Architectural Studies masters theses (MU)
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Item Virtual construction simulation : evaluating the impact of immersion and interactivity on knowledge gain in novice designers(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2023) Quinto Lima, Stella; Balakrishnan, Bimal; Kim, Jong BumThis thesis explores the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology as a solution to address the challenges in building construction education. By manipulating immersion and interactivity, the study aims to evaluate their impact on knowledge gain in building systems and construction detailing. The results highlighted the significant influence of interactivity on learners' perception of possibilities for action and reward, indicating that increased interactivity enhances engagement and exploration within the VR environment. The findings emphasize the potential benefits of incorporating higher levels of interactivity in VR learning platforms for building systems education. VR offered students more freedom to explore and engage with the construction aspects. All of this provided a safe and controlled experience alternative to traditional site visits, allowing students to practice and learn in a realistic construction environment.Item Exploring elementary student energy literacy outcomes in the outdoor classroom : a comparative study(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2020) Fallahhosseini, Sepideh; Cole, LauraEnvironmental issues such as global warming, air and water pollution, and excessive consumption of fossil fuels are the challenging problems that endanger the future of our planet and, consequently, humankind. These problems should be addressed clearly, and appropriate education should be provided for people since "quality education" is one of the 17 primary sustainable development goals (UN, 2020b). Built environment education or "green building literacy" is another topic that needs to be addressed. Although new technologies make the built environment greener and more sustainable, to achieve the sustainability goals, green building users should learn about the green features of the building appropriately. The purpose of this investigation was to identify the potential for an outdoor classroom (Learnscape) with installed PV solar system together with a six-week energy literacy curricular unit to enhance energy literacy outcomes for elementary students. The fourth-grade students from two elementary public schools, one with the Learnscape (n=42) and the other without Learnscape (n=63) participated in this study. We collected data using questionnaires, system model drawings, interviews, and observation. Questionnaires and system model drawings data were quantitatively analyzed using the non-parametric methods. Also, we used interviews and observation data to describe and clarify the analyzed quantitative data. Based on the analysis, we found that the energy literacy curricular unit improved students' energy literacy in all three dimensions of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The energy literacy questionnaires revealed that Learnscape students were not distinguished in energy literacy knowledge at the beginning of the unit but had significantly higher scores at the end of the unit. Student drawings also showed that the performance of the students in both schools increased from beginning to end of the unit, and Learnscape students had significantly higher scores for explaining the science behind their drawings in the post drawings. Implication suggests that the presence of green infrastructure on the school campus has the potential to enhance youth environmental literacy. Also, curricula that focus attention on the sustainable built environment are necessary to engage students in the green features on campus.Item Influence of immersion on user's spatial presence and memory in virtual environments(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2018) Khosravi, Zhaleh; Balakrishnan, BimalThis study examines the influence of immersion on users' sense of spatial presence and spatial memory in virtual environments. The single factor was systematically manipulated in three conditions. A sample of 32 participants was used to test the study hypotheses. This study employed a between-subject design, and participants were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions. The results from statistical analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed the influence of immersion on the spatial presence and spatial memory. The results of this study revealed that higher level of immersion including a wider field of view and the stereoscopic display did lead to a greater sense of presence and improved spatial memory performance. This study has practical implications across various domains including architectural design and visualization, developing virtual reality systems, and training simulators.Item The role of place in assisted living(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2017) Molnar, Rachel M.; Schwarz, BenyaminThe qualitative inquiry explored what physical attributes and tangible items that assisted living residents at one facility determined to be personally meaningful and emblematic of their concept of 'home.' Using grounded theory methods, in-depth interviews and participant-captured photographs were employed to investigate the research questions. Through the coding and analysis process, interview transcripts and photographic data indicated two major themes of value. The first, facility characteristics, highlighted factors associated with the assisted living environment, including the general culture and level of social engagement with members of the community, group activities coordinated by the facility itself, and the resident's personal one or two bedroom apartment. The other, individual characteristics, focused on aspects that the resident introduced into the environment, such as personal values and priorities, memories, and hobbies. The data suggests that all six of the characteristics contributed meaning to a resident's experience in assisted living and shaped their perceptions of 'home,' although the individual's unique character may determine which attributes are the most influential to him or her.Item An authentic sustainable future : a case study of the Bullitt Center(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2015) Jackson, Ebony; Schwarz, Benyamin[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The qualitative research was a case study of the Bullitt Center. The focus of this research was to understand how the Bullitt Center sought to achieve the goals of the Living Building Challenge and ultimately become the first largest commercial building to achieve this green rating system. The findings from this study ultimately point to a system thinking approach and regenerative methods. This understanding leads to a true definition of a sustainable future. This study seeks to challenge the field of green design and architecture through the application and achievements of the Bullitt Center.