2014

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/45543

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More-than-Store: Expanding the Experience of Retail Phenomenon
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Abhari, Maryam; Ashraf, Kazi; Architecture
Architecture is an important part of modern retail environments. Architectural design affect customers’ experiences, feelings, memories, and ultimately their decisions. This research focuses on retail design in order to understand the connection between architecture, customer experience, and brand identity. The intention is to explore how architecture affects our experience of retail spaces. The first phase of this study was to understand the Apple Phenomenon, which refers to a paradigm shift, occurred in contemporary retail stores’ design. Apple Phenomenon was used as a point of departure to formulate a new design-thinking approach that can transform the traditional approach to retailing. The research results revealed that rather than focusing on offered products or services in a retail environment, retailers with the help of architects can focus on customers’ experiential desires (i.e. Sense, Feel, Think, Act, and Relate) and program-driven environmental experience formation and value co-creation. In the light of Apple phenomenon, the concept of ‘more-than-store’ was introduced as an alternative approach to retail design and then three alternative designs were proposed to exemplify this concept. This design thinking approach addresses key concerns in retail planning and design in order to (a) overcome commoditization problems, (b) improve differentiation strategies, and (c) narrow the gaps between conventional retail planning and real customer desires.
Senior Cohousing: An Alternative for Hawaii's Elderly
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Hara, Norma; Noe, Joyce; Architecture
Hawaii has a high elderly population compared to the mainland United States. There are a number of factors that contribute to the high percentage of elderly in Hawaii, which includes lifestyle, weather, genetics, and diet, to name but a few. Currently, there are a limited number of housing options available for the elderly in Hawaii. Current forecasts indicate an increase in the retirement population, which will further stress the elderly housing situation of the State. The theory of senior cohousing communities, as an alternative form of elderly housing in Hawaii, is based on a literature review of the historical successes already in practice in other locations outside of Hawaii. Case studies of faith-based organizations in Hawaii that exemplify designing, building, and living in community were chosen, analyzed, and incorporated into a prototype design that is reflective of Hawaii. Surveys of senior residents, currently living in a community setting in Hawaii, were conducted. GIS mapping was utilized to determine the optimal site selection for locating community resources that are vital to the elderly population. Senior cohousing communities can offer seniors the security of living amongst other seniors who will be integral members in their daily lives. Faith-based organizations can be the foundation upon which these communities are built. Inherent components of these organizations could include land holdings, outreach social services, parish ministries, and community-service programs. All of these can play a vital role in the success of these communities. Senior cohousing communities can be another alternative to the current senior housing options available in Hawaii. The compilation of this project’s research and findings has resulted in a guideline that can aid the public in the process, site selection and design to further the development of such communities.
The Study of Symbiotic Relationship between Pedestrian Systems and Buildings in High-Dentisty Cities
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) He, Mengxi; Llewellyn, Clark; Architecture
Traffic systems are so important that they shape the form of cities. And yet the growing number of vehicles in high-density cities creates a situation that places pedestrians in direct competition with vehicles for space, especially in city centers. Current methods, such as underground and elevated walkways, are just passive measures. They do not integrate pedestrian, vehicular and building systems and therefore are not conducive to a city’s street life. At best, these systems still leave pedestrian traffic intermittent and discontinuous, instead of streamlining the flow of people and goods. Buildings play vital roles in urban space, such as offering public space within buildings, supporting the function needed by the public, improving the environment of public space, and working as nodes to reconcile the contradiction between vehicles and pedestrians. In order to implement these roles, a symbiotic relationship between pedestrian systems and buildings is required. Currently in China, functions are highly concentrated in city centers and cities are developing towards a high-density, which leads to the development of three-level traffic systems especially in city centers. In the process of weaving together new building and traffic infrastructure, China has a great opportunity to establish pedestrian systems that are integrated with buildings. The main work of the paper is listed below: (1) With the analysis of the successful pedestrian systems of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Boston, I summarized a variety of connection methods between buildings and pedestrian systems, as well as several ways that multi-function buildings support pedestrian systems. After that, the Assessment Methodology was proposed in terms of the three precedents together with related theories. (2) By implementing the Assessment Methodology on three city centers in Shanghai (Wujiaochang, Yangpu District, Lujiazui, Pudong District and Xujiahui, Xuhui District), I summarized the merits and demerits of each urban center. (3) I proposed the design strategy for the symbiotic relationship between pedestrian systems and buildings on the basis of