Engaging the "L" : seeking a sensitivity towards authenticity

Abstract

As innocent observers of the world around us, we have an instinctive reaction to the natural qualities of the places we encounter. A place that leaves a lasting impression on us is able to orient us to our larger environment and to augment the continuity of the life of the immediate surroundings. A desirable place is also able to respond to the basic needs of its users and to reveal the tactile experience of that place. This thesis proposes that an architectural design can develop out of an experiential understanding of its setting. One can become equipped with a sensitivity towards the genuine artifacts of a given situation. But, one must also uncover the intrinsic actions of a place. By revealing patterns in the relationships among the forces of the city, the immediate site, and the program, the resulting architecture can build on existing conditions by intensifying their already built-in associations. Inspiration for an architecture of this type can perhaps be found within ordinary occurrences in the everyday world. The commonly overlooked detail around us often has embodied in it a set of authentic relationships. Once these are discovered, a potential strategy can be developed to display their intuitive familiarity and accentuate similar relationships within an architectural problem.