Abstract: This project explores the ritual of leisure, social interaction, and reflection in a democratic* space. Water is the universal experience. The program for this site examines the ritual of bathing and the role of intimacy within a public domain. *democratic: absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges

Answering the call issued by John Underkoffler in 2010 about the future of UI, I have imagined the Immersive Media Library (IML) as an annex of the main VCU library, offering a concentration of visually immersive spaces to compliment the space the university is already building in the renovated Cabell Library. The design is new in that the emphasis is placed on the collaboration between librarians and visitors in creating new work. Focusing on the interpersonal might be unexpected from program with such an emphasis on new technology - but I see it as vital part of the new computing paradigm.

An arts education space, focusing on concepts of design thinking aimed at providing low income middle and high school teens of color the opportunity to learn about interior design, architecture and crafts. Ultimately, Boomerang Studio hopes to engage students in the world of design as a means of creating greater diversity within these disciplines.

For a physical space to have an emotional impact on those who experience it, we must consider the connection and relationship between objects and experience, and how people make individual connections to insentient places. It is this symbiotic relationship that allows a building or space to attain a “soul”. Through the adaptive re-use of a Richmond, Virginia building, this thesis project explores strategies of staging physical interaction and organic experiences through art and culture in the context of a mixed-use niche hotel.

A presente pesquisa teve como foco central, desenvolver uma análise que permitiu avaliar o conhecimento em gestão de projetos dentro de escritórios de design de interiores. Diante disto, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória, de ordem qualitativa, a fim de compreender a percepção dos gestores desses escritórios. Com isso, buscou-se obter informações que pudessem fornecer respostas sobre seus conhecimentos nas áreas relacionadas à gestão de projetos. A avaliação do conhecimento foi importante, pois permitiu identificar elementos que venham a aprimorar estruturas curriculares de cursos de design de interiores, capacitando de maneira mais eficaz, seus graduados. No entanto, não foi encontrada na literatura, pesquisa ligada a área de avaliação e gestão do conhecimento em escritórios de design de interiores. Assim sendo, estimou-se ao fim da pesquisa que a análise proposta tratasse do cenário atual, podendo auxiliar e contribuir para que se estabeleça um padrão que avalie o conhecimento dentro dos escritórios de design de interiores. O estudo permitiu concluir que nenhum dos escritórios que participaram da pesquisa faz uso de metodologias para gerenciar seus projetos. Desta forma, observou-se que cada escritório desenvolve seu próprio processo gerencial, tendo como referência suas próprias práticas de trabalho. / This research had as its central focus, develop an analysis that allowed evaluate knowledge in project management within interior design offices. Given this, an exploratory research was conducted in qualitative, in order to understand the perception of managers of these offices. Thus, it sought to obtain information that could provide answers about their knowledge in areas related to project management. The evaluation of knowledge was important because it allowed us to identify elements that may improve curriculum structures of interior design courses, enabling more effectively, its graduates. However, it was not found in the literature, research linked the area of assessment and management of knowledge in interior design offices. Therefore, it estimated the end of the research that the analysis dealt with the current situation and can assist and contribute to the establishment of a standard to assess the knowledge within the interior design offices. The study found that none of the firms that participated in the survey makes use of methods to manage your projects. Thus, it was observed that every office develops its own management process, taking as a reference its own work practices.

This research supports the design of a museum dedicated to reconciliation on the issue of human slavery. Throughout the museum guests will be ushered through contemplation to prepare for the context of the museum, gallery exhibitions chronicling the slavery and corporate apologia. The aim of the museum is to aid guests toward taking ownership of the history of slavery while simultaneously offering up forgiveness for it. Platforms for spoken word art, lecture halls and spaces dedicated to dialogue will be included. The chronological progression through the museum will move guests from introspection to education, personal acceptance to forgiveness. Guests will end the museum at a community space, reconciled to each other and on equal ground.

Rural towns often do not see community developments geared towards creating public spaces for multi-cultural experiences, the arts and recreation. Instead small towns are more exposed to commercial properties coming in and out the area. Introducing public spaces that offer various community activities and events will benefit people’s human and social capital. Human capital meaning skills and knowledge. Social capital meaning advantages and skills that come from interpersonal engagements (Anderson, 2004). Community centers designed for the unique needs of small towns can house programming to introduce new and rewarding opportunities for community engagement and personal development. Existing buildings within the community hold the potential to serve as community centers and adaptable interior spaces can add to a variety of programming options. The problem is the lack of community development geared towards creating public spaces for multi-cultural experiences, the arts and recreation. Small towns have limited exposure to diverse activities, events, skills sets and knowledge, along with limited spaces to support such. However older public building within small towns exist that are not being occupied or utilized to serve the community. People within small towns therefore are often restricted from acquiring a broad range of experiences and skills. To address this problem, evaluation of the current community state is necessary. This will reveal what opportunities are present and which are missing in terms of community engagement. Interviews, focus groups, and surveys are methods to gain information from the inhabitants of small towns. A diverse selection of participations will allow information to be more reflective of a wide range of ages groups, racial groups, and economic gr2wwoups. I plan to reach out to local schools for the students and staff member for participants in interviews, focus groups and electronic surveys. Examination of unoccupied buildings in small towns will reveal what facilities are available to house a potential community center. From that also assess if the interior spaces could incorporate adaptable design systems. Altogether this research will support the importance of community art centers in rural areas that offer adaptive reuse of historical building. In addition expose how the design of these building and programming show seek to support the unique needs of small towns.

