A creative journey: architecture for design

Abstract

Through man-made canyons of skyscrapers, across the Midwest plains, lies a grid of highways and humanity. America, perhaps more than anywhere, displays the imposition of man's artifacts upon the landscape.

It is the birthplace of Learjets, Mustangs and Coca-Cola, of Levis and Harley-Davidsons. These objects have helped define America, its culture and attitudes, yet nowhere is the spirit and enthusiasm of their creators celebrated or remembered. We recall the battles and explorations of the Pioneers to the West, but not those who forged a passage across a cultural and design wilderness to establish these icons.

It is this journey, with its trials and tribulations, that I wish to celebrate and honour in my thesis project. I intend to create spaces which enable the process of design to be illustrated and communicated to many more than those directly involved with it, to those who employ the final outcome so often with little regard to this journey, and to help them participate in the excitement and energy inherent to any creative process.