ADAMARTS
type: channel
description: ISSN 2256-0890/ e-ISSN 2592-9992 is published by RISEBA University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Architecture and Design, and Faculty of Media and Creative Technologies. ADAMARTS is a double-blind peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to architecture, design, and audiovisual media arts from the Baltic Sea region. ADAMARTS aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers, and scholars, as well as practitioners in the domain of interest. The journal is published annually. ADAMarts is OPEN ACCESS licensed under Creative Common Attribution 4.0 International License.
publisher: RISEBA University of Applied Sciences
language: en
publication name: ADAMARTS
issn: 2256-0890
items: Gunnar Birkerts: The Work Speaks for Itself
items: Bioregional Approach for Regenerating Urban Space
items: Toward a Reflective Pedagogy of AI-Aided Design: Insights from an Experimental Design Studio
items: Choreographing Chance
items: Daylight as a Metaphor for Architecture
items: Thirdspace as Tool for Grounding at-risk Youth
items: THE SUBJECTIVITY OF LIGHT EXPERIENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL SPACES
items: Khoos: Crafting a Contemporary Material Language for the Arabian Mashrabiya
items: Shivelight Space
items: Adaptative Reuse of Historic Structures
items: A Restorative Wellness and Hospitality: Designing Spaces for Tourism in Natural Contexts
items: SHAPING URBAN SPACES FOR WINTER: ELEVATING LIVELINESS AND SOCIAL INTERACTION
items: The Appearance of Modern Glass
items: Architecture and Palliative Care: Designing an Urban Hospice for Riga’s Evolving Healthcare Landscape
items: Freedom of Form Manifesto: Reimagining Architecture in the Age of Computational Design and Digital Fabrication
items: DATA DRIVEN DESIGN: Methods in Architectural Concept Design
items: The Role of Fusion Power and High-Tech Data Centers in the Sustainable Revitalization of Decommissioned Nuclear Sites
items: The Still Point: Architectural Perspectives on Euthanasia Clinics
items: Innovative Digital Tools for Landscape Design
items: Prof. Astra Zariņa | A Force of Nature
items: Neuralpoiesis: A Posthuman Feminist Framework for Embodied Memory Production Through Algorithmic Technologies
items: Evoking Cultural Memory and Nostalgia with Volumetric Visualizations
items: Translating Memory into History: on Reappropriation of Memory in the Age of Platform Capitalism
items: The Pedagogy of Astra Zarina: Illuminating the Blind Spot in her Legacy
items: Biophilic Effect as a Human-Centric Design Approach to Sustainability
items: Urban Branding as Strategic Planning Tool for Adaptive Spatial Developments in Shrinking Riga
items: Unfolding the Life of a Townhouse. Exploring 18th - 19th Century Townhouses in Aizpute City
items: Decision-Making as Symbolic Space
items: Renovation of the general education institution and new construction of the science activity center, referring to the principles of contemporary education and "waste" architecture methods
items: Text-to-Image Synthesis of the River Daugava: an artistic investigation

Gunnar Birkerts: The Work Speaks for Itself
type: item
description: Gunnar Birkerts was the last twentieth-century architect of international acclaim to have practiced out of the Detroit, Michigan region of the United States. This text was written as an introduction to my essays and building descriptions in the book, Gunnar Birkerts, Metaphoric Modernist, published in 2009 by Edition Axel Menges. These observations and descriptions of a few of Birkerts’ buildings, were deleted from the final book publication. Birkerts died in 2017. I have updated this essay to reflect the passage of time and the occasion of his centenary in January 2025.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Martin Schwartz
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Martin Schwartz
date: 2026-01-12
publication date: 2026-01-12

Bioregional Approach for Regenerating Urban Space
type: item
description: Bioregional approach in architecture, rooted in the principles of place-based design and ecological resilience, proposes a holistic framework for regenerating urban spaces. This approach integrates local natural systems, cultural heritage, and regional material supply chains to create urban environments that are not only sustainable but also regenerative, actively restoring ecological balance and enhancing biodiversity. Today, it's not enough to provide sustainable design, which at best achieves a form of neutrality in which all negative impacts have been mitigated. It is now time to excel in regenerative design, where our approach to design needs to better factor in externalities and wider impacts that arise through supply chains and building processes in order to address the biodiversity crisis and ecosystem impacts of our industry. The aim of this article is to understand the principles of regenerative design and how it differs from sustainable design. To research “bioregionalism” as a regenerative design approach and introduce practical bioregional examples. Based on that, to understand how such an approach can help to regenerate urban space, what are the benefits of such an approach, and how does it add benefits?
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Niklāvs Krievs
creator: Sabīne Skudra
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Niklāvs Krievs, Sabīne Skudra
date: 2026-01-12
publication date: 2026-01-12

