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RE-generate
No full textAcross the United States there has been an increase in abandoned malls, with less than a thousand still active. The decline and abandonment of malls is a reaction to changes in consumer habits, economic disparity, and the 2020 Pandemic. Adaptive reuse gives a building that possesses cultural significance a second chance, which is now a vital strategy to lowering carbon emissions from building construction. As the last major mall in Delaware county and several surrounding counties, the Muncie Mall is on the decline with its major anchor stores leaving and only 53 percent of it being leased. I am proposing Ball State purchase the mall to help integrate the residents of Muncie and the students and faculty of the university by laying the foundation for a walkable city within a city, that focuses on community rather than retail and consumerism. The program is mixed-use with a focus on housing students, faculty, independent elders, and starter families alongside educational, entertainment, wellness, social, and food or retail spaces. The site design and architecture aim to regenerate life into a once bland and monotonous building through increased daylighting, materiality, unique form, lush-green spaces, and a network of paths to increase walkability.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Influence of community engagement on the social and architectural growth and development of low-income housing communities
No full textQ: How can community engagement influence the growth and development of low-income neighborhoods socially and architecturally?
Architecture can be the driving factor for redesigning low-income housing communities suffering from poor management, funding, and constructability. This diploma project integrates community engagement with sustainability, through single-family shipping container home design, solar technology, biodiverse community gardening, and much more. This low-income, single-family housing community is located at 960 Agard Ave, Benton Harbor, MI. The design principles that are embedded in this project focus on constructability through community engagement by inviting local tradesmen and women to teach residents how to correctly repair and upkeep their new home. Residents will have access to tool loaning programs, workshops, career training, financial advising and daycare services through the community center within this project. “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” - Coretta Scott KingThesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Smockitecture: fabric processes and manipulations as an act of architecture
No full textTextiles have a long history of being intertwined with architecture. As a material type, textiles have created enclosures and insulation for many structures and people since prehistoric times. It is a natural protective barrier from the elements. Fibrous material’s qualities are architectural in nature. Architecture works are often described as flexible, curved, folded, pleated, patterned, structured/non-structured, woven, textured, thermal, and breathable – all of which are the innate characteristics of fabrics.
Smockitecture is an investigation of material manipulations, the art of making, and fabric processes as an act of architecture. Thinking and rethinking through material. Doing, undoing, and redoing.
This research focuses on a material that creates its own structure, or that have processes developed to allow for structural integrity, as well as beauty. The fabric manipulation of smocking, a technique that employs embroidery to gather fabric to be able to stretch, has these qualities. Smocking fabrics provides new tactile dimensions and textile terrain to a two-dimensional cloth. Through understanding and assessing scale, material, shape, method, and traditional practice, the design opportunities are endless and can lead to new ways of looking at architecture that embraces a material that is integral to our culture and the history of architecture.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Architectural intelligence: questioning the current paradigm
No full textThis work critically assesses how advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not merely altering the architectural landscape but are also challenging the discipline's foundational principles. Through the design and process analysis of a large-scale data center facility designed to be set in Lusk, Wyoming, it investigates AI's influence on conventional models of architectural practice, aiming to interpret the potential lessons and applications to fully exploit AI's augmentative capabilities. The thesis delves into the capacity of AI to enhance our architectural endeavors, towards achieving broader objectives like sustainability, efficiency, and innovation in design aesthetics. Furthermore, it serves as a speculative study of this new augmented workflow's potential achievements and contemplates the future trajectory of architectural design in an AI-integrated context. By addressing pivotal questions, this work offers a holistic view of AI as a catalyst for transformation within architecture, providing insights on how architects might adapt to and leverage these technological advancements for societal and environmental betterment.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Revitalizing heritage: the redevelopment of Roosevelt High School in Gar Indiana
No full textIn recent years, the traditional model of community development has shifted away from encouraging the complete demolition of entire neighborhoods to a new approach that aims to revitalize existing neighborhoods. This shift has led development professionals to recognize the cultural and economic potential of historic neighborhoods. However, undertaking projects in distressed/historic neighborhoods requires different tools than those used in traditional development proposals. This project proposal for the Gary Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana, aims to demonstrate that severely distressed buildings in economically struggling neighborhoods can only be revitalized effectively through the public-private partnership development model rather than through traditional development methods that depend predominantly on the private sector. The proposal also aims to provide an actionable guide for the redevelopment of Gary Roosevelt High School
Inside | Out
No full textIn architecture, the building envelope is typically a single layer, creating spaces that can be occupied either inside or outside. What if the building envelope was considered more closely? What would happen if architecture instilled more flexibility for its users and obscured the boundary between inside and outside? This project explores how blending indoor and outdoor spaces can enhance the user experience by deconstructing typical boundaries, thus rewriting the dynamic of transitional spaces. Instead of stepping through a doorway, users can pass through a series of spaces created by exploding the building envelope, distorting the typical duality of interior versus exterior design.
