Studentarbeten // Student Theses

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A house full of stories
(2024) Axell, Anton; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Unterrainer, Walter; Wik, Tina
This thesis explores value and heritage in an urban context and what role it can play in sustainable development. Spanning from discourse on urban development and value management to a finished architectural proposal, the thesis is developed trough a critical discussion on urban development and value. The thesis is written within the studio Building Design and Transformation for Sustainability and aims to discover the beauty the lies within the environmental turn and explore the boundary between preservation and transformation, patina and decay. This thesis is site-specific and based on a listed building in central Gothenburg, which has undergone various periods of use and renovation but currently finds itself in a void, between the development of the area and the building’s own history. The development of the architectural proposal evolves through discussion of value management and through analysis of the building’s existing structure and character. The overall aim of the thesis is to contribute to the discussion on urban development and on what is considered worth preserving in an era where the building industry is dominated by growth and profit instead of improvment and adoptation. The discussion is based on various theorists, using theories from Helena Mattsson and Jil Stoner to William Morris and John Ruskin among others. This thesis seeks for the subtile changes, and finding the balance between the intangible, subjective values and spatial interventions. This thesis also aims to find a humanistic approach to sustainability and architecture, where the exploration and adaptation of a building’s current state play a significant role. The method is shaped by an iterative design driven research and critical theory building. The outcome is an architectural proposal to the buildings continuous management and usage, suggesting both preservation and transformation as a design strategy.
A Nudging Home a home full of strategies facilitating a sustainable lifestyle
(2023) Löfgren, Sofia; Ylenfors, Ida; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Braide, Anna
We stand in front of an urgent global challenge and the climate crisis is a fact. One part of the solution is a transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. Our lifestyles are a result of activities and daily choices in our home, making the home a perfect arena for making a change. The purpose of the thesis is to explore and answer the two research questions: 1. How can nudging strategies be used in residential architecture to support and promote sustainable lifestyles? 2. What would such a nudging home look like? Nudging is an umbrella term for a number of strategies which alters the choice situation to encourage the user to take a certain action, without infringing on their free will. Nudging is used to influence people to do more long-term and sustainable actions, for themselves, our planet and society. One nudging example is to put the vegetarian alternative at the top of the lunch menu, which increases the sale of the dish drastically. Swedes are willing to change their lifestyles to lessen their climate impact. However, there is a gap between intention nd actual behavior. Nudging can bridge this gap and facilitate a change to a more sustainable lifestyle. Through research, case studies, site visits and interviews, nudging strategies have been collected and transformed into an architectural toolbox. The toolbox consists of six strategies divided into different tools and examples of tangible interventions. The toolbox provides examples of interventions for different stakeholders, but the architect’s role has been emphasized. The toolbox is applied and tested in a design project in an emerging part of Västerås. The proposed nudging multi-family housing block puts the bike at the forefront and is organized around the shared spaces and functions. The building is presented in architectural drawings showcasing the nudging interventions. The thesis sheds light on the importance of designing for sustainable lifestyles and contributes to the discussion of what future multi-family housing will look like. Nudging is not the single answer to the challenges we are facing, but can be one important puzzle piece.
