Analysis Week 1

Design

Week: 7

Date: 2-19

Submitted: BCB

NARRATIVE

Main Text:

Throughout the trip, but especially in Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt, our group has visited a significant number of temples intended for a variety of reasons.  Thus, I wanted to create s 'sacred space' for Ball State's campus, for students and faculty to use to reflect in and carry out their own personal rituals.

 

In order to give the location of the temple significance on campus, I closed McKinley Road between Riverside and Schaefer Tower.  Both Riverside and Neely would maintain their east/west functions, a turn-around would be developed at the bell tower, and the central space created by the Art and Journalism Building, the Teacher's College, Emen's Auditorium, and Bracken Library would be reclaimed for pedestrian use.  

 

The temple would be located to the south of the Bell Tower, maintaining its axis with McKinley Road.  People would enter from either end, beginning at street level and descending approximately 4 feet by spiraling ramp.  At the entrance, fountains and exterior seating created by the structure itself would lend itself towards student interaction and leisure.  As the ramps curved towards the center, the space would become increasingly closed off from the outside world, and smaller subspaces pulled off to the side would be ideal for individual studying or personal reflection.  At the core of the building would be the central 'sacred space,' a space isolated from the outside world, but filled with light and the sound of trickling water.  There would be no major focus to the room, and enclaves and seating would allow for each person to interpret its function in their own way.  

 

The sacred space would most likely be made of concrete, and would utilize forms, water, and natural vegetation to frame the bell tower and connect to other similar locations on campus, like Frog Baby and the Atrium's exterior seating area.

Plan, elevation, and interior perspective of a subspace along the entry corridor.

NEXT

An interior perspective of the sacred space.

Concept development and campus integration.