previous analysis of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Boston, together with the three city centers in Shanghai. (4) Basing on the 5 design strategies, I proposed a design for one site within Wujiaochang. I integrated buildings and pedestrian systems to create a convenient, II desirable and dynamic place for pedestrians, as well as solve the existing challenges of pedestrian systems in the entire area. The symbiotic relationship between pedestrian systems and buildings is to clarify the role of buildings in pedestrian systems, allowing buildings to serve as essential nodes, and integrate with the pedestrian systems. Thus, it would contribute to the continuity of pedestrian behavior and offer functional support, enhance the efficient and comfort level for pedestrian, stimulate more socializing and activities in public space, and therefore will improve the street culture. Especially in high-density cities, buildings can be utilized to interconnect the pedestrian systems on elevated, ground, and underground levels, contributing to safe, convenient and desirable walking environment. Hence the symbiotic relationship between pedestrian systems and buildings will help to address the problems found in existing pedestrian systems within high-density cities.
the Interitance and Transformation of Traditional Huizhou Elements into New Forms: Redesigning Lu Village
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Jiang, Naibin; Sarvimaki, Marja; Architecture
The hardest part in the preservation of traditional culture is the inheritance of its spiritual meaning. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the creation of regional architecture through the interpretation of local environment and climate, ethnic culture and architecture influenced by traditional philosophies. In the context of global acculturation, it is necessary to revitalize domestic architectural expression by promoting the fusion of world culture and local traditional culture. The historic Huizhou region lies in what is now Anhui province. With all the tangible and intangible cultural heritage it bestows, it is not only one of the many cultural treasures of China, but also provides possible inspiration for modern architectural design. Therefore, by research of Huizhou area, this thesis defines the hidden order as well as the ethic and spiritual connotations of traditional culture and architecture of Huizhou by examining the intangible cultural factors affecting architecture. The ultimate goal is to apply these interpretations of intangible cultural heritage hidden behind the tangible cultural heritage to a contemporary architectural expression in Huizhou in addition to preserving existing historical buildings. After the research part, the Section 2 demonstrates preservation and redesign of a particular case in Huizhou, namely the Lu Village. By exploring the tangible and intangible characteristics of Lu Village, the aim is to find the harmonious relationship between past, present and future. Therefore, the rehabilitation and redevelopment plan of Lu Village is based on the discussion on Huizhou in general (section1) and special features of Lu Village in order to preserve old when appropriate and to design new in accordance to the spirit of place, and to improve the living conditions which ensures life of future generation.
Black Boxes and Gray Spacs: how Illegal Accessory Dwellings Find Regulatory Loopholes
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Lau, Questor Lau; Miao, Pu; Architecture
Honolulu has one of the highest costs of living and the most unaffordable real estate (relative to income) in the nation (NILHC 2014) (Performance Urban Plannning 2012). Meanwhile, the current state of regulation in Honolulu is like a Black Box: perceived as slow, confusing and uncertain. In response, communities manifest Gray Spaces such as Illegal Accessory Dwellings (iADUs). Symbolically and physically, the ubiquity of iADUs lies in their agility to circumvent Black Box restrictions while preserving owner and users’ flexibility of use. When homeowners obtain permits for rooms labeled as “TV” or “Rumpus Room” and then (without a permit) convert the use of these spaces into an independent dwelling unit, they are cultivating ambiguity, using gray areas within the zoning code as a form of urban-economic resilience. Thus, when urban plans do not meet the needs of the community, homeowners respond by finding loopholes in land use regulations, using these types of living arrangements to create needed rentals (Reade and Di 2000). This paper highlights one such irony created by this semantic game: a structure can be built-to-code, but how it is used – can still be illegal. For example, when a floor plan is designed with a separate entry and kitchenette, it strongly suggests an eventual use as a separate dwelling unit. Thus, the rate at which Illegal Accessory Dwellings are created can be estimated by quantifying such suspicious floor plans. From 2005-2012, Illegal Accessory Dwellings comprised a low of 30% up to 46% of all new residential dwellings units created (not counting apartments and hotels). The highest rate of production was in 2008, during the Great Recession. Thus, this paper suggests that not only do Illegal Accessory Dwellings contribute a substantial number of units to the overall housing supply but also that homeowners increasingly rely on them during poor economic conditions. This research also serves as an example of how big data (ie. building permit information) is transforming people’s ability to understand their communities and how GIS maps can help spatially visualize data, thereby bolstering civic engagement. This paper also raises issue of US Census undercounting of “housing units”. Given the significant number of this type of housing, new methods that enable researchers to more accurately portray actual vs planned density, could potentially shift the official landscape of urban growth, infrastructure, and resource allocation. Research methods include correlational research, GIS mapping and case studies to explain how homeowners circumvent the rules.