Toward a Reflective Pedagogy of AI-Aided Design: Insights from an Experimental Design Studio
type: item
description: This study explores a structured, semester-long integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into architectural design education through an experimental studio course at Abdullah Gül University. Rather than positioning AI as a mere tool for automation, the studio investigated its potential as a speculative design collaborator, embedded within a pedagogical framework centered on research-by-design. Students engaged in iterative processes of problem framing, concept development, and visual exploration, using AI systems both as generative aids and dialogic partners. The course emphasized critical authorship and interpretive reasoning, prompting students to interrogate AI outputs and incorporate them into evolving manual design practices. Through hybrid prompt strategies, students developed the ability to translate abstract spatial ideas into grounded proposals, navigating ambiguity and reconciling machine-driven outputs with contextual constraints. Findings suggest that AI, when scaffolded within reflective pedagogies, can expand students’ cognitive engagement, conceptual depth, and representational fluency without displacing human design agency. This research contributes an alternative model of AI-aided pedagogy—one that destabilizes deterministic workflows and instead fosters epistemic diversity, design literacy, and critical synthesis.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Ömer Faruk Alp
creator: Vacide Betül Kurtuluş
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Ömer Faruk Alp, Vacide Betül Kurtuluş
date: 2026-01-09
publication date: 2026-01-09

Choreographing Chance
type: item
description: Space moves with the body in the flow of time, becomes open to new possibilities, transforms and belongs to each other. The daily life of the city provides the environment in which this relationship is most obvious and diverse. The body can create space through cause and effect, but it can also completely break the connection inbetween. The unpredictability of the body is the most important factor in this. Merce Cunningham's dance choreographies have been identified as a valuable basis for discussing the random spaces created by the body. Integrating elements of randomness, Cunningham often used dice rolls to determine the sequence and structure of movements, decoupling dance from traditional musical and spatial constraints. In this context the research question of the study is: “Which forms of relationship between body and space can be explored in the context of randomness through Merce Cunningham's dance?”. The study aims to investigate the variables within the randomly created space. A total of 204 dances were examined on the official website of ‘Merce Cunningham Trust’, where Cunningham's dances were listed, of which 43 contained a random relationship. The extraction of detailed data about the space proved impossible, resulting in the elimination of 15 of them. The examination of 28 dances revealed a relationship between randomness and the spatial approach, leading to the identification of four distinct categories: Polytemporal spatialities, disjunctive simultaneities, autonomous co-presence and relational choreoscapes. These forms of relationship are also expected to provide insight into random spatial formations in daily life.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Gamze Şensoy Torun
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Gamze Şensoy Torun
date: 2025-11-19
publication date: 2025-11-19

Daylight as a Metaphor for Architecture
type: item
description: It is the premise of this paper that the influence of daylight on the very conception of architectural space and form is as essential as the presence, in spaces, of daylight, itself. We may study daylight and measure it with remarkable accuracy and valuable consequences. However, the value of daylight to the inhabitant and the designer runs deeper than quantification, simple navigation, or assigned symbolism. Daylight instigates good design decisions and generates architecture, and the way daylight operates may be considered to have a metaphorical relationship with architecture.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Martin Schwartz
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Martin Schwartz
date: 2025-11-19
publication date: 2025-11-19

Thirdspace as Tool for Grounding at-risk Youth
type: item
description: This paper explores how Edward Soja’s theory of Thirdspace can be applied as a conceptual tool to rethink institutional environments for at-risk youth. While Firstspace views spaces solely as physical structures, such as walls and doors and Secondspace conceptualizes spaces through planning and design, Thirdspace emphasizes the way spaces are experienced, felt, and lived. Using the lens of Thirdspace theory, institutional environments are revealed as non-neutral spaces, shaped by lived experiences and power structures - often perceived by at-risk youth through control, trauma, and exclusion (Soja, 1996). By employing Thirdspace theory as a conceptual framework within institutional settings, such as detention centres for at-risk youth, it becomes possible to reimagine these environments not merely as sites of control, but rather as spaces fostering emotional safety, identity development, and social inclusion (Soja, 1996).
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Diana Medena
creator: Ilze Paklone
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Diana Medena, Ilze Paklone
date: 2025-11-19
publication date: 2025-11-19

