thesis abstract version_draft

harnessing energy through building landscapes

Utilizing building landscapes to harness energy and/or to explore social interaction and culture between landscape and spectatorship in sport. 

Lebbeus Woods defines building landscapes as simply the possibilities of fusing buildings and landscape. Thom Mayne has coined the term hybrid landscapes to define this. In any way you define this idea, the underlying intent of the idea is quite superficial. How can building landscapes create both an utilitarian understanding of the program of architecture and the ability to create/recycle energy? I seek to explore the greater extent of utilizing landscape to promote ecological unity as well as an opportunity to harness energy for use or distribution. I also have the idea to play out the culture of spectatorship in sport and how that could be influenced by the landscape and the possibilities of conflicting or harmonious relationships between the two.

The initial idea is broad, however it combines the three passions I have in regards to architecture. I do not know if the three will create a solid thesis nor do I care to force the three together unless they are naturally willing to formulate a solid foundation for thesis. My overall interests lies in an understanding of how the discipline can utilize the surface of the earth itself to define program for our current culture as well as the adaption of future cultures. However, this idea could take on another role in understanding how the formation of building landscapes seek to form the program of occupied space instead of the typical role of defining the occupied space and then forming the landscape around it. The idea of sport may contradict this idea, however the thesis may choose to explore just the social interaction with people, landscape, and program as well. 

The process of developing the thesis will yield multiple artifacts. Making objects has always played a vital role in the exploration and solution of any creative challenge that is presented. Through various mediums and techniques, the artifacts will assist in understanding the thesis at scale unreachable through words. Investigating the materials and the process of excavation of various materials that compose layers of the earth in building landscapes as well as multiple explorations of energy and composition of energy.