In Pursuit of an Avant Regionalism
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) McArthur, Ajri; Ashraf, Kazi; Architecture
This work begins as a critique of Critical Regionalism and returns to evaluate arguments proposed by Lewis Mumford in regards to Regionalism and “the actual conditions of life.”1 Through this “Pursuit of an Avant Regionalism,” I seek to explore architecture and spatial arrangements responding to conditions of multiplicity and flux. In doing this, I present and propose what I term the “Oceanic Phenomenon” as it characterizes and identifies the fluidity and fluctuation of previous and contemporary regional realities. I analyze accepted notions of regionalism, identify its limits, and propose an altered, expanded version of Critical Regionalism.
Transforming Shipping Containers into Livable Spaces: Replacing Traditional Insulation with Living Walls
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Mead III, Richard; Noe, Joyce; Architecture
One of the greatest issues that people are facing in Hawai‘i today is the high cost of living and finding an affordable place to call home is becoming increasingly difficult. Hawai‘i, unlike many places, has an environment conducive of outdoor lifestyle year round, which makes it such a desirable place to live. Because it is warm year round, homes need to be insulated properly in order to provide comfortable living conditions. By taking advantage of the unique climates here in Hawai‘i, growing plants and vegetables on the walls of a home could replace the need for traditional insulation and replace it with a sustainable alternative. This Doctorate Project will utilize this unique climate, exploring alternative methods of insulation by using living walls and aquaponic systems to benefit the transformation of shipping containers into livable spaces.
Fostering the Creative: A Search for Identity, Expression, & Artistic Space
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Mukawa, Reyn; Despang, Martin; Architecture
The tradition of writing on wall surfaces has been around for millennia. Public and private surfaces have served as persistent canvases from the carved images in Paleolithic cave walls to the inscribed writings on manufactured hardscapes in present-day cities around the world. Throughout time, these motifs emerged from the arts, rituals, mythologies, and imagination, that tell us a story about who they were, what they were doing, and what they wanted to become. We come to know these motifs by their contemporary name of “graffiti.” The close examination of graffiti shifts one to think about the modern-day markings as illegal and unwanted defacement in comparison to the earlier notion of them being a part of the expressive form of imagination and story telling. Graffiti became an empowering tool for artists of the twentieth century. It developed as a vessel for personal and social expression and at the same time, upset traditional respects for public art forms. Individuals and social groups differentiate between their backgrounds that drive them to create marks of cultural expression and art on one hand, but the defacing of property and civic order on the other. Rather than focusing on the illegality and acts of vandalisms that is associated with graffitist’s violations against public and private property, this dissertation intends to explore the advantages modern forms of art can impose upon the troubled youth of today. This study will utilize interdisciplinary methods to focuses on reimagining the effects graffiti has on the next generation of artists. Graffiti is memory marking that infringes conventional thinking that allows others to see into one’s psyche as a portal to the physical form of expression.