THE SUBJECTIVITY OF LIGHT EXPERIENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL SPACES
type: item
description: Light experience in architectural spaces extends beyond measurable metrics and is deeply personal. This paper explores the various factors that influence individual light perception, including physiological, psychological, cultural, and emotional elements. While daylighting standards provide guidelines for safety and comfort, they fail to fully address the subjective nature of light experience. This study investigates how different demographic groups, cultural backgrounds, and psychological states shape light perception and proposes adaptable lighting strategies for more inclusive and responsive architectural design. The findings highlight the necessity of human-centered lighting approaches that balance technical precision with individual needs.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Kristīne Zane Čible
creator: Efe Duyan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kristīne Zane Čible, Efe Duyan
date: 2025-10-18
publication date: 2025-10-18

Khoos: Crafting a Contemporary Material Language for the Arabian Mashrabiya
type: item
description: This paper investigates the potential for khoos, a freehand woven process indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), to reimagine the design and construction of the Arabian Mashrabiya. A culturally and climatically significant feature of domestic Islamic architecture, the mashrabiya is a latticed window screen that traditionally formed a threshold between private and public spaces and is part of a natural ventilation system. Historically the space of the disguised female gaze offering clandestine views of public life on the street, or guests in the courtyard, the mashrabiya provides privacy while allowing air flow and filtered light. A space in between two realms, carved by kinetic light and the hands of skilled craftspeople. The decline of the vernacular mashrabiya and its substitution within contemporary Arabian architecture and urban design has often reduced it to a superficial, two-dimensional motif pasted onto building façades devoid of purpose, cultural identity, and architectural experience. Beyond the degradation of Arab vernacular architecture, an equally pressing concern lies in the prevalence of contemporary construction across the region that relies on imported, culturally foreign, industrial materials and methods rather than processes of place and people. Originally made from local and imported woods, mashrabiya showcased skilled craftsmanship. The industrialization of regional architecture has displaced artisans from the building process, eroding locally rooted, culturally embedded, and ecologically attuned practices of construction. Khoos, a material practice native to the MENA region, is both environmentally sensitive and human-centered. Traditionally employed in basketry, its potential extends beyond the fabrication of artifacts to the construction of architectural space. Derived from the date palm tree, khoos is locally abundant and harvested during seasonal cycles of regeneration, making the craft a practice grounded in the use of natu…
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Tania Ursomarzo
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Tania Ursomarzo
date: 2025-11-19
publication date: 2025-11-19

Shivelight Space
type: item
description: In an era of rapid urbanisation and global environmental crisis, architecture must move beyond sustainability to cultivate environments that regenerate ecological systems and nurture human well-being. Biophilic design, a field that promotes the integration of nature into the built environment, has gained prominence in addressing this challenge. Central to biophilic architecture is the role of natural light. However, despite its importance, the treatment of light in biophilic design remains superficial. Most biophilic frameworks reduce light to general references of “daylight” or “sunlight,” with little exploration of its qualitative, poetic, or phenomenological dimensions. This paper addresses this gap by developing a new theoretical and practical framework for biophilic light, grounded in the forest environment and expressed through a phenomenon known as shivelight. Coined by poet Gerard Manley Hopkins in 1888, the term shivelight refers to the narrow lances of sunlight that pierce through a forest canopy. Unlike generic notions of daylight, shivelight is highly specific, tactile, and emotionally charged - it is light that is felt as much as seen. In this paper, shivelight is presented as a spatial and sensory phenomenon that embodies the layered, filtered, and dynamic qualities of light found in forest ecosystems. Through an interdisciplinary theoretical framework drawing on poetry, ecology, phenomenology, and Japanese philosophy, the study proposes 'forest light' as a distinct typology of biophilic light - a mode of lighting design capable of producing immersive, restorative, and spiritually resonant indoor environments. The paper is structured around three interconnected theoretical pillars. The first draws from poetic and cultural framings of forest light, particularly shivelight and the Japanese term komorebi, which describes the dappled light filtering through leaves. These linguistic and metaphorical constructs offer a way of thinking about light that foregr…
subject: Essays
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Heidi Boulanger
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Heidi Boulanger
date: 2026-01-09
publication date: 2026-01-09

