Thesis Abstract

Architecture has always been designed based on a visual world. An architect’s goal is to create buildings that people find aesthetically pleasing and can enjoy being in the spaces. Modern architecture has become more about simplicity and concrete or glass structures. By making buildings that appear “beautiful”, other senses could possibly be overlooked. The sense of touch is much different than any other human sense. It is the only sense does not pertain to a specific part of the body. It is the only way that people can physically interact with the world. By engaging physical contact with a building, a new layer of complexity and richness appear. Building materials have many different properties and can reflect certain feelings. Designing spaces that connect the human body with the materials allows people to form a physical and emotional understanding of a space. The history behind a material can drastically affect architecture. By approaching architecture through a variety of materials and its connection with people, future designs can be drastically altered.

Visual Abstract and Idea Map

Thesis Idea Map

Visual Abstract of Thesis

Things I Can't Live Without

Just a few things I can't be without

• music
• small groups of people
• chinese food
• MOMA
• indie movies
• deep colors
• doodling
• empty churches
• thermal baths
• reading suspense novels
• M.C. Escher
• rooms with a lot of natural light
• apartmenttherapy.com
• being on a boat
• muse
• buffalo chicken

Idea Map - First Iteration

More Collages

Looking through one of my favorite websites, apartmenttherapy.com, I came across a post about collages. Here is just one of the many they posted.

"Hello Minerva" by Lulu de Kwiatkowski

Sensing Architecture

Just came across a website www.sensingarchitecture.com. There are articles and videos on creating architecture that can affect emotions, senses and stimulate the brain. There are other articles too discussing topics such as neuroscience, green design and all other topics in between.

Collages

Final Movement Collage

Original Movement Collage

Final Section for Movement

Original Section for Movement

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Color Collage

Final Section of Color

Original Section for Color

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Movement Collage

Infinite Space Collage

Infinite Space Collage

Perceptions

Why is it that certain pieces of art speak to different people? Someone can stare at a painting for hours and be completely obsessed with and I can walk by and not even stop to look at it. It is interesting how everyone is attracted to different pieces of artwork and yet "good" art is almost based on standards.

One of my favorite artist's is M.C. Escher. Most of his work consists of drawing impossible structures like a never ending staircase. However, to me, his realistic drawings impress me the most. He draws things exactly as he sees them.

Its the same with architecture. What I might see as impressive and beautiful, someone else could think is bad architecture. Look at a building that you think is awful. At the time it was being designed, the architect had to have thought it would look good.