2.1 History of Theme Parks
2.1 History of Theme Parks
2.1 History of Theme Parks
Throughout the history of theme parks, it is very evident that leisure parks
globalization and the continued development of the industry have brought various
Alex (2015), in his article “The Evolution of Theme Parks” stated that “the
first amusement park in England opened in 1896 – the Blackpool Pleasure Beach by
W. G. Bean. He added that “in 1904, Sir Hiram Maxim’s Captive Flying Machine was
introduced.” This era was regarded as a milestone for inventions of rides and new
He also stated in his article that “fire was a constant threat in those days”
(Alex, 2015). Fire usually was the primary reason of chaos on theme parks back in
those days where the main construction materials of theme parks were mostly wood.
ignite. This era holds many records of theme parks that were burned down to the
ground because of the inevitability of fires regarding the usage of wood. Some of
which involves Dreamland, which burned in 1911; and a few of Frederick Ingersoll’s
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Figure1. Luna Park,Cleveland. Photo courtesy of cbsnews
Amusement parks’ Golden Age reigned until the late 1920s was “The
American Gilded Age” (Alex, 2015). The above mentioned era envisioned a state of
the art innovation to various attractions and rides which includes the introduction of
Roller Coasters to add more thrill to the riders. This epoch was marked as the peak for
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Roller Coasters for it met most of the desires of the people to step up the game for
rides and other attractions. Immense opportunities opened the door for innovations
and dynamic improvements to cope with the demands of the people on accentuating
landscape of the amusement park industry (Alex, 2015). When people wanted
something trailblazing about theme parks that was the same time when Disneyland
opened and revitalized the standards for theme parks wherein back in the day, parks
and everything in it seemed too boring for people. Typical types of theme parks those
the usual into something surreal, as if guests were taken out of the real world for a
day. The aforementioned theme park was divided into several themed areas where the
thrills inside are often obscured from the outside by the scenery of landscaping. In
order to maintain the renowned pioneering of allurements, Disneyland has been kept
clean and new rides were kept updated to keep the guests coming back. Alex (2015)
also cited that “as of 2008, the Walt Disney Company accounted for around half of
the total industry’s revenue in the US resulting to a more than 50 million guests of its
2.2 Disneyland
Raman (2020), in his blog “The History of Disneyland” stated that “for more
than 60 years, the “Happiest Place on Earth” has been a little park in southern
California called Disneyland”. He also added that it was originally named “The
(Raman, 2020). The simple beginnings of Disneyland has traversed a lot which
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brought the said theme park to the peak of its field. In order to create a magical theme
park that would beckon guests to keep on visiting, Disney had to acquire a 160 acre of
started in 1954 and got completed a year after. With 18 attractions and rides
Disneyland opened on July 17th, 1955; 5 million people had visited the park just one
year after Disneyland opened its door and as of 2019 more than 700 million guests
industry of theme parks. The park is constantly evolving and it is clearly manifested
fun. The entire history of Disneyland is more than 60 years long and it has opened a
lot of doors for innovations and improvements but in spite of that, Disneyland adhered
to keep the magic intact, in order to keep the park an all-age user-friendly one.
The history of the ground breaking theme park that hosts beyond a number of
18 million visitors up until now started in the 1940s. History.com Editors (2009), in
their article “Disneyland opens” stated that before Walt Disney reached the ecstasy of
success on his theme park; he first started working as a commercial artist before
Walt Disney introduced some of the most well-known cartoon characters in the
history of animation which involves the anthropomorphic mouse that usually wears
huge yellow shoes, red shorts, and white gloves or popularly known as Mickey
Mouse. His crafts captivated fans from all around the world which encouraged him to
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open up a place that would offer a wide variety of entertainment for tourists through
Innumerable letters from fans who wanted to drop by the studio were received
by Disney (Raman, 2020). As a result of the high demand from different individuals
for a new experience, Disney started planning a theme park and he wanted it to be
different from other parks; he sought to give tourists an experience that would be
appreciated by both children and adults wherein back in those days, typical leisure
According to Raman (2020) the writer of the blog History of Disneyland and
Timeline.A Day In LA Tours, “In 1948, Disney sent a now-famous memo to the studio
production designer, Dick Kelsey, outlining his ideas for “Mickey Mouse Park.”
themed areas and boat ride on an 8 acre lot right across the street of his studio in
Burbank but the location was too small for the project to fit on the proposed site.
Disney visited various parks to gather inspiration to improve his ideas regarding his
theme park, and designers helped him in planning and it became more understandable
that they had the need for a much bigger lot than just the 8 acre of land he had allotted
that time.
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Figure 3. Photograph of Walt Disney while planning the them park.
