VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Breitschmid, Markus"

Browsing by Author "Breitschmid, Markus"

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45 King: A Story of the Southern Home
Deluca, Paul Matthew Webb (Virginia Tech, 2014-07-15)
The house at 45 King St. in Charleston, South Carolina is more than a home. It is a story of the home. A story told through history, through a vision exhibited in architectural drawings, and through the social heritage closest to my heart. 45 King is a story for the South; the story of its grandeur, its climate, its natural beauty, its hospitality, its comfort, and its veils. It is a story that was told yesterday and one that is still told today. Like an oral history, the telling of it may change over time. The story changes as people change. The economy changes, the land develops, technology rolls ahead, and the story which was informed by a heritage of living history begins to take a modern form. 45 King is today's story of the Southern home.
Adaptive Living in the City
Lee, Arnold Ildoo (Virginia Tech, 2016-06-28)
Although living in the city can provide many benefits, it also provides many issues as well. Housing costs are constantly increasing, both physical and mental spaces are sacrificed, and our innate connection to nature is severed. These produce profoundly damaging effects on the human psyche and cause people to migrate from the urban to the suburban and rural areas. The solution is to design more efficient urban buildings that can actively adapt to its inhabitants' programmatic needs and utilizes wood, specifically cross-laminated timber, as its main material to reconnect with nature.
Architecture and Film
Mohammad Javaheri, Saharnaz (Virginia Tech, 2016-02-12)
Film does not exist without architecture. In every movie that has ever been made throughout history, the cinematic image of architecture is embedded within the picture. Throughout my studies and research, I began to see that there is no director who can consciously or unconsciously deny the use of architectural elements in his or her movies. Architecture offers a strong profile to distinguish characters and story. In the early days, films were shot in streets surrounded by architecture, and then they were projected on the exterior walls of buildings where the audience could come and watch. Here, I have studied elements such as light, time, space and matter- storymaking tools common to both Architect and Director. Light, for example, in architecture, is used as a strong theme by Louis I. Kahn, 'the most poetic of architects' in his Kimbell Art Museum. Similarly, Alfred Hitchcock, renowned filmmaker, utilizes light to distinguish the characters of his movies to create remarkable and sometimes horrifying scenes. This thesis aims to capture the cinematic movement of these elements in the building design. The project's program is a film museum and school that is sited in Southwest Washington DC.
Architecture as a creative will in the a-tectonic aesthetic order: (an architecture-theoretical inquiry according to Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of order)
Breitschmid, Markus (Virginia Tech, 1994-04-19)
The thesis participates in the critical evaluation of the modernist concept of 'homogenizing of cultural differences', and in the narrower architectural context against the idea of the type, module, and system. Although the thesis is as such a part of the post modernist demand for an emphasis of cultural heterogeneity which is characterized by a newly understood responsibility of creative acting and 'otherness', the inquiry suggests an opposed approach to the handling of such creative tension and propounds that the pantheistic and deterministic culture can be interrupted actively by an concept of order according to competitive individual expression. Pertaining to architecture, the deep suspicion towards systematization and rationalization is expressed in the rejection of the 'type in architecture' which leads to a critique of an architecture which has its essence in structure. The thesis recognizes the materialist tectonic principle as a manifestation which tries to find its justification in the oneness of man with nature; moreover, such an architectural understanding tends to make the various individual forces evolve to a norm. The thesis dismisses such a motivation and argues that man aims towards the expression of architectural symbols which spring immediately from the creator's character and manifest man's image of his values and his place in the universe. The thesis further argues that the a-tectonic 'will to form' acts through the contest of individuals and that the creation of architecture is supported by the 'Dionysian' cognitive qualities of the architectural material space.
