Initial Thesis Program

Moving on to the programatic space of this thesis project, I decided to focus on the connection the spaces would create and the importance of those spaces rather than the spatial massing and dimensions. The connection made between culture and the process of interaction is outlined as spatial compositions highlighted in blue. The strands of words connecting those spaces include the spatial uses, experiences, and meanings behind the spaces.

The initial diagram outlining the concept of spatial program follows as such:

The second iteration takes those spaces and ideas and organizes them in a way that responds to the spaces importance, size, meaning, and use. Those spaces with a higher level of use are represented in a typology with a larger and bolder font. This diagram explores more to which space has a greater importance to the process of cultural interactions. The open gap in the diagram represents the void of the program that needs to be filled by the occupant. Even though it is negative space is this diagram, it stands out making it equally vital to the importance of this thesis. Without the diversity of the occupant, the spaces' meaning is drastically changed.

The updated thesis and typology of program presented above is further described a new descriptive abstract:

Topic Map and Abstract Update

So after a pinup and feedback from the whole masters program, I was able to refine my topic map and visual abstract to focus my thesis to a more specified idea. It hit me that I really wanted people of different cultures and faiths to interact with one another in a common space. I also realized this accidentally while on my studio trip to NYC. While many of my fellow classmates went out in the evenings to drink and experience the city, I mostly stayed at the YMCA and jogged at the workout center or relaxed. While doing both I was able to meet and get to know people from other countries and cultures (being our YMCA was right down the road from the United Nations Headquarters. It was fascinating meeting these people and it really gave integrity to the importance of my thesis. After my experiences and the feedback I received, these are the visuals I have come up with:

Graphically they have not changed much. The big change/addition is the image of a painted woman lying down. This was another personal experience I had while traveling that relates to my cultural interaction study. This was a group of women from Spain who set up a very small stage (a raised platform painted the same way they themselves were) in the middle of times square. Every 15 minutes the women would move to a new position then stay perfectly still. To my surprise, people from the crowds were going up on stage and also taking a position and keeping it, sometimes making direct contact with the performers. It was a testament to the interaction I was talking about, so I participated myself. It was a very personal experience between the performer and I, yet on a very public stage. It was something I believe everyone should have the good fortune of experiencing; an experience I would like to somehow integrate within my thesis.