A quarry and a zoo: Exposing the distorted view on nature
(2023) Trapp, Laurids; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Norell, Daniel; Christensson, Peter
The relationship between humans and nature in the Anthropocene could be described as one of displacement in many ways. Firstly, in the sense that our violence towards the environment is understood, but still neglected and displaced. In this way there is a discrepancy between our image of nature and our actions towards it. At the same time we displace nature in a literal sense with our growing consumption of land. The quarry and the zoo exemplify this in relation to architecture. Both make the often neglected extractive character of architecture tangible. They live on the seizure and appropriation of nature, but are fascinating at the same time. Both make nature to a commodity and put the human in charge of managing nature. Furthermore quarries and zoos are connected in that both displace animals. Quarries by destroying their natural habitats and zoos by holding them captive in a staged version of their natural habitat. In that sense my thesis takes the investigation of a quarry (context) and a zoo (program) as a starting point for a design that questions this paradox correlation between image and reality of nature and how this is embedded in architecture. The role design plays in the exploitation of nature is explored. The quarry is investigated as an example for the dependency of architecture on resource extraction. The scars left by the quarries make this impact clearly visible. The zoo is interesting in that it inherits a history of violence against animals, but inverts Abstract this narrative by transfiguring the connection between humans and animals. The human thereby always remains at the centre of the discussion. How design creates the interaction between humans, animals and the animal enclosure in a zoo is analysed. An emphasis is put on the ways the zoo works with different viewing styles and shapes how we look at animals. Eventually through the clash of context and program a design is developed. The quarry is rehabilitated providing ones again a habitat for flora and fauna. The divers climatic conditions of the quarry allow a variety of species to be introduced. Through a route and buildings a long the route visitors are able to experience the quarry and different views are offered. A place is designed that is neither a zoo nor wild nature, that is neither fully staged nor fully authentic, where humans transition between being part of nature and the man-made, where they are “on the side” of the animal and then spy on it, a place that starts a discussion through such polarities about our paradox relationship with nature and the underlying challenges of nature conservation. In that way humans capability of destroying and saving nature is made tangible and is questioned. The problem of a purely human centred perspective is put forward by revealing our gaze through strategies of caricature. People alternate between being spectator and object. The design follows the idea that we care more about what we are aware of. It engages in that way with the potential of the zoo in making animals visible to promote conservation but also exposes our distorted view on nature.
A space of one’s own; recreating educational environments based on student opinions at Angeredsgymnasiet
(2024) Nathorst Westfelt, Astrid; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Femenias, Paula; Elfstrand , Peter
As the climate crisis worsens, the need to transition towards a more sustainable society has never been more evident or more urgent. In a suburb of Gothenburg, Sweden, the secondary school Angeredsgymnasiet faces demolition as the building is nearing the end of its life span. This demolition, however, can not be considered a sustainable choice, neither from a social, ecological or economic perspective. This thesis aimed to show how participatory work can be used in transformative design processes to identify challenges and motivate design which was done through the example of Angeredsgymnasiet. The thesis analyzed four participatory reference projects previously conducted in cooperation with students at Angeredsgymnasiet. Literary analysis and case studies were used as complimentary sources. The research found that although the building faces some technical challenges the main concerns were the experience of safety, the lack of high quality spaces for breaks, and a lack of identity and creativity in the design. The identified challenges were addressed in a transformative design proposal in which functions were redistributed to activate the whole building and create natural meeting places. Some of the courtyards were transformed to interior boulevards, creating a dynamic space for social interaction, while existing corridors were widened to create calm streets. The learning spaces were placed in modules framed by the streets and boulevards, providing flexible environments for all kinds of students. Finally, identity was created through the addition of new materials, furntiure, and light fixtures. The result is a school were students are free to relax and be themselves - a space of their own
BEHIND THE WALLS - Exploring how architecture can be a mode of inquiry on questions of intimate partner violence.
(2023) Rajabi Gajin, Hoda; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Adelfio, Marco; da Cruz Brandao, Emilio
Every three weeks, a woman is killed by a man in Sweden. In 2021, 38 300 crimes of assault and 8 600 rapes against women and girls were reported which is more than one rape per hour per year. “ In 19 cases of the confirmed cases of lethal violence in 2021, victims and perpetrators were related by a close relationship (partner or ex-partner), which accounted for 17 percent of all cases of lethal violence. In 2020, the corresponding number was 17 cases (14%)” (Brå, n.d., para. 6). There are many different types of men’s violence against women in an intimate partner relationship. Intimate partner violence (IPV) has a variety of meanings for different researchers. For purposes of this thesis, the definition used for IPV will be defined as any type of violence that happens in an intimate partner relationship. The victim and perpetrator have a history of close relationships with each other as a spouse or partner. The question asked in this thesis is: How can ethnographic work and architectural design methods make architecture discipline engage with questions on non-physical violence in intimate partner relationships? In order to answer this question, the theoretical aim has been to understand the psychology of abuse and find behaviors in an intimate partner relationship that causes violence. Its applied purpose has been to explore in which way architectural design can contribute to preventing and intervening in violence. By exploring a design approach that enables speculative visualization that tells narratives of sensitive subjects, the hope is to raise awareness among women and young girls in order to empower them in society. The studies led to the creation of a methodology working with spatial narratives and collecting stories to unveil and contextualize them. This included creative workshops using architectural instruments such as drawings, clay, surveys, etc. to gather personal experiences with intimate partner violence.
