Designing War/An Architecture of Defense & Destruction

Abstract

An institution built around destruction and war can off er insight and innovation into architecture and construction processes. Temporary and permanent military occupation impacts the surrounding environment and community economically, socially, and environmentally. The United States’ vast military footprint, domestically and globally far exceeds that of any other nation, the actions of an institution of such size and influence undoubtedly have equally as vast and far-reaching effects on every space in which it occupies. When military installations are closed or no longer needed, a void, which must be addressed quickly, is created. The void of a decommissioned military base results in dislocation for the local population, loss of jobs, reduction in business revenues, environmental remediation work and many other harmful effects on the surrounding community. It is the goal of this thesis to redefi ne the military footprint as an opportunity to convert spaces of war into places to bene fit the public. The way in which the Military e ffects cities on such a massive scale can facilitate a system from which the architecture becomes a catalyst for redevelopment, economically and culturally benefi ting cities facing military abandonment.