Memorial and meditation, material and metaphor

Abstract

This thesis is an exploration in the relationships between material and site, history, nature, & culture. I seek to explore the nature of material selection for architectural projects. The project is a place of healing for the human spirit - a meditation/ meeting space located in the dunes of the Provincelands on the peninsula of Cape Cod, MA. Although primarily influenced by the necessity for expression of ceremony, community, and contemplation brought about by the AIDS (auto-immune deficiency syndrome) crisis, it serves as a welcoming place of gathering for many. In this thesis I examine some of the ways that material influences design and design modifies material leading to a greater understanding and development of design method.