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.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.