Adaptative Reuse of Historic Structures
type: item
description: Adaptive renovation of historical structures presents the dual challenge of preserving architectural heritage while accommodating contemporary urban needs. This research explores the transformation of spaces once designed for entirely different purposes, inhabited by different people, into relevant and functional parts of today’s cities. The study investigates adaptive reuse strategies that integrate spatial functionality with historical integrity, offering insight into resource-efficient architectural practices. The primary objective is to identify approaches that respect cultural and historical significance while addressing modern demands such as sustainability, aesthetics, and usability. The research also aims to bridge the gap between heritage conservation and contemporary architectural practice, reactivating neglected or abandoned structures. There are a strong theoretical references made before from architects, discussion on the aesthetics of atmosphere and the passage of time. Some of the concepts emphasizes the importance of spatial memory and historical layering, advocating for a design dialogue between old and new—where contemporary interventions amplify, rather than erase, the memories embedded in architectural space. The research addresses the following questions: Spiritual dimensions: What renovation strategies can honor collective memory? How does adaptive reuse impact the social and spatial dynamics of a neighborhood? Technical dimensions: What are the main challenges and considerations in renovating historical buildings? What are the most effective methods and techniques for preservation? Contextual dimensions: What local preservation regulations influence adaptive reuse to meet urban development needs? What factors determine the success of an adaptive reuse project? The study combines theoretical and practical approaches to merge historical aesthetics with modern architectural interventions. It includes case studies and comparative analysis, focusin…
subject: Essays
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Matīss Kļava
creator: Rudolfs Dainis Šmits
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Matīss Kļava, Rudolfs Dainis Šmits
date: 2026-01-09
publication date: 2026-01-09

A Restorative Wellness and Hospitality: Designing Spaces for Tourism in Natural Contexts
type: item
description: Introduction In an era shaped by rapid urbanization, ecological challenges, and an increasing demand for meaningful connections with nature, tourism is evolving to prioritize wellness and sustainability. This thesis, Restorative Wellness and Hospitality: Designing Spaces for Tourism in Natural Contexts, explores how architectural design can create restorative environments that promote well-being, environmental consciousness, and immersive hospitality experiences. By integrating restorative design principles, biophilic architecture, and sustainable development strategies, the research aims to establish a framework for wellness tourism spaces that balance personal renewal with ecological responsibility. Relevance and Objectives Positioned at the intersection of wellness design, biophilic architecture, and sustainable development, the research addresses a critical gap in the literature: the lack of integrative frameworks that unite spatial design, environmental ethics, and tourism strategy. As wellness tourism evolves, there is an urgent need for architectural approaches that transcend luxury aesthetics and focus instead on healing, adaptability, and environmental sensitivity. Key Research Questions How can architecture create inclusive and adaptable restorative environments in wellness retreats? What spatial, sensory, and material elements best support tranquility and connection in natural settings? How can wellness retreats operate sustainably while enhancing guest experience? Methodology This study employs a mixed-method, interdisciplinary research design structured around four core methods: Literature Review – Investigates foundational and contemporary theories in restorative environments, biophilic design, environmental psychology, and sustainable tourism architecture. Case Study Analysis – Evaluates exemplary wellness retreats to identify successful design strategies and operational models that foster restorativeness and sustainability. Semi-Structured Interviews…
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Raitis Rauza
creator: Efe Duyan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Raitis Rauza
date: 2025-11-19
publication date: 2025-11-19

SHAPING URBAN SPACES FOR WINTER: ELEVATING LIVELINESS AND SOCIAL INTERACTION
type: item
description: In cities with harsh winters and a humid continental climate, such as Riga, public life significantly diminishes during the cold season. Low temperatures, reduced daylight, and snow create environmental and psychological barriers that discourage outdoor activity and social engagement. This article examines how urban design can counteract these seasonal effects and foster vibrant public life throughout the year. Building on Jan Gehl’s principles of human-scale urbanism, the paper analyses winter’s impact on human behaviour biologically, psychologically, and culturally, and the associated health consequences of inactivity. Through literature review and international case studies, it identifies three key design strategies: mobility, functionality, and aesthetics, which can elevate liveliness and social interaction in winter cities. The findings suggest that winter should not be viewed merely as a challenge but as a design opportunity. By integrating lighting, inclusive infrastructure, seasonal programming, and sensory engagement, cities can transform winter public spaces into active, healthy, and socially meaningful environments.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Airita Bērziņa
creator: Kristīne Dreija
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Airita Bērziņa, Kristīne Dreija
date: 2025-11-19
publication date: 2025-11-19

The Appearance of Modern Glass
type: item
description: This is an article focused on the first part of my Rixarch lecture, dedicated to appearance of modern low reflective solar control and low e glazing. It can appear dark or wonderful depending on other conditions that are outlined.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Oskar Storm
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Oskar Storm
date: 2026-01-12
publication date: 2026-01-12

Architecture and Palliative Care: Designing an Urban Hospice for Riga’s Evolving Healthcare Landscape
type: item
description: The integration of hospice care within the urban fabric presents both architectural and societal challenges, particularly in Latvia, where dedicated hospice facilities are lacking. This article examines the evolution of hospice design and its application in the context of Riga, proposing an urban hospice by Māras Pond as a model for palliative care infrastructure. The site’s strategic location, combining urban accessibility with therapeutic natural surroundings, informs a design that balances medical functionality, historical sensitivity, and community engagement. Spatial strategies prioritize patient well-being through carefully integrated indoor and outdoor environments, fostering psychological comfort and social inclusion. This article highlights the critical need for dedicated hospice facilities in Latvia, advocating for a comprehensive approach that integrates evidence-based design principles, sustainability, policy support, and public awareness to transform the future of palliative care in Latvia.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Baiba Riekstina
creator: Linda Letāne
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Baiba Riekstina
date: 2025-10-18
publication date: 2025-10-18

