Frames of Time: Ephemeral Time, Anamorphic Time, Preserved Time--Through the Composition of Light, Material, and Form

Abstract

'Frames of Time' explores how architecture, like photography, can frame and capture our perception of time. Through the manipulation of light, material, and composition, architecture becomes not just a container of moments, but an active participant in how they unfold and are remembered. Inspired by Ansel Adams' ability to preserve fleeting conditions within a lasting medium, this thesis seeks to extend his vision into a three-dimensional lived experience of time. Drawing from early explorations of visual perception--camera obscuras, anamorphism, reflective geometries, and apertures--this project investigates how architecture can frame moments of time. Three types of time considered in the design of the Gallery for Ansel Adams are ephemeral, anamorphic, and preserved time.