I. ThesIs AbsTrAcT

II. Occupy u.N.

III. prOspecT-refuge & The ANesTheTIzINg buIlT eNvIrONmeNT

Iv. vIsuAl sTudIes

vI. bIblIOgrAphy

TAble Of cONTeNTs

pAge 1.

pAge 2.

pAge 42.

pAge 59.

pAge 65.

Conversely, I identify authors that speak of the cur-rent built environment as generating replications of symbols, through signs that aid us in direction, better known as way-find-ing and advertisement logos and images. These pre-conceived replications dictate unconscious actions that are not formulated by original thought. The aim of this thesis is to clarify archi-tectures role in creating meaningful environments for all users through utilizing spaces that demonstrate both prospect and refuge. These conditions allow one to engage the environment with increased awareness and observation that then allows one to formulate original thought to inform meaningful beliefs, de-cisions and actions.

When I had first delved into the following thesis re-search, I was interested in uncovering a specific truth in archi-tecture, something I could bring forth to the table and share with everyone. To present a truth of a sort of social architecture; to save humanity through the discovery of self within the cur-rent state society, by bringing a sense of clarity and order to a world of chaos by means of architecture. Though the task may be immeasurable, the understanding of architecture and its abil-ity to react in situation has become clearer through the follow-ing series of design and research studies presented here. The first project presented speaks of the current state of civil unrest around the world, widely regarded as the “Occupy movement.” First organized by the Canadian activist group Ad-busters and partially influenced by the Arab Spring movement seen in Cairo, Egypt, these protest movements stand against economic and social inequality. Though no one clear stance is taken on how the issues at hand should be dealt with, it is emi-nent that the act of protesting and occupying physical space to utilize as protest is an act of engaging conversation with an in-stitutionalized authority. The second project cross-examines human instinctual behavior and its affects on our environment along with the built environment’s affect on our human behavior. The main human behavioral condition discussed throughout the following sourc-es addresses the theory of prospect-refuge, a human instinct that provides us with a situational awareness of our environ-ment.

ThesIs AbsTrAcT

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2.

Douglas ClarkM . A r c h 2 0 1 2

ArchITecTures Of cIvIl ANd pOlITIcAl dIsObedIeNce

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uNITed sTATes bIll Of rIghTs

AmeNdmeNT I

cONgress shAll mAke NO lAw respecTINg AN esTAblIshmeNT Of relIgION, Or prO-hIbITINg The free exercIse ThereOf; Or AbrIdgINg The freedOm Of speech, Or Of The press; Or The rIghT Of The peOple peAceAbly TO Assemble, ANd TO peTITION The gOverNmeNT fOr A redress Of grIevANces.

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The following project speaks of architecture’s ability to engage in communication and activism between institutional-ized organizations and public interest groups. The fact of the matter is that architecture becomes slave to a system that dictates its actions and abilities through institutionalized power. Stan-dards and provisions dictated by the institution effect the out-come of the architectural process. So it is not surprising that we often we find that architecture is heavily influenced by the rules of these institutions. The question I present is; if institutions and politics have the ability to effect architecture, can architecture have the same influence on institutions and politics? It can be seen that even though the current rounds of protests in the United States have been relatively peaceful, thou-sands of protestors have been arrested world wide for sit-ins and various other “misdemeanors”. Mind that these protests or “acts of civil disobedience” often take place in public spaces and rare-ly ever make it within institutionalized buildings. Contradictory to the 1st Amendment in United States Bill of Rights, protestors of many movements throughout history have sometimes seen a denied right to peaceably assemble and to publically petition the government for a redress of grievances. Some may view these acts as acts of civil disobedience to be the disruption of organizations that govern us and bring order, however, I see these acts in a very different light. These voices are collective and speak as one when they are confronted with institutions. Those who protest are desperate to get their

4.

Occupy u.N. AbsTrAcT

message across not only for recognition, but also as an act to bring change to a system that is deemed insufficient or broken. For example, during the Greek Austerity vote, thousands of pro-testors rallied outside the government capitol building begged for those who make decisions for their country to hear their discerning voices. The capitol building was completely occupied with institution members while the public was locked out. Not a single voice was heard from those outside. The boundary of public and institutionalized interest was defined and unbroken. When voices are quelled through police intervention in public spaces such as Dewey Square in Boston as well as other public venues around the world, how does the act of protest-ing get a message across? Were the acts so disobedient in the first place to suppress those who wish to voice concerns? What can Architecture do for those who are suppressed by the very institution they seek change from? In this sense, architecture becomes a vehicle in which one can bring occupation and protest at the forefront of institutionalized space by means of direct en-gagement of dialogue and action.

“There are risks and cosTs To acTion. BuT They are far less Than The long range risks of comforTaBle inacTion.”

– John f. kennedy

sITe

The headquarters for the United Nations is located in the city of

New York within the borough of Manhattan. This highly politi-

cally charged site is home to world’s debates and discussions of

international policy and resolutions. Not only does Manhattan

house the U.N., it is the birthplace of the Occupy movement.