Freedom of Form Manifesto: Reimagining Architecture in the Age of Computational Design and Digital Fabrication
type: item
description: The Freedom of Form Manifesto presents a radical rethinking of architecture in the age of computational design, robotic fabrication, and generative processes. Traditional architectural methodologies, constrained by modular standardization, Cartesian geometries, and prefabrication, have limited the expressive and functional potential of built environments. This article critiques the limitations of industrial-era construction paradigms and proposes a new framework where form is emergent, adaptive, and performative rather than predefined. Drawing from advances in parametric semiology, multi-agent simulations, and additive manufacturing techniques like Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), this manifesto advocates for an architecture that integrates generative intelligence, self-organizing material logic, and AI-driven spatial adaptation. It establishes six core principles, including the rejection of static typologies, the unification of generative design with fabrication, and the transition toward post-anthropocentric, multi-space environments. This study also addresses the challenges of implementing robotic construction at scale, including material constraints, regulatory barriers, and the need for economic viability. It calls for a paradigm shift in architectural practice and education, urging architects to embrace computational creativity, algorithmic workflows, and robotic precision to redefine the built environment. Ultimately, Freedom of Form envisions a future where architecture is no longer imposed but computationally generated, no longer static but continuously evolving, no longer constrained but truly free.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
creator: Andrejs Kopils
creator: Efe Duyan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Andrejs Kopils, Efe Duyan
date: 2025-10-18
publication date: 2025-10-18

DATA DRIVEN DESIGN: Methods in Architectural Concept Design
type: item
description: This article explores the role of DATA DRIVEN DESIGN Methods in Architectural Concept Design of underground cloud data centers, with a particular focus on the "Underground Cloud" project. As data centers continue to serve as critical nodes for global digital infrastructure, their energy consumption and environmental impact raise pressing challenges. Data-driven design, incorporating advanced computational tools, artificial intelligence (AI), and predictive analytics, offers a solution to optimize spatial layouts, improve energy efficiency, and minimize environmental footprint. This research examines the potential of underground environments, which provide natural thermal stability and enhanced physical security, to support sustainable data center operations. The study analyzes the integration of big data in architectural workflows, highlighting the transition from intuition-based design to data-driven strategies that leverage real-time data inputs (Figure 1). Through case studies of existing underground facilities, the article illustrates best practices in applying AI-driven simulations and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for optimizing environmental performance. The findings suggest that data-driven methodologies can significantly reduce energy consumption, streamline operations, and address spatial constraints while maintaining architectural integrity. Furthermore, the paper presents design recommendations for future underground data centers, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptive design strategies, and ethical considerations in data usage. The study concludes that the intersection of data-driven design and underground data center architecture represents a promising avenue for addressing the growing demands of the digital era while promoting sustainability and operational resilience. Additionally, the research underscores the potential for underground cloud infrastructure to contribute to urban energy ecosystems by utilizing ex…
subject: Essays
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Sergejs Kopils
creator: Efe Duyan
creator: Rudolfs Dainis Šmits
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sergejs Kopils, Co-author D. Arch Efe Duyan
date: 2025-10-18
publication date: 2025-10-18

The Role of Fusion Power and High-Tech Data Centers in the Sustainable Revitalization of Decommissioned Nuclear Sites
type: item
description: This article explores the potential of transforming decommissioned nuclear power plants into sustainable urban hubs through the integration of fusion power and high-tech data centers. Focused on the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) in Lithuania, it presents a unique opportunity to repurpose former industrial sites to address modern challenges in energy sustainability, technological innovation, and economic revitalization. By combining clean, virtually limitless fusion energy with the growing demand for digital infrastructure, this approach offers a dual solution for sustainable energy production and regional economic growth. Drawing from international case studies, the article outlines a comprehensive blueprint for repurposing nuclear sites as critical components of the future urban landscape, offering valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and industry leaders looking to drive both environmental and technological progress.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Krista Paula Lepere
creator: Gintarė Norkūnaitė
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Krista Paula Lepere
date: 2025-10-18
publication date: 2025-10-18

