Browsing by Author "Sinclair, Brian R."
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Item Open Access A Phenomenology of Campus Radio Landscapes: Place, Design, and Resiliency in Canada(2018-07-24) Burman, Jeanette; Sinclair, Brian R.; Patterson, Matt; Lee, Tang GimThrough a method and the theory of phenomenology, the author seeks an understanding about the role of design in the Canadian campus radio environment, where broadcasting spaces and radio stations contribute to meaning of belonging for campus radio people. In a real-world research approach that transcends disciplinary boundaries, the everyday experiences, practices, and perceptions of people who access campus stations and shape broadcasting spaces is investigated. Case study procedures are carried out across the campus radio network as well as with two embedded cases that the author has had personal involvement with as a radio volunteer —CJSW in Calgary, Alberta, and CHMA in Sackville, New Brunswick. This dynamic contributes to the ‘bracketing’ of knowledge and is also considered as evidence of the phenomena. Throughout, genius loci and environmental design play a central role in a theoretical model called Ethereal Place, where ‘being’ and ‘becoming’ is analyzed as a meaningful spatial and cultural experience in the campus radio landscape. While weaving together in-depth current and historic findings, the author engages with over 150 participants collecting multiple place-based narratives. A final phenomenological ‘narrative tapestry’ reveals synthetic values and a ‘sense of spirit’ about campus radio places that is also shared throughout the network. The author discusses what is unique about campus radio places in Canada—the campus radio station is a community gathering nexus which manifests as meaningful in the broadcasting space. In conclusion, the role of design in the campus station and broadcasting space is argued as significant for place-based resiliency within contextual sustainability parameters for the future development of campus radio in Canada.Item Open Access Agile architecture: an innovative approach to mixed-use open building(2009) Blackett, Robert; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Architecture and animation: escape, experience, transform(2011) Hamid, Fadilah; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Artopia: an open building approach to a mixed-use facility for artists(2011) Eshghzadeh Zanjani, Azadeh; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Between - Exploring the Ineffable in Search of the Sacred: Defining and Developing the Architecture of Experience(2019-01-02) Hampshire, Caitlin; Sinclair, Brian R.; Hamel, CatherineOur current century is fraught with disconnection. Extreme accessibility and connectivity facilitated by social media platforms and instant communication has given birth to a paradox: we are more connected than ever before, and increasingly distant - not only from one another, but also, and more detrimentally, from ourselves. Our sense of belonging often rests in our public networks, with our ability to self-actualize built upon external determinants and fluctuating opinions. The result is a void within each of us that hungers for deeper meaning, more powerful connections, and extraordinary experiences. I believe that architecture is uniquely and favorably positioned to meet these needs. This thesis seeks to address some key questions in the field of research surrounding sacred space/ spiritual architecture. Presently these include the following: what is the historical place of sacred/ spiritual architecture in society and how is it defined/ exemplified? What common elements are present in transcendental experiences of space? What elements of space move us emotionally, physically, psychologically and spiritually? And finally, can we consciously create the sacred and the intangible with tangible materials, or does spiritual experience lie in the intersection of seeming opposite: what is seen, and what is felt. This thesis argues that the buildings we create must supersede their mathematical and structural components. Our environments cannot be composed of brick and mortar only, but must extend themselves to encompass the realms of emotion and experience. This results in structures that impart feelings of delight, and offer experiences which return us to moments of childlike wonder.Item Open Access Coming home: an internado for Pichilemu, Chile(2011) Martel, Joceline; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Community re.generation: critical considerations, public engagement and the journey toward innovation(2011) Meads, Lindsay Nicole; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Icity: public space v2.0(2007) Wood, Allison Lesley; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Informal urbanism and architecture(self organizing urbanism and architecture)(2011) vander Hoek, Christopher Mark; Sinclair, Brian R.This masters degree project (MDP) offers an alternative to the buildings that have traditionally been deployed in attempts to develop the informal city. It seeks to design a community centre that encourages its occupants to be involved in its planning, functioning and completion. The deployment of this 'infrastructure' is in the informal settlement of Pensil, in Mexico City. Through an agile structure and building logic, the project develops a system that has the ability to respond to feedback from its occupants, both through the initial design process and over time. The inherent dna of the building is adapted to the climate, site conditions, culture and urban landscape, however it remains adaptable to variety of program, and to the actions of the eventual occupants. Through numerous site visits, living in the city for a short time, and tours with local professionals, a greater understanding of the informal community is obtained. Working with, and building upon the site research of Martijn Slob, has allowed a greater understanding of the neighborhood of Pensil, and in informal communities in Mexico City. The result of this project is a building system that functions like an infrastructure element in the informal community; it is adaptable to various sites and this document shows one possible iteration. It creates buy in from its users through its adaptability and mutability. The proposed design is a manifestation of this system that is unique, inspiring and above all, designed to serve it's community.Item Open Access Modernity and perception of time(2011) Coppola, Sara; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access More Meanings In The Flow Of Life: Sustainability Metaphors(2020-10-21) Brownlee, Edme Corina; Keough, Noel; Gerlach, S. Craig; Sinclair, Brian R.; Apentiik, Caesar Roland; Huambachano, Mariaelena A.To face the need for improved communication towards sustaining life