Architecture Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2743
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Item Stadspoort Amsterdam(2009) Marcelis, Ritsaart Jens; Williams, Isaac S; Schumacher, Thomas L; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis will attempt to redevelop the immediate context of Amsterdam's central train station in order to reinvigorate the station's intended purpose of serving as a gateway to the city. Implicit in this goal is the need to examine the transportation and visitor functions housed on the site and to resolve them in a more urbanistically coherent way. However, the main focus of the thesis is to investigate the history and culture of the city and to synthesize them into a built form which is clearly evocative of Amsterdam's gestalt. Since architecture inherently reflects the attitudes of the community that produced it, it is hoped that much of this synthesis may be achieved by examining the tectonic approaches used in Amsterdam's recent and distant architectural past and then reinterpreting them for the twenty-first century. A secondary focus for the thesis is to attempt to repair the rift in the city's urban fabric that was caused by locating the station at Amsterdam's waterfront, effectively splitting the city in two. Although the primary area of interest is the plaza in front of the station, this secondary focus will necessitate interventions both in the station itself and on its waterfront edge. By means of these investigations and interventions it is hoped that the site can be reinvigorated as a culturally and urbanistically significant entryway to the city.Item Architecture: Music, City, and Culture(2009) Riad, Mahmoud M.; Noonan, Peter; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Many scholars have discussed the relationship between architecture and music. Design methodologies have been created to highlight this intersection, attempting to attain the sublime. While architecture theorists have used western music as a foundation, this thesis aims to investigate this relationship in a non-western setting. Music would be used as a cultural identifier, to unlock "hidden dimensions" shared in language, music, and architecture. The case study site is historic Cairo, between the Fatamid Walls. For the past two centuries, Cairo has abandoned its cultural heritage and embarked on a process of westernization. Those who seek to hold onto the city's identity are abusing traditional motifs in a manner that seems cliché and somewhat absurd. The thesis calls for a deeper understanding and evolution of Cairo's heritage, using concepts of the Arabic Melodic modes, Maqams, to create a place for listening, al Masmaa'.Item Chesapeake City, Maryland: Creating a Vision for Eastern Shore Town Development(2009) McKearin, Jonathan Matthew; Bell, Matthew J; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Exploring the future of town development on Maryland's Eastern Shore, this thesis confronts the pattern of sprawling suburban expansion by offering an alternative masterplan of compact, limited development for the historic town of Chesapeake City. In addition to proposing a comprehensive strategy for managing future growth in the region, this project actively engages the local discourse surrounding the Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway, asserting Chesapeake City's position as the northern gateway to the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's Eastern Shore. By reconnecting the town to the Scenic Byway and strengthening the town's presence on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, the project augments the town's access to the recreational and tourist opportunities of the northern Chesapeake region. Furthermore the project proposes a carefully woven network of neighborhoods and districts, promoting a diverse, livable community.Item Reversing the Process; Taking a Detail to a Design(2009) Schooley, Zachary Ryan; Kelly, Brian P; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)A comprehensive understanding of the development of the architectural detail is currently lacking in the professional education of architects. Detail development is normally seen as the end product of an architectural design process. In academic settings the majority of time is devoted to abstract generalizations, parti development, and schematic design. This thesis will reverse the typical architectural design process by taking a detail to a design. By using the proposed Washington, D.C. `Purple-line' light-rail initiative as a vehicle for study, a framework to support an in-depth exploration of tectonic, conditional details will be developed. These prototypical details will require adaptations due to location or function, yet will need to exhibit a unifying language for the overall identification of the line. This proposition will pursue an alternative to the traditional architectural design methodology. By implementing detail development at the beginning of the design process, a deeper educational experience can be achieved.Item Sustainable Town Center: Wheaton, Maryland(2008) Ramos, Cesar Enrique; Schumacher, Thomas L.; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Population and automobile dependency are growing at a fast rate. This proliferation brings side problems, such as sprawl, shrinking of natural green areas, traffic, and air pollution. Bringing people back to the cities and relying on public transportation becomes important to solve or reduce some of these problems. Wheaton, Maryland, has the potential to become a better place. This thesis proposes the implementation of a sustainable mixed-use complex to revitalize the Wheaton town center. The town center seeks to provide a sense of community and to improve the social, economical, and cultural image of the individual and indeed of the larger community. Multiple family housing is the major component of this mixed income community that has access to various types of outdoor spaces which encourages interaction. The important uses, in addition to housing, of this mixed use community include office space, retail, and community services, such as a day care, a new mid county community center, and a police sub-station. This program affords the community the possibility to live, work, entertain, and shop within a pedestrian-friendly