The Still Point: Architectural Perspectives on Euthanasia Clinics
type: item
description: Abstract Euthanasia remains a contentious and complex issue globally, yet architecture offers an opportunity to shape end-of-life experiences with dignity and compassion. This article, based on Madara Žeikare's master's thesis, provides an in-depth exploration of how architectural design can support euthanasia clinics by emphasizing patient autonomy, privacy, and emotional comfort. The thesis discusses the historical evolution of healthcare architecture, highlighting the transition from sterile medical environments to spaces that prioritize well-being, dignity, and holistic care. It delves into the architectural challenges of end-of-life facilities, including the need for privacy, integration of natural elements, and culturally sensitive design. Drawing from extensive sections of the thesis, including theoretical frameworks, design concepts, and case studies from Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Canada, this article highlights best practices such as flexible spatial organization, biophilic elements, and inclusive design solutions. The architectural framework proposed aims to foster ethical discourse and provide humane end-of-life care environments, particularly in regions like Latvia where euthanasia is not yet legal. The research underscores the importance of integrating positive distractions like art, music, and nature, ensuring privacy through soundproofing and thoughtful layouts, and promoting sustainability through eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems. Furthermore, the thesis explores the potential of architecture to serve as a catalyst for societal dialogue, bridging legal and cultural gaps, while offering spaces that respect and support the emotional well-being of patients and their families. This comprehensive perspective demonstrates how architecture can address emotional, ethical, and practical needs in end-of-life care, contributing significantly to academic discourse, design innovation, and practical applications in healthcare architectur…
subject: Essays
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Madara Žeikare
creator: Julija Žakemo
creator: Jānis Dripe
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Madara Žeikare
date: 2025-10-18
publication date: 2025-10-18

Innovative Digital Tools for Landscape Design
type: item
description: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and parametric design in landscape architecture is redefining creativity, efficiency, and sustainability in design processes. This paper explores the impact of these digital tools, focusing on their role in concept development, visualization, workflow automation, and environmental analysis. AI-powered tools, such as MidJourney and PromeAI, enable rapid ideation and visualization but require critical evaluation to ensure their outputs align with real-world constraints. Parametric modeling, particularly through Grasshopper, enhances adaptability and efficiency in complex landscape designs, allowing for rapid modifications and data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the combination of parametric tools with Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers precise material calculations and performance simulations, supporting informed and sustainable design choices. Despite these advantages, digital tools present challenges, including steep learning curves, reliance on automation, and potential detachment from site-specific considerations. Effective implementation requires a balance between computational capabilities and human creativity, ensuring that technology enhances rather than dictates the design process. As digital innovations continue to evolve, landscape architects must critically engage with these tools, integrating them strategically to address urbanization, climate change, and resource management. This study underscores the need for a thoughtful, knowledge-driven approach to digital design methodologies, ensuring that technological advancements serve as facilitators rather than constraints in shaping the future of landscape architecture.
subject: Essays
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Ingus Birznieks
creator: Ilze Paklone
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Ingus Birznieks, Ilze Paklone
date: 2025-09-02
publication date: 2025-09-02

Prof. Astra Zariņa | A Force of Nature
type: item
description: Prof. Astra Zarina teaching shaped the careers and perspectives of many students including renown architect Steven Holl. Astra Zariņa the director of the University of Washington architecture program in Rome, had been among Holl’s earliest mentors. He was one of six students to attend the 1970 inaugural program in Rome. Zariņa’s teachings shaped the careers and perspectives of many students and their careers.. Steven Holl identified seven key values that defined her approach to teaching architects thesevalues include the importance of urban space, field work, social agency, myth & ritual, nature and cuisine. Though her influence was international few know of her impact, and pioneering approach and methods to teaching design. In recent years a resurgence to investigate her pedagogical process and methodology has emerged. In 1960, Zariņa was the first women to receive the Rome Price from The American academy in Rome and a year later received the Fulbright fellowship. Zariņa’s architectural focus shifted, she became deeply influenced by her time in Rome, where she re-evaluated her modernist convictions. Zarina initiated and directed the UW program in Rome for thirty years and later started parallel Italian hilltop village program in Civita di Bagnoregio.. Astra Zariņa's created tripartite teaching methodology, which she developed throughout her career as: knowledge, action, and reflection. Zariņa’s pedagogical approach transcended the traditional classroom setting, bringing learning into real-world contexts and her pioneering methods preceded David Kolb’s, Experiential Learning Theory ( ELT). Experience and reflection are essential to the learning process and the subject on hand. Zarina's teaching legacy profoundly impacted her students, shaping both their lives and their careers as skilled architects. Today, a new generation of architecture students is being introduced to her pioneering tripartite experiential teaching method: knowledge, action, and reflection.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
creator: Rudolfs Dainis Šmits
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 ADAM ARTS
date: 2024-01-01
publication date: 2024-01-01