Beyond Creative Spaces The cultural centre as a tool for democratic participation in Ulricehamn
(2023) Sidenvik, Joel; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Björling, Nils; Helmfridsson, John
Culture is changing as people get more accustomed to creating and not only consuming, leading to higher expectations of interactivity and participation. The role of the public, cultural institutions are also changing with the meeting place becoming a more important feature to focus on. At the same time, the need for new democratic arenas is increasing. The city of Ulricehamn lacks a good, democratic meeting place, which is typically filled by a cultural, public institution. With the small scale of the city, this gives an opportunity to not only create a place that binds together the people, but different institutions and groups with the aim of making the democratic process more accessible with the cultural centre as a tool. The result of the thesis is both the design of a cultural centre but also a discussion based on this about how architecture can help facilitate the interaction between culture and the democratic process. Abstract The design research explores how to generate low- and high intensity meetings between the inhabitants of Ulricehamn through flexible spaces that house multiple actors in the same venue. The new building integrates with the City Hall and Youth centre to create new connections and means of participating in both culture and the decisions being made about the city. Design strategies are formulated, based on the analysis, theory and learnings from the design proposal. They focus on creating a third place and integration with the cultural landscape of the city as well as selected actors. The opportunity of using culture to interact with the democratic process is discussed and the connection between the City Hall and other actors as an opportunity to create something specific to the context of Ulricehamn. The social aspect of culture is seen as an important part in keeping it relevant in a future changing landscape with the cultural centre being a place that can transcend the term third place.
Bioclimatic, site specific architecture: Passive design strategies in a local context
(2023) Elisson, Alexandra; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Thuvander, Liane; Helmfridsson, John
This thesis investigates how to lower the energy demand of a residential building located in a temperate climate of Kungsbacka, south of Sweden. To get an understanding of the relevance of passive design strategies and the possibilities, literature research is conducted. Relevant topics are explained such as thermal comfort, passive house and bioclimatic design. Furthermore, built examples that can relate to the climate of Kungsbacka are shown as references. The design strategies will in addition to the literature research be evaluated through simulations in IDA ICE which is a simulation software that is used to simulate thermal comfort in a building. The simulations tempt to give an understanding on how to use the passive design strategies in a suitable way according to the local climate. This is important since the relevance of different passive design strategies differ depending on which climate the building will be built in. The results of the simulations shows that due to the conditions of the chosen site Söderbro 10, all except one of the chosen passive design strategies is suitable. The excluded one was thermal inertia which was found to have little impact on the energy demand. This was resimulated and found to be more suitable on wooden floors than concrete. A dense and well insulated building envelope is important, and to use the sun as an energy source. This is possible at Söderbro 10 since the site does not have any buildings that block the solar radiation from the south. An angling of the design proposal towards the street allows for better conditions for solar radiation. The conclusion shows how integrating passive design strategies can reduce the energy consumption by 15%. The work provides a good basis for the understanding of how passive design strategies can be applied in a local context and highlights the importance of deeper study of aspects such as life cycle analysis, economy and values, and settings for simulation.
Circle tower; Vienna`s first circular communal housing project
(2024) Wutz, Lemuela; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Unterrainer, Walter; Helmfridsson, John
CIRCLE TOWER -Transformation & Circular Economy The project is taking place in the 19th district of Vienna, Austria. The APA-Tower, which previously served as an office building, is being transformed into a mixed-use space, with a predominant focus on providing housing. The location holds significant development potential due to its excellent connectivity to public transportation, cycling routes, and its proximity to the city center. Furthermore, the surrounding area has undergone substantial redevelopment efforts, offering convenient access to a range of services such as shops, schools, and sports facilities, all within walking distance. The project’s objective is to revitalize a neglected building by transfomring it into social housing and integrating circular prinicples. Furthermore while also considering social, economic, governmental, and behavioral aspects. This goal will be achieved through various scales of intervention, from the adaptive reuse of the entire structure to smaller-scale space planning. The project seeks to investigate ways how to make use of the city stock and reinintegrate not only a structure but also materials within the urban fabric.
