A Sensual Retreat From an Urban Landscape

Abstract

The visual sense has been given predominance in many parts of experience in the Western culture. The commodity of visual images has resulted in architecture being critiqued primarily in the form of printed and digital media, designed with only one sense in mind. However, architecture is inescapably sensual by nature and building cannot be reduced as objects to depict abstract architectural ideas.

The intent of this thesis explores the sensual experiences of space through a series of choreographed moments. The qualitative aspects of light, sound, materiality, and water are studied and cued within these moments to enrich our bodily dialogue with space. This sequence will occur in Downtown Silver Spring, MD where a proposed civic park and spa will induce a multi-sensorial experience while integrating architecture to its urban landscape.