New York, New York Spring 2023 Studio 6 Instructor Adrienne Brown
Altar(ed) Spaces archetypal spa design is a mere symphony of aesthetic elements, but a measured conduit for eliciting introspection and awareness. Drawing inspiration from the tapestry of tarot archetypes and theories of Jungian analysis, Altar(ed) Spaces merges the art of divination with a restorative bathing experience to create a contemporary sanctuary. The bathing chambers not only offer moments of respite and rejuvenation but also serves as a dynamic vessels for inner revelation. As the individual engages with their given bath, the unique sensorial experience navigates the intricate corridors of the individual’s subconscious, leading them towards the concealed recesses of their mind that may otherwise remain obscured.
MANHATTAN 1st Ave
Located on Roosevelt Island in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, the Renwick Ruins site (in purple) bears historical significance, having housed society’s marginalized and rejected members throughout its history. This proposal seeks to transform the Renwick Ruins into a re-adaptive sacred space, offering a chance to reconnect with discarded aspects of self, ancestral lineages, and lives marked by exile. Through ritual bathing, inhabitants engage with an Altar(ed) mental Space, delving into inner shadows and desires, embracing personal and collective suffering for potential liberation. This immersive experience invites participants to reshape their mental and physical landscapes, recognizing their capacity to lead the life they envision.
My design approach is guided by section drawings, what I consider the most compelling avenue for shaping architectural narratives. Section studies offer an unparalleled intimacy in crafting spaces tailored to the contours of the human body. These visual explorations delve into the verticality intrinsic to our existence, a dimension I previously underestimated. It is through this intensified focus on section drawings that I believe I found such success in bridging the material and mental realms in this project.
INTERIOR STUDIES | Hollowing out Form Sketches
Qualities: Determination, Skill, Focus, Manifestation
The horse represents the magician, the conduit between the inner and outer worlds and connector of heaven and earth; symbolizing the adage “as above, so below.” The magician has all the materials and tools he needs at his hands to construct his reality. These tools are physical, mental, and spiritual, and are represented by the five primary elements: air, fire, water, earth, and spirit/ether. Fueled by creative potential, the magician knows that the elements exist within his boundless nature, allowing him to create and transform anything he can imagine. Ultimately, the magician shows us that alchemical process is within, that we have all the tools and need to stop looking outside to elicit change and transmutation.
Somatic Threshold: Mist
Representative of the veil one must lift
The owl represents the High Priestess, she who represents duality: masculine and feminine, positive and negative, and so on. She represents the central path, and is the guardian of the sacred, the subconscious, our dreams, and the unknown. Much like the cycle of the moon, she weaves through the light and the dark, inviting us to see beyond the ego. If you pick the owl, it points to the shadow of this card, the lower consciousness. So despite being wise and carrying sacred knowledge, there is a blind spot, specifically in regards to your dual nature. So, the question is what am I missing? Why do the same patterns keep showing up? The evolved owl is aware of the undercurrents of their mind and can harmonize the light with the shadow.
The twelve stars have long been associated with the Empress, symbolizing the planets, months, and zodiacs. She is the cosmic mother.
Qualities: Creativity, Abundance, Fertility
The tiger represents the Empress, the divine feminine and cosmic mother. Her energy is boundless, flowing unbridled through the world. At an elevated consciousness, she has mastery over her emotions, they are felt but remain impersonal. As a tiger, she takes a pause before pouncing, thinking before acting. She is present and in control of her breath, thoughts, and emotions and can therefore take mindful action. If you pick the tiger, it points to the shadow of this card, the lower consciousness, and when out of balance, the empress is ruled by her emotions. Focus on your breath, on single pointed focus, what Buddhists call Ekaggatā which leads to unification of the mind. Remember, spirit (your fire) exists between the stimulus and the response. Your fire is your choice, breath before you act so that you honor your soul rather than your ego.
LIGHT - WHEN IN BALANCE
Choices are Conscious, There is Pause before Action
SHADOW - WHEN OUT OF BALANCE
Choices are Subconscious not Conscious
Slow light show, the immaterial is materialized within a dense mist.
The bear represents the Emperor, the divine masculine and cosmic father. He is the stoic ruler with a strong will and intellect, governing through authority, order, regulation, and rationality to create security and stability. He has clarity in his vision and inner equilibrium. At a high consciousness, he weaves together divine masculine and feminine, maintaining a clear mind and makes conscious choice. When at a low consciousness, or out of balance, he can become overbearing, dominating, unfeeling, authoritarian, patriarchal, and refuses to adapt to changing circumstances and ideas. Rigidity keeps the bear in a low consciousness. Relinquish your reservations. Embrace formlessness, mutability, and the inevitability of change. Understand that nothing is fixed, that the water parts when you move with it. Focus on your breath to clarify your inner vision, to move your subtle body energy from ida and pingala nadi to sushumna nadi - envision the light of a thousand suns.
LIGHT - WHEN IN BALANCE
Behaviors reflect values, Inner Stability, Flow
SHADOW - WHEN OUT OF BALANCE
Choices are Subconscious not Conscious
Based on Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript designed by Gordon Bunshaft for Yale Univeristy
The turtle represents the Hierophant, the teacher who knows that all growth is cyclical, that to grow a tree you must first nurture the seed. The Hierophant knows that the soul moves slowly, that change unfolds gently, while our ego wants it to progress fast. He is a teacher, philosopher, and seer, encouraging action only after deep contemplation, rational debate, and discussions with trustworthy mentors. The Hierophant nudges pupils with guidance as they carve their individual paths. The shadow of this card is the desire for change to unfold fast and/or a search for something greater outside of one’s self. It is imperative to remember that, as we learned with the magician, everything we need is already within. Understanding that the soul leads the way, even though the uncultivated ego relishes narrating our experiences. Remember… change develops as a spiral, slowly unfurling a life that is reflective of the seeds we’ve planted with our body, speech, and mind. Our life is only as sweet as the quality of our thoughts. This is an invitation to slow down, to flow with the Tao.
