Organizational Unit:

School of Architecture

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https://hdl.handle.net/1853/70770

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Organizational Unit

College of Design

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https://finding-aids.library.gatech.edu/agents/corporate_entities/1120

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Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 31

Views across boundaries and groupings across categories: the morphology of display in the galleries of the High Museum of Art 1983-2003

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-12-01) Zamani, Pegah

Exhibition design conjoins distinct architectural and curatorial requirements. It is proposed that the common language of architecture and curatorship is space: how displays are arranged to be viewed in particular sequences and visual frames, placed in fields of co-visibility or grouped according to their spatial arrangement as well as their stylistic, historical or other classificatory labels. As visitors become immersed in exhibition space they are exposed to an informally staged pedagogy aimed at enhancing their enjoyment and understanding of the exhibition. The second floor of the High Museum of Art, with the permanent collection of objects, opened in 1983, is chosen as a case study. Meier designed the original building and decorative arts exhibition. Scogin and Elam produced a significant modification in 1997 to house a thematic exhibition. Lord Aeck and Sargent restored a simplified version of the original layout in 2003. Rigorous quantitative analyses document these successive changes and identify the fundamental shifts in exhibition design principles that they represent. Visual relationships, the break up of space and patterns of movement are analyzed using standard space-syntax methodologies. New techniques are proposed in order to describe and quantify overlapping patterns of spatial grouping. It is shown that the original design encouraged visitors to view and compare objects in alternative ways, generating open-ended readings and multiple understanding. The 1997 layout dictated sequences of viewing and framed frontal views in order to communicate how art engages human experience, including the body or the environment. The 2003 layout re-instated multiple viewing points and comparative groupings while emphasizing the individual work. The dissertation examines how architecture and curatorship interacted in a unique building which provides great experiential richness as well as design constraints. In addition, it demonstrates how descriptive theory can help bridge between architectural and curatorial intents by capturing the principles of arrangement which are fundamental to both.
Big boxes and stormwater

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-07-11) Fite-Wassilak, Alexander H.

Big-box Urban Mixed-use Developments (BUMDs) are mixed-use developments with a consistent typology that incorporate big-box retailers in a central role. They are also becoming popular in the Atlanta region. While BUMDs serve an important economic role, they also cause issues with stormwater. This study explores integrating a on-site approach to stormwater management into the design of BUMDs. These new designs not only significantly lower the amount of stormwater run-off, but also have potential for better, more attractive, developments.
Emergent symmetries: a group theoretic analysis of an exemplar of late modernism: the smith house by Richard Meier

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-07-07) Din, Edouard Denis

Formal systems in architectural design aim at the systematic description, interpretation, and evaluation of existing works of architecture as well the systematic creation of new works of architecture. Currently all formal analysis using group theoretical tools focus on repetitive designs that show immediately their recursive structure. It is suggested here that highly complex designs can still be described and analyzed with group theoretical manner. The broader question that is opened up here is whether a complex architecture object or part depending on the interest of the researcher, can be interpreted as a layered object whose parts are all related symmetrically; in other words whether an asymmetric shape or configuration can be understood in terms of nested arrangements of some order of symmetry. The object of analysis has been polemically selected here to be the NY5 architecture, a set of designs that are all clearly exemplifying formal qualities of abstraction, layering, complexity, depth and so on, all appearing impenetrable to a systematic and rigorous analysis using the existing group theoretical formal methods. For example, Richard Meier s work has been presented here as a hyper-refinement of the modernist imagery. The computation is entirely visual. A reassembly of the layered symmetries explains the structure of the symmetry of the house and provides an illustration of the basic thesis of this research on the foundation of a theory of emergence based on symmetry considerations. All plans of the house are represented in three different levels of abstraction moving successively away from the architectural representation to a purely diagrammatic one that foregrounds divisions of space. All representations are fed into an analysis algorithm to pick up all symmetry relationships and the parts are constructed as instances of a binary composition of a family of rectangular grids. Finally the process is reversed to fully account for the construction of the space of the house as a three dimensional layered composition. Lastly, this research points to two categories of extension; a) on the improvement of the system itself; and b) on the interpretative capabilities it affords for the construction and evaluation of critical languages of design.
Deployable architecture

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-06-03) James, Andre

Folding empowers the user to change the form and function of a sheet of paper through a sequence of manipulations. Unfolding the once folded artefact produces a diagram that describes its own making that can be replicated at different scales using a new material. Architecturally, folding can be employed a morphogenetic solution to design a system that can be fabricated from a sheet material, that like paper, can be folded into a inhabitable structure. The ease and cost efficiency of fabrication based on folding can be used to design a system that executed using low cost materials can be used as a shelter that accommodates programmatic and aesthetic evolution. Thus, the system lends itself to being a transitional shelter for communities that have been displaced due to a natural disaster or other form of crisis. Technological advances in design and structural analysis can give the designer the power to define the complex process folding parametrically allowing the input a real-time feedback based design based on an a folding inspired algorithm.
The machines of perception

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-06-03) Magner, Jeremy

The following work is an attempt to feed a dynamic concept of the body into contemporary morphogenetic design procedures in order to confront critiques that topological design processes produce architectural form that is too abstract. This begins with an understanding of the body schema; the open and continuously variable relationships between the various modes of sensation and perception that can only be described in topological terms. Similar to how active matter is instrumentalized in avant-garde practice and cutting edge research towards self-organization and morphogenesis, an active body schema has the potential to be instrumentalized towards design that aims to exploit the potential performance and openness of the body when confronted with architecture, moving away from mechanistic, representational notions of function. The work follows a procedure wherein conceptual research engages physical phenomena that are abstracted into diagrams then organized into material systems or abstract machines. These machines are intended to be mobilized and consolidated to engage specific issues of program and type and further refined to be deployed upon a specific site. This morphological process of machining architecture aims to move toward a seamless exchange between research and design that effectively instrumentalizes the dynamic body schema into a design process engaging architecture of performance. Perhaps, in terms of the body, morphogenetic design produces architecture that is not abstract enough.
Terra fluxus: Urban design in the wake of deindustrialization

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-06-03) Bacon, Kevin L., Jr.

