Date of Award
Spring 5-30-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master in Interior Architecture [Adaptive Reuse]
Department
Interior Architecture
First Advisor
Jonathan Bell
Second Advisor
Markus Berger
Third Advisor
Jeffrey Katz
Abstract
According to a study from KADK (The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture), social interaction mainly depends on whether people have common interests, such as the economy, politics or ideology.¹ However, it is difficult for some who feel they have different experiences or beliefs to interact within a group, which will affect their psychological state. These people need a physical environment designed to create conditions for more extensive and effective communication opportunities.
Architecture can provide a platform to help people gather together, share ideas, and create a sense of community. Architecture that holds visitors in an enclosure with a relationship to nature is proposed to encourage the development of social relations, making people feel group resonance and unity.
This thesis explores how architecture as a magnet to bring people together and achieve emotional resonance. One fractured group who needs this type of architecture is military veterans, who not only have trouble adjusting to civilian life, but also have difficulty relating to one another. To support the rehabilitation and recovery of veterans and help them embrace community and camaraderie outside of the military, an residential rehabilitation environment to gather and gain a collective identity is proposed. In this project, the northeast corner of Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island will become a reconstruction project dedicated to changing this great historical military base into a central hub for veterans integrating accommodation, dining, communication, relaxation, and hot bath therapy. To host this function, five earth-covered constructions have been inserted, with a private courtyard isolated from the interior site where the veterans will gather. Also, an annular circulation has been designed to increase the possibility of encountering with each other during their stay. In addition to the local advantages of Fort Adams, the government will focus on transforming the iconic landmark into a tourist attraction that provides media contact for veterans who want to acclimate faster into urban life. For nearly two centuries, Fort Adams has been standing strong in Newport Bay without being knocked down, and the massive, rough stone walls will continue to provide psychological and physiological security for its residents.
Recommended Citation
Hu, Mingyi, "Architecture as magnet : extension to Fort Adams" (2019). Masters Theses. 377.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/377
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