Borders and Bandaids
Polk, David Glen (Virginia Tech, 2015-09-16)
thresh-old noun `thresh-`hold, `thre-`shold _the sill of a doorway _the entrance to a house or building _any place or point of entering or beginning A threshold can be understood as the visible or invisible division and demarcation of space. It is an age-old concept tracing back even to the first notions of urban space. The largest scaled gestures of thresholds are those lines and walls that divide nations and territories. All complexities of past and current geopolitical tensions simply derive from the interpretations and implementation of the walls and geopolitical lines—or lineaments. It is therefore crucial to comprehend the concept of lineaments on every scale, as it is the base idea that permeates all design. It is design in its purest form. The following architectural argument will explore Leon Battista Albert's theory of lineaments, particularly the wall as an architectural element, as he spells out in his architectural treatise On the Art of Building in Ten Books. A closer look at Alberti's treatise and the idea of lineaments will help to better refine the definition and implementation of international borders and treatises. Reconsideration of a lineament in the slightest form has the potential to drastically change the execution and enforcement of a lineament in tangible materials and their assembly during construction. The chosen design proposes a new U.S.-Mexico Joint Land Port of Entry along the border of Columbus, New Mexico, United State of America, and Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico
Building Structure: Underlying Architectonical Duties
Ghielmetti, Daniel Vincent (Virginia Tech, 2015-09-29)
When experiencing a building's interior or exterior conditions, one may be inclined to 'feel-out' its spatial and volumetric proportions, judge their appropriateness, its quality of formal conditions, its power, its clearness of the structure, and get a sense for the way its architecture was placed onto the site. It is said that, 'knowledge is key', and knowing how a building is soundly and structurally assembled and seated onto the earth -- is key. This thought brings to the table an important question, why do we build beautifully sound and monolithic (at times) structural systems then choose to cover them up entirely? In the context of the Washington, D.C.'s current building climate -- why must we build a dense grove of slender wood posts atop concrete plinths only to cover them up in clothing with certain ephemeral stylistic ideas? Obvious reasons such as insulation and weatherproofing are valid, but thermal barrier technology now allows for exposing the raw architectural elements without sacrificing thermal qualities. Can we use this technology to our advantage, and if so, how would one begin to conceive of a structural system which celebrates the bearing members in an architectural manner? Are there ways to interact more directly with the structure itself? In what manner will the site specific and environmental constraints play a role in making creative architectural decisions? I believe the research conducted in the past year resulted in a truthful approach toward form finding, space making, and respecting the chosen site and its unique constraints.
A Complex For Computer Technologies
Pomajambo, Shane (Virginia Tech, 1998-06-01)
The building which manifests itself is a direct reaction to the desires of the site and more importantly to the functions it houses. The purpose of this thesis though is to make an addition to the desires and to solve a desire which is not so evident to the naked eye. This desire is to eliminate the product which will manifest itself in the near future if nothing is done to change its clear and certain direction. The product I speak of is decentralized society where human interaction is almost elimininated. The thesis manifests a new building type one which is labeled "a complex for computer technologies" this complex looks at the relationship between architecture and the computer image in three different levels but always promoting human interaction.
Crumbs - 360 Kneading
Elfeky, Ariej (Virginia Tech, 2018-08-02)
DESIGN OF A BAKERY IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA Through the evolution of a baker's practices, we can understand the transitions of matter between bread, body and building. The food soil waste system of the bakery becomes an evolutionary process of recovery, remediation, restoration, replenishment, and reuse.
Diospi Suyana Building Hope in the Andes
Boza, Mery Gissela (Virginia Tech, 2018-06-29)
How to design with empathy? "The very essence of architecture consists of a variety and development reminiscent of natural organic life. This is the only true style in architecture." Alvar Aalto For me architecture has the power to enhance human's lives. Our beautiful world needs a fine and delicate touch to modify their nature and abstract their essences without changing its soul. The focus of this thesis is to empathize with nature and use it as an instrument to heal the mind and provide comfort to the body. The empathy of architecture with the users and the environment is a key to provide healing. For that reason, the architecture tends to create more than a building; it also creates it's own spirit. This project is a Cancer Treatment Center located in the Andes of Peru, which purpose is to response to the emotions and needs of the patients and staff. Cancer is a complex disease, which can make the patient feel lost in the world. The interplay with nature will create a healing environment and a spiritual retreat, which creates relief and connection with the universe. The building provides the users places to breath deeply, think and connect with each individual belief. The design looks for a natural organic plan, which takes advantage of the light and the surroundings. The green design works as a placebo for the patients, which are passing through theses difficult stages. Following the new trends and trying to separate of the idea of a mega hospital, the center is small in scale, but it has a program, which provides care and treatment at the same time. The walls are strong and solid to show the support and protect the inhabitants, but they are also flexible to blend with the high mountains in the horizon. It also has a green oasis, which is the heart of the project that runs from the beginning to end and merged with the natural slope land. The culture plays an important role in the planning of the design. Adjusting to the customs and beliefs, the building respects the vernacular architecture, and gets inspiration of traditional materials and construction methods that the Inca's empire used like adobe and stone.
