Date of Award

4-2003

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Civil and Construction Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Jawahar Nisan

Second Advisor

Dr. Osama Abudayyeh

Third Advisor

Dr. Harold Glasser

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

An existing in-use office and classroom building on Western Michigan University's main campus was chosen for a redesign project which incorporated study of architectural principles of green building and sustainable design. The study emphasized the central importance of buildings themselves in modem life, their effects on building users and their work, their effects on user relationships with one another and the surrounding environment, and the need to enhance the building's positive, natural, and life-supporting relationship with the total environment including the users.

The redesign problem statement reflected issues and ideas from recent architectural and building construction literature, which emphasized green building and sustainable design. These concepts reflected a great need for buildings to focus on reduction of energy usage and creation of positive environmental interrelationship and reduction of negative structural impact on users and the environment.

A research plan developed for the study based on review of literature annotated the principles to be incorporated in the redesign. A qualitative approach, using interview respondents selected from building users, and semi-structured interview questions, detailing principles incorporated in the redesign, was specified, along with the questions used. User validation of result indicated green building/sustainable factors had been successfully incorporated and largely met with user approval.

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