In(ter)ventions in nature

Abstract

If abstract means theoretical and an abstract is a summary of something's essence, then this is the abstract of this thesis: This thesis is an abstract investigation which examines the duality between nature and culture in the design process. If a thesis is an argument and the thesis is this very document, then this is the thesis's thesis: The process of making and designing buildings in the landscape must respond directly and sensitively to the conditions of nature in terms of site, form, and material and at the same time accommodate specific human-cultural needs and criteria. The main vehicle for this exploration is the design of two buildings in different natural contexts: one in the Arizona desert, the other on the New England coast. The thesis will be presented in three parts. The first part is a general discussion of nature, culture, and design and relies on referenCes and experiences to illustrate the argument. The second part presents the evolving process of understanding and designing on the two sites. The third part is an effort to consciously and critically assess the prescribed method of design.