Neuralpoiesis: A Posthuman Feminist Framework for Embodied Memory Production Through Algorithmic Technologies
type: item
description: This paper introduces Neuralpoiesis, a posthuman feminist framework that reimagines memory production as a dynamic, embodied process mediated by algorithmic technologies, specifically through machine learning models such as Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs). Drawing on Edith Stein’s concept of non-actuality and Rosi Braidotti’s theory of nomadic subjectivity, this text examines how memory is created and experienced through embodied interaction with the present environment. Displaced individuals, particularly women, can use NeRF visualizations to create personal memory artifacts from scanned images of objects in their current surroundings that evoke memories of the past. By juxtaposing Fourth Wave Feminism with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the framework critiques the conventional, efficiency-driven uses of machine learning, offering instead a feminist reapplication that emphasizes coping and empowerment for marginalized groups. The framework considers the emotional and psychological needs of displaced populations by situating algorithmic technologies as active participants in memory production.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
creator: Voyce Sabrina Durling-Jones
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Voyce Sabrina Durling-Jones
date: 2024-12-31
publication date: 2024-12-31

Evoking Cultural Memory and Nostalgia with Volumetric Visualizations
type: item
description: This article examines the use of NeRF and point cloud visualizations to evoke cultural memory and nostalgia. Employing a triune framework that encompasses cognitive, emotional, and placial aspects, the study investigates how advanced volumetric imaging techniques can be used to represent and convey aspects of the complex experience of displacement. Contextualized through the analysis of a 5-channel immersive installation created by the authors, this inquiry analyzes technical processes and considers ethical implications, while also providing a novel approach to creating visual representations of memory and belonging.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
creator: Aigars Ceplītis
creator: Voyce Sabrina Durling-Jones
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Aigars Ceplītis, Voyce Sabrina Durling-Jones
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30

Translating Memory into History: on Reappropriation of Memory in the Age of Platform Capitalism
type: item
description: The article suggests a study of forms of remembering in digital reality, and a practical outline for a critical tool for artistic reappropriation of memory.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Alexander Sheyn
creator: Nikolai Margiev
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Alexander Sheyn, Nikolai Margiev
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30

The Pedagogy of Astra Zarina: Illuminating the Blind Spot in her Legacy
type: item
description: University of Washington (UW) Professor Emerita Astra Zarina’s legacy as a difference-maker is increasingly acknowledged in the profession, however the pedagogy she developed remains a blind spot. Colleagues and students have cited Zarina as one of the “primary influences on their professional practice and how they see and engage with the world” (Torrell, 2013). Zarina’s contribution to the professional and personal lives of her students has been recognized by academia as well as students and practicing design professionals; however, the pedagogy that has made this possible is yet to be researched, documented, and is still a blind spot. References to the role of agency are found repeatedly in how her students describe her teaching methods and Zarina's influence on their lives and work. The pedagogy of student agency is then a point of entry to understanding her legacy as a difference-maker for her students. This paper sheds light on how her use of agency as a teaching method led to her students' personal and professional success as leaders in the design of the built environment.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Betty Torrell
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Betty Torrell
date: 2024-12-31
publication date: 2024-12-31

Biophilic Effect as a Human-Centric Design Approach to Sustainability
type: item
description: Abstract This paper explores the intersection of sustainability, green design, and biophilic architecture within the context of the climate crisis. It critiques the current architectural focus on technical perfection and sustainable building lifecycles, arguing that such approaches, while vital, often neglect the immediate, perceptual, and mental health benefits of environmental design. Emphasizing the Vitruvian triad of functionality, aesthetics, and scientific aspects, the paper advocates for integrating climate sensitivity into daily living spaces to foster a deeper human-nature connection. It highlights biophilic design as a promising paradigm incorporating natural elements into architecture, enhancing human well-being, challenging habits, and promoting ecological awareness. Historical and contemporary examples, including the works of Stephen Kellert and Edward Wilson, illustrate the evolution and impact of biophilic principles. The discussion extends to the embodied perspective of design, focusing on the sensory, cognitive, and emotional interactions between humans and their built environments. The paper argues for a human-centric approach to sustainable architecture, proposing that the biophilic effect—rooted in the nexus of space, body, and mind—can effectively complement technical green design by fostering a holistic connection with nature. The text proposes the concept of act-perience, a combination of experience, movement, and human actions in space, as the main result of biophilic effects or any effect a critical architectural stance is striving for.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Efe Duyan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 ADAM ARTS
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30

Urban Branding as Strategic Planning Tool for Adaptive Spatial Developments in Shrinking Riga
type: item
description: .
subject: RISEBA MA - RIXARCH Articles
  topic: section
creator: Efe Duyan
creator: Fricis Vilnis
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Efe Duyan; Fricis Vilnis
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30