Building A Tourism Community: Design for Hon Thom, Phu Quoc, Vietnam
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Quach, Nghia; Leineweber, Spencer; Architecture
Host communities are not only supporters of the tourism industry but also providers of distinctive cultures; this is an interesting fact that is often overlooked in tourism design. Lacking considerations for existing populations, conventional approach disintegrates residents from tourism developments. As an alternative, this thesis argues that tourism design should have more focus on building upon existing communities, strengthening their cultural identities, and articulating the spatial integration of tourists and residents. The recent success of AirBnB and Urbanauts proves that successful integration of tourists within an existing social fabric is not only possible but also economical. By allocating accommodations evenly around the city, tourists' spending is distributed to the local community and surrounding neighborhoods. Added to this is the successful integration of tourists into three historical communities, which are popular destinations in East Asia. This thesis explores the spatial patterns that contribute to the success of these three case studies, and incorporates the findings into a new spatial program for a tourism community. The final product is a design proposal for a new tourism community on Thorn Island in the district of Phu Qyoc, Vietnam. The design successfully addresses the needs of existing residents by improving the social and physical infrastructures in retrospect to the current living condition and local ecologies. Adapting the traditional tube house typology, the design also strengthens the cultural identity of the host community by regenerating vernacular architectural traditions. Furthermore, the design effectively integrates tourists and residents using a spatial hierarchy to accommodate both these groups' differing needs for moving about the city.
Urban & Water Remediation: An Envolved Infrastructure
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Rhoden Megan; Stilgenbauer, Judith; Architecture
Water is of paramount significance; it sustains all life on planet earth – physically and psychologically. Since early civilizations, survival has literally depended around water. Cities were developed around water and nature’s geographical features. People had to understand how the water moved on the site. As the cities and their populations exponentially increased, people could no longer find suitable settlements near water. In result developments were formed solely around human needs, and nature was an afterthought brought into the city through manmade structures. Urbanization led to the abuse and over exploitation of water. Human’s interfered with nature’s hydrological systems through hydromodification. These hydromodification activities commonly include channelization, canalization, and dams, which have led to the destruction of many ecosystems. People have become detached from nature and no longer share an intimate connection with the water, as the people in ancient civilizations once did. Water comes at the turn of a knob for most people. Cities are in need of a design intervention, one that takes nature and water into account, a design that can reestablish the connection between people and water. Through the design of multifunctional infrastructural systems that take social and ecological needs into account, water can continue to sustain all life. The potential for utilizing infrastructure to solve multiple problems will require an evolved infrastructure.
The Architect and the User: Investigating designer and user practices and structures in Hawaii
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Trimble, Willa; Sarvimaki, Marja; Architecture
This project investigates a perceived disconnect between designers and the people who use the designs. The project uses the primary research tactic of the post-occupancy evaluation (supported by tactics from environmental psychology) organized in a case study method to compare user-built housing and architect-designed housing in order to determine how architects might best serve the housing typology. Residences designed and built in the last half-century on the island of O’ahu in the state of Hawai’i were evaluated. An effort was made to measure behavioral artifacts, rather than cognitive elements. A design project, implementing the findings of the previous phase, follows the research portion.
Climate Change in Hawaiʻi: Building Resilience
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Wong, Lindsay; Leineweber, Spencer; Architecture
Although climate change has its skeptics, the reality is that climate change is already happening. Studies within the scientific community indicate that the last three decades have been the warmest since 1850, global sea level has risen almost eight inches since 1900, and carbon dioxide levels have increased 40% since the Industrial Revolution. These events are causing the Earth to undergo a significant energy imbalance, evident in recent extreme weather events. Climate anomalies occurred around the world in 2013, as parts of North America and Africa experienced the worst droughts ever, Typhoon Haiyan marked the strongest tropical cyclone to hit land, Australia had its warmest year of record, China and Russia were hit with heavy rainfall, and the United Kingdom experienced a continuing cold wave. There has been strong evidence that climate change is largely anthropogenic. Some scientists suggest that humans are an actual geological force and we have caused a new era, called the Anthropocene. This has been proven by comparing measurements of human activity against natural data, over the same time period. We have clearly exceeded planetary limits. Although, this concept of boundaries and the delicate relationship between humans and the natural world is nothing new to indigenous people. For this reason, climate science has recently looked to incorporate indigenous knowledge, also known as traditional ecological knowledge. Around the world, indigenous observations parallel those of the scientific community, however, offer a finer scale and deeper understanding of climate change. Traditional ecological knowledge spans many generations of paying attention to the environment, being aware of natural patterns, variability, and dependencies. Unfortunately, because many indigenous communities live in the most marginal areas of the world, they have been the most susceptible to climate change. Despite this, many indigenous communities have used traditional ecological knowledge to develop adaptive strategies and survive against climate change. The signs are clear that we are entering a future of unprecedented climate change, with alarming projections. The geographic nature of low‐lying coastal areas and small islands make these communities also vulnerable to the effects of climate change. However, vulnerability can be minimized through enhancing a community's adaptive capacity. As demonstrated by many indigenous communities, resilience towards climate change goes beyond methods of protection, and includes other strategies such as mitigation, adaptation, and self‐sufficiency.
