THESIS
Architecture, a field that encompasses most if not all of the arts has fallen victim to the highest bidder and the quickest buck. It is time for a new movement that will not only re-energize the field of architecture but also breathe new life into the way we live and interact with our surroundings. I propose buildings that just like humans start to convey the concept of emotions and change. They no longer exist as static structures but entities with personality, motive and above all life. Just as humans are able to have intimate relations with one another, humans must also be able to experience these types of emotions with their homes, their schools the built environment. Architecture has begun stagnating somewhat and change is no longer a choice but an imperative.
Case Studies
Case Studies: The Philosophy of Architecture
Case Studies: The Arts
Contextual Site Studies
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Los Angeles(pop=9.8 mil, 4,700 sm) is riddled with many prominent cities. LA is Inglewood, LA is Long Beach, LA is Santa Monica LA is Hollywood. LA is any and many identities. San Diego(pop=1.4 mil, 4,500 sm) at the southern most end of CA is one identity one name not tarnished and not in competition. I feel it the perfect location to create an icon. A beacon if you will that not only anchors SoCal but also other architectural institutions by its beliefs and ideals. A reference for future thinking. |
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San Diego is surrounded by 3 major entities. The Pacific Ocean to the West, Mexico to the South and the Cleveland National Forest to the East. With the variety of edge conditions that are created by these unique characters I see the opportunity to portray downtown SD as the main actor and the audience is waiting to be thrilled by how this actor will interact with them and how my project will take a piece of each and incorporate it into the “act”, my final design. A study on how transitions occur and how to make them work successfully. |
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| The downtown area is bisected 5, 163 and 94 freeways. These major circulation pieces start to distinguish areas apart from one another. |
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| The site of my future school is embraced on all four corners by up and coming and established neighborhoods. The historic Gaslamp Quarter to the south, the Business District to the west, Cortez Hill and Little Italy to the north and East Village to the east. This environment will put students in the midst of the urban activity which they will study and eventually help form and influence. |
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The obvious first choice for my future school was the current location of NSAD appointed by the blue question mark. Consequently as more time was spent understanding the feasibility of going on that site and proposing to knock down the entire structure it became clear there would be many hurdles to clear to get the green light on such a venture. Conveniently the lot to the east was open and lent itself perfectly to my vision. |
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The site is surrounded by many ways of foot and road transportation. The artery of the 5 fwy to the east provides a major way in to the campus while the smaller veins of the roads, sidewalks and trolly stations provide ample opportunity to access this site with comfort and ease. |