27 miles southeast of L.A. was where they located the best site that was just
enough to host the proposed theme park (Raman, 2020). With a total of 160-acre of
land in Anaheim, he then acquired an orchard of walnut trees and oranges. The name
Mickey Mouse Park for his project was modified into Disneylandia and eventually
became the very famous Disneyland. The construction of the world renowned theme
park started in 1954 and just a year after the completion of the park, Walt Disney’s
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The Opening
Street USA, Tomorrowland and Frontierland had a market price on tickets for only
$1.00. On July 17, 1995, Sunday, it was supposed to be the biggest milestone for
waiting to occur that day that would leave a mark on the whole history of the
mentioned park. Disneyland pepped up to provide fun and joy but the park has its
dark spots.
broadcasted live on ABC which allured millions of viewers. This implies that all eyes
were focused on Disneyland and for what would happen on the first day of the
opening of the park. The launching day of Disneyland was supposed to be for invited
guests and the media only in preparatory to the opening of the park to the public on
the next day, yet numerous unexpected people forced themselves to enter the park by
faking tickets and by hurdling over the fence which resulted into a total disaster.
Apart from that, the weather that day was over 101 degrees Celsius and that caused
the freshly poured asphalt to soften. Asphalt absorbs heat and the excessive heat
It was believed that Disneyland was not yet ready for the public for the havoc
that had happened on its opening day (History.com Editors, 2009). Wherein wet
asphalt due to the scorching heat, caused a woman’s high-heel footwear to be stuck in
Main Street USA and an attraction named Mark Twain Steamboat nearly overturned
from admitting too many passengers. In addition to those unfortunate events, there
was also a shortage for water and food for thousands of guests and few hours after the
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park had just opened, a gas leak happened that forced operators to shut down three of
the five lands. Raman (2020) added that VIP guests like Debbie Reynolds and Frank
Sinatra got delayed for their line-up of arranged appearances due to the cars that was
blocking the newly constructed Santa Ana freeway making the traffic impossible to
move.
“Disneyland opens” Special events and the continual building of new state-of-the-art
attractions encouraged guests to visit again. Disneyland recovered shortly after the
incident; moreover the tragic events that happened on the opening day of the said park
gave fruit to the whole industry of Disneyland that offered more opportunities on
working for larger Disneyland theme parks that includes various Disneyland branches
E.O. Wilson (1984) in his book “Biophilia” defines “biophilia as the urge to
affiliate with other forms of life”. He also stated that “biophilia is an innate tendency
to focus on life and lifelike processes” (E.O. Wilson, 1984, p. 1). This means that
biophilic is a state of the art concept of architecture that works in depth with human
nature. People nowadays don’t want to simply work, play or eat in a functional
building; they want huge improvements with regards to the functionality of a building
and its different the effects on their personal health. They demand the environment
that surrounds them to provide them a feeling of comfort, inspiration and invigoration.
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buildings and developments that would make people more comfortable and
with humans depends on the concept of Biophilia (Kellert, S. and Calabrese, E. 2015).
Modern day civilization has made numerous beneficial barriers on nature and humans.
This is a serious issue that while human civilization develops, the natural world on the
also offers a broad spectrum of benefits to humans. The natural systems are aimed to
Figure 5. Singapore, Jewel Changi Airport, a mixed-use development by architect Moshie Safdie including
gardens, a hotel, aviation facilities, a shopping mall and a 40 meter indoor waterfall, the world's largest |
Photographer: John Seaton Callahan
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Jewel Changi. The above mentioned development stands out as the best biophilia
project of all time. According to Aditi Doshi (2020), The Rain Vortex, the world’s
tallest indoor waterfall serves as the centrepiece of the Jewel; which is also being
strategies, which is also referred to as the experiences and attributes. The alternative
and limitations or restrictions that includes the particular project size, economic
factors, cultural and ecological circumstances and as well as the building and
landscape uses.
2.2.1 Water
interest over time (Biederman & Vessel, 2006), which means a small water feature
may be enough. Incorporating water in the design soothes, contemplates and gives
amends cognition to humans. Pint-sized running water produces sounds that will
amplify the desired health response with several physiological senses. Physical access
or visual representation of nature that contains aquatic elements helps reduce heart
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Figure 6. The
Robert and
Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. Image © Tim
Evanson/Flickr.
A good example of the presence of water that has a water feature that is
expansive enough is The Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian
various portions of the gently sloping floors are a long, narrow opening from which a
sheet of water emerges, it flows across the textured stone and then disappears into a
sequence of spots toward the midpoint of the courtyard. The thin sheet of water
mirrors light and weather conditions from above which invites passers-by to touch
wherein during events, the system is drained and seamlessly becomes part of the floor
plane.
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2.2.2Greenery/Vegetation
an environment that helps individuals to ease the eye muscles and cognitive fatigue.