The Design Patterns of Administrative Building: Precedent Studies and Designing Fenggang Administrative Center
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Yang, Tao; Leineweber, Spencer; Architecture
As the space closely related to a country’s political system and its administration, administrative buildings reflect the interaction between country, society and citizens from ancient times. What is the relationship between ideologies and the design of administrative buildings? What are the design patterns of administrative buildings? How to design a good administrative building in today’s China? Based on the above questions, the thesis consists of two major parts. The first part focuses on Western administrative buildings: the historical evolution and the contemporary trends have been studied and analyzed. Through typology studies, the design patterns are summarized at three levels: macro level—three types of building location of administrative building in the city; meso level—four forms of square space; micro level—the architectural design influenced by three main factors. The second part of the thesis focuses on the implications in China. It starts with the current issues of administrative buildings in China, followed by the study of vernacular architecture and yamen buildings in Guizhou, and as the result, a scheme for Fenggang Administrative Center has been proposed to illustrate a new set of design strategies. The research attributes great importance to the urban features of administrative buildings, and tries to establish an open frame for the design patterns of administrative buildings, not only for historical studies but also for future designs. By the research and the design, the thesis makes a statement that administrative buildings built with a more appropriate scale, more public presence and more cultural identities are needed for the emerging civil society.
Analysis and Solution Exploration of Design Issues of Group-Form Megastructure
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2014-05) Yang, Xu; Yeh, Raymond; Architecture
With the evolution of Megastructures, these ideas remain as utopias that have not taken research to applied practice. They continue to be explored as mere futuristic designs for backdrops in movies, comic books or magazines. These ideals of the mega have progressed toward becoming a reality that exploration of these design issues towards practice is necessary. As non-traditional structures, spatial composition and form symbolizes the creative base for the classic case studies and analyzes the possibilities of establishing various urban space systems Chapter 1 provides the research background, objectives and methodology. Chapter 2 outlines the history and development of the Megastructure from the Chicago School, the Alger‘s Plan of Le Corbusier (1930‘s) to the systematic discussion of Megastructure by Fumihiko Maki (1960‘s) originated. Chapter 3 defines the Megastructure, its types, Integral-Form and Group Form. Chapter 4 discusses related cases influenced by the Group Form and Megastructures from two possible configurations. By the abstract and transforming of traditional horizontal cities, Chapters 5 and 6 address building the urban space model of the Group-Form Megastructure and lists the design guidelines. Finally, Chapter 7 summarizes the findings that the challenge for current architecture is the adaptive changes of the community‘s organizational system that is being applied to an aggressive urbanization society.
