Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'New architecture in historic settings'

New architecture will invariable be placed next to the old architecture because cities and human settlements last for generations and as humans and tribal species we invariably congregate and build new buildings to live-in, work-in and entertain in. Thus we create cities from ever increasing smaller settlements. And the city is the playground where the new merges with that which has been built already – merging the new and the old. Old town Alexandria is one such place where new and old exist side by side. There is no question that new architecture will be built. The questions are only what the new architecture will look like? What will it's existence respond to and what issues we as a society will choose to tackle with new architecture, if any. Will the new architecture and particularly infill architecture convey a purpose and meaning to rival that of its time-tested historic neighbors? And how the meaning and purpose be achieved in new architecture? This thesis explores the topic of new/ infill architecture finding place in historic districts in particular - Old Town Alexandria Historic District and Parker-Gray district. What has been the approach that has dictated the image and purpose of new architecture in historic districts in Alexandria? And can the new architecture have meaning and purpose all its own to rival that of its predecessors.
Master of Science

2007/2008
Exploration of current trends in the Contextual Architecture (urban setting), meanings of context and finding new ways to connect to the existing. The key issue is establishing a relationship between new building and its setting (frames) through contextual processes like local scenarios or phenomenon or negotiation with site. The principles of dialogue and tension are tools that allow us to establish the new contextual order.
XXI Ciclo
1976

The goal of this project is to develop a basic material characterization of the bricks excavated at the site of Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island, New York. In the early Manor period of 1650-1690, this early Northern provisioning plantation supplied Barbadian sugar operations and pursued mercantile interests independent of state control. Accounting for the range of production defects and material characteristics of the bricks suggests on-site or local manufacture as a regional ceramic industry developed. Qualitative visual analysis and petrographic thin-sections were used to characterize the internal composition, variation and production evidence in the bricks. Interpreting the results of this analysis offers alternatives to the assumptions about building materials on the site, using material properties to assess the role of building materials as the landscape changed.

What does historic preservation mean in a historic downtown with a long-standing immigrant population? With 90% of the business owners in the historic downtown identifying as Latino, Woodburn, Oregon presents the convergence of historic preservation advocates and Latino business owners. Some stakeholders view historic preservation as maintenance to preserve what exists, while some view preservation as restoring a building to its build date aesthetics. This thesis addresses what the field of preservation and the stakeholders in Woodburn value and how that causes conflicts when dealing with preservation efforts. The main method employed for study in this thesis was collection of qualitative data through interviewing historic preservation advocates, city officials, and Latino business representatives. By understanding Woodburn as an example of a “new” vernacular form, the analysis explores how the community of Woodburn can negotiate its regional dynamics to create a local distinctiveness, which includes a many-layered historical narrative.

