ARCHITECTURE GSD • SPRING 2014 M.Arch I. THESIS ADVISOR: MACK SCOGIN
THE MINISTRY OF ILLICIT TECHNOLOGIES
Hopeful Out of Necessity, Logically Absurd
ALL ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTION IS SCIENCE FICTION: Speculation about an imaginary yet likely future based on scientific or technological advances and social or environmental changes. To be a successful, engaging, and collectively imaginable projection, it should be based on a study of past and present technological, economic, social, and political conditions. Most importantly, it should be structured around a narrative that explores the effects and implications such a future would have on its human (or animal, plant, artificial, etc.) inhabitants. The Ministry of Illicit Technologies, or MINTI, is such a projection: an institution existing in a potential near future of Cuba. Its motto of Resilience, Innovation, and Progress embodies a mission to bring electronic, computational, and information technologies to the people of Cuba through the regulation of contraband devices and the stimulation of a national innovation industry. The institution, its architecture, and the characters that inhabit it all form part of a world imagined from the existing condition of Havana and the many layers of simultaneous, non-synchronous, surreal realities that are present there. Through FILM and a series of “future artifacts,” this thesis invites one to SUSPEND DISBELIEF and immerse oneself in a world which is hopeful out of necessity and logically absurd.
COLLAGE FILM The main product of the thesis is a short “Collage Film� that presents the funny, absurd, sad, joyful, and frustrating realities of Cuba, and how they might manifest themselves in a likely near future. The architecture presented in the movie is completely dependent of the story and its characters. This is a test of the hypothesis postulated in the thesis: CAN WE USE SCIENCE FICTION AS A GENERATOR FOR ARCHITECTURE? The result is a seemingly conventional (and logical) reinforced concrete government building... but upon closer inspection there is a nuanced absurdity: A facade that covers nothing just to be 1m taller than the neighboring building, a redundancy of circulation, a courtyard that tries to be grand but is too narrow, And a relentlessly rigid square structural grid that blocks the main views with columns. See film at: https://vimeo.com/94843353
COLLAGE FILM
https://vimeo.com/94843353
TERESA, THE MINISTER The Logic Explains purpose, mission, and structure of the Ministry. Represents bureaucracy and the Public face of the Institution
“As your newly appointed Minister of Illicit Technologies, I will be presiding over the meeting; our schedule for the day will focus on the drafting of the Accordance no. 4382 of the Council which will dictate the specific functions and structure of the central agency of the new Ministry.”
TONITO, THE KID The absurdity Still has high expectations from the system Walks through public program (for Cubans) of building: overly logical system leads to absurd, confusing, quickly outdated architecture. Deal with it kid, because that’s how it works
“Ok, go to the Mobile software downloads office on the 2rd floor up the western stair to the right, The Computer software downloads are on the same side, 4th floor. Now- don’t forget you have to stop at the payables office on the 1st floor on your way out. You will have to show me the approved download slip in order to sign out and avoid a fine.”
COLLAGE FILM
https://vimeo.com/94843353
NIURKA, THE CLERK Hope and Tedium HOPEFUL OUT OF NECESSITY: Reality of life for most Cubans. Shows office space and life: Frustrated with job, but finds joy in helping others Takes part in illegal activities on the side to make ends meet
Over time, She’d received so many requests for paying with unconventional methods, that she convinced her supervisors to approve an amendment to their payment policy for their elderly, disabled, and unemployed clients.
USMAIL, THE HACKER Taking advantage of the system Hopeful and opportunistic attitude in the face of harsh realities : Technological disobedience Walks through back of house- more conveniently connected Absurd regulations to assimilate illicit activities
Yes, assimilation and sanctioned hacking wasn’t so bad. He was one of the big guys now, and he could live in the new employee housing with AC and drive a ministry car.