The Landscape of Retreat
(2014-12) Clay Reagan, Megdlin; Ashraf, Kazi; Architecture
A deep psychological desire for “retreat” has been articulated in a variety of built and imagined, shared and individual, spatial dimensions. To develop a spatially thematized understanding and definition of “retreat” landscapes, five individual scenarios were chosen for examination. The examples were selected according to the differentiated and collective psychological conditions individuals were seeking from the juxtaposition of the spatial conditions imagined, and frequented, when they felt inclined to “retreat:” The oneiric retreat of Gaston Bachelard’s home construct, the transformational retreat of Sen no Rikyu’s teahouse and garden, the retreat of inversion of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret’s Villa Beistegui, the exotic retreat of Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet and the recreational retreats of Frederick Law Olmsted’s public parks. This thesis seeks to define the “retreat” experience as not just the specific psychological and physical experience as understood normatively, but also more conceptually, as a systematic practice of situational disengagement, shaped and defined by a variety of juxtaposed spatial and existential conditions. To access the retreat requires a degree of separation from a place of origin–an important component of the retreat experience in that its condition often informs the spatial and psychological parameters of the retreat environment. The overall intent of this research is to propose a new understanding of the retreat experience. To do so, a fundamental understanding of the meaning of retreat is established by studying a variety of ways places of retreat have been described, constructed and experienced as reoccurring phenomena to prove the retreat experience is one that can be structured, managed and heightened in a variety of spatial configurations.
Reclamation and Regeneration of the Ancient Baray, A Proposal for Phimai Historical Park
(2014-12) Ektanitphong, Olmtong; Ashraf, Kazi; Architecture
This project of “Reclamation and Regeneration of the Ancient Baray: A Proposal for Phimai Historical Park” aims to create a new destination for cultural tourism. It is also concerned with preservation of archeological site, objects, and artifacts, centering on the Phimai’s Old Baray in Phimai Town. Phimai Town is considered to be one of most important historic towns. Phimai Town was an ancient city dating to the 11th century. Today there are traces of many layers of communities, all of them overlapping. It is also the location of the biggest Khmer Sanctuary in Thailand. Phimai town has many of the archeological sites within and in surrounding area. Of these, the Phimai’s Old Baray, a water reservoir, is very important archeological site both for Phimai Town and for Thailand. Phimai's old Baray located on the south side of the town, has been dried for century and is being considered for restoration back to its original state by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand. The baray is a key element of Khmer urban planning design because it plays an important role in the water management system. Water is an essential resource for people both in the ancient time and in the present time. This project forces on the re-design of urban planning at Phimai's Old Baray. The aim is to bring back the important archeological site, Phimai's Old Baray, a step that will be advantageous to the agricultural industry for local usage. Another aim is to promote Phimai's Old Baray as a new cultural tourism attraction, and as an asset for Phimai Town by creating a conceptual link to the ancient Khmer Empire. The combination of archeological site, agricultural industry, and cultural tourism will enhance the new urban experience and cultural values of the present community and also direct to development of the community in the future in appropriate ways.
Intervention in July 9th: A New Plan for Misurata City, Libya
(2014-12) Elmagalfta, Aymen; Ashraf, Kazi; Architecture
Libya’s urban form has changed radically since the second half of the 19th century. Prolonged exposure to non-traditional and non-regional cultural, sociopolitical, economic, and design influences has caused certain developed areas to be plagued with many of the same problems the western world is facing in cities built within a similar framework. These blights include: high energy consumption, contaminated water, air quality, and traffic. This thesis explores the affect of the cultural crisis manifesting within the urban form. In order to design a contextually relevant building typology it is imperative to assess the architectural language of the culture. The portion of this project will include a historical evaluation of building typology in North African cities throughout time and in conjunction with population levels. Based on established patterns, and with the goal of driving future development in the right direction, a regionally responsive urban typology is to be developed. The chosen site for the building typology is one based purely on necessity of intervention. Due to recent revolutionary undertakings, the July 9th neighborhood in Misurata city, Libya, is used as an example to show how a new vision of a hybridized architectural intervention can prove to redefine how a city and its people relate to one another. This project looks to confront the problems of a region left destitute in the wake of war and destruction.