MOTIVATION: The value of family mealtime has been well documented by decades of academic research. Children from families, (regardless of race, class or income), that routinely sit down to a meal together, suffer less depression, obesity and substance abuse. They also stay healthier and do better in school (Benefits 2018). There are nutrition, health, social, and mental benefits to eating with others. Research has shown that people eat more fruits and vegetables and other nutrient-rich foods when they share a meal with others. They also drink less soda and eat less fried foods (Benefits 2018). Eating meals together teaches children better communication skills and the opportunity to learn more words (Benefits 2018). PROBLEM: In environments that have limited fresh fruits and vegetables, yet numerous sweet and salty snack food, food insufficiency, and infrequent family meals have been found to be associated with poor dietary intake and/or obesity. (Mason 2014). People and families may make decisions based on their environment or community. For example, a person may choose not to walk or bike to the store or to work because of a lack of sidewalks or safe bike trails. Community, home, child care, school, health care, and workplace settings can all influence people’s daily behaviors. Therefore, it is important to create environments in these locations that make it easier to engage in physical activity and eat a healthy diet (Adult 2018). If we know that eating nutritious meals together at home equals can reduce stress, obesity, and depression, and lead to a happier life, why do people still make other choices? Lack of food education? Resources? Time? METHODS: Direct observational and objective data was collected through a survey to better understand the choices that people make. Research through articles, books, and documentaries will support my findings on the benefits of community kitchens and gardens. Precedents include Shalom Farms, Feed More, and other community kitchens in the country RESULTS: Despite intense nationwide efforts to improve healthy eating, progress has plateaued, and health biases remain (Berge 2017). Community kitchens have been associated with enhanced food skills, improved community food security, and improved social interactions (Iacovou 2013). Studies of community kitchen-based nutrition and cooking instruction program for parents and children suggests increased enjoyment of cooking and decreased consumption of meals away from home (Iacovou 2013). REFLECTIONS & CONCLUSIONS: How might a community cooking school, garden, and table where members share knowledge, resources, and labor to prepare, cook, and consume food improve the member’s health? A kitchen-based nutrition and cooking instruction program for parents and children would bring food freedom, or the right to food, implying that sufficient food is available, that people have the means to access it, and that it adequately meets the individual’s dietary needs and an environment to learn basic cooking techniques and food gardening. This community cooking school and garden will highlight healthful eating, incorporating young children into growing their own produce, cooking, and emphasizing the emotional and social benefits of family meal time. In this space, a variety of programs for all experience and income levels would be available year round. Every class would end with a meal around the table, because eating together is as important as what’s on the plate.

ABSTRACT MOTIVATION American life is increasingly fragmented, leading to a sense of restlessness and disconnection. Much of that fragmentation can be traced to our pattern of architectural and sociological development, namely, the rise of the automobile suburbs in the 1950s and 60s and the abandonment of densely populated, human- scaled environments like that of the small town or city center (Oldenberg, 1999). PROBLEM Large numbers of architecturally significant buildings have fallen into disrepair over the years following the “white flight” of the 1960s and 70s, during which significant segments of investment dollars left city centers and followed to the suburbs (Kunstler, 1994). Specifically, older church buildings have fallen victim to a dilemma of sociological change. Many of the congregations that inhabit historic church buildings do not have the vitality, vision, and sometimes funds to maintain their buildings. While there are many newer congregations that do have the vision and vitality to maintain an older building, they often do not have the funds to do so. As a result, an increasing number of community treasures, buildings built at a dense urban and human scale, are being lost to neglect and misuse. METHODS In order to gain a clearer and more specific understanding of the issues involved in revitalizing and maintaining historic sacred spaces for the benefit of their communities, a course of study was undertaken which included readings of books and articles on urban revitalization such as “The Past and Future City” by Stephanie Meeks, those on third place like Ray Oldenberg’s classic, “The Great Good Place”, and some on the integration of the arts in community centers and shared space. Case studies of successful adaptive reuse projects of church and synagogue buildings, such as Maison de la Littérature in Quebec City and those undertaken by Partners for Sacred Places in Philadelphia, were investigated. Interviews were conducted with leaders from both older and newer urban congregations, and with directors of local community centers and for-profit businesses. RESULTS According to studies completed by The National Trust, historic buildings help a city to maintain its urban vitality, and maintaining stock of old buildings must be an important component of any serious conversation about sustainability in the built environment (Meeks, 2016). At the same time, many historic and architecturally significant buildings which were constructed at a time when church attendance was a larger part of the American cultural experience are falling into disrepair because the congregations that inhabit them are often unable to generate the energy, vitality, and funding that is necessary to maintain them. REFLECTIONS/CONCLUSIONS This project will explore the development of a community center for education and the performing arts in an historic church building. The program will include a small cafe, rentable studio space, a library/ reading room, a performance venue, and event space. Research will support development of a third place model, successful adaptive reuse of sacred space, and will explore options for cost-effective renovation of an historic space.

<p>Denna rapport berättar om vårt arbete med att ta fram ett inredningskoncept till den nya kårpuben i Eskilstuna. Vi har med hjälp av våra kunskaper inom informationsdesign och rumslig gestaltning arbetat fram ett förslag, anpassat efter uppdragsgivarens önskemål. Våra uppdragsgivare är Kårhusstiftelsen och Mälardalens studentkår. De ville att inredningskonceptet skulle vara målgruppsanpassat med funktion, flexibilitet och nytänkande i fokus. Då kårpubens personal till största del består av ideell arbetskraft ville de även att inredningskonceptet skulle underlätta det dagliga underhållet av verksamheten. Vi har utfört observation, målgruppsanalys, behovsanalys, enkätundersökning, intervjuer samt utprovningar. Det slutliga konceptförslaget gestaltade vi med hjälp av en digital presentation. I presentationen ingick planritning, 3D visualisationer och inspirationsbilder med möbelval etc. Vi ansåg att den digitala presentationen var ett informativt sätt att få alla inblandade parter att förstå inredningskonceptet och dess fördelar.</p>