CONCERN TO CONSER E Investigating how the transformation of the manager’s house at Lyckholms brewery can provide adaptive reuse and cultural value to its context.
(2023) Dimitriadou, Christina; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Unterrainer, Walter
The city of Gothenburg is in a constant development and transformation mode. There is a plan by the City Planning Department of the Municipality of Gothenburg for the city to expand by approximately one third by 2035. Most societies, including that of Sweden, have shown an interest in the preservation of historical buildings in order to maintain the value of their inherent history. However, as it is challenging for the appropriate function of a particular building to be found there is continual growth and present day society’s needs are very different from those of the past. On the contrary, what is of great value in postmodern times is the need for authenticity. In the age of digitization, urbanization and replication society needs this value more than ever before. Historical buildings have a history to share, an element worth preserving that extends well into the past and this is incomparable. One of these buildings is the manager’s residence at the Lyckholms brewery. It was constructed in 1891 and is located on the southeast quarter of Gothenburg, between Korsvägen and Mölndal. The history of the Lyckholms brewery is associated with various activities such as trade and commercial operations but plans for a contemporary use have been halted to this day for reasons unknown. The manager’s residence has been used as a conference venue, yet as for various reasons it is difficult to adapt it to this function no suitable application has been found so far. The main focus of this process being the manager’s residence, the aim of this thesis is to establish an independent foundation, a hub for conservators plus an additional workshop in the adjacent space. The method is consolidated with an ex- tensive theory and research into the building and the outdoor area and this is the driving force for the design. The goal is to present a transformation project which preserves the history and design of the building though adding a new structure in the existing surrounding space with a focus on promoting adaptive reuse both as a strategy and a concept.
CONFIGURING IDENTITIES PLACE IDENTITY AND INTERMEDIATE TOWNS
(2023) Gopalakrishnan, Akshaya; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Fredriksson, Julia; Didriksson, Louise
Ongoing urbanisation trends have resulted in the expansion of cities, with people from diverse backgrounds aiming to reap the benefits. Under such circumstances, intermediate towns have emerged as front runners in the search for a common ground between rurality and urban development. With the potential to provide comfortable living conditions away from the hustle of the city, these regions, due to the proximity of their location form an important interface between the two networks. While there has been immense research on the socio-spatial factors in rural and urban areas, how people identify with intermediate towns and their features is less explored. The research focuses on the role of design in shaping the identity of intermediate towns and underlines important factors to be considered in the process. Hosting both resident and commuter populations, the Swedish town of Sandared was chosen as a case study for the research. The study was conducted by interpreting the term “place identity” from three different perspectives - visual, social, and spatial. A theoretical framework based on these perspectives was then carried forward into the case by guiding the data analysis and design strategy for Sandared’s town center. Data analysis showed a disconnect between the town and the people on various fronts. From a system perspective, the town’s current centre provided very less opportunities for people to interact and included several redundant and unoccupied spaces along with being perceived as decrepit and un-inviting. With the aim of reconnecting the town with its people, the design proposal, through the introduction of inclusive social spaces, provides increased opportunities for interaction. By finding a balance between mobility and livability, the spaces foster the development of place identity by enabling engagement with social, spatial, and visual aspects. When evaluated, the theoretical framework was found to align with the requirements of the case, making it a relevant approach for investigating socio-spatial relations in similar contexts. The research highlights how defining strong socially constructed place identities can result in the sustainable development of intermediate towns by accommodating urbanisation trends while retaining connections to local roots.
