Browsing by Subject "Regionalism in architecture"
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Item Item Constructing a regional building culture in Greater Yellowstone : potentials and limitations(2011-05) Swearingen, Marshall John; Moore, Steven A., 1945-What are the potentials and limitations of constructing a regional building culture in and around Bozeman, Montana? Starting with the theories of architectural regionalism, this thesis takes a pragmatic approach to synthesizing several topics—history, geography, technology, economy—and situating them within Bozeman’s specific context in order to assess the implications of constructing a regional building culture. This potential shift is viewed primarily as technological, but with the understanding that technology is not just objects but also a set of practices and knowledge embedded in the co-evolving structures of society. The main outcome of the research is therefore recommended points of action for builders, designers, and policymakers that would encourage the development of regional building practices, which are shown to have technological and economic benefits when compared with universal technologies. Limitations are discussed in terms of barriers to realizing these benefits, as well as possible problems and contradictions. To start, the various discourses of architectural regionalism are summarized to provide a theoretical footing. Next comes an overview of the history of Bozeman’s building culture, with an emphasis on how universal technologies and their related cultural assumptions have obscured the potential for regional building practices. This leads to the question of defining the region, which is taken up first in an analytical way, then more concretely by using geographic information systems (GIS) to map the region’s climate. Analysis of climatic variables suggests technological practices that could reduce consumption of fossil-fuel energy. These are discussed conjointly with a critique of regional materials and an assessment of how these regionally appropriate alternatives might emerge within conventional technological systems. The economic implications of regional technologies are discussed in terms of benefits and draw-backs. Finally, all these findings are put within the context of information gathered through interviews, which leads to concluding recommendations for action and critical reflections.Item From vernacular to spectacular: a conference center in Kerrville, Texas(Texas Tech University, 1991-05) Franklin, Paul AndrewNot availableItem Program for developing a corporate office building for Furr's , Inc.(Texas Tech University, 1976-04) Jasper, RobertNot availableItem Towards a contemporary vernacular architecture: the coast region of Ecuador(Texas Tech University, 2004-05) Ponce Valverde, JavierFor some Ecuadorians, a typical day might include checking e-mail, going to a shopping mall, eating a Whopper at Burger King, watching an NBA basketball game on ESPN, [or] renting one of Hollywood's latest box office hits at Blockbuster. One might be tempted to conclude that globalization has created a common culture among the world's diverse nations, especially in the Americas.' While it is true that most Ecuadorians actively embrace many features of the American way of life, they do not simply imitate their influential northern neighbors. Although Ecuadorians' have accepted many aspects of foreign cultures, they have also been persistent in cultivating and defending their Ecuadorianness. This thesis is a study of architecture within this context of cultural permeability and uniqueness. This study aims to demonstrate that through regionalism, contemporary Ecuadorian architecture can be founded upon rescuing and adapting regional cultural and natural conceptions. Currently this regional approach is rarely seen, due to the dominance of a universal architectural trend spread through globalization. In an attempt to gain architectural independence from universal trends, this thesis identifies common regional patterns that can be rescued from local historical architecture and that can form a basis for a future regional architecture. In essence, this thesis is a search for and translation of regional architecture undertaken through an analysis and synthesis of two main aspects. First, the analyses and discussions of vernacularism, regionalism, and critical regionalism are addressed, in order to define the most suitable theoretical basis for this proposal. Second, a study of local Ecuadorian architectural experiences is provided in which appropriate formulation and adequate architectural responses have been accomplished through focusing on immediate societal and contextual needs. This study focuses on two basic dwelling types. The Guayas house as the most predominant vernacular architecture from the rural areas of the Coast Region, and the modem housing estate house as a demonstration of the influence of globalization in cultural assets.