{"id":1550,"date":"2016-11-05T14:20:02","date_gmt":"2016-11-05T06:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesis.arch.hku.hk\/2016\/?p=1550"},"modified":"2016-11-16T13:39:42","modified_gmt":"2016-11-16T05:39:42","slug":"converging-grounds-an-immersive-synesthesia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thesis.arch.hku.hk\/2016\/converging-grounds-an-immersive-synesthesia\/","title":{"rendered":"Converging Grounds: An Immersive Synesthesia"},"content":{"rendered":"
STATEMENT<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This thesis situates itself with a desire to introduce public space into the urban centre through a re-interpretation of building to ground relationship<\/strong> to form a coherent experience of building to city; create an immersive experience which allows users and public to be aware of, and actively engage with, their surroundings.<\/span><\/p>\n WHAT<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Dense urban fabrics, like Central in Hong Kong, reflect an orthodox figure-ground relationship that creates distinct boundaries<\/strong> between the buildings and the ground. The result is public space that is not only limited and mostly confined to the streets or elevated walkways, but also striated in nature<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n For the public, the homogenous ground plane and striation of spaces has created a monolithic experience between the buildings and the city. Not only has this disengaged the public with its environment, it is more importantly leading towards social and cultural stagnation<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n If ground and building begin to merge, the boundary between city and architecture can be blurred, and striated spaces can become smooth<\/strong>. A continuous experience of the environment can pave way for architecture that actively participates with its users and becomes a democratic stage for social activities<\/strong>. The Public can become the Culture.<\/span><\/p>\n Urban centres settled in close proximity to water, such as Central, have undergone transformation from being dependant on waterfront infrastructure for trade to now relying on road and rail networks. The resultant patchwork of disconnected and marginalized sites along Central<\/strong> harbourfront provides an opportunity for this Thesis Project to find a convergence between buildings, elevated walkway systems, on grade streets, and waterfront promenade and synthesize them into a meaningful public realm.<\/span><\/p>\n
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