Unfolding the Life of a Townhouse. Exploring 18th - 19th Century Townhouses in Aizpute City
type: item
description: Every city possesses its own spatial appearance, a history that has influenced and shaped it, and the people who inhabit it. Various changes are inevitable, continuously occurring, with some being more noticeable than others. This research includes three historic townhouses located in the city of Aizpute, which were left behind but have fortunately been acquired in recent years. By analyzing the historical plans of all three buildings over different time periods and other available evidence, such as photographs, façade drawings, research materials, and the current layout, common characteristics of city Aizpute are revealed. The author found it particularly interesting to identify possible corelations between different time periods and how they influenced both the functional zoning and the overall appearance of the townhouses. Equally compelling was the characterization of current spatial needs and the present situation of the city. Notably, each of these buildings has a different future, each reflecting the diverse needs of the contemporary world.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Zane Veja
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Zane Veja
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30

Decision-Making as Symbolic Space
type: item
description: Although the crucial role of both aspects in the process of spatial transformation is widely acknowledged, their mutual correspondence often receives relatively scant attention from planning scholars due to the tacit nature of the psychological and its challenging analytical accessibility for those researching urban planning and design processes. By shifting the focus of enquiry from the operational to the causal level, the Bourdieusian trialectic of symbolic space, social space, and physical space is used to relationally access professionals as an influential acting group and decision-making as a pivotal 'crossroads', where non-material phenomena are moulded to effect changes in physical space. The article argues that the enigmatic layer of decision-making requires analytical tools to relate the intangible—motivations, values, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of individuals and groups—with their social manifestations in urban planning and design practice and their footprint in physical space. Spatial trialectic is an innovative interpretation within the sociological discourse, which has recently emerged, of Bourdieu's conceptual toolkit of habitus, field, and capital. It offers a more relational approach, integrating symbolic space as a psychological dimension into the analysis of socio-spatial processes.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Sofija Helena Gutmane
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sofija Helena Gutmane
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30

Renovation of the general education institution and new construction of the science activity center, referring to the principles of contemporary education and "waste" architecture methods
type: item
description: The study focuses on waste pollution in Latvia, resulting from limited waste sorting capabilities and a lack of public education and awareness. The research aims to examine the role of waste architecture in promoting waste reduction and societal responsibility, particularly among primary and high school children. By integrating sustainable design principles and waste reduction strategies, the study aims to increase environmental responsibility in Latvian society and contribute to reducing waste pollution. The author's practical project explores the concept of futuristic educational institutions with science and recycling, emphasizing the fusion of knowledge, competence, and aesthetics in creating environmentally friendly surroundings. The project includes a science center, workshops for material processing, a botanical garden, laboratories, and an intensive green roof, all designed to enhance knowledge acquisition in an appealing and intelligent manner. During the analysis, the author tries to find answers to the following research questions: Does architecture influence environmentally responsible waste usage in architectural design and increase environmental responsibility in the society of Latvia? Does waste architecture have the potential to be practical, economical, and psychologically applicable in terms of educational institutions? How is it possible to implement waste architecture in an educational building environment in an unobtrusive, economical, and architectonic way? Is it necessary? Answers to the questions are sought using the analysis of various case studies as well as the focus group methodology, which envisages the expansion of knowledge by conducting surveys and performing a creative task together with a group of nine students studying in a high school institution. The majority of society, including students, appears to recognize the significance and accountability of architecture, according to a wide range of responses. Additionally, it is critica…
subject: RISEBA MA - RIXARCH Articles
  topic: section
creator: Elīne Rudene
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Elīne Rudene
date: 2024-12-31
publication date: 2024-12-31

Text-to-Image Synthesis of the River Daugava: an artistic investigation
type: item
description: The field of AI-generated art has recently burgeoned due to developments in a variety of image-generating neural network techniques. Typing text prompts to produce imagery, a process known as text-to-image, underwent significant performance improvements in late 2022, leading to an uptake in interest and popularity. This paper presents artistic research based around experimentation with image generation representing the River Daugava. Image synthesis outputs are compared when utilising a generative adversarial network (GAN) and the Stable Diffusion text-to-image model, and the importance of the prompt text to the Stable Diffusion results is explored. Information is also presented in terms of the technical aspects of image synthesis and text-to-image, and the ethical and artistic considerations that arise are outlined.
subject: Peer-reviewed independent articles
  topic: section
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
subject: Array
  topic: keywords
creator: Chris Hales
rights: Copyright (c) 2023 ADAM ARTS
date: 2023-12-21
publication date: 2023-12-21