Architecture Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2743
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Item The Nexus: Healthy Student Living at the Library(2024) Riffle, Brianna; Simon, Madlen; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)With nearly 80% of students in the United States consistently experiencing moderate to high levels of stress and a significant proportion attributing stress to poor academic performance, there is a clear imperative to explore innovative design solutions. Drawing on the field of neuroarchitecture, this thesis investigates how architectural design can positively influence the physical, psychological, emotional, and social experiences of university users. This thesis addresses the pressing need for university libraries and student housing that better support student well-being and learning capabilities. Neuroarchitecture, a field that integrates neuroscience, environmental psychology, and architecture, speaks to the psychological effects that a building’s design decisions can have on the user’s experience of the space. One main contributor to a positive experience within a building includes the use of biophilic design principles. This offers a unique opportunity to study the neurological effects and prominent biophilic principles that create a calming, rejuvenating, inspirational, and focus-inducing space. This thesis will apply strategies derived from neuroarchitecture principles to the design of university libraries.Item Campus Oasis: A Sanctuary for Learning & Wellness(2024) Watson, Omari; Abrams, Michael C; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The relationship between the built environment and its occupants can have a negative and positive effect on their wellbeing. Students across all college campuses experience stress, depression, and anxiety. The stress of academia can be impacted from the built environment, however, the spaces we decide to be in can relieve the stress if designed properly. Mental health support for students is a critical issue that can be addressed architecturally with biophilic design. The goal of this thesis is to explore the relationships between environmental psychology and the built environment to design spaces that improve the occupant’s well-being. The architecture embodies wellness shared with the natural and built environment with the focus on the user experience. Concepts such as phenomenology and biophilic design will be applied to design a welcoming and healing environment. The design of a spa and wellness center will function as a haven for the students and staff of an institution to decompress, relax, learn, feel motivated and feel relieved. The project will become a precedent for other colleges and universities to support their community against mental health issues.Item Beyond Sustainability: Biophilia as a tool for Regenerative Urban Design(2021) Asamoah, Jemimah; Gabrielli, Julie; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The concept of urban revitalization deals with measures to improve the features of the urban environment whilst promoting community engagement to improve the quality of life for all. Many Low-income neighborhoods in the DC area have experienced urban distresses resulting from changes in urban growth. These conditions have led to the physical deterioration of neighborhoods and have increased the number of poor and vulnerable citizens. Research establishes that positive public spaces foster and positively impact the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods. Regenerative design provides a rationalized approach to create restorative environments that encourage community engagement to promote economic and social benefits. Regenerative and biophilic urban design aims at eliminating the gap between the built environment and nature in modern cities to create restorative environments. This study examines how biophilic and regenerative architecture principles can foster quality in an urban environment through the redesign of the Anacostia Recreation Center and Park. Keywords: Urban revitalization; Regenerative Architecture; biophilic design