Aquest treball exposa els resultats de la investigació doctoral sobre el paisatge històric de la Vall d’Àger amb l’aplicació de la metodologia de l’Arqueologia del Paisatge. S'han utilitzar diferents mètodes científics per obtenir informació heteogènia: des de la teledetecció (lidar i radar), els documents escrits, la prospecció i l’excavació arqueològica, fins a la anàlisis de l’arquitectura i l’aplicació dels models de l’arqueologia predictiva (least cost path, site catchment analysis, viewshed analysis etc.). Els objectius consisteixen en la clarificació de les dinàmiques dels assentaments rurals en l'Edat Mitjana, des de el segle V fins al XIII, a través de l'anàlisi dels assentaments, de les vies de comunicació, del paisatge agrari i dels sistemes defensius i de l'estructura eclesiàstica. Aquest estudi ha demostrat que l’estructura del paisatge de la Vall d’Àger es genera amb un primer impuls entre els segles V i VII, i posteriorment experimenta un profund canvi a partir de finals del segle X.
Este trabajo trata de analizar el paisaje histórico del Valle de Àger (España) a través de múltiples fuentes, como las fuentes escritas, la teledetección, las fuentes arqueológicas, las arquitecturas históricas y los análisis del parcelario agrario, de la viabilidad y de la toponímica. El objetivo principal es el de analizar la periodización del asentamiento medieval de forma general y detallada a través del estudio del paisaje fortificado y del paisaje sagrado en una ventana cronológica que va desde el siglo 5 hasta el siglo 13. También se analizaron los elementos principales de las arquitecturas históricas disponibles mediante los métodos de la arqueología de la arquitectura. Otra aplicación metodológica fue la de la Archéogéographie Francesca a través de la cual es posible estudiar las estructuras del parcelario agrario y de la viabilidad. Todos los datos han sido sintetizados para obtener el cuadro general del asentamiento medieval en el valle.
This work deals with the analysis of the Ager Valley historic landscape through the methodologies of Landscape Archaeology. It uses several multidisciplinary sources as written documents, remote sensing images (mainly lidar and radar), parcels analysis, archaeological prospections and archaeological excavations. The main target has been obtaining the periodisation of the medieval settlement in the valley from the 5th to the 13th centuries. It analyses the structure of the agrarian parcel systems through the methodology developed in the Archaeogeographic studies and predictive archaeology (least cost path, viewshed analysis, site catchment analysis). It also uses the application of the Archaeology of Architecture in order to study the material evidences of the churches and the defensive towers of the valley. After the analysis of the different sources, it tries to develop a synthesis of the data following the chronological windows allowed by the sources. All the data have been used also to analyse the Landscape of Power and the Sacred Landscape in the valley during the Middle Ages.

In this thesis, the problem of the principles of new designs in historic built landscapes is discussed. In approaching the problem, a theoretical framework is developed and the general principles regarding new buildings in historic settings are derived from the theoretical context. Subsequently, the proposed principles is tried to be adapted to the case of Odunpazari historic urban fabric. Finally, a Youth Center for a specific Project Area in Odunpazari is proposed, and the integration of the proposal to the context is evaluated. The foremost aim of the thesis is proposing general principles concerning good architecture that continues and contributes to the spirit of place, and adapting them for a specific design problem in a specific place in order to evaluate the efficiency of the principles proposed. In developing the theoretical framework, it was discussed that, in determination of the principles for new designs, the historic built landscape should be handled in a way that resolves the network of relationships and allow the definition of the spirit of place. The methodology of understanding the spirit of place was established with reference to the approaches developed by Christopher Alexander and Christian Norberg-Schulz. According to the studies by these scholars, a triad layer system in resolving the spirit of place is developed. As named by Christian Norberg-Schulz, the layers of Gestalts, typologies and figures constituted the analytical framework leading to the resolution of the network of relationships between the components of a place. This model of analyzing and defining the spirit of place was found valuable, since it does not only focuses on the formal aspects of the historic built landscape, but also questions the main rules forming the unity and coherence of place. Odunpazari traditional urban fabric is selected as a case study, and its physical, historical, social and economical context is evaluated by the help of the literature and site surveys. Finally, a &
#8216
Youth Center&
#8217
in a Project Area in Odunpazari is proposed according to the general principles derived from the theoretical framework, and the results are discussed.

