Independent Project
In Progress Spring 2023
Critical Question: Can the way I design and experience architectural space after having a brain injury positively influence the way others experience space?
The following project is an exploration of my own physical drawings and models to assist me in understanding the types of environments I am drawn to. The final architectural exhibitions Seclusion, Release, and Memory are discrete, interactive, architectural spaces that represent sets of emotions and feelings that I believe are vital in helping others experience the world through my lens after having a brain injury. Throughout the years I have discovered that the current built environment does not satisfy what I need and after researching the experiences of those who share the commonality of having a TBI, there are others who also long for environments that consider particular needs. Peter Zumthor, in “Thinking Architecture”, talks about designing spaces that reinforce the idea of presence, appeal to our emotions and mind in various ways, the experience an aura of a place, therefore I wanted to construct experiences that allowed individuals to feel the benefits of the designed spaces. Seclusion is an environment that secludes intense light and sound acting as a calming reset space. As someone who goes through intense pain often removing light and sound has always helped the pain dissipate. Release is a representation of my connection to nature. Natural scents, colors, textures, patterns, light, and air are all sensations that help me to feel a sense of release from intense pain and pressure. Finally, memory is a space for people to experience their memories and designs in a new way. I envision a space where people can upload photos, videos or draw in real time and have these uploads digitalized and projected onto the wall fragments. I struggle with a ton of memory loss therefore I am always taking pictures and writing things down to help me piece the fragments of my memory back together. My hope is that this space becomes a place for people to experience their memories all over again and share them in a way that could unlock other memories.
