Thesis

This is the most basic question an architect can ask him/herself. It is at the root of all decisions. Symbolism & lofty philosophies often go unappreciated or unnoticed. The gauge of good architecture should be whether you can enter a space and enjoy it. It should be apparent instantly and on a primal level (without analysis). By setting a hierarchy and placing primal comfort over poetics, intellectual stimulation, and other esoteric decisions, we allow architecture to reach a wider audience. The following are the characteristics I have so far discovered that can contribute to a good space. Note that a random compilation of these traits will not necessarily result in a successful building — this is where architects come in. It is possible that a good space can be achieved using either a single point, or all five together. There are 5 aspects of architecture that contribute to making a good space: Intricacy, Comfort, Grandeur, Ethereality, and Primality. In order to further explore these concepts, I created a space dedicated to each aspect. These 5 spaces act as pilgrimage sites across the globe — a journey through the 5 elements of a good space. Click on each aspect to explore more in depth.

The left graphic shows where each of the 5 pilgrimage sites are sited across the world, and the right graphic contains a breakdown of each aspect and the enumerated core concepts within, along with some relevant quotes and explanations. Click to expand.