Date of Submission
Spring 5-6-2025
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Arief Setiawan, PH.D.
Abstract
This research explores how folk art can act as a catalyst to revitalize spaces and deepen connections to Salvadoran culture. It examines works of folk art as cultural artifacts that embody Salvadoran identity, revealing their underlying structures, patterns, and meanings. This understanding of form and symbolism within these artistic expressions will serve as a foundation for translating cultural identity into architectural design.
Ideas and experiences can be ephemeral, but through design, these concepts can be translated into architectural forms. Knoespel argued in “Diagrammatic Transformation of Architectural Space” that diagrams conveys architectural information, suggesting that by analyzing an element, new information can be unveiled, revealing deeper meanings behind a design. He categorizes diagrams into figuring, prefiguring, defiguring, and refiguring. This research will use these diagramming techniques to analyze Salvadoran folklore to achieve architectural approaches that represent meanings and expressions extracted from the analysis.
The research reviews literature on identity and architecture. It will analyze visual folklore and vernacular and contemporary Salvadoran architecture. It will also studies architectural precedents from other parts of the world that are relevant to this topic. Additionally, it will review external factors that have influenced architecture of the region, including climate, natural disasters, and economic and social contexts to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the Salvadoran context. The findings will serve as a basis for design explorations in designing “Salvadoran space”.
The aim is to create a deep connection and greater exposure to Salvadoran heritage for both locals and visitors. The results will inform in communicating Salvadoran identity through architecture. Ultimately, this research aims to discover design techniques and strategies to integrate folk art into architectural design that represents identity of a society.