Post on 30-May-2018
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Stacey Westenberger 2005-2006 Senior Thesis Project Californ ia Polytechnic State Univeristy San Luis O
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Can architecture make us aware
of our surroundings and the
beauty in the ordinary mo-
ments in our lives? It begins
with how we de ne ordinary.
Ordinary is de ned by Merriam-
Websters Dictionary as:
ordinary
adj: of common occurrence,
quality, or ability. 1
Ordinary does not mean the
object in which it describes is of
low quality or lacking in ability;
it refers, however, to something
that is usual or customary.
These familiar instances do not
lack quality because we have
experienced them before, how -
ever, this quality becomes harder
to recognize when it is all around
us. The ordinary moments
are necessary in order to be a
basis for things extraordinary.
Something extraordinary stands
out from the rest and demands
ones attention. However, this
does not negate the inherit
signi cance and beauty in the
ordinary. Koren uses the term
Wabi Sabi to express the beauty
in ordinary things. He rst
describes beauty; Beauty can
spontaneously occur at any
moment given the proper cir-
cumstances, context, or point of
view. Beauty is thus an altered
state of consciousness, and
extraordinary moment of po-
etry and grace (Koren 51). He
further explains Wabi Sabi with
the ideas of ordinary versus ex-
traordina ry. Koren demonstra tes
Wabi Sabi as coexisting, rather
than imposing. Unpretentious.
Things wabi-sabi are unstudied
and inevitable looking. They do
not blare out I am important
or demand to be the center of
attention. They are understated
and unassuming, yet not without
presence or quiet authority.Things wabi-sabi easily co-exist
with the rest of their environ -
ment (Koren 68). After realizing
there is potential for beauty in
habitual things, the question
remains, how can we recognize
environmental in uence on our
everyday life?
In an urban environment,
architecture sets a scene for...
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10
The experience of architectureshould not be limited to acertain age group, social class,or economic level. As diversitygrows among the populationsof our global world, a common
ground is needed for whichall people can experience andunderstand. Architectureprovides a place to bring people
The encounter with other per-ceivers continually assures methat there is more to any thing,or to the world, than I myself can
perceive at any moment. (Abrams 39)
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1
Population change in the 1990s:-47,163 (-11.9%)
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36
Population (year 2000): 3 8,189Est. population in July 200 : 3 3,279 (-1. % change)
Males: 163,567 ( 7.0%)Females: 18 ,622 (53.0%)
Races in St. Louis:Black (51.2%)White Non-Hispanic ( 2.9%)Hispanic (2.0%)Two or more races (1.9%)Vietnamese (1.0%)American Indian (0.8%)Other race (0.8%)
Daytime population change due to commuting: +122,23(+35.1%)Workers who live and work in this city: 82,480 (58.6%)Houses: 176,354 (147,076 occupied: 68,917 owner occupied,
The diversity among city resi-dents becomes the motivatorfor a place of social interaction.Contrary to segregation, acommon place for interactionallows for dissemination of thediverse makeup within the city.The history of misunderstandingamong social classes and races,leading to the giant urbansprawl and white ight furthersupports the need for a com-mon place where all people feelwelcome.
The number of visitors to thecity each year is of majoreconomic wealth to the city.Increasing the number of attractions and amenities willfurther enhance the tourismmarket and sustain its suc-cess. Visitors are another usergroup who will bene t from acommon place of interaction.Often times, visitors also like toobserve their travel destinationin its raw atmosphere. A placefor visitors and residents allowsfor them to interact and learnfrom each other.
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10. Incorporate the Eads Bridge asa public event venue in conjunctionwith the riverfront by improving thebicycle and pedestrian connectionsbetween the riverfront and the EadsBridge,
By providing vertical circulation/ac-
cess to the Bridge Deck, the MetroLink Station and connecting theRiverfront,
By providing horizontal / lateral cir-culation connections, Arch grounds,
parking and bridges.
-St. Louis Community Development Plan 16
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130
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What areas are accessible by occupants and what experience does it provide?
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176
Floor Plan
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178
South Elevation
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190
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