This site was chosen as an instance where public interest could

be brought face to face with one of the most influential institu-

tionalized figures and by no means is limited to this one site.

Instead, the site was chosen for its richness in potential to bring

about the idea of public and political discourse and disobedi-

ence to bring about change.

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The United Nations seen here lies in international territory and

creates a physical boundary between the city and itself. The

public is granted access only on particular occasions but for the

most part, is barred from entering. Demonstrations and pro-

tests are redirected and occur a few blocks North of the site,

directly disabling the protests ability to convey concern to au-

thority figures.

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The four buildings that are a part of the United Nations site can be seen as a set of objects, each housing their own specific function.

The site as a whole works a system which information is re-searched, discussed, digested and stored. Similarly, public in-terest groups interfacing this particular program would mimic a similar system, integrating both public and institutionalized organizations actions and conversations.

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Object Buildings & Spaces

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Form and space seen as a set of objects of specific program.

EDGE CONDITION

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Addressing edge-conditions.

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Ranging from urban public and circulation spaces to internal dialogue that occurs in solitude, these vignettes explore core ar-chetypes of how conversation is facilitated.

The series of graphics above are a study of typologies that enable dialogue to occur. I analyze the public realm of happenstance at different scales of interaction as well as certain architectural typologies.

desIgN sTudIes

This sectional perspective addresses a new office typology of an open floor plan. Spaces are defined by the compression and expansion of space. Unlike the ridged designs of typical closed door and cubical office spaces, the spatial definition of program and circulation spaces utilize the idea of compression and ex-pansion to draw inhabitants in and out of space. This architec-tural tool can be seen utilized in many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes. The open floor plan allows workspace to be highly inter-active and socially transparent.

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Rendered sections demonstrating the programmatic elements and points of dialogue and active discourse. Office spaces that infiltrate existing program begin to break down the barrier be-tween new and old typologies.

Points of dialogue are contained in appropriately scaled vessels that clearly identify themselves as separate objects, each per-taining to a specific program.

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Numerous debate spaces, interfacing with the existing office tower of the Secretariat building that services different public and institutional interest groups.

The Diagram seen above shows the urban strategy of stitching the international and public realm. The 42nd street is extended into a public plaza and is bisected by a lobby space.

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Conceptual Sketches

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spATIAl explOrATION - secTIONAl sITe mOdel

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Secretariat BuildingExisting FacadeCirculation / Light WellNew Program

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Conceptual rendered perspective

Site Plan

Site Section S-2

Site Section S-1

Vertical Section S-3

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Program as as a set of legible objects

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Conceptual rendered perspective at interfacing entry.

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Conceptual rendered perspective at interfacing entry.

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Rendered perspective of public office space.

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Rendered perspective of the General Assembly Hall .

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Rendered perspective of vertical park.

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Rendered perspective of vertical park.

The idea of providing a permanent structure makes

the occupy movement very temporal. In that sense, this per-

manence defeats the purpose of protest because ideas are con-

stantly changing. Siege towers however are flexible in how they

act with the ability to move, defend and attack strategic points.

This allows the bridging of space between public entities and

intuitions. This flexible movement can pin point whichever in-

stitution or organization it desires to voice its concerns to. This

allows the voices of the public to move over time to address

various issues at hand. The siege tower also provides a place of

refuge from those who seek to subdue a call for discourse.

Though this process may seem brutal and anarchic, I

propose that instead of battering rams and instruments of de-

struction, that the design call for bridging elements that engage

dialogue as well as integrated media spectacles. This action of

bridging the gaps between the institution and public opens up

venues of conversation that may bring change to the way the in-

stitution is run. The following diagrams are detail drawings of

how the siege tower may begin to operate.

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sIege TOwer cONcepT

DRAW BRIDGE CONNECTION1/4” = 1’-0”

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Mechanized floor lift & Transport Detail1/4” = 1’-0”

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Seige Tower Concept

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cONclusION

This project has been a series of typology studies that

may allow architecture to effectively employ its inhabitance to

engage in conversation. The interfacing of these dialogue ty-

pologies upon an existing system allows a direct influence upon

an existing system. The introduction of a one-on-one dialogue

from the public in conjunction existing internal U.N. dialogue

will only bare more effective results of issues that are addressed.

Though this projects site takes place at the United Na-

tions in Manhattan, we come to find that these typologies can be

deployed to other various institutionalized buildings. The siege

tower archetype most effectively conveys the idea of how a pro-

test movement such as Occupy Wall Street, can be transgressive

in engaging discourse. Architecture becomes the vehicle and

bridge in creating this dialogue and action by situating itself

where needed.

If the design were to continue, the idea of the siege tower

would further be explored for its ability be very temporal and

versatility in more than site. The construction would be made

entirely of resources readily available and made easy to assemble

for the public. This kit of parts would allow mass production

and ease of assembly for those who seek to voice their concerns

and take action into their own hands. It is important for those

who seek change to commit to action. The suppression of the

1st Amendment of our Bill of Rights calls for this action and

architecture can facilitate this movement.