A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Seeking Solitude
This thesis explores the concept of solitude within architecture, focusing on constructing spaces that facilitate solitary experiences. This was done by investigating the significance of solitude in a technology-driven society that often equates it with loneliness and underemphasizes the importance of the individuals' experience in architecture. The thesis traces solitude's historical and cultural dimensions, examining the architectural typologies associated with it, to find a wide range of design principles and spatial elements that foster its experience. The thesis emphasizes the necessity for architects to create environments that nurture solitude amidst a landscape predominantly designed for communal interaction. Through extensive literature review and practical explorations, key architectural qualities were identified that enhance this experience: spaces within spaces, verticality, movement, temporality, fragmentation, and the measurable. The research led to the concept of "spaces of potential" within urban environments, specifically the roofscapes of Stockholm, Sweden. By reusing ventilation chimneys as spaces of potential, four moments in the roofscape were designed, each offering unique solitary experiences that engage different parts of the bodies and encourage varying lengths of stay. Through explorations, specifically in 1:1 model making, concepts were validated and underscored the importance of using the body as a measurement tool. The thesis advocates for a balanced approach in architecture that values individual experiences equally to collective experiences and reinterprets overlooked urban elements to create enriching solitary spaces. The work invites further dialogue on the integration of solitude and spaces of potential in architectural practice.
Seeking Solitude
This thesis explores the concept of solitude within architecture, focusing on constructing spaces that facilitate solitary experiences. This was done by investigating the significance of solitude in a technology-driven society that often equates it with loneliness and underemphasizes the importance of the individuals' experience in architecture. The thesis traces solitude's historical and cultural dimensions, examining the architectural typologies associated with it, to find a wide range of design principles and spatial elements that foster its experience. The thesis emphasizes the necessity for architects to create environments that nurture solitude amidst a landscape predominantly designed for communal interaction. Through extensive literature review and practical explorations, key architectural qualities were identified that enhance this experience: spaces within spaces, verticality, movement, temporality, fragmentation, and the measurable. The research led to the concept of "spaces of potential" within urban environments, specifically the roofscapes of Stockholm, Sweden. By reusing ventilation chimneys as spaces of potential, four moments in the roofscape were designed, each offering unique solitary experiences that engage different parts of the bodies and encourage varying lengths of stay. Through explorations, specifically in 1:1 model making, concepts were validated and underscored the importance of using the body as a measurement tool. The thesis advocates for a balanced approach in architecture that values individual experiences equally to collective experiences and reinterprets overlooked urban elements to create enriching solitary spaces. The work invites further dialogue on the integration of solitude and spaces of potential in architectural practice.
Seeking Solitude
Lauton, Sara (author) / Lecocq, Helena (author)
2024-01-01
TRITA-ABE-MBT-24187
Theses
Electronic Resource
English
DDC:
720
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 2016
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 2009