Energetic Ecologies: Industry, Adaptation, and The Thermodynamic Paradigm

dc.contributor.advisorCastellon, Juan Joseen_US
dc.contributor.advisorFinley, Dawnen_US
dc.creatorHernandez, Michael S.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2021-05-03T22:21:56Zen_US
dc.date.available2021-05-03T22:21:56Zen_US
dc.date.created2021-05en_US
dc.date.issued2021-04-22en_US
dc.date.submittedMay 2021en_US
dc.date.updated2021-05-03T22:21:56Zen_US
dc.description.abstractAddressing the widespread problem of post-industrial urban decay is imperative for helping our cities become safer, healthier, and more equitable; however, a close look at prevailing methods of intervening in these sites reveals underlying socio-economic, ecological, and long-term energy concerns. Starting with an abandoned industrial site in Houston as a case study, this thesis offers an alternative approach: re-engaging industrial ruins through the lens of thermodynamics. In developing a low-cost, low-embodied energy public space with high social and ecological value, this project considers the broader implications of biasing the ambient, sensorial properties of energetic exchange in architectural design. From a thermodynamic perspective, industrial ruins hold immense value -- from the materiality of their structures, to the land they inhabit, to their surrounding urban and ecological contexts. Because of their construction, composition, and formal qualities, post-industrial sites can be extraordinarily thermodynamically active and embedded with energetic potential that can be re-engaged and deployed in a variety of ways. Detailed analyses of the energetic pre-existences and microclimate of the site lead to development of an integrated structural and material system that calibrates passive ventilation to generate atmospheric zoning. Atmospheres are further articulated using intensive properties like pressure, density, convection, and conduction. At each step, the project is tested and refined using CFD analysis. Conceived as an overlapping network of passively-conditioned public spaces, programming is not pre-determined, but evolves as a function of atmospheric diversity. The formal expression of the project emerges as a synthesis of the material, structural, atmospheric, and energetic qualities of the site. By integrating non-isolated energy modeling, lessons from systems ecology, and modern analysis tools, the thermodynamic paradigm can not only transform how we conceive of site-specific design solutions for industrial ruins – it has broad implications for how we design and build architecture in our increasingly energy-conscious societies.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationHernandez, Michael S.. "Energetic Ecologies: Industry, Adaptation, and The Thermodynamic Paradigm." (2021) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/110478">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/110478</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/110478en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectArchitectureen_US
dc.subjectThermodynamicsen_US
dc.subjectThermodynamic Paradigmen_US
dc.subjectAdaptive Reuseen_US
dc.subjectAdaptationen_US
dc.subjectAtmospheresen_US
dc.subjectPassiveen_US
dc.subjectMicroclimateen_US
dc.subjectCFD Analysisen_US
dc.subjectEcologyen_US
dc.subjectEnergyen_US
dc.subjectIndustryen_US
dc.subjectIndustrial Ruinsen_US
dc.subjectSpoliaen_US
dc.subjectThermodynamic Pocheen_US
dc.subjectConcreteen_US
dc.subjectTimbrel Vaulten_US
dc.subjectCatalan Vaulten_US
dc.subjectTile Vaultingen_US
dc.subjectVaulten_US
dc.subjectSiloen_US
dc.subjectBayouen_US
dc.subjectTerracingen_US
dc.subjectSwaleen_US
dc.subjectHoustonen_US
dc.subjectDeindustrializationen_US
dc.subjectPost-Industrialen_US
dc.subjectEnergyen_US
dc.subjectEmergyen_US
dc.subjectExergyen_US
dc.subjectIntensive Propertiesen_US
dc.subjectThermal Massen_US
dc.subjectEmbodied Energyen_US
dc.subjectLife-Cycle Analysisen_US
dc.subjectMaterial Flowen_US
dc.subjectEvaporative Coolingen_US
dc.subjectEnvironmenten_US
dc.subjectUrbanen_US
dc.subjectConstructionen_US
dc.subjectVernacularen_US
dc.titleEnergetic Ecologies: Industry, Adaptation, and The Thermodynamic Paradigmen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentArchitecture & Building Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineArchitectureen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Architectureen_US
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