Kakaako Community for Seniors with Alzheimer's
(2014-12) Kavcic, Sofija; Leineweber, Spencer; Architecture
The aim of this thesis is to design a community based nursing facility for individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease within the bustling new neighborhood of Kakaako. Kakaako (a Honolulu neighborhood) is undergoing a redevelopment phase and it is of utmost importance to predict its demographic needs in the early stages of the urban redevelopment process. The population growth in this neighborhood is already evident by many completed residential high-rises amid the light industrial milieu. Research has shown that the existing residential neighborhoods in Kakaako have roughly 3% of their population afflicted with, and another 12% (immediate family caregivers) affected by Alzheimer's disease. However, none of the existing or proposed developments in Kakaako offer Alzheimer's nursing care services. Creating nursing facilities for this population within walking distances of their family members is of crucial importance for the quality of lives for both patients and their loved ones for reasons elaborated in this thesis. Furthermore, latest research has shown that long-term care providers, in order to truly enhance the patients' lives, need to adopt the modern ""culture change"" ideas when designing and operating nursing facilities. This thesis adopts the Green House model, one of the growing ""culture change"" practices in the US. While this model recognizes the structural/architectural reorganization of space as a major component, it emphasizes the people-centered approach in providing care to the elderly, especially those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. This thesis takes all these considerations into account. The methodology in the thesis combines demographic, cultural, structural and architectural aspects into the design. It i) starts with the analysis of Kakaako demographics, ii) uses the demographic findings to locate a proper lot for the facility, iii) justifies its size, functionality, marketability and replicability by crosscorrelating existing facilities, government and state regulations, local population needs, and modern literature findings, and iv) proposes the design. The culmination of the thesis is the design of a 7-story 55-bed modern family-friendly Alzheimer's nursing home in Kakaako.
Kawaihuahua'iokewalo: Building Cultural Identity through Music
(2014-12) Merseberg, Jasmine; Leineweber, Spencer; Architecture
With the changing landscape of urban areas in Hawai‘i, there have been disconnections with the built environment and the indigenous lands in which such buildings rest. The histories and identities of place are often neglected, and the preservation of culture is often lost. The research of this doctoral thesis strives to create a new approach to culture-based design by using Hawaiian music as a means of cultural identity. Hawaiian music plays a major role in the Hawaiian culture, as it is through music that the identity of place and people have been preserved and passed down through the generations. As architects, the goal of creating spaces that capture the identity of place and the essence of its people is something that should be encouraged here in Hawai‘i. If Hawaiian music has the power to create and connect a sense of identity and place amongst the community, then Hawaiian music can lead us to successful culture-based design. Elements of Hawaiian music are analyzed in its relation to design principles. These elements are then applied in the design of a Hawaiian Music and Dance Cultural Center, a place for the preservation and perpetuation of Hawai‘i’s cultural arts. Located in the Kaka‘ako Makai area, this design project focuses on ways in which we can recover cultural identity in developing urban areas.
Singer's Inner Space: A new work space for opera singers addressing their well-being
(2014-12) Sicam, Jan; Despang, Martin; Architecture
The theater is the main work space of opera singers. Addressing their well‐being at their place of work seems to have been neglected in many theatre design projects, focusing mainly on audience amenities. This doctorate is organized in two sections: research and design application. The research section undertakes various design methods to create a different and more thoughtful approach to the space planning of theatre design. There are three main areas of study that are applied to create such theatre design: Vocal Psychology, Environmental Psychology, and the Sociology in theatre spaces. Each of the areas of study is presented first with their history of development, leading to the selected theories that apply to the theatre design. These theories are supported by case studies and a qualitative data collection to gain a full understanding of each of the areas of study. All of them have overlapping themes that help form the building program, the space planning, and the architectural form of the theatre. The second section of this doctorate research is the application of the theory into an actual building design that leads to the proposal of the New Hawai'i Opera Theatre. An interview with the company’s Artistic Administrator has been performed that further helped in the building program development. The second section documents the site selection and its analysis, followed by the design process, and finally, the illustrations of the New Hawai'i Opera Theatre. This includes additional efforts in marketing opera in Hawai'i such as rebranding Hawaii Opera Theatre and early design stages of a pop‐up retail store to sell opera tickets. The overarching goal of this research is to find a way to keep opera alive and relevant. If the opera singers feel healthy, then it should reflect on their performance and in return, the audience will receive the positive message of that performance, and as a whole, look at opera in a different way.

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