The uniqueness of Samuel Wilson, Jr.’s (born 1911) career is studied in terms of practicing architect, scholar, and civic leader. The author was motived by the void in architectural literature about the people who have saved our architectural heritage. The introduction explains the purpose of the dissertation to determine, analyse, and interpret Wilson’s contributions, beginning in 1934. The search began with oral histories taken from Wilson and some of his peers. Archival research was conducted in the Tulane University Library and The Historic New Orleans Collection. Chapter 1 gives biographical information on Wilson, and background on New Orleans and the Vieux Carré (French Quarter) in the 1920s when Wilson entered Tulane University (1927). Nathaniel Cortlandt Curtis [Sr.], Moise Goldstein, and Richard Koch, the trio of architects who influenced Wilson, are introduced. Chapter 2 is devoted to the experiences that moved Wilson in the direction of historic buildings, the Historic American Buildings Survey (1934) and a scholarship to Europe (1938). Chapter 3 presents Wilson’s mentor, Richard Koch, a pioneer in adaptive reuse and new design in an historic environment. Wilson carried his mentor’s concepts further and into the realm of scholarly pursuit. Along with publishing and teaching, Wilson was a driving force in the institutionalization of preservation in New Orleans. His election as founding president of Louisiana Landmarks Society (1950) is the beginning of his leadership role for the next twenty years. Chapter 4 deals with Wilson’s projects in the post World War II era of new construction in the Vieux Carré and central city, and how he guided change by the use of historicism. Chapter 5 discusses, through Wilson’s projects, the critical preservation issues of the 1950s and 1960s. It was an era of problem solving without precedent guidelines. Chapter 6 summarizes Wilson’s contributions from his field accomplishments and the creation of a new body of knowledge to his activities in national preservation policy. The appendixes form a catalog of Wilson’s work: historic projects; literary works; drawings; TV programs, audio and audio—visual recordings; honors and awards; translation of a specification for a colonial horse-and-wind mill; and four walking tours. There are 154 illustrations.
Ph. D.

The dogtrot house type is an important type of vernacular architecture in the American landscape, particularly in rural areas of the southern United States. Little is formally written or known about the dogtrot type houses in New Orleans, which appear to be a unique evolution of the rural dogtrot form specifically adapted for the urban environment. This thesis examines the existing literature regarding the dogtrot house type and analyzes the architectural history of the remaining dogtrot type homes in New Orleans in order to establish that they are correctly classified, and also to investigate any possible links with rural dogtrots. The findings promotes awareness of the dogtrot house type in the urban setting, and contribute to the larger picture of vernacular architectural adaptation in the United States. Further, this thesis lays the foundation for landmarking the 16 remaining dogtrots in New Orleans.

ABSTRACT This thesis is concerned with the question of how America’s citizen soldiers are remembered and how their services can be interpreted through monuments and memorials. The paper discusses the concept of memory and the functions of memorialization. It explores whether and how monuments and memorials portray the difficulties, hardships, horror, costs, and consequences of armed combat. The political motivations behind the design, formation and establishment of the edifices are also probed. The paper considers the Vietnam War monuments and memorials erected by Americans and Vietnam expatriates in New Orleans, Louisiana, and examines their illustrative and educational usefulness. Results reflect that although political benefits accrued from the realization of the memorial structures in question, far more important, palliative and meaningful motives brought about their construction. They also demonstrate that, when understood, monuments and memorials can be historically useful.

This thesis explores the domestic designs produced in Canterbury, New Zealand, by the architectural firm of Collins and Harman between 1883 and 1927. Architects John James Collins (1855 – 1933) and Richard Dacre Harman (1859 – 1927) were partners in the firm founded in Christchurch by William Barnett Armson (1833 – 1883) in 1870. Like many New Zealand architects practicing at the turn of twentieth century, Collins and Harman worked amidst a climate of major social and economic transformation, yet they managed to navigate these transitions with their personal connections and respected positions within the local architectural profession. From Collins and Harman’s surviving architectural drawings and office records, the firm’s ability to design residences in accordance with its clients’ wishes is evaluated. The methods with which they carried out designs, transacted business and secured future clients are also considered. The social standing of the firm’s clientele is emphasised to highlight the tight-knit nature of architectural patronage in Canterbury during this period. In order to assess the firm’s contribution to the development of domestic architecture in New Zealand, the local architectural profession, the firm’s reputation, and the effects that its built designs had on its clients and the local community are also investigated. While their major public and commercial designs are included in general surveys of New Zealand architecture, Collins and Harman tend to be overlooked as domestic architects in comparison with better-known contemporaries such as Samuel Hurst Seager and Cecil Wood. In catering to the requirements of a diverse clientele, the firm adopted varied approaches in its designs, which illustrate a more complex evolution than the linear progression usually found in standard architectural historical methodologies. Divided chronologically into four distinct periods, the thesis focuses on key commissions to chart the firm’s development over forty-four years within the context of the evolution of domestic architecture in Canterbury. The diversity in its domestic work engendered by the firm’s professionalism demonstrates that Collins and Harman made a substantial and vital contribution in the development of domestic architecture in Canterbury.

