Clarity

Before moving on with this thesis study, I felt it was very important to clarify exactly what my intentions are. Feedback has show me there is still much confusion with this project, and I do admit at times I myself have wondered where I am going with this? My study is 'Culture within the Urban Fabric' and I plan to design a culture center. With this three questions come to mind:

1.    What exactly is a culture center?

A Cultural Center is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. They provide a place of identity and distinguish different functions that promote manifestations of human intellectual achievement, and create a refined understanding and appreciation of particular nations and people of the world.

2.    Why are culture centers important/ why do we need a CC?

Culture centers foster religious and cultural tolerance, knowledge, and community ethics. Especially in America, we harbor prejudices and suppositions planted by ignorance; this gives a sense of ‘American’ patriotism. However what is ideally ‘American’ is religious and cultural tolerance, it is what our country was founded on. We need cultural centers to promote and remind us of this.

3.    How does the urban fabric affect the use and success of a CC?

An urban fabric creates an opportunity to increase the likelihood of connecting with people of different cultures, orientations, and faiths. When we interact with different perspectives within our own culture, our interactions are connected by social and cultural frameworks, in which we live and behave. Yet when we interact with different cultures, our interactions are not just connected by the frameworks of both cultures but also the intersection of their cultural meanings. Where the cultures overlap, our interactions may also overlap. Sharing many common experiences and learning from our differences is the perspective that is connecting our observed reality and our observed actuality. The experience of an urban fabric allows for this.

So after answering these questions, it suggests an understanding of what my thesis is, what am I trying to claim? My research has shown me that the urban landscape provides a destination that appeal to multiple cultures. My claim is:

Cultural interactions more often successfully occur within an urban context.




Finally, I am including diagrams that initially create a foundation of what the cultural center's program may be. I expect these to slightly alter and become concrete over the next week as a site is finalized. The site I feel will dictate much of what the center's program may or may not be.