MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2017, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Architecture

The Na Pali Coast on the island of Kaua'i, Hawaii is known world-wide for its stunning natural beauty, rugged landscape and lush towering peaks that rise boldly along the ocean. Tourists and hikers flock to the challenging eleven-mile Kalalau Trail that treks through this remarkable and sometimes dangerous landscape. Nearly a million people visit this beautiful coastline each year, with thousands obtaining permits to enjoy a week camping along the daunting trail. Due to such popularity, environmental damage has occurred at an alarming rate. As one of the first settlement points for the ancient Hawaiians, the coastline is not only sacred but home to some of the oldest archeological sites in Hawaiian history. In addition to environmental harm, many of the cherished ancient monuments have experienced severe destruction to the degree that the State of Hawaii has threatened to close the Kalalau trail if damage persists. This thesis is a solution that deploys a community of sustainable pods structures that are strategically placed into the lush landscape of the Kalalau Valley which effectively eliminates the environmental damage caused by tents and tarps. These pods provide shelter, electricity, freshwater, and a place to sleep during their week long adventures along the Kalalau Trail. In addition to the accommodation pods, a second larger structure is constructed to address the production of food, food service, educational components, and provides a social epicenter for guests during their stay. The design and execution of this thesis confronts landscape and monument damage, promotes cultural awareness, sustainability, and the importance of environmental stewardship through design.

Committee: Elizabeth Riorden M.Arch. (Committee Chair); Christoph Klemmt A.A. Dipl. (Committee Member) Subjects: Architecture

MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2007, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Architecture (Master of)

The myriad loss due to social, economic, and physical conditions in regions affectedby disaster results in the need for both immediate reconstruction and longterm community development. However the lack of conceptual depth in the common short-term, fast response approaches to such crises neglects to address this long-term need. This thesis calls for a new methodology of disaster reconstruction based on sensitivity to individual community needs for physical, psychological, and economic healing. An architectural approach, utilizing local building materials and methods, exposes the potential for design and construction to aid in re-establishing a sense of community and cultural identity. Participation in aspects of design and construction allows victims of disaster to reclaim ownership of their built environment and engage deeper within the bond of their community. This proposal is manifested through the comprehensive design of a training center for micro-credit cooperatives in a tsunami-affected village of Tamil Nadu, India.

Committee: Aarati Kanekar PhD (Committee Chair); Jayanta Chatterjee MArch, MRP (Committee Chair) Subjects: Architecture