The Longfellow House in Cambridge, Massachusetts is one of America’s best known historic homes. Built in 1759 by Major John Vassall, the grand house exemplified Colonial English tastes and was at the center of a cycle of Colonial Royalist mansions. After the American Revolution, however, the house quickly became a symbol of American patriotism. Occupants ranging from General George Washington and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow each added to the legacy of the house. Early in the nineteenth century, the Longfellow House’s distyle portico- pavilion traveled to Canterbury, Connecticut, becoming a colloquial house-type. Aided by its connection to General Washington and its appearance in two World’s Fairs, the house gained further popularity around the American Centennial. This thesis provides the most expansive history of the house’s impact on American architecture to date and is the first to connect the house to both the Greenhouse at Mount Vernon and Connecticut’s “Canterbury Style.”

Idén till mitt examensarbete började växa fram förra året när jag studerade ett utbytesår i den amerikanska västkuststaden Seattle. Staden växer och förtätas just nu i en rask takt och de flesta nya byggnader uppförs i en komplex kontext av befintliga byggnader och relationer. De flesta tilläggen skapar idag stora kontraster i stadsbilden. Syftet med mitt examensarbete har varit att utforska hur man för en befintlig byggnad från dåtid till nutid och att skapa en meningsfull dialog mellan gammalt och nytt. Jag har sett det befintliga som en källa till inspiration och kunskap och mitt förslag består av tillägg som både förstärker de rumsliga kvalitéerna i det befintliga och förlänga atmosfären in i det nya.
The idea for my thesis began to emerge last year when I was studying as an exchange student in the US, in west coast city Seattle. The city is currently growing and densifying in a rapid pace and most of the new buildings are being built in existing environments. The vast majority is creating big contrasts in the city environment. The aim of my thesis project has been to carry an existing building from the past into the present and to create a meaningful dialogue between old and new. I have seen the existing as a source of inspiration and knowledge, and my proposal consists of interventions that aim to both strengthen the spatial qualities of the existing, and to extend the atmosphere into my proposed extension. My work also aims to add new ways of experiencing the existing building, to create a new, stronger ensemble of spaces.

How can new spaces evoke the layers of memory associated with historic places and utilize them to envision anew? What are the spatial strategies involved with creating architecture rich in memory and how can a space which is cognizant of its physical and historical context serve as a tool for revitalization? These questions could be used to investigate revitalization efforts in much of the cities and towns which line the Connecticut River Valley. Ultimately, solutions become directly rooted in the context to which they are set. With the industrial village of Turners Falls as the setting, this thesis is based on an evaluation of the village’s contemporary and historic physical and social fabric. Through gaining an understanding of the nuanced history and memories associated with the village, a new cultural center is proposed and meant to serve as a beacon for the village’s budding arts community. The design approach uses strategies of spatial complexity, tension and ambiguity to draw connections between the past and present in an effort to create a new space which is cognizant of its contemporary and historic context. A sensitivity to siting, tectonics and materiality serve to inform design decisions. Ultimately, the new space reconnects the town back to its history of making by creating a space for renewed innovation in the arts and its siting crafts a future rooted in a harmonious relationship between the village and its waterfront along the Connecticut River.

