Global Architectural Graduate Awards Thesis Submission

The Duplicitous EnigmaSpencer KrollM. Arch 2012The University of Michigan

605 SE 34th Ave.Portland, OR / USA 97214

spencekroll@gmail.com248 425 4358

Anairlockisachamberseparatingtwospaces.Societiesuseculturalairlockstomaintainaperceptionofsafetyandamplifyperceivedpower.Agunsafetyfunctionsasanairlock,transformingagunfromafetishizedmetalartifacttoadeadlyweapon;recognizeddangeriskeptdistantwhileitremainssoclose.Spacessuchasalockerroomfunctionastransformativeairlocksinthattheindividualpassingthroughisremovedfromaworking-dayrealityandintothatofanathlete.Theairlockisaspacethatisusedtomakesenseofthecognitivedissonancebetweentwo‘realities’.

Powerorganizationsrelyontransformative,separativeorenigmaticairlocksinordertomaintaintheirauthority.Thisthesisseekstocritiquethedevicesofpowerthroughadesignexplorationthatquestionshowspaceinfluencesourculturallyembeddedperceptionofpower.

TheDuplicitousEnigmaisacriticaldesignproposalthatutilizesthefunctionsoftheculturalairlock,militaryvestigesandthepoweroftheenigmatic.Aspartofanattempttoreclaimthephysicalpresenceofpowerorganizationsinthedigitalage,stealth-likenauticalvesselsarecommissionedinmajorU.S.harborssoastokeepapopulaceunderobediencethroughdistancedmanipulationandfear.

Onboard,theDuplicitousEnigmaisbotharetreatandstrongholdfortheleadersofmilitaryandpowerorganizations.Whileluxuriousamenitiespersist,itisthroughtheoperationofairlocksthatenablethevesseltoalterspatialandsubsequentprogrammaticrelationships.Inthisway,theshipmaintainsenigmaticbehavior,fromaFEMAreliefshiptoablackoperationsmilitaryvessel.Aswell,airlocksmediatetheexperienceofauthorityfigurestopreservetheirsenseofdominancewhileignoringinherentspatialdownsizingwithinthevessel.Fourairlocksweredevelopedrangingfromthecontrolofcertainaccessibilitiestopassagesthattransformindividualperception.

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nautical miles

01000

yards

1000 2000 3000 4000

zone of detail:New York, NY

enigmatic commissioningPriority based on city population, demographics and political statistics.

sphere of enigmatic influence*paranoiacomfort

fear

infinity pool / invasion gangplank

systematized luxury / shared suite

aggressive state

_Airlock 03 types consist of procession passages that react directly to the ‘power’ culture that is unique to the following space. The Glory of Conformity attaches to the fitness center, a gauntlet that transforms the visitor into an athlete, a player or a number in the name of masculine prowess. Sanctified and humiliating, this sequence alludes to cultural associatons of questions kept quiet and blind faith.

_The airlock is transformative.

ARLK_03 section

ARLK_03 plan0’ 20’ 40’ 60’

Airlock_03The Glory of Conformity

1. hollow descent2. grid reflection/attitude projection3. gym entry threshold4. secondary grid reflection5. athlete amplification chamber6. to locker room7. projection tubes

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gauntlet passage / mental transformationreflection passage / individual disintegration

mental offerings

resonant hood

65

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vessel behavioral shifts*aggressivecomplacentbenevolent

Level -1 / FEMA Disaster ReliefEmergency shelter and survival storage. Relief organization headquarters and offices.

Cultivating and processing of high nutrient organics: legumes, yams and heavy greens.

Level 0 / Luxury Power RetreatYacht style resort getaway. Luxurious residences, fine dining and conference center.

Careful maintenance of fairway lawns and putting greens for floating golf club.

Level 1 / Black Operations Military contracting epicenter for nautical offense. Hangars, armory and sunken prison.

Growing, harvesting and selling of marijuana as primary funding.

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Airlock_01Internal Propaganda Amplifier

Airlock_02Separative Distance Tank

Airlock_04Blooming Panopticon

_The vacuum of perceptive dominance must be maintained through selective visual propaganda and physically elevated space. The sentiment of viewing a conquered territory from a stature of superiority amplifies the sense of authority; this airlock seeks to elevate the position of the user, yet it guides the vision back to the vessel culture below.

_The Separative Distance Tank is a functional means of accessing spaces of adjacency safely within the hull of the vessel. Considering the threat of insidious program, this airlock also amplifies the perceived distance between spaces that authority maintains apart. Airlock 02 makes sure that the thought of one does not contaminate the other.

_Airlock 04 serves as the principal entry to the enigmatic vessel. Reacting to the behavior of the ship, Airlock 04 alters its position and tectonic appearance so as to intimidate, confuse or invite. The many faces of airlock 04 create a microcosym of the vessel itself; behavior that is perceived as elusive from an external populace is linked to semantic airlock gestures.