Reconnecting to the Site
Disciplines
Architectural Technology | Environmental Design | Historic Preservation and Conservation
Abstract (300 words maximum)
As much as technology has advanced in the past couple of centuries, it appears that the relationship between the architect and the site has only grown thinner. Working from home and technological advancements have created an environment that loosens the grasp that architects have with the site. Documents are sent directly to contractors over email, buildings are standardized and plotted unto any landscape desired, and buildings are demolished at the touch of a button. With this loss in connectivity, this project aims to reconnect the architect to their site, as they shall be issued land for development, not a building. An environmental and urbanistic approach to developing land will allow new developments to integrate into their current landscape, as well as remain there for many cycles of programs. While considering the site during the process, Connection to the Site hopes to create a project that blends in with it’s current surroundings, and establishes it as a keystone that will last for generations to come. Connection to the Site aims well past the physical media however, as socially the architect must be interwoven with the local inhabitants and the site's developers, for the sake of efficiency, and sensitivity. This communication with the important persons of the project will ground the Architect as responsible for their project and not just an overseer. Through this project, a site will be chosen to renovate and develop both new and old buildings to show both methods of making structures last. This approach will solidify the ways new buildings can be constructed while also showcasing how old ones can be redone, comparing technologies between these techniques.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CACM - Architecture
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Ameen Farooq
Reconnecting to the Site
As much as technology has advanced in the past couple of centuries, it appears that the relationship between the architect and the site has only grown thinner. Working from home and technological advancements have created an environment that loosens the grasp that architects have with the site. Documents are sent directly to contractors over email, buildings are standardized and plotted unto any landscape desired, and buildings are demolished at the touch of a button. With this loss in connectivity, this project aims to reconnect the architect to their site, as they shall be issued land for development, not a building. An environmental and urbanistic approach to developing land will allow new developments to integrate into their current landscape, as well as remain there for many cycles of programs. While considering the site during the process, Connection to the Site hopes to create a project that blends in with it’s current surroundings, and establishes it as a keystone that will last for generations to come. Connection to the Site aims well past the physical media however, as socially the architect must be interwoven with the local inhabitants and the site's developers, for the sake of efficiency, and sensitivity. This communication with the important persons of the project will ground the Architect as responsible for their project and not just an overseer. Through this project, a site will be chosen to renovate and develop both new and old buildings to show both methods of making structures last. This approach will solidify the ways new buildings can be constructed while also showcasing how old ones can be redone, comparing technologies between these techniques.