Abstract:
This thesis is an investigation whose purpose is to create a threshold between the
natural and built environments and to discover to what extent that architecture at this
juncture can invoke a phenomenological response, where phenomenology at it's
simplest is that as we encounter an object either at rest or in motion the interpretation
of the object is delayed allowing our conscious and subconscious mind to merge
thereby accessing both personal memory and an inherent knowledge which all
humanity shares. That which is considered to be inherent within this thesis is an
innate connection to the natural environment, all that which both sustains and delights
us the sun, the earth, the wind, the water. This thesis is based on the premise that
architecture need not be limited to being placed among the landscape but that it can
become of the landscape. This premise continues by realizing that this is
accomplished only if from it's conception to it's realization that the architecture seeks
not only to lessen it's impact on the natural environment but seeks to improve that
which our evolution threatens therefore creating the threshold between the natural and
built environments where neither that which is natural nor that which is constructed is
more evident or of greater importance than the other but that which is pronounced and
where phenomenology can reside is where the two intersect as it is this juncture
which allows an infinite number of variables to occur .