BS, Kent State University, 2020, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences

The increasing urbanization of land has produced expansive amounts of impervious surfaces, yielding greater quantities of runoff. This runoff can carry pollutants from the surrounding area into the water system and negatively impact the water quality. A possible solution for reducing runoff from impervious surfaces is green roofs, which can absorb and filter water. To determine a green roof's effects on water quantity and quality, an experimental green roof was studied in Cleveland, Ohio. This site contains 39 test plots that differ in combinations of plant community type (restoration or horticultural), substrate type (quasi-traditional, conventional, or open space), and the presence of mycorrhizal inoculum. From October 2017 to October 2018, water samples were collected bimonthly, along with volumetric measurements of the runoff present. The samples were tested for inorganic phosphorus and total inorganic nitrogen using nutrient assays on a microplate reader. Over the duration of the experiment, total inorganic nitrogen fluxes and concentrations were too low to be of concern. Inorganic phosphorus fluxes and concentrations were initially high, but decreased as the roof aged. Building and collection materials were analyzed for phosphorus leaching, but results rather showed possible phosphorus adsorption to certain materials. Inorganic phosphorus was most heavily influenced by substrate type and may be reduced by the use of natural, non-fertilized substrates. Total inorganic nitrogen was most heavily influenced by the biological components (plant community, mycorrhizae), and may be reduced by the presence of mycorrhizae. Manipulating design aspects of green roofs may increase their potential to be improved and refined into an efficient environmental resource.

Committee: Christopher Blackwood Ph.D. (Advisor); David Costello Ph.D. (Committee Member); Reid Coffman Ph.D. (Committee Member); Mark Kershner Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Ecology; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Science; Sustainability

MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2008, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Architecture (Master of)

Sustainable design as presently practiced focuses on technical solutions, ignoring the socio-cultural dimensions of sustainability. A truly sustainable society will require substantial change to our economic structure and social order. Architecture must therefore engage both the social and technical dimensions of sustainability.This thesis attempts to understand the architectural implications of these deeper, harder changes by developing and applying social-spatial patterns. The outcomes are (1) a menu of patterns, or a “pattern language,” (2) a design methodology for pattern development and application, and (3) design explorations in two contexts.

Committee: Tom Bible (Committee Chair); Elizabeth Riorden (Committee Co-Chair); Michael Zaretsky (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Architecture

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2022, Educational Leadership

This dissertation in practice examines the absence of an advocacy framework for Black placemakers in southwest Springfield neighborhoods seeking to transform vacant spaces into vibrant pocket parks, green spaces, and community gardens. This critical community-based participatory research addresses inadequate public policies, resources, and technical assistance to create and sustain neighborhood sites for endurance, belonging, and resistance. Thematic findings indicated that systemic issues, street-level organizing, and sustainability are primary barriers and opportunities. An action intervention and change process was developed to establish the Springfield Park and Green Space Ecosystem (SPGE). The action plan focuses on a community coalition of power building, a community benefits agreement, zoning revisions, and public-private partnerships with results-based accountability.

Committee: James Olive (Committee Chair); Castel Sweet (Committee Member); Pamela Cross Young (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; Agricultural Education; Area Planning and Development; Behaviorial Sciences; Climate Change; Conservation; Cultural Anthropology; Environmental Education; Environmental Health; Environmental Justice; Land Use Planning; Landscape Architecture; Landscaping; Public Administration; Public Health; Public Health Education; Public Policy; Sustainability; Urban Forestry; Urban Planning

