http://hdl.handle.net/1903/2743 2013-05-26T06:41:57Z 2013-05-26T06:41:57Z Chen, Wenhui http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13868 2013-04-10T02:36:18Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: MEMORY AND ARCHITECTURE --- RENEWAL OF A HISTORICAL COMMUNITY IN LINJIANG NEIGHORHOOD, QUANZHOU, CHINA Authors: Chen, Wenhui Abstract: China is developing at a tremendous pace. Today, walking along the streets of any major Chinese city is not unlike many western cities, except for the higher density of both buildings and of people. However, rapid economic development and urbanization have led to an enormous amount of demolition of traditional neighborhoods and the redevelopment and construction of new urban districts throughout the country. The historic neighborhoods are being devoured, resulting in a dramatic loss of tradition life style and living memory. In my thesis, I probe into the question, "how can we preserve traditional Chinese lifestyle while rebuilding the urban fabric of traditional Chinese neighborhood? " I explode this question at the scale of the district and the scale of the family house..

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Friedman, Meredith Lynne http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13867 2013-04-10T02:35:45Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: HEALING SPACES : INCORPORATING GEMSTONE AND CHAKRA HEALING INTO ARCHITECTURE Authors: Friedman, Meredith Lynne Abstract: According to the American Institute of Stress, our society has been experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety which contribute to many health and psychological illnesses such as heart disease, chronic fatigue, anxiety attacks, high blood pressure and other illnesses. Since the built environment plays such an important role in our lives, it is important that designers explore ideas for creating places that help to counteract this unhealthy factor of contemporary life. There are many ways in which scientists have found how one can change the behavioral state described above. One of them is through the use of gemstones and applying them to the human chakra centers. It has been found by those of spiritual practices, not specific to any religion, that the utilization of gemstones and chakra rituals can contribute to both calming and healing. This thesis explores how to utilize these discoveries and to incorporate design qualities that help relieve stress through sensitive and appropriate design. By combining these concepts for architecture and incorporating gemstones and chakras, this thesis will illustrate ways to create spaces where people can come to therapeutically relax and reconnect with themselves and like-minded patrons.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Ramil, James Gilbert Keawe http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13866 2013-04-10T02:35:13Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Reimagining Penn Station Authors: Ramil, James Gilbert Keawe Abstract: Welcome to New York City! Penn Station serves as a primary gateway into the city for over one-hundred million people every year although the experience is less than ideal. The user faces an underground labyrinth with no connection to the city, light or air while the land above only utilizes about one-third of the maximum FAR thereby limiting its value. Through the lenses of clarity, movement, and identity, this thesis explores how to reimagine Penn Station.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Afshar, Mercedes K. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13855 2013-04-05T02:33:38Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The Building Skin as a Connecting Medium: A Case Study in Tehran Authors: Afshar, Mercedes K. Abstract: This thesis will investigate ways in which the building facade can contribute to the city by having the ability to transform and embed within itself functions that go beyond the necessities of the buildings' primary purposes. The buildings' facade therefore will serve as a medium to shelter and initiate different activities and functions such as: circulation, access, view, assembly, growth, as well as communication. This transitory zone, consequently will serve as an organizing urban structural system that can be applied to any public building(s) in order to activate a two-dimensional layer of the building exterior through the means of giving it a third dimension. While being an addition this system seeks to reduce existing issues and to enhance the social and practical necessities pertaining to both the individual building as well as the chosen site. The selected site for this structure is a square in Tehran, the capitol city of Iran. Although the skin system is designed to be applicable to any building at any public realm, Tajrish Square will serve as the exemplary location for its application. Being culturally rich, and socially valuable, the site chosen for this investigation will demonstrate the adaptive use of the building system being proposed

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z