Experiential ground

[摘要] In humanity's current condition, theadvantages of organic material sources aresupplanted by the qualities of syntheticsthat allow for rapid growth and alteredcapabilities, whilst man becomes furtherremoved from his natural existence as abeing that once possessed the aptitude tounderstand and work with these materials.Prior to our industrial, mechanised andmaterialist consumer culture, the directinteraction with the natural world providedhumanity with more comprehensive andexperiential ground for growth and learning.As we are connected to the world throughour senses, space becomes the primaryenabler of such a platform.Relying on the haptic qualities of materialsand the body's ability to experience andembody its immediate surroundings,architecture's role in the integration betweenman, nature, and industry is explored.As a natural industry with a significantpublic interface, architecture acts as amediator between man's 'constructednature and his 'first nature – referring toman's estrangement from his environment.This dissertation investigates the adaptationof industrial buildings to accommodatepublic interaction whilst responding to theenvironmental impact that the production ofbuilding materials has on the environment.Alternatives to commonly used materialssuch as glass, steel and carbon fibres wereresearched, and so hemp, flax and bamboobecame the primary elements used in themaking of the architecture.

[发布机构] University of Pretoria