Final Thesis Proposal

Presented to Dr. Robert Mellin For the course of Design Research and Methodology 301-671B Proposal by Donald Marengre 9628376
McGill University School of ArchitectureThesis Project Introduction Motivation Objectives and Scope and Limitations Description of the research work Conclusions/Summary of the work List of Case studies List of references/literature case studies for thesis research work Identification of the project site

Introduction Briefly explain the Architectural/technological/social relevance or significance of the research work of your thesis topic. Be precise and include only relevant background material in the introduction. Provide information on past works by way of giving appropriate references. It should not exceed two pages. Motivation Develop further on the background material provided in the introduction and bring the subject of thesis in the chosen area of research in to focus. Emphasize, based on the content status, the importance of the research problem identified. Should broadly indicate the existing drawbacks and why further research is required to eliminate the drawbacks and find new architectural solutions. Identification of these should be brief and can be out of the scope of the Thesis subject but has to be relevant. You can enumerate those technical challenges one has to address to solve the problems/drawbacks posed herein to place emphasis on the quality of the research work. This should not exceed two pages. Objectives and Scope and Limitations State precisely the questions for which the answers are sought through this thesis work. Define the conceptual, analytical, experimental and/or methodological boundaries within which the exercise will be carried out. Admit with clarity the limitation of such a research and difficulties involved. It should not exceed two pages. Description of the research work Keeping in mind the limitations and difficulties, identify the precise architecturally relevant area and extent of research that is attempted by you. Detailed explanations of the drawbacks/problems identified for which you are seeking possible architectural solutions. Explain in detail how the case studies will help in resolving the drawbacks/problems identified. Clear the role of literature studies/observations/experiments/questionnaires. Define with clarity the detailed methodology to be adopted that will lead you towards the Architectural solutions. Explain in detail how you are specifically equipped to deal with the research and find Architectural solutions. It should not exceed 10-12 pages. Conclusions/Summary of the work Highlight major conclusions you are working towards. Clearly bring out not only the generally useful advantages arising out of the work but also the architectural advancement you are seeking through this Thesis work. If there are no conclusions at the moment, then enumerate the possible contributions of the work.

1. Thesis Concept: Concept Illustrations drawings, diagrams, paintings, photographs, models, etc. that describe in non-verbal terms the thesis concepts Research academic or professional work by others that describe the central concepts and themes explored Case Studies projects by other designers that illustrate design themes or processes relevant to the thesis Terms of Criticism a written list of the criteria used to evaluate the work relative to the thesis concept Methods of Inquiry design and research methods used to explore concepts and design approaches

2. Site: Context Plan a full context drawing at an appropriate scale that describe the boundaries of the site within the surrounding context and the physical attributes of the site and context (roads, buildings, topography, vegetation, etc.) Illustrative Site Information photographs, video, sketches, etc. that describe qualitative aspects of the site (structures, materials, inhabitation, light, views, natural systems, etc.) Site Research information that supplements knowledge of the site, such as historical photographs, previous designs, zoning or environmental maps, etc. Site Model a physical or virtual context model that includes the site and the relevant surrounding context. This will be used to illustrate initial concepts, but is typically refined and used throughout thesis to test and illustrate the design in context. For an urban setting, it should include surrounding streets and buildings to scale. For a landscape setting, it should accurately represent topography, vegetation, water and other natural features. Site Analysis illustrate with drawings or models the physical characteristics of the site such as: - built and natural context - vehicular and pedestrian circulation - sun, wind, noise, views - use, program relationships, levels of activity - geometric relationships, patterns - significant features, edges, barriers, landmarks Site Interpretation with the data gathered, state the understanding of the most significant site characteristics and the opportunities and constraints for design.

3. Program: Program Concepts describe verbally and/or graphically the main programmatic components of the project, how they relate to one another, significant design criteria for each component, different typological approaches, historical examples, current trends, changing paradigms, etc. Written Program list the full schedule of spaces, including quantities and sizes; using a net to gross factor, estimate the full size of the project Program Diagrams illustrate with drawings and/or models the relationships between major program elements such as relative size, adjacency requirements, volumetric relationships, etc. Program Research projects and research that supplement knowledge of the program, illustrate typological approaches used by others, outline program concepts 4. Conceptual Schemes: Concept Models expressing the physical qualities of each scheme within the context of the site. Each scheme should present a conceptually distinct approach to the project. Diagrams illustrating organizational principles for each scheme Vignettes illustrating qualitative aspects of the schemes