Architecture and the Senses: Spa in Downtown Silver Spring, MD

A3 Meeting

2009-02-05T07:47:00.001-08:00

Perspective Collages

2009-01-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

Matrix: Program with Senses

2008-12-07T22:27:00.001-08:00

Updated Thesis Statement

2008-12-02T22:57:00.000-08:00

“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

2008-10-28T22:01:00.001-07:00

Veterans Plaza Competition Entries

2008-10-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

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

Concept/Program

2008-10-13T12:17:00.001-07:00

Brief

One of the major issues I want to focus on is that our society regards vision as the highest sense; it dominates over our other senses. Aesthetic problems of architecture are automatically treated as visual problems. As a result, “architecture has adopted the psychological strategy and instant persuasion; buildings have into image products.” However, architecture should be a full-fledge multi-sensory experience utilizing all the senses.

The diagram above depicts some concepts I picked up in the readings by Bloomer, Pallasmaa, and Gibson. Pallasmaa believes that the five senses are broken down into two groups: (1) vision and hearing are the “sociable senses” and (2) touch, taste, and smell are the “senses of private function” managed by a culture code. In addition to the five senses, Gibson believes there are two more senses: the basic-orienting and haptic sense. Pallasmaa goes into detail of what these senses might represent (vision-fire, touch-earth, taste-water, etc. –refer to diagram) and how the qualities/characteristics of the senses manifest different spatial qualities (vision-sense of separation and distance, touch-sense of doing, taste-material texture and weight, etc.)

Before, I had the program organized designating one sense to a specific room/area. I think it would be interesting if all the senses are utilized in an area, but certain senses would be extenuated and the others suppressed (see “program sample” in diagram).

Program Analysis Take 1

2008-10-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

Site Analysis

2008-09-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

Thesis Abstract

2008-09-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

Architecture and the Senses
An Aquatic & Fitness Center in Downtown Silver Spring, MD

Architecture naturally incorporates conditions and effects where senses cross, blur, switch, and merge. This thesis explores how architectural design addresses our senses to enhance our bodily dialogue with space, and supports a healthier body and mind through the phenomenon of water and air.

The proposed project is an aquatic recreation and fitness center located in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. It will be situated northeast of the Silver Spring “green,” an underutilized outdoor space with sporadic social activity. The placement of the aquatic center will enclose this outdoor area and will bring more energy and activity to the urban space.
The building will also include a nutrition and education center which breaks away from conventional aquatic centers that simply include just aquatics and fitness. A unique program will be produced that seamlessly integrates these areas together and serves the needs of the mind and body simultaneously.

Inspired by rituals experienced in Roman baths and hot springs, the complex provides a journey of spaces that guides visitors through a variety of temperatures and smells. These spaces intend to evoke the sensual possibilities of water, color, light, and materials on the site. The goal is to stimulate a variety of sensory responses in the visitors.