Architecture Theses

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Solar Harbor: Nurturing Nature in Industrial Design
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Wielenberg, Jacob M.
Warehouses are places where productivity and cost reduction meet to create highly profitable, efficient structures. At this intersection, however, there also lies a concrete box with little regard for the employees that toil within. These boxes, in addition to their disregard for human needs, interrupt nature in a massive way, destroying ecosystems for various lifeforms and leaving a large carbon footprint. These large, intrusive structures pose many problems regarding modern design, and contain outdated and unsustainable building practices that lead to many natural and societal problems. A thorough investigation of current warehouse design indicates all the afore-mentioned issues. This thesis strives to address some of these issues and provide solutions to problematic design practices. Specifically, this thesis focuses on a warehouse residing in the Fargo/Moorhead area, designing a warehouse that provides an update to the current structure, integrating natural lighting, sustainable design practices, and improvements on the building’s current program and layout.
Housing and the Construction Labor Shortage: Designing for Jobs in Duluth, MN
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Broman, Dawson Alexander
This thesis examines the implication of modular timber framing as a design response to the construction labor shortage in Duluth MN. Drawing on the impact of tourism in Duluth and its impact on the housing market, increasing investment in the city is pushing up real estate prices, and in turn changing what buyers are willing to spend on construction labor. Because of this, labor wages remain uncompetitive because of rising real estate and material costs. This thesis explores the use of modular heavy timber as a local resource with minimal manufacturing expenses, intended to bring more money into the construction labor market. This design response permits a variety of configurations that can fit within a variety of site constraints. Renovation practices for rental properties are also explored to mitigate increasing rent. Modular timber framing is also used in two examples of high-end home designs to show the implication of modular timber in a broader market.
The Impact of the Third Place
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Persons, Cameron Brian
The research conducted will look at the importance third places have for a community’s well-being and happiness, and why they need to be valued within society. It will consider the positive impacts third spaces have on humans, as well as the negative consequences involved in neglecting places of connection and congregation within a community. There has been a dramatic increase in ways to connect with people due to the increased popularity of technology. Yet, there has been an equal increase in the feeling of loneliness and social isolation by Americans. Physical and tangible third places are the answer to the rising problem of loneliness and social isolation. They provide true authentic connections and relationships that people need to have a high quality of life. The design proposal will be a hub of third places located within the downtown area of Grand Rapids, MN. It will include spaces for all hours of the day and provide a safe and friendly atmosphere that will foster community and encourage growth.
Healing Through Humanitarian Design: Understanding the Refugee Crisis and Designing for the Future
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Peikert, Matthew
This project is an exploration into understanding the qualities of the built environment to attain a level of dignity for refugees in their healing process. Architecture cannot solve these social issues but seeks to understand the impact of the built environment on individual people. This research will focus on the humanitarian design response method and how it can be improved in the future. Can healing take place through design created by architects and does the design of a refugee camp have anything to do with that healing process? This research will use the global refugee situation as a vehicle to understand humanitarian design response. This research will interrogate global partners that are working towards the goal to support the healing process in refugee camps and understand how this process is approached within those companies and to further gain an understanding if the structure of a camp could influence the ability for people to heal. What if humanitarian design response was something that planners, designer and architects were prepared for, rather than something designers are always trying to catch up with. This research will reveal what strategies have been currently achieved as a humanitarian response in order to uncover any gaps that could provide a holistic solution in the future.
Amalgamation: Exploring the Context of Health and Nature of Liberia
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Golijikaye, Worlikema Angel
As a developing country, Liberia still faces significant gaps in essential services. About a year and a half ago, my mother explained, a loved one of hers passed due to health complications and couldn't receive help because there wasn't a clinic nearby. This revelation stirred a mix of emotions within me. It ultimately led me to formulate my thesis, which revolves around establishing a regional clinic or hospital. This study focuses on how to better engage with the health, nature, and stories of Liberia people within the context of clinics. The design process incorporates the history of vegetation (particularly trees), representing the intersection of traditional medicine and Western medicine and the perspectives of the Americo-Liberian and Indigenous Liberian communities. The study additionally aims to showcase the connections between the two groups and demonstrate how they are interconnected while simultaneously discussing the factors that have contributed to their current lack of medical facilities.