Cette thèse contribue à l'état actuel des connaissances sur la compatibilité des nouveaux bâtiments avec les environnements urbains historiques. Elle suit un mode de présentation classique: Introduction, Revue de Littérature, Méthodologie, Résultats, Discussion et Conclusion. Le problème étudié est le manque d'orientation pour intégrer les processus de développement et de sauvegarde dans les contextes établis. La littérature récente révèle que les règles de préservation, aussi appelées normes et lignes directrices, ne peuvent pas garantir une relation compatible entre une intervention et son milieu. La pensée contemporaine dans le domaine de la conservation et de la gestion du patrimoine invite donc l’exploration d'autres moyens pour lier la nouvelle architecture à l'ancienne. Ainsi, le présent projet de recherche explore une approche alternative aux règles de préservation en vue d’atteindre le but de nouveaux bâtiments compatibles et d’améliorer la prise de décision fondée sur les valeurs. Pour produire des résultats spécifiques et convaincants, un cas a été sélectionné. Celui-ci est une ville dans la région du Golfe Arabe : la Ville de Koweït. Le résultat principal est le développement d’une approche, mise en œuvre en posant des questions approfondies sur le lieu, la conception et la construction des nouveaux bâtiments. Les questions suggérées dans la thèse mettent l’accent sur les valeurs patrimoniales et les choix de conception afin de permettre un changement réfléchi au sein des environnements urbains historiques. Elles aident aussi à évaluer les nouvelles propositions de projets au cas par cas. Pour démontrer comment cette approche pourrait être présentée et utilisée par les requérants et les évaluateurs, un modèle théorique est proposé. Ce modèle a ensuite été discuté avec des professionnels locaux et internationaux qui ont identifié ses forces et ses limites. En conclusion, l’ensemble des résultats montre que la mise à disposition de règles et / ou de questions approfondies n’est pas une solution satisfaisante puisqu’il y a d'autres enjeux importants qui devraient être abordés: comment appliquer l'orientation efficacement une fois qu’elle a été créée, comment développer la compétence liée à la prise de décision fondée sur les valeurs et comment insérer la conservation du patrimoine dans la mentalité du gouvernement local et des communautés. Lorsque ces enjeux seront traités, le patrimoine pourra devenir partie intégrante du processus de planification, ce qui est le but ultime. Enfin, cinq axes de recherche sont recommandés pour poursuivre l’exploration des idées introduites dans cette étude.
This thesis contributes to the current state of knowledge on the compatibility of new buildings with historic urban environments. It follows a classic mode of presentation: Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Research Findings, Discussion and Conclusion. The problem under study is insufficient guidance to integrate the processes of development and safeguarding in established contexts. Recent literature reveals that preservation rules, also known as standards and design guidelines, cannot guarantee a compatible relationship between an intervention and its surroundings. Contemporary thinking in the field of heritage conservation and management, therefore, urges the exploration of other means for relating