Final Draft Submission: Poster and Experiments Document

Here is the Poster and Experiment Document for the Final Draft Submission.

The video will be uploaded as soon as possible.

Sanctuary - Experiments and Experiences

Final Draft Submission for Graduation Studio Project (ARCH7202)

This animated poster advertises a series of experiments that were taken by 4 subjects in relation to my current design.

The poster aims to both outline the effects off Alzheimer's (loss of memory, character and serenity) as well as what I hope to include in my building (memory - spaces that help facilitate poor memory, character - unique and different spaces, serenity - spaces of peace and comfort). Images used are from my research matrix from last session, that outline my research into the architectural and artistic inspirations for the following categories:

Light

Shadow

Juxtaposition

Tectonics

Memory

Scale

Weight

Thresholds

Paths

Nodes

The poster flows as a short narrative, exploring symbolically how memories make up who we are, and if they fade our very character is threatened, and in turn its difficult to experience a sense of piece. This final part of the poster shows a small amount of the front façade of the current design for my building.

The Experiments

I conducted 3 experiments with 4 different subjects, in which they move around and commented on my design for an institute for early onset Alzheimer's. The subjects knew the purpose of the building and its location, but not the function of the rooms.

The experiment was undertaken with a conversation tone, allowing the subjects to suggest ideas and comment on the building in their own time as they explored the building. After this initial phase was completed, 3 specific experiments were carried out.

The 3 experiments were:

1. First reactions to the atrium. What words would you use to describe the atrium? Is it confusing or disconcerting?

2. From a certain point, move to the room/entrance/back garden.

3. Is this room public or private? Intimate or communal? Still or active?

The results brought up interesting faults of the building that I had not immediately noticed as well as many unique ideas on the potential uses of the spaces. Surprisingly, none of the subjects felt the ramp in the atrium was particularly confusing.

The document for the experiment can be downloaded here: http://www.evanmfreeman.com/EFreeman_Experiments.pdf