Conversation with earth: How a Swedish initiated earth school project in the Gambia can contribute to develop earth building in both contexts
(2023) Rustas, Simon; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Thuvander, Liane; Hagy, Shea
Since time immemorial, humankind has used earth to construct dwellings. In industrialised countries, earth was discarded and replaced by other materials with the arrival of the industrial revolution. However, with the rising awareness of sustainability in the construction sector today, earth building is experiencing a revival as an affordable and sustainable construction method. Earthen materials are still used in large parts of the world, mostly in developing areas in the global south, but as a result of colonial heritage and the global development discourse in the mid-twentieth century, earth architecture is commonly viewed upon as an inevitable preliminary stage of development toward industrial society, rendering the notion of it symbolising temporality and under-development. In other words, stigmas and a lack of adaptation to industrialised processes is hindering use of earth in modern day construction. In 2018, Eivor Björkman Gambia aid, Detail Group AB and EarthLAB studio initiated a project to build a school of rammed earth in Ghana Town, a poor fishing community in The Gambia. The goal is to provide education in the community and promote earth building in Gambian urban development. With point of departure in practical learning and inter-disciplinary collaboration, this thesis explores the Gambian perspective on earth building and the nuances of a western architect doing work in The Gambia. What type of role can an international architect fill in this context? How to assist and elevate rather than compete with local initiatives already in place? And, coming from a country with a cultural disconnect to the material, what can be learnt and brought back from working in a country with traditional ties to it? In a process revolving around mutual benefit, knowledge exchange and equal working relationship, the project is formed in dialogue between two different cultures and across disciplinary boundaries. The result is a method for how an aid work project can contribute to develop earth building in both contexts, and shows how the intention of a western architect to provide help in a developing country can change with conversation. Conversation between people, cultures and contexts: a conversation with Earth.
Dare with care; collaborative design for flood-resistant housing construction in Rural Kenya
(2024) Prem, Carina; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Adelfio, Marco; Da Cruz Brandao, Emilio
In response to the pressing challenges posed by climate change, particularly in vulnerable communities, this master thesis project aims to practically test a methodology of community engagement and participatory design in feldwork for fostering collaboration between local communities and foreign architects. Embracing decoloniality, the thesis confronts biases and preconceptions that inherit power dynamics embedded within the researcher-community relationship. Using a bottom-up approach, it rejects the notion of imposing solutions, facilitating the community‘s reclaim of agency over their narrative and future. By doing so, it aims to contribute to reshaping the norms of the architectural profession, aligning it more closely with human rights principles and the imperative for systemic transformation. With a focus on addressing the impacts of fooding in rural Kenya, the primary objective is to co-design innovative housing constructions that prioritize community needs and enhance foodresilience. The ten participatory actions over the course of eight weeks culminated in a ‘workshop workshop’, that was organized to collaboratively construct a prototype structure while engaging in traditional crafts. Despite some challenges and adjustments, the event proved highly productive, fostering hands-on learning experiences and mutual enjoyment among participants, demonstrating the effcacy of community-based knowledge exchange and participatory engagement methods. The journey as a white Austrian migrant from Sweden to Kenya has been a profound exploration of privilege, perception, and power dynamics. Through my experiences in Kenya, I have grappled with the complexities of wealth, race, and cultural exchange, confronting both the privileges afforded to me and the ethical responsibilities they entail. From navigating perceptions of wealth and race to negotiating boundaries and addressing systemic inequalities, this thesis challenges to critically examine the role of the architect in a foreign context and refect on the impact of their actions. Despite complexities and uncertainties encountered, one thing remains clear: the importance of genuine human connection through respect and empathy in fostering meaningful change.
Densification through transformation; a transformation of a former school into a sustainable mixed-use residential block
(2024) Abdul-Rahman, Saleh; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Unterrainer, Walter; Wik, Tina