new architecture to old. Accordingly, the present research project explores an alternative approach to preservation rules with a view to achieving the goal of compatible new buildings and improving values-based decision-making. To generate specific and convincing results, a case study was selected. The latter is a city in the Arabian Gulf region: Kuwait City. The main research finding is the development of an approach, implemented by asking probing questions about the location, design and construction of new buildings. The questions suggested in the thesis put emphasis on heritage values and design options to enable thoughtful change in historic urban environments. They also help assess new project proposals on a case-by-case basis. To demonstrate how this approach might be presented to, and used by, applicants and evaluators, a theoretical model is proposed. This model was later discussed with local and international practitioners who identified its strengths and limitations. In conclusion, the overall research findings show that the provision of rules and/or probing questions is not a satisfactory solution because there are other important issues that must be addressed: how to effectively apply guidance once it has been created, how to develop the skill of values-based decision-making and how to embed heritage conservation in the mentality of local government and communities. When actions will be taken to deal with these issues, heritage could become a part of the planning process, which is the ultimate goal. Lastly, five research directions are recommended to further explore the ideas introduced in this study.
تساهم هذه الأطروحة في زيادة المعرفة المعاصرة بخصوص توافق المباني الجديدة مع المناطق المعمارية التراثية. إنها تتبع أسلوب النمط الكلاسيكي لعرض الأفكار: مقدمة، مراجعة الدراسات المعنية، جمع وتحليل المعلومات، نتائج، مناقشة، وخاتمة. فهي تتناول مشكلة نقص التوجيه لدمج عمليات التنمية والحماية في المناطق المعنية. الدراسات الأخيرة تشير إلى أن قوانين الحفاظ، المعروفة أيضا" بالمعايير والمبادئ التوجيهية للتصميم، لا تستطيع أن تضمن وجود علاقة توافق بين التدخل المعماري والمكان المحيط به. لذا التفكير المعاصر في مجال الحفاظ على التراث وإدارته يُشجع على إيجاد وسائل أخرى لربط العمارة الجديدة بالقديمة. وفقا" لذلك، مشروع البحث الحالي يبحث عن نهج بديل لقوانين الحفاظ بغاية تحقيق هدف التوافق المعماري وتحسين القرارات القائمة على القيم. للحصول على نتائج دقيقة ومقنعة، تم إختيار ودرس حالة وهي مدينة في منطقة الخليج العربي: مدينة الكويت. النتيجة الرئيسية للبحث هي تكوين نهج يمكن تطبيقه بطرح أسئلة إستفسارية عن موقع وتصميم وبناء المباني الجديدة. والأسئلة المقترحة في الأطروحة تركز على القيم التراثية وخيارات التصميم للحصول على تغيير مدروس في المناطق المعنية. كما أنها تساعد على تقييم مقترحات المشاريع الجديدة. لإظهار كيف يمكن أن يُقدم ويُستخدم هذا النهج من قبل المصممين والمقيمين، تم تكوين نموذج نظري . و قد نوقش هذا النموذج مع مهنيين محليين ودوليين حيث قاموا بتحديد نقاط قوته وقيوده. وتشيرالنتائج الإجمالية إلى أن توفير القوانين و/أو الأسئلة الإستفسارية ليس حلا" مرضيا" لأنه يوجد مسائل أخرى لابد من معالجتها: كيفية تطبيق التوجيه بشكل فعلي عندما يتم إنشاؤه، وكيفية تطوير مهارة أخذ القرارات القائمة على القيم، وكيفية إدخال المحافظة على التراث بعقلية الحكومة المحلية والمجتمع. عندما تعالج تلك المسائل يمكن للتراث أن يصبح جزءا" من عملية التخطيط. فهذا هو الهدف النهائي. وأخيرا"، يُنصح بأخذ خمس إتجاهات بحثية لمواصلة التحقق من الأفكار التي وردت في هذه الدراسة

