Studio 4A: Phenomenology

"A symbolic Architecture is one that represents, one that can be recognized as part of our collective dreams, as a place of full inhabitation."
- Alberto Perez-Gomez

"Architecture is a direct expression of existence, of human presence in the world. It is a direct expression in the sense that it is largely based on a language of the body of which neither the creator of the work nor the person experiencing it are aware."
- Juhani Pallasmaa

During the summer term 2003, my design studio took a very interesting approach to Architecture. Influenced by issues of Phenomenology, we examined the experiences and perceptions that are associated with different types of spaces.

The idea of this studio is to build on every exercise that will lead into the final project, which for this class ends up being a monestary for the Sufi Order of Islam in downtown San Diego.


Mental Polaroids

One of the first exercises was to generate "Mental Polaroids" of eight given spaces. These spaces include: the space of smell, space of work, space of water, space of sleep, space of reunion and assembly, space of rest and daydreaming, gallery of passage and illusion, and the garden of delights and introspection.

For this exercise, I used a variety of media to express the perception I have of these spaces. These media include: pastels, both oil and charcoal, photography, and colored pencil. For some, I used Photoshop to apply filters and enhance the color and light and shadow tones.

Keeping light and color in mind, I combine various media, including text, and techniques in a way that shows the feelings and experiences evoked by each individual space.

Each mental polaroid is of its own size and on a specific type of paper. Each is mounted individually on its own board with a specific border appropriate to the space.

Architectural Embryos

We then took this exercise to the next level by constructing models, or "Architectural Embryos," of these spaces. This is especially interesting because several of my embryos require a moving, external light source to achieve the desired effect. This is done by either moving a light around or by walking around under a direct light while looking inside the embryo.

The Architectural Embryo is an attempt to bring a more direct perception of each space that was defined by the Mental Polaroids. By combining a variety of materials and using direct and indirect light, I am able to produce an experience that is unique and fitting to each space.

Each embryo carries its own phenomena with light, shadow, and the combination of materials. They are all meant to be hand held and viewed in a particular way in order to experience the desired effect properly.

As I already stated, these embryos will become the building blocks for the term project which we had not yet been given a program for at this point in the class.

There is one embryo which is not shown here, the space of reunion and assembly, because it is meant to be touched. A visual representation of the model would not properly convey the desired effect.



Program

The program for the term project of this Design Studio is to design a monastery for monks of the Sufi Order of Islam located in downtown San Diego, California. The first exercise before designing begins is to create a scratchboard expressing points to jump off from.

My scratch board is cut into pieces that are raised and lowered so that multiple levels are created. I incorporate other materials such as orange plexi glass to express the firy sunrise and sunset which the Sufis meditate on everyday and wiring from an old photocopier to pronounce the interconnectedness the Sufis believe exists between all life in the universe.

With the Mental Polaroids, the Architectural Embryos, and the scratchboard, I now have the tools I need to design a space for the Sufi monks.

The building is 7 stories tall with a series of private monk quarters lining the east and west sides of the building on most levels, a refectorium (kitchen) and common dining area, a library/study, ambulatorium spaces (walking corridors and exterior common areas on the roof levels,) a common bathing area on the ground level, a meditation and dance space also on the ground level, and a waterfall that falls all seven stories to one end of the common bath pool where the monks bathe before entering the meditation space.

The structural system is a series of columns lining the perimeter and another series of columns on the interior that are offset from the perimeter. Spacing varies from being relatively tight toward the corners and more spaced out toward the center. This allows an open ceiling from the meditation space all the way to the roof. Two exterior stairways that zig-zag down the face of the building serve the entire structure. The finishes are very minimalistic being simply concrete, steel, and translucent glass.

Research into the Sufi lifestyle informs me that they meditate on light as it is the giver of all life as we know it, so I begin with a study of how the sun travels through the sky throughout the year over Southern California.The main goal for this project is to manipulate the way in which the sun enters the building to not only create natural lighting effects everyday, but also some phenominal effects marking the solstices and equinox.

The daily phenomena produced by the light of the sun is a glow from the sunlight hitting the exterior wall from the horizon. The light is allowed in through a well created by putting the top portion of the wall on the inside of the structural columns and the bottom portion being put on the outside as is shown on the right. This means of bringing light in is common throughout, the only difference is from what height the light enters the skin of the building. The point at which the material shifts from interior to exterior side of the columns is low creating a soft natural light for private quarters, and high in common areas creating a stronger natural light source.

The annual phenomena occur on the summer and winter solstices and the spring and fall equinox. During an equinox, when the sun is highest in the sky, a light well located in the center of the building allows sunlight to pass through all levels to create a spotlight on the ground level on the north side of the dance and meditation space. On the summer solstice, when the sun is highest in the sky, a horizontal daggar of light is seen at the base of the waterfall where the Sufis bathe before entering the meditation space. Finally, on the winter solstice, the whole building glows throughout the day through controlled light wells on the east and west sides of the building and through filtered glazing along the south side of the building.

This project is presented with the variety of work produced from the exercises leading up to the program plus a model built at three-eighths inch scale.