In recent years, Sweden has experienced a significant housing shortage, driven by a growing population and a lack of affordable apartments. To address this, major cities are undergoing inward expansion within the relatively sparsely built Swedish cities, commonly referred to as urban densification. The purpose of this thesis is to design dense low-scale urban densification through the transformation of a former school, as opposed to demolition and new construction. The focus is on Tynneredsskolan, a school in western Gothenburg scheduled for demolition and replacement with residential buildings. This approach aligns with the current densification trends in western Gothenburg, where schools are often demolished and replaced with densely built residential areas. This practice is part of a larger wave of demolitions across the country, where fully functional buildings are demolished instead of being transformed. The aim is to create a healthy and sustainable residential project using research by design as a starting point and to understand the causes and consequences of urban densification on a neighborhood scale. Previous research suggests that profit-driven urban development may negatively impact well-being and indoor climate, resulting in issues such as inadequate natural daylight in apartments, compromised privacy, and low-quality outdoor common green spaces. The transformation proposal primarily focuses on adapting the residential layout to the existing structure, ensuring good daylight, and maintaining residents’ privacy. A comparison is made through an life-cycle analysis (LCA) between the transformed school and conventional multifamily buildings that have replaced former school sites. The proposal demonstrates how an already built, functionspecific structure with good architectural qualities can be transformed with positive results on multiple scales. The LCA shows that there are environmental gains to make by transforming the existing school instead of demolishing it, but it also comes with challenges. Another conclusion is that there needs to be a reevaluation of existing buildings currently deemed not valuable, as it is not sustainable to continue with the trend of unnecessary demolitions
Densify & greenify: Sustainable urban infill in Thessaloniki Greece
(2024) Dimou, Amalia Athanasia; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering (ACE); Thuvander, Liane; Unterrainer, Walter
This thesis aims to explore two conflicting sustainable urban development strategies, urban densification and the creation of urban green spaces. The driving forces of both strategies often have them competing for the scarcely found available spaces within the urban context, and one is often neglected in favour of the other. Looking for ways to bridge the gap between the two, I am utilizing biophilic and biomimetic design approaches to compromise between the two, with a goal of achieving the best possible results for both strategies through one design. The conflict between urban densification and urban green spaces can be relevant in any context. For the thesis’s purpose, a site was selected for the creation of a pilot project, which would showcase ways of combining densification and green spaces. The plot is located in Thessaloniki, Greece, my hometown, a city already densely built. It is an urban gap, currently operating as a parking lot. The plot is utilized for the creation of an infill building, which would take advantage of an underused space within the urban fabric. The final design bridges the gap between urban densification and urban green spaces, by using biophilic and biomimetic strategies into one final infill building and brings new qualities into the area. Through the design of this pilot project and the successful integration of densification and green spaces in one building, it is obvious that these conflicting strategies can be combined with high effectivity and add new qualities to urban spaces, without compromising on either end.
Discrimination of Oil, Natural Water, and Wastewater Signals through Fluorescence Spectroscopy
(2024) Chandrashekar, Goud Gundrathi; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Murphy, Kathleen
Rapid detection of oil content is crucial in regions with combined sewer systems, especially during flash floods when water quantity and quality fluctuations are significant. Current commercial UV fluorescence sensors for oil tracing are often unreliable due to interference from dissolved organic matter (DOM). This thesis project investigated the application of the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) and absorbance intensity ratio (AIR) methodologies for the detection and differentiation of oil contamination in water matrices. FIR is a method used to quantify the concentration of specific substances in a sample by comparing the fluorescence intensity at two different emission wavelengths following excitation at a specific wavelength ((λem1/λem2) λex). AIR is a proxy for the quantum yield which is the ratio of emitted photons to absorbed photons. Through a comprehensive analysis of the fluorescence and absorption spectra of different oil types and water samples, the FIR and AIR values were calculated and compared. A comparison was made with Iratio (λ335/λ325) λ242.5nm) and two commercially available oil sensors with accuracy in differentiating and detecting oil in natural water. The results demonstrated that the FIR, AIR, and Iratio methodologies offered improved differentiation between oil types and water matrices compared to the sensors. The findings also highlighted the challenges in detecting low concentrations of oil contamination in natural water and the difficulty of tracing cutting oil using FIR and AIR. However, the Iratio method demonstrated superior performance in detecting oil content in natural water. The FIR method showed improvement in differentiating the signals of oil, wastewater, and natural water. In conclusion, the recommended approach is to first use FIR to differentiate the water matrices, followed by Iratio to detect the oil content within the matrices. Further research and development are needed to increase the robustness and reliability of these methods, including benchmarking trials with optical setup and investigation of their application in different environmental conditions and with other contaminants. Overall, this study contributes to improved accuracy in differentiating fluorescence emissions arising from oils, wastewater, and natural water.