Living Library: How Stories Told Through Architecture Can Strengthen Communities and the People Within Them
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Zeien, Mariah Kate
Story has been passed down through generations, carrying with it the history and teachings of diverse groups of people. Storytelling has evolved to fit into an ever-changing society, trying to adapt and stay prevalent in it. With the ever-widening distance between strangers today, many stories and storytelling opportunities are being lost. Architecture is no longer being used as a tool to tell stories and provide places for stories to be told. The connections and spaces that once brought people from all walks of life together do not exist as they once did. The living library is an intervention, providing a place to rekindle and foster the connections missing today. By providing a place where stories can be told and shared with others, communities can begin to create stronger connections. The living library provides spaces for stories to be told, kept, found, and made.
Chrysopoeia: A Transcendental Metamorphosis of Consciousness
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Wold, Parker Alden
As of 2024 the world is in a mental health crisis. Now more than ever mental health is an incredibly important topic, especially after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the situation as dire as it is, places like Oregon have started to turn to using psychedelics in treating mental illnesses due to their proven effectiveness in healing the mind. As of January of 2023, Oregon passed legislation that allows for the use of a psychedelic compound known as psilocybin at licensed service centers. With psilocybin still being classified as a schedule one drug under federal law, its use is limited to the grounds of licensed service centers. Since patients are only allowed to engage in this type of therapy at these service centers, it is crucially important that the design of these service centers creates an environment that significantly aids in a patient’s mental healing journey. The goal of this project is to propose a design and typology of architecture that can assist in the transformation of a person’s consciousness for the sake of better mental health and ultimately attaining a more fulfilling life. We have long distanced ourselves from our inner being due to the lives we live today with modern technology and due to the way that we are used to thinking in society. By better understanding our minds through the work of Carl Jung and tapping into our consciousness and unconsciousness, we can vastly change the way that we think and become whole with ourselves through the practice of individuation. The practice of the use of psychedelics and other forms of wellness and therapy such as cold exposure therapy, nature immersion, community building, and exercise can help people navigate the inner depths of their mind to work past the mental barriers that hold them back from becoming mentally healthy.
Stories of Separation: Reunifying the Emotional Border of the Korean 38th Parallel
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Nelson, Samuel Lee
When encountering conditions with unknown aspects, it is an impulse to occupy them with experiences and memories to alleviate the associated feelings and reach a form of understanding. This thesis explores how our understandings are influenced and establish a precedent for architectural interventions to assist in resolving the conditions of the unknown. Following World War II (WWII), the 38th parallel marked the beginning of the separation of the Koreas before it developed into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Contrasting the stagnant characteristics of this physical division, the emotional division in Korea has continuously evolved and shifted throughout the years. Designed in mountains and along the invisible line of the 38th parallel, the architectural experiences draw out an understanding of the emotional border by imparting a lasting influence on people’s perceptions and memories.
Expedition Interim: Projects on a Journey Towards Equity
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Loud, Cody Jorrell Jr.
As systemic local inequities continue to malform cities without official accountability, the options for architectural intervention seem limited. Not many artistic avenues exist to combat issues of unilaterally failing infrastructure; and to address an issue so thickly sown across modern cities may require intervention at an infrastructural scale. Additionally, what’s catalyzing displacement in one neighborhood may be different in another. This thesis explores how we could respond to the nuances of cities like Seattle, Chicago, or New York City. And how can a project have both a practical usage and convey a symbolic stance against inequity by simply being? This thesis proposes temporary installations of projects in various locations, the purpose and use of which can be decided by the everyday public, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), or locally appointed leaders. These projects aim to establish a new layer of public infrastructure which responds to everyone’s shifting needs for space rather than permanently planting projects with narrow solutions.
A Path to Reconnection: Using Architecture to Restore the Relationship Between Humankind and the Natural World
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Kucala, Elizabeth
Humans and the natural world once shared a profound connection through the reciprocal nature of their relationship. Due to the continuous changes in the technology and customs of society, as well as the apprehension of those who are different from us, humans have disconnected from each other, animals, and nature. This has led to the mistreatment and ignorance of groups such as the elderly and stray animals who have been cast out from society. This project aims to reconnect humankind and the natural world through the improvement of animal shelter design and the amalgamation of building programs including a memory care facility, veterinary clinic, cat café, dog library, and a gallery. My project site incorporates these programs and uses hodological space to invite the user to reconnect with nature and the people and animals in the shelter without bias.