environment.Item Re-Establishing Community: A Renewed Village Center for Edmondson Village, Baltimore, MD(2007-05-25) Leonard, Jessica Lynn; DuPuy, Karl; Bell, Matt; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis proposes to reintroduce a "sense of place" into a community that has undergone rapid and severe physical, social, and economic changes. It examines how the built and natural environment can stabilize and recenter a community through the development of a renewed village center. Southwest Baltimore's Edmondson Village serves as a transition between the urban and suburban patterns of the city. The community's decrepit shopping center is located along Edmondson Avenue (Route 40) and is central to wealthy, middle, and lower class neighborhoods. It is surrounded by important civic and educational buildings, making it an ideal location for neighborhood revitalization and ultimately a new village center. The addition of a metro station on the city's proposed Red Line, along with a pedestrian focused, mixed use, mixed income development are essential elements in re-establishing an identity for Edmondson Village. Creating coherent public spaces are vital to fostering an environment where people can interact outside of the private realm. The village center serves as a home, shopping area, and gathering place for the residents of the community.Item Connections to Community (Integrating Pimlico Race Course Into a Renewed Community Vision)(2007-05-21) Yan, Chi Yung; DuPuy, Karl F.G.; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Historic Pimlico Race Course holds many distinctions as a time honored American landmark whose life spans three centuries and many noteworthy events. It is the crowning jewel to a vibrant and historic Maryland thoroughbred industry as the home to the Preakness Stakes. Pimlico embodies the truest sense of a rural Maryland identity within the context of its most urban city. Pimlico Race Course is in the northwest quadrant of Baltimore City adjacent to the Park Heights neighborhood. Once a vibrant immigrant community, today it is home to a struggling predominantly African American community suffocated by crime, drugs, and a high degree of housing and property vacancies. This thesis asserts that Pimlico must become an asset to its neighbors. To survive and revitalize, a new Pimlico must become an active participant in the community through the integration of a program conducive to its business, the culture of horseracing, and the community.Item Gateway to the City: A Train Station Redevelopment Project in Melbourne, Australia(2006-12-19) Golumbeck, Elizabeth Kramer; Dupuy, Karl F. G.; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Spencer Street Station has been essential to the development and prosperity of Melbourne and the State of Victoria since it opened in 1857. The areas adjacent to the site became industrial developments, pushing residential development to the east of the city. The existing station was built in the early 1960's and lacks facilities such as comfortable waiting areas, public open space, roofs over the platforms, and convenient subway connections. Current plans are to redevelop not only the Spencer Street Station but also the entire surrounding docklands area. In a country where train travel is one of the primary connections between the country and the city, the redevelopment of this primarily interstate passenger and freight train station is vital to the life of the city. The focus of this thesis will be the design of a train station with modern facilities, public space both interior and exterior, retail stores and restaurants, as well as areas for bus, taxi, and tram transfers. Moreover, the Spencer Street Station will be a landmark and act as a gateway between the Central Business District and the Docklands area. This thesis will not attempt to redevelop the entire Docklands site, but will take into consideration current plans for the area. Academically, I am interested in examining: the train station typology; the role transportation systems play in the development of a city; the role this station plays in the development of the docklands; and the idea of the building as a gateway.Item Exploring a Town/campus Intersection(2006-12-18) Carroll, Francis Brian; DuPuy, Karl; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis seeks to explore an edge condition created by the Southern boundary of the University of Maryland campus and 41 acres of privately held student housing and retail properties. The proximity of this land to the campus and the current local housing shortage make it a critical part of the solution. The University of Maryland has developed a master plan that describes a vision for its future with an eye toward efficient use of space. The area described above has not yet benefited from a comprehensive vision. This thesis will focus on the development of a comprehensive plan for this site, and will culminate in the schematic design of a mixed use (retail and residential) building. This building sited at the intersection of Knox Road and Route 1 will seek to make tangible the vision for future development that will maximize the resources and potential of this site.Item Piazza "Libero D'Orsi:" A City Gate to the Archaeological Park of Ancient Stabiae, Italy(2006-12-07) varone, leonardo; Bell, Matthew J; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis was conceived within a broader Master Plan for the archaeological site of Ancient Stabiae, near Pompeii; which aims to enhance and transform the 150-acre site, featuring several Roman seaside villas and ancient city, into a coherent and modern archaeological park. Among the goals: preservation of the Roman villas and their environment, improvement of access and visitor's experience, promotion of cultural tourism, socio-economical development in the region. The Master Plan, which embraces different disciplines, has been developed since the beginning with a view toward urban integration and renewal; with focus on the connection with the modern city and access to the archaeological site at urban and regional scales. As result, the need for an access node was identified and a new urban space designed: the "Piazza Libero D'Orsi," an inter-modal urban renewal project that provides easy access to the site while revitalizing a key city node with mix-use functions.