Efficient renewable sufficiency: A dense office transformation for resilient affordable housing
(2024) Eriksson, Lina; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Thuvander, Liane; Kjellson, Karin
Sustainability is discussed within almost every sector today, including architecture. It is widely known that there needs to be a change in how we live and consume resources, and plenty of ongoing efforts reflect this. Renewable energy and increased efficiency to reach net zero carbon or energy are repeatedly mentioned. However, there is rarely talk about change in habits or decreased consumption, even though the first studies on the subject came out over 50 years ago. Human emissions are, despite ongoing efforts, growing rapidly. Even with the technological development and green solutions emerging in many sectors, the improvements are devoured by the growing consumption. Buildings are a huge contributor to this situation, being a large polluter throughout their lifespan. Efficiency and renewables through technology and sustainable resources can only partly meet the need for reduced demand. With rebounds, limits and the need for complete net-zero, sufficiency in consumption is crucial for lowering the impact of the use of goods and services. For buildings, sufficiency means density, flexibility in design, co-use of spaces and appliances, and repurposing old buildings, combined with efficiency in ventilation, conditioning and lighting, all achieved with sustainable materials and renewable energy. This project transforms an office building in Gothenburg to accessible, affordable housing with a low environmental footprint through the implementation of these interventions. This is achieved through case studies, an iterative design process with testing and evaluation, and finally optimising a design regarding construction, efficiency, and renewables. This results in a low-impact co-living solution emphasising sufficiency in shared design, achieved in combination with efficient technology and renewable solutions. The project shows that through adaptive reuse of empty offices, dense affordable housing while maintaining design quality is possible by combining the three concepts. Furthermore, the thesis explores and reflects upon challenges within transformation, and the different ways to implement sufficiency in design.
Experiments imaginaries desires: Searching for a space of resistance
(2023) Lundin, Jessica; Palo, Pia; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Billger, Monica; Adelfio, Marco
In recent decades, the dominant paradigm of top-down, profit driven urban development has been institutionalized and dogmatized by decision makers in cities. It leaves no space for alternative imaginaries, but rather tries to exert full control over the definition of how cities should be developed and used. As a means of resistance, this thesis argues for the need of the disorderly, for ambiguous urban spaces characterized by being messy, rough, and uncontrolled. The thesis is situated in the specific context of Lundbystrand, an ex-industrial area of central Gothenburg that is being transformed into a cluster for tech and automotive industries. Market-driven development has led to demands for an ordered, clean, safe, and tidy urban form that conflict with spontaneous appropriation of space and bottom-up initiatives. In response to this, the thesis challenges the conception of what you can do, and who can interfere in the public realm. It aims to convince of something most do not seem to agree with: that the messy, rough, and uncontrolled are spatial qualities that have positive human and non-human value. This is done through an exploration of the potential values of the disorderly, with a particular focus on ambiguity and the feeling of allowance that it creates. The overarching approach is to embrace the uncertainty and complexity that make up the world, drawing on assemblage thinking and relationscaping. By exploring methods that focus on subjective experiences and recognizes more-than-human ways of thinking, the work investigates the role of micro-scale design experiments in provoking desires and other models of shaping the city. Rather than resulting in a design proposal, the thesis shows how experimental design processes can generate capacity to produce collective and individual imaginaries and actions, initiating a dialogue about whose desires dictate the visions of the future. The outcome is a contribution to an alternative spatial interpretation of Lundbystrand, with three on-site design experiments that transform and are transformed by the shifting assemblages they engage with.
Fertile architecture: An architectural practice closer to the circle of nature drawing on eco-places
(2024) Barbotin, Adélie; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Thuvander, Liane; Hagy , Shea; Adelfio, Marco
This research explores an alternative architectural practice within the context of pressing environmental and social challenges exacerbated by capitalist systems. Focused on reimagining the architectural process through the lens of a permaculture philosophy, the study centres on the transformative potential of an immersive study in an eco-place: Chenèvre. Nature, and humans understood as a part of the natural realm, forms the foundation for sustainable ways of life. Thus, the primary objective is to critically reflect on a more fertile practice of architecture. The research adopts a multidimensional methodology encompassing inductive immersion, deductive analyses, and abductive methods. Through direct engagement and immersion within an eco-place, this study explores the interrelations among individuals, the collective, and the specific site – understood not only as physical spaces but also as living beings inhabiting them. It offers insights into alternative living arrangements that challenge traditional norms. Moreover, societal, activist, and architectural literature were reviewed to deconstruct learned architectural norms to make space for a new fertile architectural ethos. Results from the two methods facilitate experimentation with new architectural processes and design methodologies, revealing the potential of immersive studies to reshape architectural practices and foster inclusive design processes that prioritise individual and collective wants and needs, ultimately interconnecting them with the well-being of the site. The research advocates for a paradigm shift towards architecture rooted in deep immersion, emergent alternative narratives, and collaborative design with Nature.By envisioning architecture as a dynamic force for social and environmental change, the study proposes speculative designs through collages to transform architectural practices towards collaboration, informality, and inclusivity. This research underscores the significance of engaging future users and collectives in shaping their own way of dwelling for more responsive and equitable built environments. Finally, it highlights the potential of immersive work, co-designing, and co-working at every stage to advance towards a more fertile practice of architecture.
