The Beacon
Digimap
Concept - Poetic Reflection
Pattern Language - Design Guide for a Reflective
Space
by Christopher Alexander
24 Sacred Sites
119 Arcades
Case Studies
Piazza del Campo Primary focus
Sienna, Italy
25 Access to Water
120 Paths and Goals
A
The piazza sloped toward the palace and bell tower making the building the focal point of the square. The bell tower is a symbol of power and the culture of the city. The piazzas sloped form means sitting and loitering is further encouraged as one could lay with a more comfortable positioning.
The slope from the surrounding context is carried on with the courtyard carrying on the trajectory. This creates one continuous slope down towards the central beacon if access came from the reservoir. This extenuates the beacons symbolic meaning making it a true focus and reflective emblem for the memorial.
252 Pools of light
Pantheon & 911 Memorial
Sacred light
Rome, Italy & New York, USA
The pantheon uses a central oculus to highlight certain elements within the building creating an ethereal and controlled atmosphere giving the light a sacred identity. The 911 memorial uses light as a call to remembrance and a symbolic feature for loss.
The controlled use of directed light can manipulate the exhibitions experience to create a reflective and transcendent environment highlighting specific facets to emphasize its meaning. The controlled use of light to turn the Primary focus into a light beacon creates a central call to remembrance for the memorial inviting people in.
Summer Pavilion
Guided circulation & Structural expression
Hasselt, Belgium
The pavilions exterior curtains guide users in and out. Openings in the curtains indicate the entrances.
The pavilion has a structurally expressive superstructure with all elements honestly exposed and visible.
Guided circulation through a series of curtains can be used throughout the building creating a curated journey of reflection.
Material honesty and structural expression suits a memorial as raw and expressive structures cause a sense of starkness and reflection. Dramatic collisions between materials cause internal reflections about destruction or endurance.
Site & Concept Strategy
Environmental Section AA & BB
Red Brick and Slate roofing
Datums are used across the elevation of the building creating three distinct zones.
Datums
