, this process of study initially undertaken in photographic observation, following by drawn fragments and finally entire places, represents a paradigmatic approach to developing a working method of architectural design. The discovery of this design approach through the execution of the thesis itself constitutes the underlying theme. / Master of Architecture

Master of Architecture

The presence and placement of elements and setting up a contrast of the old to the new, presents an opportunity to explore an existing ruin. This thesis book is a presentation of exploration and findings. contrast. 1 to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences note the opposite natures, purposes, etc... presence n. 1. state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place;...; 3. immediate vicinity; close proximity '..identification is related to bodily form, whereas orientation apprehends spatial order. We could also say that they correspond to the architectural function of 'embodiment' and 'admittance'. Any environment thus, embodies meanings, at the same time as it admits certain actions to take place.' — C. Norberg-Schulz, The Concept of Dwelling / Master of Architecture

A philosophical standpoint that directly informs the design method: concern to invoke genius loci, to make a specific place, to give appropriate expression to architectural form. There is an attempt to remain in touch with what, in another age, would be described as romantic: the emotional appeal of nature, collective archetypal aspects of human culture, and the individual creative impulse. Polarities figure prominently : positive / negative, formal/random , orthogonal / organic. These are not all-out oppositions but symbiotic dualities--sides of the same coin. Orthogonal formality is posed against the site's natural vagaries. The positive is defined precisely by the negative: it needs the presence of the negative in order to register, and vice versa. The siting of the building, its various materials and its different outlooks are all chosen with the aim of putting those who will inhabit it in touch with their surrounds, the genius loci. / Master of Architecture

A prototype reinforced concrete moment frame representative of low-rise office buildings in the Central and Eastern United States from the 1950s-1970s was designed and selected for evaluation under seismic loads. A plane frame specimen from the prototype was incorporated into the design of a test-bed of four full-scale, side-by-side nominally identical structures that could be evaluated independently. The testing of the first frame serves as the topic of this dissertation. The specimen was two bays x two stories x 9-ft. wide. A new method for testing full-scale structures under seismic loads was proposed that used a hydraulic linear inertial shaker (LIS) to impart seismic loads. The response of the structure was monitored using 155 strain gages, 38 linear variable differential transformers, six string potentiometers, and 42 accelerometers. The response of the frame to a series of 25 load histories using the nees@UCLA LIS was marked by gradual structural softening and minimal yielding of the steel reinforcing throughout the structure. At a first interstory drift of 1.5% some yielding of the reinforcing bars was measured. Between 1.5% and 2% first interstory drift, a global sway mechanism formed when the failure of a splice at the base of the first story west column led to a cascading set of failures within other first-story column splices. The experimental behavior suggests previous scaled testing of similar structures may have inadequately represented the vulnerability column splices. The design of the test-bed, response of the structure to seismic loads, qualitative evaluation of the test method, and implications on future research are discussed.

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de transmitir aos Engenheiros de Estruturas o conhecimento teórico necessário para o dimensionamento e detalhamento de pilares usuais de edifícios em concreto armado. A definição das posições dos pilares em uma estrutura, bem como uma estimativa da seção transversal dos mesmos são abordadas neste trabalho. O estudo da estabilidade global, realizado no Capítulo 3, nos permite avaliar se os deslocamentos ocorridos na estrutura em função das ações horizontais e verticais, geram esforços de segunda ordem consideráveis ou não. A instabilidade de pilares será comentada no Capítulo 5, bem como os Métodos desenvolvidos para avaliar se um determinado pilar é estável ou instável. O detalhamento de pilares segundo as prescrições do Texto Base para a revisão da NBR - 6118/78, bem como o desenvolvimento de exemplos de dimensionamento de pilares estão contidos neste trabalho nos Capítulos 7 e 8, respectivamente. / The objective of this work is to transrnit to the structural engineers the necessary theoretical knowledge for the design and detail of usual columns in reinforced concrete buildings. The definition of the columns positions in the structure, as well as an estimate of their cross section will be explained in this work. The global stability study, described in chapter 3, allows us to evaluate whether the deformations ocurred in the structure due to horizontal and vertical actions, cause considerable second order strength or not. The columns instability will be commented in chapter 5, as well as the methods developed to evaluate whether a specific column is stable or instable. The columns detail as prescribed in the Basic Text for the Revision of NBR - 6118/78, and also the development of examples for columns design are in chapter 7 and 8, respectively.

Bakgrund och problem: En harmonisering inom redovisningsområdet i Sverige har skett, bland annat på grund av Sveriges inträde i EU. En av förändringarna är sättet koncerner numera redovisar goodwill. Under tidigare reglering skrevs goodwill av under en femårsperiod. I och med införandet av IAS förordningen har goodwill inte längre någon bestämd livslängd och testas istället årligen om nedskrivningsbehov föreligger. Värderingen av goodwill baseras på framtida prognoser, vilka alltid innehåller en viss osäkerhet. På grund av att goodwill inte längre har en bestämd livslängd utgör goodwillposten en allt större del av företags balansräkning. Eniro är ett av de mer extrema fallen. För räkenskapsåret 2008 redovisar Eniro totala tillgångar på 16.620 msek varav 11.374 msek är goodwill. När goodwill är en så stor del av företags totala tillgångar kan en felvärdering få ödestiga konsekvenser. Då värderingen av goodwill baseras på prognoser finns det en flexibilitet som skulle kunna nyttjas för personlig vinning. Studien undersöker om det finns ett samband mellan goodwillnedskrivningar och faktorerna företagsstorlek, rörlig ersättning till verkställande direktör samt om verkställande direktör är nytillsatt. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att studera om olika incitament påverkar företag att utnyttja flexibiliteten i redovisningen av goodwill. Metod: För att uppfylla syftet med studien har en kvantitativ metod tillämpats. Företag noterade på Stockholm Nasdaq OMX Large Cap och Mid Cap har behandlats. Datan om företagen har samlats in från företagens årsredovisningar räkenskapsåren 2005-2008. Resultat och slutsatser: Studien visar att nytillsatta verkställande direktörer oftare skriver ner goodwill än ej nytillsatta verkställande direktörer. Nytillsatta verkställande direktörer skriver dock ner goodwill med en lägre summa än ej nytillsatta verkställande direktörer. Resultatet förklaras med den höga variansen för nedskrivningarna gjorda av ej nytillsatta verkställande direktörer. Studien finner att stora företag oftare skriver ner goodwill och att nedskrivningarna är av ett högre värde än mindre företag. Ett resultat som finner stöd av tidigare forskning. Studien visar även att det finns incitament för verkställande direktörer under nästan samtliga räkenskapsår i studiens urval.