MS, Kent State University, 2022, College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Increasing human population density in cities leads to population decline in local native plant communities. To address this condition, roofs designed to host native species offer a solution for restoring native local plant communities. Although most roof environments use engineered growing media for vegetation, a potentially more sustainable approach would be using a combination of local soils and adaptive seeds to better mimic natural habitats that may assist in creating abiotic and biotic conditions that enable plant development (Best et al. 2015; Coffman, 2009). To further an understanding of seeding rooftop environments, a field study assessing germination was conducted on two locally sourced substrates at the Lakefront Dune Roof (Lake Erie Coast, Cleveland, Ohio). The germination rates of two warm-season native species hand-seeded into two locally sourced substrates (beach stone and local sand) was observed from May 14th to August 21st, 2021. Doellingeria umbellata is a wildflower native to wet sandy prairies in Canada and the eastern region of the United States and Sporobolus compositus is a perennial grass native to dry prairies along the eastern region of the United States. Germination was recorded in four experimental treatments (4 m2): Treatment A contains thick local sand, Treatment B contains thick beach material, Treatment C contains thin local sand, and Treatment D contains thin beach material. Each treatment has varying slopes and substrate depths due to the assembly of the roof. Results show that local sand was the more productive substrate for S. compositus growth which showed a marginal germination rate in Treatment A 25.8% and Treatment C 33.2%. D. umbellata had less productive germination rates in local sand, with Treatment A 0.05% and Treatment C 0.06%, which were lower germination rates than S. compositus. I also found that beach stone was less effective at supporting S. compositus and D. umbellata combined, with the highest germination rates (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Reid Coffman (Advisor); Diane Davis-Sikora (Committee Member); David Ward (Committee Member) Subjects: Architectural; Architecture; Conservation; Design; Ecology; Environmental Science; Horticulture; Landscape Architecture; Plant Sciences; Soil Sciences; Wildlife Conservation

MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2005, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Architecture (Master of)

As cultural values change and an increasing number of people live in urban areas, we find ourselves leading lives that our separate from nature. Separation from nature can be detrimental to our physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health. The thesis seeks to demonstrate how the human relationship with nature has changed in four categories of study – religion, science and technology, philosophy, and architecture and cities – and how this relationship remains today. After establishing that a problem exists, the thesis reveals a proposal for change: the use of architecture to reestablish and strengthen the connection between humans and nature. Through the implementation of a number of design methods – including natural building materials, integrated green space, daylighting, natural ventilation, and views to nature – architects and designers can make nature a part of our daily lives. We can design for sensory encounters with nature in the buildings in which we live, work, and play. The proposed project that illustrates the thesis is a college dormitory in downtown Chicago.

Committee: Robert Burnham (Advisor) Subjects: Architecture

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2003, Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Community Planning

A future with a diminishing supply of nonrenewable resources is raising concerns in every aspect of our lives. The phrase ‘sustainable' or ‘green' development is being used to describe a wide variety of issues that take these concerns into consideration during the planning, design, and implementation process. In an effort to increase the number of green buildings developed throughout the country the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) established the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Guidelines. The guidelines are a framework which assists members of a development team to quantify whether or not a project is in fact ‘green' or ‘sustainable'. The guidelines provide a step by step approach within several categories associated with green development. The goals of this paper will be to explore how the guidelines have already been implemented on a city level in an effort to encourage the development of green buildings. Along with an understanding of how the guidelines have been used to promote green development, there will be a discussion of what the potential benefits of green development would be if implemented on a county level and why such practices have not already occurred.

Committee: Samuel Sherrill (Advisor) Subjects: Architecture

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2009, Computer Science and Engineering

Many organizations are working towards reducing the carbon footprint of their data centers; i.e. reducing their power consumption. Server virtualization is used to decrease power consumption by consolidating multiple servers onto a few physical machines. Virtualization provides increased flexibility by providing a means to dynamically move virtual machines from one physical machine to another. Using resource utilization as a proxy for power, we build models of power consumption for individual server types, and use this information along with business value and SLA information, to efficiently allocate virtual machines to physical machines

Committee: Rajiv Ramnath PhD (Advisor); Jay Ramanathan PhD (Committee Member); Sivilotti Paul PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Computer Science; Earth; Energy; Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Information Systems; Management; Technology

BA, Kent State University, 2011, College of the Arts / School of Art

Architecture and fashion have historically been considered somewhat parallel disciplines in that both fulfill a unique role in dual service to human functionality and artistic expression. However, this so-called “timeless relevance” is largely lacking from the modern practice of fashion as evidenced by rampant consumerism, consumer frustration, and a growing quantity of textile goods in both landfills and thrift store donation bins. This thesis proposes that fashion can meet its promise for relevance, expression, and functionality through the application of organic principles. This argument requires examination of the body-clothing connection, critique of contemporary fashion's implementation, exploration of the origins of ‘Organic Architecture,' and application of these principles to fashion. By realizing the organic imperative in design, fabrication, production, and even consumer purchase, fashion can take on a timeless relevance, and be worthy of the high platform modern culture lends to it.

Committee: Jean Druesedow (Advisor); Noel Palomo-Lovinski (Committee Member); Diane Davis-Sikora (Committee Member); Elizabeth Howard (Committee Member) Subjects: Design