A3 Meeting

Perspective Collages

Matrix: Program with Senses

Updated Thesis Statement

“Architecture is essentially an extension of nature into the man-made realm, providing the ground for perception and the horizon to experience and understand the world.” - Juhani Pallasmaa

Modern-day society has relied too heavily on our visual sense, which results in environments void of qualities necessary to entice multi-sensory experiences. This thesis studies the dialogue between our bodily senses with space, while critically investigating the phenomenon of water as a vehicle to connect the body with architecture. It analyzes designs that innovate through the body and water, defining several modes of intervention: passive and active means, sequencing of spaces, and atmospheric qualities, for an application to an aquatic center in Downtown Silver Spring, MD. Experiential qualities are paramount to these investigations because moments sensitive to atmosphere has to be choreographed to invoke relevant and stimulating engagement.

Revised Concept

Veterans Plaza Competition Entries

A competition was held four years ago at the same site I'm doing my thesis on. The program was a town center and an outdoor ice rink. The firms that competed were Machado and Silvetti, Grimm and Parker, Muse Architects, and I believe two other firms.

The winning entry: Machado and Silvetti






































Grimm and Parker



















Muse Architects

Understanding Psychology

I found some interesting images from my psychology book back when I took the course in high school.

The greater amount of tissue in the somatosensory area of the brain that is related to a specifc body part, the more sensitive is that body part. If the size of our body parts reflected the corresponding amount of brain tissue, we would lok like this strange creature.

The graph below shows the skin sensitivity in various areas of the body. The shorter a line, the more sensitive a body part is. The finger and thumbs, lips, nose, cheeks, and big toe are the most sensitive.
























INTERESTING FIND OF THE DAY

Very cool use of water, it's called "Glass Sea."


"Years of exposure to the elements had taken their toll on Brunel's ss Great Britain--the world's first iron hulled passenger line." So the ss Great Britain Trust called on Arup and Alec French Architects to help repair and preserve the 'wrought iron fabric of the historic vessel.' Lok at the image below, they appeared to have done a splendid job."


http://www.ssgreatbritain.org/Home.aspx