Espace de l'Espérance
Flesner, Collin Michael (Virginia Tech, 2018-07-06)
Religion (and misunderstanding of religion) plays a large role in the current state of global social unrest. In parcitular, tension between practitioners of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity seems to be unavoidably high. Not only that, but populations declaring themselves as followers of these three organized religions are expected to increase significantly over the next 50 years. This thesis aims to address the underlying tensions between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity through the use of architecture. It is an experimentation with architectural forms, spaces, and elements that can be seen as potentially relatable and understandable to all three religions. At the same time, the thesis also searches for the sublime (as tends to be the case with religious architecture). It is an experimentation with ineffable space, space that communicates deeply with human emotion and aspiration. The design is meant to provide a 'window to the sacred.' In this way, contemporary religious architecture can act as a catalyst for education and unification in the hopes of the banishment of ignorance and hatred and the prosperity of peace and understanding.
An Experimental Domain: Object-Oriented Ontology and Architecture
Sezer, Irem (Virginia Tech, 2023-07-27)
Architectural discourse has begun to explore a new domain of discussion regarding Posthuman theory, Speculative Realism, New Materialism, and Object-Oriented Ontology. The response within academia to these relatively new areas can be seen in architectural school pedagogy, studio topics, syllabi, scholarly works, and projects published by academics and architects. Therefore, speculating about a probable architectural domain or an experimental domain of architectural theory carries significant value in terms of its potential contributions to architectural theory and criticism. Since objects have always been the focus of the architecture profession by the nature of the discipline, architecture has never considered humans as objects until the emergence of Object-Oriented Ontology. Engaging Object-Oriented Ontology in the architectural domain is often understood as a literal translation of philosophy to architectural design. Although Object-Oriented Ontology can be discussed during the design process in terms of positioning humans as objects, aesthetics of objects, and the representation of objects, it is not possible to design an Object-Oriented Architecture due to its level of abstraction. Hence, Object-Oriented Ontology can engage with architecture in three different ways: (1) questioning objects with architectural theory and criticism, namely Object-Oriented architectural criticism, (2) creatively thinking about the methods of representation of architectural objects, and (3) intentionally misreading it and experimenting on the intersection of philosophy and architectural design. This thesis explores the probable architectural domain by discussing the philosophy of Object-Oriented Ontology with architectural objects, and intentionally misreads and misconceptualizes Object-Oriented Ontology by highlighting the potential of the creative dislocation of the philosophy in architectural design.
Framing Hudson Square: A Stair Encloses a Converging Grid in the City
Herrero, Sofia Helena (Virginia Tech, 2014-02-03)
This thesis explores an alternate typology for a residential high rise in the Hudson Square neighborhood in Manhattan. The units that make up the building are organized with stairs and corridors placed along the interior perimeter of the unit which both bound the central floor space and expose it, creating a layered vertical circulation space around a central, permeable core. The collective organization of units within the building recapitulate their interior organization to form the building object creating a whole that is governed by the same organizational rules as the parts. The building is created as an object in the city meant to frame the duality between transparency and reflection, between lines and surfaces and ultimately between exhibition and anonymity.
Permanence Amidst Continual Motion: A Marsh Retreat
Hudgins, Steven Garrett (Virginia Tech, 2017-10-18)
This thesis explores how a place can be made within a tidal marsh; a place where people can stay and experience being in the marsh. The experience should be able to be en- joyed at any time, day or night, good weather and bad. For this a shelter, a built form, is needed. This built form should have permanence. It is the constant that the ever-moving marsh registers against.
The Resonance of Michelangelo
Hathaway, Michael Jason Daniel (Virginia Tech, 2017-01-26)
This thesis is an exploration of creating an essence in architecture through a sense of ambition and harmony. The ambition for a design to have an architectural presence and establish a clear identity, while achieving a harmony of numerous aspects of the project in order to simplify the inherent complexities of architecture and allow the ambitious identity to be clearly present. The investigation begins with the analysis of ruins as the result of a natural process that strips down a building of secondary components and leaves the exposed soul of the architecture. As a specific example, the thesis explores the Roman ruins, how they exude their cultural history and often how they express the initial architectural intent and identity. The ambition of Rome is carried to the harmony of Florence and finally to the embodiment of harmonious ambition in Michelangelo. His work constantly achieved an ambition in creating a new identity with each masterpiece while always attaining a beautiful moment of harmony. The thesis explores not just the wonders of Michelangelo's life, but his inspirations and mastery of ancient traditions as well as his influence on the world after him. At the conclusion of the exploration, I propose a place of learning that both honors Michelangelo and his resonance throughout history and creates a new harmonious ambition.
richmond local arts museum; urban identity: recognition through transformation
Wagner, Matthew David (Virginia Tech, 2007-05-11)
the richmond local arts museum is a vehicle to investigate a thesis concentrated on correcting the identity of a place that is lost in history. an intentional interruption to the "historic" context of richmond will transform the city. richmond's connection to the civil war will soon be diluted, as it will quickly gain recognition for its progressive actions, through the emergence of a new art and architecture.