In addition to that, better quality of the view to different biodiversity enhances the
natural connection of humans with nature. A view to nature through panes of glass
provides a benefit over a digital screen of the same view (Kahn et al., 2008).
with Nature is the birch tree and moss garden in the New York Times Building in
New York City – a carved out space in the middle of the building by which everyone
passes as they enter or leave the building. Adjacent to a restaurant and the main
conference rooms, the birch garden is an oasis of calm in the hustle and bustle of
Times Square.
A space with a good dynamics and light diffusion state conveys expressions of
time and movement to evoke feelings of drama and intrigue, buffered with a sense of
calm. Psychological responses differ from the different lighting design which has
been used to harmonize moods on a certain place. Research also showed the
higher in well daylighted work places and children performed better in daylighted
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classrooms with views. Different reports of positive feedback regarding the moods of
student from providing quality daylighting in schools than those of other schools with
The balance of serotonin and melatonin can be linked to sleep quality, mood,
alertness, depression, breast cancer and other health conditions (Kandel et al., 2013).
Serotonin is produced when a high content of blue light is present which is the same
as to the color of skylight; while on the contrary, melatonin is produced when there is
no blue light present or during the night. Probes showed that human body responds on
the daylight color shifting; the colors of sunlight changes contingent on the time of the
day wherein at morning the sunlight’s color is yellow, then it changes into blue during
midday and red in the afternoon or evening. Various responses from humans would
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Figure 7. The Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, CT, by Louis Kahn utilizes natural lighting to
sofly illuminate art and create dramatic experiences. Image © K. Kendall/Flickr.
A prime example of a structure that has good dynamics and light diffusion
condition is the Yale Center for British Art, designed by Louis Kahn. According to
("14 patterns of Biophilic design," 2014) Despite the building’s sharp exterior, the
natural light to penetrate on a diffusing way to create a state of the art experience for
guests while sustaining different conditions with the environment for displaying fine
art
2.2.4 Air
concentration can be refined through other natural movements and light breezes
(Heerwagen & Gregory, 2008; S. Kaplan, 1995). On another research regarding that
matter, it was indicated that a student’s performace on school could improve when
The primary objective of the thermal and airflow flexibility is to bring forth an
environment that would allow users to experience the different components of airflow
and thermic variability. It aims to allow guests to ingress variable settings within a
certain space in order for users to control thermal circumstances. The all-inclusive
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conductance materials or through arranging of seating options that vary through levels
Figure 8. The Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore by RMJM Architects uses fresh air and sunlight
to increase thermal comfort Image © Jui-Yong Sim/Flickr
Teck Puat Hospital by RMJM. It draws fresh air into the hospital from the outside
which helps maintain the thermal coolness of the whole place; patients have their own
windows on their rooms that could be oprated by themselves giving them personal
control. Proper design is evident on the façade and interior layouts enhance daylight
Kellert frames this as “Natural Patterns and Processes” (Kellert et al., 2008),
what is being experienced and seen. The strategy for working with the concept may
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the window that blossom or it may be in a more intricate way of utilizing systems,
such as by making evident the relationship between building occupant behaviour and
feeling of authenticity, warm and stimulating. One such study demonstrated that a
difference in wood ratio on the walls of an interior space led to different physiological
responses (Tsunetsugu, Miyazaki & Sato, 2007). The objective of this principle is to
investigate on the distinct attributes and quantities of natural materials that are most
favourable for causing positive physiological responses. Wood provides good air
quality for its quality of being hypoallergenic. In addition to that presence of wood
reduces stress to humans and it also absorbs excessive sound for a more peaceful
environment.
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Figure 8. The greenroof of COOKFOX Architects’ New York office dramatically changes in
appearence through the year, visually connecting occupants with the seasons and local ecosystem
activity. Images courtesy of Bill Browning.
Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park in New York (COOKFOX Architects,
2009). One enters the glass skyscraper by grasping a thin wooden door handle. It is
built with earthly materials like the Jerusalem stone that is cladded on the lobby and
warm colour of leather panelling on the elevator lobby that provides a feeling of
2.2.7 The use of botanical shapes and forms instead of straight lines
though humans know that those are not living things (Vessel, 2012). Providing
various design element representation in order for the users to connect with the
environment is the key objective of this principle. Using different biomorphic patterns
Humans have different visual preferences for biomorphic patterns unfortunately there
the Art Nouveau Hotel Tassel in Brussels (Victor Horta, architect, 1893). The interior
space is designed with graphic vine-like ringlet painted on the wall which harmonizes
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2.3 GREEN ARCHITECTURE
that implies different theories and style of buildings that are designed and constructed
humans in order to limit those effects and design more efficient buildings.