Fertile architecture: An architectural practice closer to the circle of nature drawing on eco-places
(2024) Barbotin, Adélie; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Thuvander, Liane; de Carvalho, Samuel Dias; Hagy , Shea
In recent decades, the standardization and homogenization of metropolitan areas have become topics of discourse due to their significant impacts on city identity and contributions to gentrification. Situated in Berlin, Germany, a city once-prized for its heterogeneity and vibrancy, the citie‘s identity is now imperiled by the emergence of parallel societies, spatially and ideologically isolated from one another. Concurrently, the demolition of buildings that have played pivotal roles in shaping the city‘s identity adds another layer of complexity to this urban narrative. Building upon the notion that the built environment serves as a reflection of society, and vice versa, this thesis constitutes a process-oriented, metaphysical exploration of neglected non-normative urban components, which are conisdered as „ugly“. This exploration unfolds as a critical examination of contemporary aesthetic norms and their impact on the urban fabric. Furthermore, the affects of these norms on society are analysed through investigations into the psychogeography of the context. In doing so, it endeavors to deconstruct the prevailing norms and beliefs that contribute to the marginalization of societal minorities. The thesis goes beyond mere academic inquiry. By examining the intersection of architectural aesthetics and society, the research endeavors to be a catalyst for change and a call to action. Spatial experimentations, leveraging the inherent spatial potentials of what may be deemed „antinormative“ or ugly aesthetics, result in a performance design intervention, which seeks to challenge and transform entrenched, implicit belief patterns. By embracing and celebrating architectural diversity in form of ugliness, the intention is to introduce a paradigm shift that not only redefines aesthetic appreciation but also cultivates a more inclusive and heterogeneous societal framework, which embraces the unique narratives of all its inhabitants.
For People By People - A participatory design project for an urban future in Halmstad
(2023) Lindfors, Evelyn; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för arkitektur och samhällsbyggnadsteknik (ACE); Tarrasó, Joaquim; Vesterlund, Carl-Johan
Architects are responsible for our built environment, ensuring it’s functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. The ecological sustainability is increasing in importance due to climate change, but another important factor, that is more difficult to measure and that’s also in dire need of attention, is the social sustainability (Tunström, 2019). People create life in our urban spaces, not city planners or architects. We can only provide for the space, but without people utilizing it, our profession may become purposeless. We are essentially dependent on each other to succeed, but somehow the people’s voice in the matter of urban design seems to be insignificant or forgotten in some cases. The city centre in Halmstad is losing its attractivity due to a shopping mall in the outskirts of the city and from Covid-19 repercussions, simultaneously as the conflict about a former hotel development on Österskans was created between the municipality and the citizens (Halmstad Kommun, 2023). The hotel project was terminated after a public vote in 2022, with no new plan for the area to this day. The purpose for this thesis was to investigate and develop a design method and practice of participatory design, on the chosen site of Österskans in Halmstad, with the leading question: How can a participatory design process be developed, with an aim to create a sustainable and attractive urban environment, together with citizens of Halmstad? The method is an iteration of input, interpretation, and implementation, where the input was gathered form participatory actions such as questionnaires, interviews and workshops. The input were made into a framework of design principles and zoning map which the final design proposal was centred around. The proposal has a holistic approach divided into five categories: flows, greenery, activities, piers, and buildings. The flows and activities are focusing on the human scale, encouraging an increase of liveliness, the greenery promotes biodiversity and human health, the piers connect Österskans to the river, and the building links the cultural buildings together and creates a meetingplace. The thesis is a pilot project, testing a new approach in a smaller scale, for the purpose of finding a way for architects to move forward in the future development of social sustainable environments.

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