A School of Culinary Design for Alexandria
Ozler, Derin (Virginia Tech, 2016-07-05)
The need for a space for the community to gather and the underutilization of the waterfront led to the design of a public space for Alexandria. A school of culinary design was chosen to elevate the current situation of the site by supporting the open space and giving back to the community. The culinary school served as a vessel to explore the truthfulness of materials and structure, and the aesthetics of the unfinished. The design of the culinary school conveys the story of its making by revealing the structural elements and not covering them with unnecessary finishes. The materials used in the design are true to their nature. The project serves as a place to create culinary art and to express the spirit of the architecture.
The Space of the In-between
Hagmann, Stephen Anand (Virginia Tech, 1998-06-15)
The site is located across the P. St. Bridge, before one enters DuPont Circle. This is an ideal site for investigating the space of the in-between. The site is situated between the small scale fabric of Georgetown and the monumental scale of D.C. This site is also situated between nature (Rock Creek Park) and the urban realm. This place must function as a significant portal into and out of the city. This concept of space precedes program, through an intense investigation of the site. Creating relationships and responding to the site, a sense of place is developed by becoming a player in its local context. Through this process, two architectonic elements arise; the wall and the tower. The wall functions like a vessel holding in the city, as well as, a fortress protecting the city. The tower acts as a beacon of light or node appearing above the canopy. The program is then introduced and informed by these spatial concepts. An intense intertwining and rediscovery of space, structure, and program occurs through this process.
The Symbolic Form of Architecture: An investigation into its philosophical foundations and a discussion on the development of the perception of architectural form by modern heoreticians and symbolist architects
Rimmer, Scott (Virginia Tech, 1997-04-28)
This thesis investigates the concept of the symbolic form of architecture. It first focuses on the philosophical foundations for this concept in the works of Ernst Cassirer, Immanuel Kant, Conrad Fiedler, and Theodor Adorno. Then, the development of the modern perception of form in architectural theoreticians, where "modern" architectural theory evolved from an analogical state into a symbolic state, is examined: Karl Bötticher's concept of a Junktur and his attempt to transcend the presumed dichotomy in architecture between ornamentation and form is discussed; Gottfried Semper's concept of style and Alois Riegl's concept of motif are presented as reactions against what they saw as the mechanistic reliance on structure as definitive of form in architecture; Louis Sullivan's ornamentation is discussed as an attempt to integrate structure and ornamentation into a morphological whole; Otto Wagner's attempt to purge architecture from analogical responses through a strictly constructional basis for ornamentation is presented; and Adolf Loos' dismissal of decorative ornamentation, since it is an impediment towards true aesthetic judgment, is examined. Finally, a critical review of the symbolist movement in architecture, art, and literature is presented as a movement diametric to the symbolic development in architecture, since it glorified the analogical, and frequently the mimetic. The origins for how the symbolist movement became a denial of clarity center on Emanuel Swedenborg's concept of symbols, and how it was misinterpreted by the symbolists.
Urban Gallery
Lee, Wonkyu (Virginia Tech, 2016-07-08)
Since the dawn of high-rise buildings, human relationships have been limited by the floors. Compared to the pre-industrialized era where residential streets fostered community socialization, it is safe to say our relationships are constrained to the physical boundaries that surround us. Especially large cities such as New York, Chicago, Tokyo and Hong Kong, citizens lack compassion towards each other, treating neighbors as strangers. The fundamental problem of this phenomenon originates from the stacked floor arrangements that divide people. I believe it's not people's choices to be indifferent to each other; our built environment induces this behavior. The solution is to integrate a new concept of vertical plazas to the design of high-rise buildings. This social space provides citizens not only multiple paths of movement, but also the chances to interact with people outside of the boundary that vertical floors create. This thesis explores the possibilities of the architecture as a contributor of better human relationship.
Urban Rooms
Andreianu, Ioana Lucia (Virginia Tech, 2012-05-01)
This thesis started as an exploration of spaces created with subtle light changes in atmosphere, spaces created for the sole purpose of lingering in, of relaxing in, during a hot summer day, winter or in a busy day, when all you want to do is get away from it all in a soul-comforting place. Soon after, I realized that these spaces should have no other purpose than their simple existence, thus the idea of pavilions seemed to be the best fit for such a description. After locating the pavilions in Ramnicu-Valcea, Romania, through the exploration of the place memory, the present conditions and materials, the project started to take shape. The final project became a room within an urban setting. The pavilions, a series of five rooms connected by shape and materiality into two buildings, created in between a new plaza, a new urban space, a sixth room.

Browsing by Author "Breitschmid, Markus"

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