MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2009, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Architecture (Master of)

Our expectations for a building's usefulness have become less permanent. As user needs change rapidly, buildings often outlive their intended use. Buildings that are purpose-built are difficult to adapt and costly to renovate; conventional construction methods yield results that are too permanent. Demolition and new construction is costly, time consuming, and detrimental to the environment. Off-site fabrication provides greater efficiency by cutting waste and on-site construction time.Buildings - like the neighborhoods they occupy - are not static and need adjustment to remain attractive, safe and useful. Buildings must be planned and constructed differently to adapt for changing functions, standards of use and modification. The aim of this research is to offer potential solutions and demonstrate the benefits of integrating off-site fabrication with adaptable design strategies. The project is a high-rise building in an urban context that tests the integration of these two methods.

Committee: Elizabeth Riorden (Committee Chair); Gerald Larson (Committee Chair) Subjects: Architecture

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

Architecture that separates building elements into distinct levels of permanence to consciously create the capacity for change within the built environment follows an open building approach. Digital fabrication and concepts such as mass customization have significant potential for the construction of architecture; however, their usage has largely been limited to “one off ” architectural projects and has not yet integrated into mainstream construction approaches such as open building. Although open building has embraced new construction technology in its evolution over the last 30 years, providing increasingly flexible and adaptable architecture, there has not yet been significant accommodation for digital fabrication into this widespread construction approach. This thesis explores future open building models, based on the evolutionary trends, proposing architecture enabled by off-site production, and integrating digital fabrications advantages. The resulting open built architecture will demonstrate increased levels of flexibility, accommodate increased variation in construction systems and expansion of conventional design vocabularies.

Committee: George Bible (Advisor) Subjects: Architecture