Cosmic Curiosities and Earthy Wonders: A Sensuous Reimagining of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Kowalzek, Brady
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science envisions a transformation that acknowledges our connection to nature, aiming to deepen our understanding of this relationship. This transformation stems from the belief that humans are part of nature, not its conquerors. The museum has achieved LEED Platinum certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. However, critics argue it serves more as a testament to human achievements than as a sanctuary for nature, missing the chance to integrate with its surrounding environment. To address this, the proposed transformation emphasizes architectural design in harmony with nature, moving away from mere mechanical efficiency towards a more symbiotic relationship. The vision extends beyond exhibits, aiming to reimagine the museum as a living link connecting people with the marvels of our planet and beyond.
Meeting Inevitabilities: How Architecture Can Aid in Our Acceptance of Death and Improvement of Life
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Kolling, Caitlyn E.
Meeting Inevitabilities seeks to explore design in relation to life, death, and memory. In the modern age, there is a significant lack of space for human interaction and connection surrounding the events of death, which further contributes to the divergence of death from life, life from memory, and memory from death. The designs aim to bring forth the divergence in one space, and explode the ideas and design outwards, where these three elements can be perceived together in a new way, in a reversible convergence.
Dreaming of Home: Connected, Emotional, and Inspiring Dwelling in New York's Superblocks
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Jarman, Cole
In the past, homes provided a way to connect to the world, the community and oneself. Moving through time, the house changed shape and these connections became weaker, yet the longing for a home where one belongs stayed. A reimagining is needed, as homes today lack meaningful bridges to this desire to dwell. Nowhere is this needed more than affordable housing superblocks that provide essential homes. As these houses age, the future of housing will depend on the reaction to worsening conditions. Can an architectural intervention prevent a reset of New York City’s housing stock and learn from the surrounding area to create a stronger sense of home in an urban area? With the existing framework of these superblocks, the aim of this project is a reimagining of the poetic potential of the Riis Houses. A dream to have a home that is more connected, more inspiring, and more emotional.
Illuminating Connections: A Theatrical Intervention in Urban Loneliness
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Huber, Carter J.
Amidst the hustle of urban life, an epidemic of loneliness grips our modern cities, casting shadows upon the once vibrant display of community. Before the 19th century, public spaces thrived as stages where every encounter was a theatrical exchange, a space to recognize oneself through the presence of others. However, the cityscape shifted with time, veiling the human connection behind privatization and specialization. This project intertwines theater and urban intervention to capture the fleeting moments of human connection. Each scene serves as a bridge between solitude and community, inviting audiences to rediscover the beauty of shared experiences. Through storytelling, we can reignite the flame of interaction, breathing life into forgotten urban corners. Located in the once-vibrant neighborhood of Cabrini-Green in Chicago, IL, this project will act as a new foundation for this redeveloping community, offering a beacon of hope among its storied past. It will function as a community hub, a stage for the play of urban life, where all are invited to participate. This redevelopment marks a unique opportunity to honor the past while forging a new path forward, bridging divides, and fostering belonging for generations to come.
Psychosomatic Transformation: The Cathartic Cycle of Time and Healing
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Gregston, Meghan Danielle
Concerning healthcare today, it is clear to see that there is a disconnect between our understanding of physical health and of mental health. Not having access or not being able to afford any type of medical treatment is a problem this country needs to solve. While not having the power to write prescriptions or diagnose illnesses, architecture has the power to affect us on a more holistic level. Architecture’s influence on our mood from the manipulation of a space’s atmosphere is essential to the connection between the metaphysical mind and physical body. Our bodies respond to these emotions made through experiencing architecture, creating reactions powerful enough to encourage deeper thought and reflection. The cathartic connection between the mind and body is the solution we need in this country’s healthcare crisis. I offer architecture as that solution, creating spaces meant to transform and heal the occupants throughout various cycles throughout the spaces mimicking that of the cycles of day and night, our circadian rhythms, or the seasons. Throughout the design of these spaces, my goal is to create such powerful emotions and reactions to this space and experience in order to heal the inhabitants from the inside out.
