Date of Submission
Spring 5-4-2020
Degree Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Michael Carroll
Secondary Advisor
Liz Martin
Abstract
In the past many countries and dynasties have practiced the use of strategic defenses such as walls or fortifications to protect the people of said country, yet defense analysts often question if these historic barriers resulted in safety from other nations or provided complex social implications that changed the structure of the civilizations socio-cultural system. After the events of 9/11 in 2001 the moment the Twin Towers fell to the ground from a series of terrorist attacks the United States Border Control procedures vastly changed and adapted to the threat of Terrorism. Through the “War on Terrorism” declared by President Bush the United States actively pursued the increased militarized fortification of its Southern border in order control passage from the U.S. to Mexico through the architectural presence of the Border-Wall. Since the 1960’s an area located on the border of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras described as the, Northern Triangle, has been terrorized by gang violence and organized crime causing thousands of people to march in flocks to the U.S-Mexico Border to advocate the atrocities happening in Central America. How is the Border-Wall perceived from these Migrant Caravans? Do we as two nations reflect a sense of dialogue and thorough communicate through our shared point in the sand? This thesis will question the intentions of the U.S. government in its future plan to develop a Border-Wall separating the United States from Mexico. Through analysis of the existing condition of the Border-Wall I intend to investigate how the idea of a wall can begin to bridge gaps and start discussion between neighbors instead of terminating the ability to interact with one another. This thesis intends to interrogate how a Border[Wall] can transcend the expectations of simply a line on a page encouraging an active dialogue between people of different nations to act as a symbol of transnational friendship for the future of the U.S.-Mexico’s neighboring relationship. This Thesis will use artifacts symbolizing transborderistic values in order to question the current climate of our present 650 mile long Border-Wall’s true socio-cultural implications on the civilians of North America. How can Activating this taboo threshold with playful interactions change the image of the United States and Mexico from enemies to neighbors?