lessen befouling through conservation of the natural resources that would fend off
building in the US (Dr. Liji Thomas, 2019). This tower is a LEED Platinum structure,
the first skyscraper in America to hold this privilege. This skyscraper uses recycled
The green building design principle established various methods of gray water
systems, living pools and rain water collection (BCKL, 2009). Water can be collected,
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stowed, filtered, and reused. It provides a valuable expedient to be applied in the
Designing dual plumbing system that will reuse water in toilet flushing or
reuses water for washing of the cars, offers conservation of water in a certain
building. Using ultra-low flush toilets and low-flow shower heads can help minimize
wasting of water. The utilization of grey water and non-sewage will minimize the
attaining sustainability through natural building focus on resiliency and the use of
minimally processed and renewable resources that would produce healthy living
environment. Natural building depends on the needs and character of the users and
constructors and also to particular disposition of the building site, geology, climate
Utilizing renewable materials is the primary focus of this idea. The key factor
of natural building is by prioritizing health and comfort through the reduction of the
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2.3.3 Passive Solar Design
Passive solar design relies to the efficient usage of energy given out by the sun
for the heating and cooling of spaces. In this principle, walls, windows and floor are
made to store and distribute collected energy for efficient uses. Some elements of the
building take advantage of natural energy components in its medium to suck up and
emit the heat created by exposure to the sun. Passive systems can eliminate or
decrease heating and cooling costs through no mechanical systems in order to lessen
renewable resources which are environmentally responsible because their impacts are
considered over the life of the product. There are several qualities that could be
evaluated in order to choose a green building material which includes low-off gassing
Green building materials are much better than concrete because it produces
less carbon dioxide and is more durable and considered to be c\heaper. Clay and sand
are the most commonly used to various types of natural buildings. Clay Blocks or
Adobe could be formed when water and another fibre is mixed with each other. Other
materials usually used in natural building are: straw, rammed earth, timber frame or
cordwood, stone and bamboo. A diverse recycled non-toxic materials are usual in
natural building, such as urbanite, recycled glass and other vehicle windscreens
(Woolley, 2006).
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2.3.5 Green roofs
not only the building itself, but also whole urbanity to lower urban temperatures and
alleviate the heat island effect; a natural habitat for animals and it serves as aesthetics
to the people all over the roof which helps humans in relieving stress (Vandermeulen,
2011).
Green technology can be used on green roofing systems such as roofs with
solar thermal panels and cool roofs. Green roofs are often referred to as vegetated
vertical greenery. Skyscrapers are the principal building design and it commonly has
enormous hard surfaces and compared to green roof, green walls can cover more
revealing hard surfaces in the man-made environment (Jonathan, 2003). Green walls,
as the name implies, are simply a wall of vegetation that partially covers a part of a
material.
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2.4 Conceptual Framework
SUSTAINABLE BIOPHILIC
ARCHITECTURE
l ARCHITECTURE
GREENERIES/VEGETATION
-a place where green plants are grown NATURAL BUILDING
or kept
NATURAL LIGHT
-is the ambient light in open air PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
created by sunlight efficient usage of energy given out by
the sun for the heating and cooling of
spaces.
AIR
is the intentional introduction of
outdoor air into a space
GREEN ROOFS
THE USE OF BOTANICAL
SHAPES AND FORMS INSTEAD
OF SRAIGHT LINES
GREEN WALLS
A PROPOSED DISNEYLAND
PHILIPPINES
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References
Incorporated. https://themeparkincorporated.co.uk/2015/04/11/the-evolution-of-
theme-parks/
Facts [Photograph]. https://wanderingindisney.com/2015/07/17/disneyland-opening-
day-facts/
(PDF) Biophilic architecture, the concept of healthy sustainable architecture. (2006, January
1). ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287940355_Biophilic_architecture_the_con
cept_of_healthy_sustainable_architecture
DVDs. https://www.bullfrogfilms.com/guides/biodguide.pdf
Disney. https://wanderingindisney.com/2015/07/17/disneyland-opening-day-facts/
HISTORY. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/disneyland-opens
https://www.westland.net/coneyisland/articles/dreamlandfire.htm.
Tours. https://www.adayinlatours.com/blog/the-history-of-disneyland/
The Fat Plant Society. (2020, March 13). Why Biophilic design is good for you: And “Bio”
biophilic-design-is-good-for-you-and-bio-terminologies-defined-a2f4bdd73284
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Moss, D., & Scheer, R. (2018, February 19). What is biophilic design in architecture?.
EarthTalk.org. https://earthtalk.org/biophilic-design-architecture/
https://www.azobuild.com/article.aspx?ArticleID
http://www.mywaltdisneyquotes.com/walt-disney-disneyland/.
America [Photograph ]. https://www.azobuild.com/article.aspx?ArticleID
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