Inside Out challenges the typical building type and explores innovative design ideas for spaces in education. Adolescent education offers a unique investigation because most students at this age are constantly experiencing an influx of change through physical growth, social growth, and cognitive development. Given this transitional time for students, it is important that educational design fosters a learning environment that is enriching for all users. This project challenges the design of typical classroom environments, blending spaces both inside and out, creating a series of transitional spaces that offer a varied and unique school experience for everyone.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Sight unseen
No full textThis architectural thesis explores innovative design solutions to enhance wayfinding for accessibly challenged individuals facing navigational barriers in dense public spaces. Focused on creating comprehensive environments, the study investigates spatial configurations, material uses, and universal design principles. These principles are envisioned through a train station that not only meets legal accessibility standards, but exceeds them, aiming to be a suggestion towards what could be; or perhaps towards what should be.
While navigation through crowded train stations is important, user comfort also remains a priority. Therefore, inclusion of user-friendly ticketing areas, accessible restrooms, and spacious waiting/concourse areas are a few examples which help to elevate the train station experience. Innovative technologies such as responsive lighting, tactile tracks, and smart signage/voice guidance help to move users of all accessibility types through the space. Sustainability is also a focus, with energy efficient design elements and various green spaces throughout the station, fostering a comfortable and environmentally- conscious atmosphere.
The final architectural experience seeks to foster adaptive spaces that empower and seamlessly accommodate diverse abilities, hoping to shift the archetype in station design, emphasizing and enabling the universal right to mobility.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Harmony in motion
No full textHarmony in Motion seeks to address the holistic well-being of communities by creating a dynamic recreational space that fosters physical activity, mental wellness, and community engagement. This multi-functional facility is strategically located in a serene, natural environment, embracing biophilic design principles and inclusive features to cater to a diverse range of users. The project’s objectives are to promote physical well-being by creating an environment that fosters physical activity through flexible and versatile design features and boost mental health by integrating biophilic design, engaging multi-sensory experiences, and creating dedicated spaces for mindfulness. Also, fostering a collective atmosphere that encourages social interactions and cultivates a feeling of community and belonging, the project incorporates state-of-the-art technology to elevate user engagement. The designed facility also serves as an educational hub with features to inform users about health, fitness, and environmental awareness.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Predictive relationship of executive and social-emotional functioning
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the predictive relationship between executive functioning and social-emotional functioning of Kenyan school-aged students. Participants included 259 Kenyan students 14-18 years old (118 male and 141 female) enrolled in two boarding schools in Kenya. Executive functioning was assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions, Second Edition - Teacher Form (BRIEF-2 TF). Social-emotional functioning was assessed using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition - Teacher Rating Scale (BASC-3 TRS). Due to the fact that the BRIEF-2 TF and BASC-3 TRS do not contain Kenyan norms, raw scores were utilized to assess the relationship between executive functioning and social-emotional functioning in this study. A series of multiple regression analyses were used to assess the degree to which ratings on the between BRIEF-2 TF Composites predicted ratings on BASC-3 TRS composites as well as the ratings on the Executive Functioning and Emotional Self-Control Indices on the BASC-3 TRS. The results of these analyses showed that each overall multiple regression model was significant; however, there was variation between specific significant relationships between composites. A penalized ridge regression was used to assess the degree to which ratings on the subscales of the BRIEF-2 TF predicted ratings on the selected subtests from the BASC-3 TRS (i.e., Aggression, Hyperactivity, Anxiety, Depression, Attention Problems, and Withdrawal). The penalized regression showed that only the Anxiety, Attention Problems, and Withdrawal subscales on the BASC-3 TRS were predicted by subscales on the BRIEF-2 TF. The current study includes diversity considerations for multicultural assessment of school-aged Kenyan school-aged students as well as insight into the influence that cultural perceptions have on the relationship between executive functioning and psychosocial functioning in a sample of Kenyan school-aged students.Ph. D
Sex differences of lower limb stiffness and muscle activation during hopping and jumping tasks
No full textSome degree of lower extremity stiffness is necessary for joint stability during dynamic
activities with higher levels generally shown to benefit athletic performance. Quantifying levels
of muscle activation during dynamic tasks (i.e., hopping, jumping) helps to establish the
potential relationship between hopping frequency and stiffness. Previous research predominantly
focused on whole-body stiffness with limited focus on individual lower extremity muscles and
joints. To address these gaps, stiffness and muscle activation were assessed, both unilaterally and
bilaterally during hopping and jumping in 20 recreationally active adults (10 male, 10 female).
Results showed significant effects in ankle and lower limb stiffness (p = 0.031; d = 1.55) during
CMJ, influenced by sex and overall lower limb stiffness measures. Moreover, distinct differences
between dominant and non-dominant limbs during countermovement jumps, particularly in the
gluteus medius (p < 0.001; d = 3.89) and vastus medialis (p < 0.001; d = 5.61) muscles were
identified. Additionally, hopping frequency significantly impacted activation levels in the
gastrocnemius (p = 0.004; d = 0.09), rectus femoris ( p = 0.015; d = 0.04), and vastus medialis (p
< 0.001; d = 0.06). Notably, sex differences in muscle activation patterns were revealed in the
gastrocnemius (p = 0.035; d = 0.22) and gluteus medius (p = 0.034; d = 0.23) during single-leg
hopping. These insights contribute valuable information to injury prevention strategies,
emphasizing the importance of considering both sex- and limb-specific factors in lower limb
stiffness and muscle activation dynamics. Overall, this study highlights aspects of lower limb
function, informing targeted interventions for injury prevention and performance optimization