AKSHAT JAIN Thesis 2019 - Virginia Tech
2
THE SENSIBLE, THE SENSELESS & THE SENSEFUL
AKSHAT JAIN Undergraduate Thesis : Fall 2018 - Spring 2019 Thesis Advisor : Prof. Robert Dunay Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University College of Architecture and Urban Studies School of Architecture + Design
3
4
CONTENTS
01 SENSES
07
02 THE BUILT & THE UNBUILT
13
03 SMALL INTERVENTION
21
04 PLACE FOR THE SENSES
33
05 THE NEW BUILT
47
06 MEDITATIVE JOURNEY
59
07 GROWTH
85
5
01
SENSES
Abstract & Proposal
7
Architecture is the art of reconciliation between ourselves and the world, and this mediation takes place through the senses - Juhani Pallasmaa
8
THE SENSIBLE, THE SENSELESS & THE SENSEFUL
ABSTRACT
This thesis seeks to understand, explore, and question the relationship between the human senses, body, and the built environment. The human senses act as a bridge between the human body and architecture as they help us to experience and move through space. This exploration takes place by studying Manhattan’s unique and closed-off residual spaces between city blocks. Reviving such spaces gives them back to the public.
PROPOSAL
A meditation center is proposed to be situated inside one city block of West Village neighborhood in Manhattan. This intervention is a privately owned “public space” of a city block that creates an ‘other’ space for all citizens. Through a series of multiple progressive paths that lead into the open site, momentary pauses, and time for reflection, the program becomes a catalyst for sensory mediation. Personal and group meditation spaces here foster self-reflection to escape the busy city.
9
THE SENSIBLE
10
THE SEN
NSELESS
THE SENSEFUL
11
02
THE BUILT & THE UNBUILT Surveying a site
Manhattan, NY
13
Mapping of Privately Owned Public Spaces
14
Mapping of Publicly Owned Public Spaces
15
Upper West Side
Midtown Manhattan
East Village
An Insight into three different neighborhoods
16
Residual Spaces
The Unbuilt
The Built
The Unbuilt
17
A TYPICAL SECTION THROUGH A CITY BLOCK
BUILT
SIDEWALK
18
ROAD
SIDEWALK
BUILT
Can this common space be given back to the public for self-reflection, reconnect with human senses and escape the busy-ness of city life through a meditative experience?
INTERSTITIAL SPACE
BUILT
19
03
SMALL INTERVENTION
Curating a meditative experience for the senses
v.1
Meditation Pod
21
22
INTERVENTION
23
24
25
VISUAL FOCUS, the pods look inward into the courtyard directly at the foliage of the trees. This foliage becomes a visual focus, literally and metaphorically for meditation
26
27
28
29
30
31
04
PLACE FOR THE SENSES Expanding the intervention
v.2
Concrete Planter
33
SELECTED CITY BLOCK AND SITE IN WEST VILLAGE
34
BANK ST.
WASHINGTON ST.
WEST ST.
W 11TH ST.
35
W 11TH ST.
WASHINGTON ST.
BANK ST.
36
WEST ST.
GROUND LEVEL 1 5
15
25
37
W 11TH ST.
WASHINGTON ST.
BANK ST.
38
WEST ST.
GROUND LEVEL 1 5
15
25
39
FRONT ENTRANCE
40
LOBBY
REAR ENTRANCE
GROUND LEVEL 1
5
15
25
41
INDIVIDUAL MEDITATION
42
UPPER LEVEL 1
5
15
25
43
SHOWERS ,CHANGING & RESTROOM
F
M
WAITING AREA
44
GROUP MEDITATION
REAR LOBBY
LOWER LEVEL 1
5
15
25
45
05
THE NEW BUILT
Breakdown of the Components from the Whole
47
48
49
50
MAIN ENTRANCE
51
52
REAR ENTRANCE
53
54
INDIVIDUAL MEDITATION SPACE + GREEN ROOF
55
56
GROUP MEDITATION SPACE
57
06
MEDITATIVE JOURNEY Moments for the Human Senses
FRONT ENTRANCE PASSAGE
59
60
BEGINNING, The journey begins when walking down the street, the line of trees moving into the site invite you into the city block. As one gets closer, the built is further revealed by the openness of the site which gives it relief from the taller neighboring buildings.
61
62
MOVEMENT, The concrete pod which holds the planted trees help break up different paths and direct movement of people in and around the site. The line of foliage provides a natural visual and acoustic relief which strengthens as one goes deeper into the site.
63
PAUSE, The concrete tree planters allow for unique opportunities to pause, rest and reflect on yourself and the surroundings within the site.
64
65
GROUND LEVEL THRESHOLD, The main entrance passage allows light into the space via long slits in the wall. The slits directly align with the mass of the tree outside which establishes a rhythmic view and progression. A similar rhythmic experience is created by lines of grass between the stone paving which makes the walking experience softer.
66
67
Entrance leading to the main lobby
68
69
GUIDE, The movement of the spiral stair is intended to guide your attention outside to foliage of trees again while climbing and then back again inside into the meditation space for individuals when going to the second floor.
GROUND LEVEL
70
Main Lobby, Ground level
71
VIEW, Siting position allows direct line of sight to the foliage of the tree which becomes a focal point, allowing various shadow animations into the room.
UPPER LEVEL
72
73
Partition Closed
Partition Opened
LOWER LEVEL WHOLE, The meditation space on the lower floor is intended to hold classes for bigger groups. Depending on the size of the class, the partitions allows to break or make space as required.
74
CE PA S R
E
US
PASSAGE
GR
EE
N
SP AC E
(op
en
to
ab
ov
e)
75
THE MEDITATIVE PERSPECTIVE
76
77
INSIDE-OUTSIDE, The mediation space faces a line of small gardens which are open to above, thus bringing natural light into a big underground space. One can see the base of the concrete planter and orient themselves within the site with respect to the particular trees above them.
GROUND LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
78
VIEW DOWN
VIEW UP
79
View out from the rear entrance
GROUND LEVEL 80
81
GROUND LEVEL 82
83
07
GROWTH
Exploring future possibilities
85
FUTURE PREDICTION
86
POTENTIAL, This type or similar interventions can be made to activate residual spaces around multiple cities to give space back to the public
87
Growth of similar interventions throughout the city in privately owned public spaces
88
More residual spaces are revived and given back to the public
89
Upper West Side
Midtown Manhattan
East Village
An Insight into three different neighborhoods
90
The Unbuilt
The Built
The Revived
91