Emerging trends in the re-inhabitation of central cities and government funding of numerous financial incentives have succeeded in making brownfield redevelopment a far more lucrative opportunity for developers over the past decade. However, the redevelopment process itself remains virtually unchanged, maintaining a narrow focus on environmental remediation, site engineering, and short-term market demand. Land use, instead of design, drives the entire process. This approach fails to sustain development and recognize larger redevelopment opportunities based on local and regional context. Despite an increasing amount of public money used to fund incentives, development continues to overlook potential positive externalities presumably to avert risk and increase feasibility. The purpose of this thesis is to re-examine brownfield redevelopment from the perspective of urban design in order to define ways in which design might offer solutions to these shortcomings and play a more critical role in future redevelopments. Using case studies of past redevelopments of former auto plant sites, Landscape Urbanism in brownfield redevelopment, and design proposals for auto plant sites from the GM and Ford closings of 2005-2006, the thesis investigates three primary questions. First, what is the conventional brownfield redevelopment process, to what extent has urban design been involved, and what are the major issues and lessons that can be learned? Secondly, what examples of brownfield redevelopment have integrated urban design to addresses these issues and what are the specific principles that inform design? Finally, how can urban design strategies, based on principles of Landscape Urbanism, lead the redevelopment of brownfield sites?
Design in a simulation environment

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-04-01) Butler, Thomas

When designing a building, the architect has typically relied on the input of outside experts to determine the performance of building systems. When done properly this collaboration can yield highly effective designs, but typically this reliance has left the architect outside of the loop on performance based decisions and impeded the development of innovative solutions. With the availability of powerful building simulation tools, designers can have direct access to building performance attributes and use them to qualify the environmental impact of design-decisions. With knowledge of fundamental principles in building performance and computer modeling, a designer can effectively harness the power of these tools from the beginning of the design process. While this does not eliminate the need for expert opinion, it allows the designer to further develop and have more control over the solution through collaboration. By working effectively in this digital design environment, the practice of architecture can meet its responsibility to reduce the impact of buildings on the physical environment. To test this statement, a brief overview of the integration of analysis tools in two projects that represent the current state of the art for digital performance simulation describes the need for multiple tools to achieve effective results. Based on this experience, a study was done to explore the capabilities of four representative simulation tools to support a design process that is entirely digital. The software evaluated was Energy-10, eQUEST, Sketch-Up with Demeter (a recently released plug-in for energy analysis) and ECOTECT. These tools were chosen because they have been targeted toward architects and claim to be easy to use. The results of this investigation were used to determine an appropriate tool set to develop a design for submission to the Leading Edge Competition, chosen because one of the requirements is that entrants perform energy analyses on their schemes to show how design decisions led to improved performance, making it a good vehicle to explore the process of designing in a simulation environment.
Self-Organizing Architecture: Design Through Form Finding Methods

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-04-01) Isaacs, Allison Jean

Form-finding in Architecture looks at processes in nature to discover a more correct way in which to organize building. It is a study into the capability of discovering optimum form, dynamic adaptability, and exposes a set of unique relationships not relevant to Architecture previously. The beauty of these objects does not have to be designed. It is an emergent property of natural form. However, the wonder lies not in aesthetics, but in the manner in which natural forms come into being seemingly without a plan, at a multitude of scales, and in a vast array of materials. Alone, pattern in nature opens a vast array of potentialities for the study into new methods of architectural design. It is important to note that this inquiry will not be into the aesthetics of self-organized pattern, but the mathematical and procedural processes of formation itself. This study forms a set of principles, methodologies and tools for structuring a full-scale form-finding inquiry through the self-organization of pattern in nature. Following this inquiry one should be able to apply the organizational principles of patterning in nature, specifically breakdown patterns, to inform the programmatic design and layout of shopping malls. The rules set forth outline the formation of breakdown patterns, and the ordering of shopping malls. Through the use of parametric modeling software and computer programming language, sets of digital models efficiently explore of the vast number of potential pattern organizations by mimicking their formation in digital space. Through computational scripting, digital models also reveal formation changes due to the adaptation to site, circulatory loads, and spatial distribution, while still maintaining the laws of pattern formation.
Resurgent Networks: Los Angeles

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008) Bacon, Kevin ; Stacy, Chad ; Achey, Shauna K. ; Mosley, Erin

Sustainable development is three fold: economic, socio-cultural, and environmental. The future of Boyle Heights and its surrounding areas should adapt a holistic approach to reconnecting the community through the promotion of its public spaces with cultural development opportunities, sustainable building practices, and environmental amenities.
Cannoli Framing: The Turnstijl Houses and Configure-to-Order

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007-11-15) Aeck, Richard Hull

Beginning with the study of type, house typologies, manufactured houses, and structure classification, this thesis proposes the design and fabrication of a hybrid structural insulated panel (SIP) and laminated-stud (Lam) framing system developed using contemporary three-dimensional modeling techniques and digital production methodology. Included within are prototypes, assembly diagrams, and structural tests of the proposed Cannoli Framing System (CFS) as well as three speculative Turnstijl houses whose systematic variation demonstrates the flexibility and scalability of the proposed system. In essence, this is the design of a framing typology capable of structural and formal variability to a degree that has previously been neither feasible nor affordable.