on planet Earth, a search to identify Andean sustainability metaphors was designed. A constructionist epistemological inquiry including interpretivism, Andean worldview, and phenomenology was proposed. It allowed methodologies and methods of ethnographic, phenomenological and cognitive fields, to effectively interact. Purposes included identifying sustainability expressions in representative utterances and textile images, their underlying sustainability-related metaphors and metonymies, and their image-schemata. Eventually, based on the above and on the collaborating community’s physical, social and cultural context, the research yielded the identification of sustainability metaphors. Ten months of experiential learning through interaction were supported by a traditional Andean community at 4000 m of altitude in Peru. Participant observation, interaction in Chanka Qichwa and Spanish, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), face-to-face interviews, community-based collaboration, and metaphor analysis allowed identification of nine sustainability metaphors from the Andes. Meaning, interpretation, applicability, influence, and source domain features of the identified metaphors were determined. Outcomes of the study include: an interdisciplinary method to identify sustainability-related metaphors underlying their instances in oral and visual expressions, “sustainability of life” conceptual metaphors applicable to any context, application of IPA to the ethnographic field, validation of image-schemata as indicators of the nature and the effects of sustainability metaphors, and the realization that traditional agricultural communities are interested in sharing empirical knowledge to sustain life on Earth, and that, for them, sustainability involves sustaining or nurturing life. Future research on sustainability metaphors should include grassroots representatives, academic and other kinds of knowledge.Item Open Access Post-disaster reconstruction in Coliumo, Chile(2012) Senkow, Shalisha; Sinclair, Brian R.Chile was struck by an earthquake of magnitude 8.8 and tsunami on February 27, 20 I 0. Numerous coastal communities suffered extensive damage, in particular Coliumo, a small fishing village just north of Concepcion, where those living along the coastline lost portions or all of their homes and belongings. Current housing developments are being planned, including a new community of houses to be built on the site of Coliumo's main transitional housing camp, Alto Rari. This new community will house 45 families and amalgamate those living in the Campa Municipalidad as well as those currently in Alto Rari. While most people will be living in this area on higher ground, approximately 14 families are still choosing to return to the coast to live in tsunami-resistant housing. The challenge of the present Master's Degree Project (MDP)is to design a sustainable community consisting of amenities and housing to entice these 14 families to move to higher ground to create an attractive and safe place that celebrates culture and maintains a vital link to the water: For this to occur, amenities are needed that will not only benefit this specific group of people, but also the greater community of Coliumo. Infused with a measure of self- sufficiency, the community will be more resilient in the face of future adversity, and exert less strain on external aid and supplies in the event of another natural disaster.Item Open Access re.TOD: reconceptualizating possibilities for transit oriented development(2010) Haberli, Marc; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access [re]defining: city, building, space(2010) Murray, Kelly; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Restructuring home: culturally sensitive design solutions for northern Canadian indigenous communities(2011) Cameron, Caelin; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Sustainability, Neighborhoods, and Urban Design: A Holistic Approach to Place-making(2018-04-25) Alinaghi Pour, Sara; Sinclair, Brian R.; Lee, Tang Gim; Harris, George; Ngo, Hieu Van; Macleod, DouglasThe first and foremost goal for the present dissertation is to invent and introduce an interconnected policy model for sustainable urban planning by proposing holistic and integrated approaches that consider the whole system of planning together to achieve our goals. The overarching question is: How can we use the best possible approach to create great neighborhoods that are sustainable, livable, and complete? The design and planning process for creating complete communities requires critical understanding and analytical perspectives of both architectural aspects and urban planning visions. The construction and provision of different housing options, local businesses, and amenities to provide a resilient city is important. In such a city, there is a well-designed and well-functioning built form that supports health and public life with enough connections by bicycle, foot, public transit, and vehicle to all destinations, including local amenities, work places, learning centers, open spaces, recreation areas, and other services. With this purpose in mind, this project has used mixed research techniques (literature review, case studies, and embedded researcher experience) to investigate the research question. To validate the research results and propose a holistic model, the results of each case study have been tested and compared in the last pages of each case study chapter. This research claims that the effective elements in creating sustainable urban plans are repeated in different geographical locations (no matter in which continent they are located) with a variety of climatic situations, ethnicities, and cultural values among people. Specifically, research discoveries prove that different organizations need to collaborate with each other to provide a stronger and more robust sustainable city evolution for the future. Additionally, research shows that policy makers and planners as professionals have important roles in creating an integrated approach to urban planning, improving existing ideas, strengthening communication and collaboration among various sectors, and enhancing policy developments and implementations. The research findings are valid and hold promise for application in cities that desire to become sustainable (with more efficient use of resources) and to provide a compelling response to sustainability initiatives.Item Open Access The Architect in Alberta(1987) Sinclair, Brian R.; McMordie, Michael J.Item Open Access The momentous city: reconceptualizing urban design(2010) Reid, Braden Abrams; Sinclair, Brian R.Item Open Access Theta cells in the CA1 layer of the hippocampal formation: relations to slow wave activity and motor behavior in the freely moving rabbit(1982) Sinclair, Brian R.; Bland, Brian H.