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal
Pour respecter les droits d'auteur, la version électronique de cette thèse ou ce mémoire a été dépouillée, le cas échéant, de ses documents visuels et audio-visuels. La version intégrale de la thèse ou du mémoire a été déposée au Service de la gestion des documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Les théories contemporaines en conservation, en urbanisme, en architecture se rallient toutes pour intégrer la participation citoyenne dans leurs processus, dans la perspective d‘un développement durable. Plusieurs enjeux entrent en ligne de compte et influencent les décisions prises en ce qui concerne le destin de gares de train abandonnées. Cette etude tente d‘éclairer l‘impact de certains de ces enjeux dont : le ou les nouveaux usages qui seront octroyés à la gare dans sa nouvelle «vie », l‘architecture de la gare elle-même et la façon dont elle sera traitée ou modifiée, l‘espace de la gare ainsi que sa transformation et finalement l‘appropriation de cet espace par le citoyen. L‘approche qualitative est l‘approche méthodologique choisie. La recherche combine la méthodologie d‘analyse de contenu et l‘étude de cas. Le cas de la gare de Westmount est examiné en comparaison avec le cas de la gare d‘Orsay transformée en Musée d‘Orsay. Le point de vue de l‘usager est exploré afin de comprendre comment il vit l‘espace de la gare dans le cas où l‘architecture de la gare resterait intacte et un nouvel usage lui est octroyé, et dans le cas où l‘architecture intérieure ou extérieure serait modifiée en y ajoutant des structures contemporaines pour accommoder un ou plusieurs nouveaux usages. La comparaison entre les résultats obtenus pour le Musée d‘Orsay et pour la gare de Westmount a permis de mieux comprendre le contexte et ses variables politiques / économiques, patrimoniales / de développement durable et sociales /spatiales. Un mélange entre architecture historique et architecture contemporaine favoriserait la préservation des parties historiques en remettant le bâtiment ainsi que ses installations à niveau et en prolongeant leur utilisation, cependant, tout cela ne se concrétisera pas sans la réalisation de certaines conditions, notamment l‘appui politico-économique de la part de la ville, une architecture contemporaine qui soit épurée et simple ou une architecture qui imite l‘architecture existante, les opinions sont partagées, et finalement l‘appropriation de l‘espace par les usagers, chose qui semble dépendre de l‘architecture finale et de son harmonisation avec l‘architecture existante; les usagers semblent s‘approprier davantage l‘espace de la gare avec ou sans nouvelle structure surtout s‘il y a participation de leur part au processus de sa réhabilitation. Donner une voix aux usagers et à leurs suggestions est chose importante : ils «habiteraient» mieux l‘espace s‘ils participaient au projet. Également, prendre en considération les recommandations en matière de conservation, puisqu‘un vent de changement pourrait s‘y opérer, plus précisément en matière de mélange entre architecture historique et architecture contemporaine.
Contemporary theories of conservation, urban planning and architecture all work together to integrate citizen participation into their processes, with a view to sustainable development. Several issues influence decisions regarding the fate of abandoned train stations. This study attempts to clarify the impact of some of these issues such as what are the new uses that give the station its new "life", what is the architecture of the station itself and how it will be treated or modified, the space of the station and its transformation and ultimately the appropriation of this space by the citizens. The methodological approach that is chosen is qualitative and combines content analysis and case study methodologies. The case study chosen is of Westmount station in Westmount, Quebec, Canada, it is examined in comparison with the case of Orsay station transformed into the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France. The views of users are explored to comprehend how they understand the space of the station, how they might react in case its architecture remains intact and a new use is granted to it, and in case the interior and/or exterior architecture is modified by adding contemporary structures to accommodate one or more new uses. Comparing the results of the Musée d'Orsay and Westmount station helped to better understand the context and its political/economic, heritage/sustainability and social/spatial variables. While divided, many participants expressed various and rich opinions. These included having a mix of historic architecture and contemporary architecture to favour the preservation of the historic sections by updating the building and its facilities and extending their use. However, this could not materialize without the fulfillment of certain conditions, including political/economic support from the city, a contemporary architecture that is uncluttered, simple or an architecture that mimics existing architecture, and finally the appropriation of space by users. This appropriation seems to depend on the final architecture and its harmonization with the existing architecture. Users seem to appropriate more the space of the station, with or without a new structure, especially if there is participation on their part in the process of rehabilitation. Giving a voice to users and their suggestions is important as they would "inhabit" better the space if they participate in the project. In addition, recommendations on conservation, especially that some changes could occur, more specifically in terms of the mix of historic architecture and contemporary architecture, are to be considered.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011.
The dissertation is a design of a Pondo Resource Forum for the Mpondo ethnic group at Emfundisweni in Flagstaff in the Eastern Cape. This is driven by a social commitment to investigate the forces that were influential to the cultural modification of Amapondo. Also important is to celebrate Pondo heritage, the indigenous social interventions that define the identity of Amapondo, as well as contemporary culture and the influence of technological development input on the traditional Pondo social structures.

The City of Holyoke, Massachusetts is one of many aging, industrial cities striving to revitalize its economy based on the promise of increased digital connectivity and clean energy resources. But how do you renovate 19th century mills to meet the demands of the information age? This architectural study explores the potential impact of sensing technologies and information networks on the definition and function of buildings in the 21st century. It explores the changes that have taken place in industrial architecture since 1850 and argues for an architecture that supports local relationships and environmental awareness. The author explores the industrial history of Holyoke, appraises emerging uses of sensing technologies and presents a thorough narrative of her site analysis and conceptual design of a digital fabrication and incubation center within an existing textile mill.