Architecture Department University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Abbottabad Campus Thesis Design I (Arch 506 L) 9th Semester – Fall 2014- Batch VIII Design Studio Instructors: Salman Jamil and Shahid mansoor
Jamal Ahmad class # 06
Introduction
“The survival call, Phenomenological Architecture ”. Feeling is all. Goethe
We are living in a world where ideologies and social aspirations make a sincere base of a society, which not only mould the shape of human myths, introseption, fictions and phenomenal behavior but also provide a shelter to live in. As part of a larger sustained attack on logical positivism, phenomenology became the justification for any work of architecture that moved the architect. Ultimately, the basic tenet of phenomenological design that is based upon highly subjective personal experience has doomed it to the scrap heap of architecture’s search for a useable and sustainable theoretical base. Cognitive design revolves around the intellectual activity, quality, esthetics and service of any design. Historical evolution of any given design has maintained an identity through ages which becomes the combined personality trait of a culture. i-e paradigm shift (Guggenhiem Museum in Bilbao). —Martha LaGess/Michael McNamara. As architects, we transfer the feelings and ideas of humanity into building masses; therefore, we should bring into the scene the different fictions, myths into building fabrics considering phenomenal architecture features. For such ideological transformation I select the kalasha community for my Thesis Research.
Motivation (Identification) “Social and religious activities take place at the level of entire community, or at the level of the clan… because of this orientation toward “collectivism” (clan and community) and rigid long standing traditional socio-religious practices,individual responsibility, independence and individual creativity is almost unknown.” what will be more important is to understand how different cultures have solved recurring Architecture problems over time. This lends a problem-solving and applied approach to history, based on crosscomparison, rather than the accumulation of explicit knowledge. The social pattern (life pattern) is to be kept a major attributer between community and design. The research in this field will not only address the existing communal problems but also open the canvas by producing more & more architectural solution. In a similar vein, Michael Benedikt, in his book ‘For an Architecture of Reality’ (1987), describes the qualities of ‘Presence, Emptiness, Materiality and Significance’ as necessary for a building to exhibit phenomenological power.(ARCHI SPEAK) by Tom Porter.
Issues: • • • • •
Lack of communal infrastructure setup which can be regulate their life pattern. All the religious and sacred places of worship, graveyard, jastakhan, bashali and other cultural monuments are considered as threatened. The interpretation of trade and economy into new meaning to meet the ideas and ambitions of today's contemporary world societies. The indigenous wisdom and human experience in their myths and fictions is believe to be vanishing. The ideas of cultural revival among the nation must be well emphasized.
Objectives: • • • • • •
To invoke through architecture a sense of belonging and integrating sensory experiences to their buildings. To design a space which programmatically integration provide a sense of collectivism. Buildings based on their religious and cultural requirement truly provide a shell of cultural revival. Providing an economically linkage with other communities. Providing a platform where they can exchange their goods and products. Provide a facility which correspond fully to the issues and needs of that unique community considering the phenomenal approach.
Scope and limitation: The present research will highlight the ways in which Kalash culture & religion has sustained and maintained its presence and individuality due considering the phenomenal & cosmological ideologies of buildings. The focus is to explore the Kalash culture and religion which has embodied the character and essence of the people generation after generation. This study will help to open new perspectives onto the history and theory. In terms of methodological boundaries the research will be limited to architectural issues analysis, their modification in form of culture, problems solving upto communal level.
Description of the research work: • • • • •
Case studies of similar projects around the world. Identifying basic design philosophies and solutions that contribute to the success of my project. Analyzing these case studies with respect to concepts, program organization and building systems. Integrating the case study concepts within the thesis design as applicable. Detailed literature review to strengthen the solution which would be carried out through design. cultural & social needs and formulating spatial associations which create an efficient and a pleasurable experience. Detail study of the culture & religion of kalasha will initiate toward the well organised design as project is on communal base.
Conclusion & summary:
The expected outcome of this thesis will be an architecture that not only preserves, houses, and exhibits important works of that unique culture, but also informs people on the importance of cultural revival. On the basis of this project, I will make my design a tool to educate the different engaging classes of the society to make them feel the uniqueness of this culture and make it preserve as treasure of Pakistan. The different aspects of this helical process will make a severe sense of producing a product of hypothesis that may be tested in different dimentions. As a designer the different cosmological believes will be the emphasizing factor of buildings envelopes. These building will consciously mould and wrap around all those myths, philosophies, fictions which are the vital part of their belief. It will also provide a suitable backdrop in order for these important works to share their stories with the world. Identification of Project site and a Proposed Building type: Location of site will be one of the three valleys of kalasha i-e Bumboret, Rumbur and Birir. The proposed building type will be communal spaces i-e Charsu, Malosh, Jastakhan and Basahli etc. The project will also catered a research and learning center, library, preservation center and grounds for the different festivals. List of Case studies: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 / Peter Zumthor. 1.
2.
Cathedral of Brasilia 2011 / Oscar Niemeyer.
3.
BuCOpera House / sanzpont [arquitectura].
List of references/literature studies for thesis research work: 1. http://www.archdaily.com/146392/serpentine-gallery-pavilion-2011-peter-zumthor/ 2. http://www.archdaily.com/101516/ad-classics-cathedral-of-brasilia-oscar-niemeyer/ 3. http://www.archdaily.com/161780/busan-opera-house-proposal-sanzpont-arquitectura/
4. http://www.archdaily.com/230451/ted-talk-daniel-libeskinds-17-words-of-architecturalinspiration/
5. (ARCHI SPEAK) / by Tom Porter. 6. (ARCHITECTURE MYSTICISM & MYTHS) by W.R. Linthaby. 7. (EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABILITY ) by Beenish Tahir
8. (INDIGENT AND INDIGNANT REPRESENTATIONS) Kalasha of Pakistan by Peter Parkes 9. (COGNITIVE ARCHITECTURE AND THE EPISTEMIC GAP) by peter fazekas