COLLAGE FILM
https://vimeo.com/94843353
YUNEISY, THE GUIDE Taking advantage of the image Presents a glorified ‘front of house’ of the MINTI to tourists. Cuba selling itself to tourism. Facade as a metaphor for the relationship Cuba has with the exterior: PROJECTING UTOPIA, MARKETING NOSTALGIA, SELLING “RUM, TOBACCO, AND MULATTAS”
“The two departments of the ministry are located on either side of the central space: the department of software to the west, and the department of hardware to the east, while the minister’s office lies to the south, overlooking EVERYTHING.”
JAKE, THE TOURIST Idealized, miopic vision of Cuba Cuba’s projected image vs. reality. He’s unaware of real problems, such as violence in carnivals. CARICATURIZATION OF PEOPLE EMBODIED IN FLATTENING OF ARCHITECTURE: He fetishizes the surface, but doesn’t bother going deeper.
The exotic and uncorrupted ritual around him was intoxicating... He was so in love with the IDEA of Cuba, he didn’t realize he had been stabbed.
Future Artifact: CONTRACT DOCUMENTS A Design Development drawing set, supposedly drawn by the “Compañía Nacional de Arquitectura de Cuba” was completed for the project. The document has been signed, stamped and revised, as well as approved by the Ministry of Construction. The 18 page document includes: - 1 site plan at 1:300, - 8 floor plans at 1:100 - 4 elevations at 1:100 - 3 sections at 1:100
Future Artifact: MODELS Models created by the “Compañía Nacional de Arquitectura de Cuba” for the Ministry of Illicit Technologies Headquarters Project. Site Model 1:500 Architectural Model 1:100
LANDSCAPE GSD • SPRING 2013 • OPTION STUDIO COLONIZING LAST FRONTIERS ANITA BERRIZBEITIA & KELLY DORAN
RETREAT IN WATER
Modulating the Aquatic Experience This project takes on water as a means of tempering the visitor’s experience of the Patagonian landscape. It alters the relationship both tourists and with the Baker river to one of engaged immersion. Retreat in Water maximizes the ludic potential of the river by removing the obstacles that separate person from water: a flow that is too fast and a temperature that is too cold. In order to accomplish this, it looks at the HidroAysén dam construction opportunistically - taking advantage of heavy machinery and quarries as well as the flooded footprints it leaves behind. Three types of interventions, each with its own speed, temperature, and activity are implemented according to a set of rules established by programmatic, user, terrain, proximity, and other requirements. They are whitewater parks, natural swimming pools, and campsites. These are laid out on the landscape and then connected through a network of trails that provide a variety of itineraries to suit every user.
ARCHITECTURE GSD • FALL 2012 • OPTION STUDIO THE ORNAMENTAL SPACE STUDIO CHRISTIAN KEREZ
VORTEX
Vertical Housing Concept :(Fluid Dynamics) A region within a fluid where the flow is mostly a spinning or helical motion about an imaginary axis, straight or curved. The pursuit of ornamental space finds its fruition in the junction between a logic of assembly and the desire for fluid, unified space. The plank of dimensional lumber, the keystone of the American light frame vernacular gets re-imagined through displacement and rotation as a generator of both structure and visual impact. The result is a vertiginous, endless space that captivates through its ability to converge intricacy and simplicity.
INSTALLATION GSD • SPRING 2013 INDEPENDENT STUDY CHUCK HOBERMAN COLLABORATORS: MIKE BURTON & BETH ROLOFF
DESERT LOTUS
Expanding Dome for Burning Man Festival The goal of the project was to create a kinetic structure that could act as a collapsible, temporary installation or kiosk. Consisting of 3 layers of panels, the Dome as built stands about 7 feet tall and expands from a 6 foot diameter to a 14 foot diameter. When expanded, the dome can fit several people comfortably both standing and sitting. When not in use, it can be collapsed and becomes a sculptural piece. It is constructed entirely of wood with common hardware used in all of the joints and a series of steel angled pieces at the top layer. The dome is supported by its perimeter as well as a central metal pole that would be anchored into the ground to act as a center-point for motion.
