Thesis Book Excerpts

8/14/2019 Thesis Book Excerpts

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Stacey Westenberger 2005-2006 Senior Thesis Project Californ ia Polytechnic State Univeristy San Luis O


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Can architecture make us aware

of our surroundings and the

beauty in the ordinary mo-

ments in our lives? It begins

with how we de ne ordinary.

Ordinary is de ned by Merriam-

Websters Dictionary as:

ordinary

adj: of common occurrence,

quality, or ability. 1

Ordinary does not mean the

object in which it describes is of

low quality or lacking in ability;

it refers, however, to something

that is usual or customary.

These familiar instances do not

lack quality because we have

experienced them before, how -

ever, this quality becomes harder

to recognize when it is all around

us. The ordinary moments

are necessary in order to be a

basis for things extraordinary.

Something extraordinary stands

out from the rest and demands

ones attention. However, this

does not negate the inherit

signi cance and beauty in the

ordinary. Koren uses the term

Wabi Sabi to express the beauty

in ordinary things. He rst

describes beauty; Beauty can

spontaneously occur at any

moment given the proper cir-

cumstances, context, or point of

view. Beauty is thus an altered

state of consciousness, and

extraordinary moment of po-

etry and grace (Koren 51). He

further explains Wabi Sabi with

the ideas of ordinary versus ex-

traordina ry. Koren demonstra tes

Wabi Sabi as coexisting, rather

than imposing. Unpretentious.

Things wabi-sabi are unstudied

and inevitable looking. They do

not blare out I am important

or demand to be the center of

attention. They are understated

and unassuming, yet not without

presence or quiet authority.Things wabi-sabi easily co-exist

with the rest of their environ -

ment (Koren 68). After realizing

there is potential for beauty in

habitual things, the question

remains, how can we recognize

environmental in uence on our

everyday life?

In an urban environment,

architecture sets a scene for...


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10

The experience of architectureshould not be limited to acertain age group, social class,or economic level. As diversitygrows among the populationsof our global world, a common

ground is needed for whichall people can experience andunderstand. Architectureprovides a place to bring people

The encounter with other per-ceivers continually assures methat there is more to any thing,or to the world, than I myself can

perceive at any moment. (Abrams 39)


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1

Population change in the 1990s:-47,163 (-11.9%)


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36

Population (year 2000): 3 8,189Est. population in July 200 : 3 3,279 (-1. % change)

Males: 163,567 ( 7.0%)Females: 18 ,622 (53.0%)

Races in St. Louis:Black (51.2%)White Non-Hispanic ( 2.9%)Hispanic (2.0%)Two or more races (1.9%)Vietnamese (1.0%)American Indian (0.8%)Other race (0.8%)

Daytime population change due to commuting: +122,23(+35.1%)Workers who live and work in this city: 82,480 (58.6%)Houses: 176,354 (147,076 occupied: 68,917 owner occupied,

The diversity among city resi-dents becomes the motivatorfor a place of social interaction.Contrary to segregation, acommon place for interactionallows for dissemination of thediverse makeup within the city.The history of misunderstandingamong social classes and races,leading to the giant urbansprawl and white ight furthersupports the need for a com-mon place where all people feelwelcome.

The number of visitors to thecity each year is of majoreconomic wealth to the city.Increasing the number of attractions and amenities willfurther enhance the tourismmarket and sustain its suc-cess. Visitors are another usergroup who will bene t from acommon place of interaction.Often times, visitors also like toobserve their travel destinationin its raw atmosphere. A placefor visitors and residents allowsfor them to interact and learnfrom each other.


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10. Incorporate the Eads Bridge asa public event venue in conjunctionwith the riverfront by improving thebicycle and pedestrian connectionsbetween the riverfront and the EadsBridge,

By providing vertical circulation/ac-

cess to the Bridge Deck, the MetroLink Station and connecting theRiverfront,

By providing horizontal / lateral cir-culation connections, Arch grounds,

parking and bridges.

-St. Louis Community Development Plan 16


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130


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What areas are accessible by occupants and what experience does it provide?


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176

Floor Plan


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178

South Elevation


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190


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Thesis Book Excerpts