A Landscape for Play: An Exploration of Sensory Architecture Solutions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Frelich, Judith Irva
In the kaleidoscope of human experiences, the sensory realm unfolds as a tapestry that uniquely colors our perceptions of the world. For children navigating the intricate landscape of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this tapestry takes on profound significance as their sensory sensitivities can both illuminate and obscure the path to understanding and learning. The concept of sensory architecture combined with the ‘neuro-typical’ approach presents an innovative and promising solution to developing inclusive spaces for children with ASD. Influenced by ‘the play of light’ and ‘the play of the waves,’ this thesis aims to create an understanding of dynamic interaction, freedom and flexibility, unfolding and discovery, and creativity through physical interaction with the spatial environment.
Divinity Through Metaphor: A Poetic Observation of the Cosmos
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Christianson, Hunter Joseph
For centuries, the connection between cosmic phenomena and spiritual narratives has imbued celestial events with a sacred significance, integrating them deeply into the fabric of human culture. However, the rise of scientific rationalism and industrialization has shifted our perception, often stripped these celestial bodies of their divine essence, and reduced them to mere objects of study. Today, there is an increasing need to revisit and reinterpret these ancient narratives that have guided humanity, suggesting that by reshaping our linguistic and narrative frameworks, we can begin to dwell within a more spiritually enriched reality. Architecture plays a pivotal role in this cultural and spiritual renaissance. By harnessing ancient narratives and metaphors, architectural interventions can blur the lines between the internal self and the external cosmos, fostering a unified and holistic experience of existence. This project epitomizes this approach with a network of spiritual observatories dedicated to the Moon and the Sun. These observatories are not only structures but sanctuaries that reconnect individuals to both the vast universe and their inner light of consciousness. Through this integration, the project not only addresses the modern disconnection from spiritual narratives but also repositions architecture as a critical tool in the reclamation of our cosmic divinity.
Absorbent Minds: Challenging Utopia Through Atmospheric Architecture
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Bridgeman, Kaitlyn Marie
Since the time of John Amos Comenius the way in which we teach has remained constant. A simplified metaphor for learning amplifies the argument that the view of early education is in a utopian state. When in reality the curriculum is a mold to fit learners into, that prepares them to become a cog in the wheel we call the workforce. The goal is to combat this problem using principles from both the Maria Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches to learning to create an atmosphere that inspires learners and allows for the flourishing of creativity and self-discovery. This thesis aims to reinterpret what it means to practice a deeper meaning of learning in and out of the classroom setting.
A Translation of Art: How Architecture Infused with Music Educates Humankind
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Brecht, Kamryn Nicole
During the 18th century, humans started to perceive the world around them differently. Structures were designed with the assumption that the meaning of the building would follow afterwards, instead of building with initial purpose. The world we reside in is now full of buildings that are cheaply constructed, unaesthetic, and not serving the needs of a site or its corresponding community. To return to architecture with meaning, architecture must once again be used as a narration for human life. This thesis is a study on how the art of music can be translated into the field of architecture in a way that both educates on the significant effects music has on the individual and the importance of having architecture embodied with meaning. Incorporating music into design could help us return to structures that allow for the discovery of stories, moods, emotions, and showcase the current and past human experience.
Arachnid Sports + Entertainment Complex
(North Dakota State University, 2024) Wilkin, Carson F.
Las Vegas has become a sport energized metropolis. The city not only offers shows, restaurants, and gambling, but now also a successful professional sports market. At the cost of more infrastructure, Vegas has also lost some of its connection to its local community. The strip can be categorized as a tourist grabber, that has also become a money leech and ultimately reducing the interactions from locals across the Nevada area. The metro area has started creating and incorporating many sports teams that have brought community more together than anything in the downtown spaces. Sports offer love and passion that can leave lifelong memories in people. The problem is community members don’t want to go the Strip anymore, and with such high potential in the area, the solution with this thesis is bringing those elements of community back to this selective site and offering the locals the chance to regain a space advocated for them. With a sports team, there is an identity that is created, a fan base that supports, and ultimately energy that continues from a night-to-night basis creating a firm community foundation for the strip. By reviving the vegetation and natural factors, effective use of plaza spaces, security and safety design decisions, and sustainable practices, this thesis provides a solution for a new sports arena facility that can achieve the interests of locals and create a space for everyone.

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