IDENTITY

Advisor: Kristy Balliet

We often judge the character of mass in terms of how it appears to resist the physical forces of the planet. More often the mass is driven by the program and reflects the space needed to operate particular functions. Today, mass is invited to shed its previous associations to program to create a new identity for itself and the city.

This thesis addresses the current relationship of a building container and its programmatic obligations through the decoupling of spatial and programmatic affairs. By disengaging program from mass I intend to undermine the pre established meaning of a building in favor of more obscure and mysterious reading of forms. Since established spatial requirements of a library, a forum and a museum no longer correspond with digital platforms a new typology can start to develop.

Furthermore, The general act of obscuration occurs in moments where forms are nested in other larger forms. The materiality and overall form of the new Obama Presidential Center creates a new way of registering what should be monumental as an unimposing figure.

As technology alleviates the spatial requirements of particular programs, this thesis challenges the formal qualities of a building container by spreading and displacing volume. Simultaneusly I address issues of spatial separation between program and building by exaggerating the space occupied by various bodies. Using obscured forms to encase a variety of programs, The Obama Presidential Center establishes a new way of registering mass and its contextual participation.

Top: Long Section

Expressing the public bowl for adjacent communities. A way of giving back to the community

Bottom:

Physical Model 3’ x 4’

PLA 3d prints on CNC high density foam.

Final Thesis Model

High

Tray, Vessel, Bodies