An Architectural Response to Cultural Diversity; The Mosaic: International Student Housing

Abstract

"We build dwellings that, perhaps, satisfy most of our physical needs, but which do not house our mind."-- Juhani Pallasmaa

My architecture thesis began with the question of the relationship and threshold between the realms of public and private and familiar and unfamiliar, while looking particularly in residential spaces. Humans consciously or unconsciously "use" the idea of their "home" environment to express something about themselves.

The question that arose from this dialogue captured my attention which led me to explore a deeper meaning of what would be an ideal home for students like myself- ones who were starting a new chapter of their lives by moving to a foreign country. The idea of "Home" as a symbol of ones self, is a set of rituals, personal rhythms and routines of everyday life. The idea of Home cannot be produced all at once; it has a dimension of time and is a gradual product of the family's and individual's adaptation to the world.

My thesis project has explored and proposed an architectural response to cultural diversity through student housing for existing Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area universities. The Mosaic is a place to express the personality and define the vessels of memories between individuals and society.