Date of Award
Spring 5-22-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Design (MDes) in Interior Studies / Adaptive Reuse
Department
Interior Architecture
First Advisor
Jeffrey Katz
Second Advisor
Francesca Liuni
Third Advisor
Can Altay
Abstract
Rooted in classical Chinese cosmology, the Daoist Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) describe dynamic cycles of mutual generation (sheng)—in which one element produces or supports another—and restraint (ke)—in which elements regulate or limit one another to maintain balance. Rather than a system of symbolic representation, these interactions outline a relational model of equilibrium based on interdependence and continuous transformation. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water can inform a contemporary design framework for interior and architectural practice. It interprets these cycles as a form of spatial logic that guides material selection, structural organization, environmental modulation, and experiential sequencing, while also addressing the challenge of translating a complex philosophical system into a design methodology accessible to a broader audience.
The thesis first establishes how each element is defined within its original philosophical context, and then examines how these elemental qualities can be translated into architectural terms and applied within design practice. Wood is associated with growth and vertical extension; Fire with illumination and spatial activation; Earth with stability and centrality; Metal with structure and precision; and Water with fluidity and circulation.
Recommended Citation
He, Niexiangyi, "Between nature and architecture : A dialogue of five elements" (2026). Masters Theses. 1575.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1575
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