Maison de Couture

This project stems from the dualities joining two worlds: couture, the art of fashion and architecture, the art of building. They both involve the intelligible and the sensible, the skill of the artist and the engineer. Architecture tends towards the rational whereas fashion depends on the emotional. Architecture constructs rational things discovered through conventional methods. Fashion brings the emotional and the sheer immediacy and drama of momentary seasonal trends.

This study is made up of two sections, the first, a collection of screen prints and images the second, a collection of conventional methods and projections. The gossamer like screen prints serve as cameras into the world within the Maison de Couture. They capture the essence of the creative process, always-in-motion spirit of a fashion house. The architectural projections describe the architectural skeleton of the Maison.

The house is a place for expression; design, fabrication, and demonstration of the spectacle of couture. The heart of this building lies on the central longitudinal axis, where a double helix stair case rotates down to the basement level and spirals up to the rooftop level. Couture pieces are styled and modeled on a series of catwalks that are cartesian extensions of the stair landings. Invited guests can view the spectacle of the fashion show. The stair is a place to see and be seen.

The stair becomes the spirit of the Maison de Couture. The works of art worn by the models trickle down the stair, one by one, allowing a select few to view these unique pieces for the first time.