Multi-Scalar Perspective in Civic Architecture: Arlington Civic Center

Abstract

In the field of urban planning, environmental psychology studies human relationship to places and settings, which are then categorized as the public's identities, attachments, and dependencies. Of interest to city planning, these findings can also be utilized in a design methodology. By giving particular attention to civic programs, this thesis presents a model for multi-scalar architecture and construction of place meanings. With urban, political, and historic networks contributing to place categories, ecological evolution provides developmental trajectories that can then be manifested through architectural design in civic and cultural institutions within city centers. From site selection through the design and execution of the project, the precedence is led by the people of past, present, and future, and the spaces they celebrate. The following is about the County of Arlington Civic Center, a multi-scalar perspective and design.