INSTALLATION GSD • FALL 2012 TRANSFORMABLE DESIGN METHODS CHUCK HOBERMAN COLLABORATORS: MIKE BURTON & BETH ROLOFF
CLOUD CANOPY
A Sheltering Structure within the Open Trays
While the GSD has one of the most exciting and dynamic studio spaces, students often feel discomfort in the openness. The Cloud is a retractable canopy that can be easily deployed by a pair of “buttmates” and provides visual privacy as well as an ambiance and shelter from glare, producing soft diffuse light. Even though it fits into the existing desks, it has the flexibility of being deployed without that armature. The Canopy is a built project currently deployed in the 5th tray of the GSD.
ARCHITECTURE GSD • FALL 2011 3RD SEMESTER CORE: COMPREHENSIVE BUILDING STUDIO ERIC HOWELER
BOSTON PAC
Performing Arts Center in Government Center The intent of this project is to revitalize a large neglected area adjacent to Rudolf’s GSC in Boston’s Government Center. The strategy is to bring people to the site by creating convenient, vibrant thoroughfares that cut through both buildings, thus creating 4 new streets (urban mixers).
BAR / CAFE BOX OFFICE
AUDIT.
RHRSL DRSNG GREEN COSTM PIT / TRAP ROOM
LOADING
OFFICES SCHOOL BLACK BOX
TRASH / STORAGE
The program is distributed in two parts: the foundation and the spectacle. The former is necessary to create spectacle. In this scheme the spectacle hovers over the foundation creating a visual and programmatic gap in the main lobby; another space for spectacle, and convergence (one of the urban mixers). Mechanical Systems: Radiant slabs with forced air ventilation Structure: Internal steel frame with aluminum cladding Solar Study: The volumes are displaced so that the public performance space and park are always daylit throughout the year
ARCHITECTURE GSD • SPRING 2012 4TH SEMESTER CORE: CITY/CODE TIMOTHY HYDE
Slope: 38° Riser: 8” Tread: 10” Landings: 2
TRANSPORTATION HUB
Trainstation for the Differential City
This building takes on the problem of relating primary large public spaces to small scale supporting spaces in the context of the “Differential City”: A hypothetical experiment in urban code that proposes an experiential rather than formal understanding of the urban condition. An ambition for informality and health (caloric expenditure) is achieved through operations of circle packing, stratification, and displacement at multiple scales. Urban Code concept in collaboration with Jeffrey Mansfield and Aanya Chugh. For the trainstation, a multifunctional caloric device transitions from a porous store front ladder onto an opaque staircase, mediated by an ADA accessible ramp.
Slope: 90° Level: 0’ Concourse Level: 24’ Platform
Slope: 75° Riser: 15” Tread: 3” Landings: 0
Slope: 26° Riser: 6” Tread: 12” Landings: 1
Slope: 90° Level: 0’ Concourse Level: 12’ Mezzanine Level: 24’ Platform
ARCHITECTURE GSD • SPRING 2011 2ND SEMESTER CORE STUDIO BETH WHITTAKER
VACATING CLUB: URBAN ESCAPE
Agitation to Silence, Density to Sparsity
The intent was to create a sense of escape by taking the visitors through a journey of decompression and expansion – both physical and experiential. Activity and density are maximized at street level, giving way to silence and spaciousness as one ascends to the baths.
ARCHITECTURE GSD • SPRING 2011 2ND SEMESTER CORE STUDIO BETH WHITTAKER
MACHINE FOR ESCAPING
A Postscipt to the Villa Savoye An architectural postscript to LeCorbusier’s Machine for Viewing. By highlighting and emphasizing very specific frames within the “film” perception of the building, and then pairing those views with a tactile and sensual component, the subject will have a stronger emotional connection to the visual information.