LIGHT - WHEN IN BALANCE
Knowing change moves slowly, Balanced, Wise
SHADOW - WHEN OUT OF BALANCE
Wanting change to move fast, Unbalanced
Slow or fast light show, based on James Turrell’s Perceptual Cells and the Ganzfeld effect.
The wolf represents the Lovers, a marrying of opposites and harmonious marrying of that which seems at odds. The wolf chooses between being the lone wolf, who doesn’t want to make bad choices, is abandoned, and is fearful of being found out, while the pack wolf who knows everyone is as “limited” as they are, but knows they still have something to offer the pack at large. The pack wolf marries their earthly body with their soul body, while the lone wolf rejects their duality. The Lovers demand equilibrium and authenticity, emphasizing the need to cultivate a rich, stable personal foundation, unification, and fulfillment prior to embarking on any union. Self-love is the highest form of self-discipline. The shadow of this card indicates that you are acting in a way that is incongruent with yourself which leads to self-betrayal. In this bath, based of James Turrell’s Perceptual Cells, you are given the choice for a slow-moving light show experience or a fast, intense light show that creates fractals in your mind based on your eye’s physiology.
The swan represents the chariot, the personification of determination and conquest over adversity. This card is active, requiring commitment and discipline to move forward with manifestation of its goals. The chariot does not shy away from a challenge, knowing that to get out one must first go in, meeting obstacles with both fortitude and finesse. The chariot balances mercy and justice. When in alignment the inner and outer lives reflect one another; as within so without. The high vibration swan is armored with choice, with honoring their Agni, their fire. When out of balance, the swan doubts itself and their inner and outer worlds are incongruent. This is an invitation to alchemize the self, to take a pause to recede and replenish, to then go back out in the world with a fervor. The bath is designed based on the alchemical symbol of the philosopher’s stone, representing the journey towards self-realization and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment. Through the process of inner transformation, one can attain a state of consciousness that transcends the limitations of the ego and connects with a higher source of wisdom and understanding. The swan is known for its grace, beauty, and ability to discern between good and evil. As a symbol for Saraswathi, the swan represents purity, creativity, spiritual enlightenment, and discrimination.
The elephant is representative of Strength or Justice, depending on which deck you use. Strength represents bravery in the face of adversity, while justice knows that every action has a reaction and a consequence. The elephant is a well of fortitude and power in times of distress and wishes to bring about balance through a search for justice. At a high vibration she’s in control of the Self because she has explored her inner wilderness. When her inner power is aligned, she knows what times call for the sword to be drawn and what times call for pause, non-action. Her stamina is matched by her stillness, balanced by her composure. At a low consciousness she is fearful, in hiding, and is unwilling to act. Take this moment to pause, to nurture your inner child and recognize the depth of your resilience and goodness. Choose empowerment, choose your power, and know that by doing so, you can leave the world in a better place than how you found it.
“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek” - Joseph Campbell
The bat represents the hermit, he who closes one door to enter another; both seeker and guide. Taking the lonely path in search of solitude, he is known to go into the cave to “die” to then emerge as a unified consciousness. He wanders without fear, without searching, emptying the cluttered mind through deep meditation, any action must be aligned with one’s own truth. He symbolizes a retreat and journey towards a sacred land. He is his own north star, knowing that his destination will always and forever be within. At a high vibration, the hermit surrenders, allowing the tides of life to guide him, inviting contemplation and seclusion. He ultimately represents completion. When out of balance, the hermit starts something without completing it, he renounces only to go back on his word. Therefore, this bath is an invitation to recede, to fold inwards and recognize yourself the beginning, the middle, and the end of your journey. To contemplate on the cosmos within and what you must complete to move forward, while remaining present. LIGHT
Wisdom,
ALTAR(ED) SPACES AT RENWICK RUINS | Landscape Plan
Through voluntary isolation, people will experience an inward turn to sit with themselves and unmask that which they have rejected about their nature.
By turning inwards, we are able to connect to rejected aspects of self and rejected ancestors to unmask shadows, begining the journey of healing through acceptance and later integration.
The ruins are re-adapted and reclaimed, changing the notion of isolation from a forced sentence to a sort of respite. Following the boundaries of the old building, a new future is envisioned.
The community has a place to relax, socialize, and congregate, collapsing social classes and ritualizing the practice of bathing and self-care.
The ruins will become a safe haven for both human and plant life. The space will sustain biological diversity and bridge humans with nature through a ritualistic lens.
The Vital Processes Pyramid is a small meditation structure that employs a combination of lighting, sound, and vibration to guide participants through diverse breath work patterns. This architectural entity underscores the intrinsic link between spatial design and well-being. Upon entering the pyramid, individuals are enveloped in an immersive ambiance tailored to engage their senses and elevate their cognitive state. Through coordinated lighting effects, harmonious sounds, and subtle vibrational cues, each participant embarks on a deliberate meditation process. This amalgamation of design elements effectively merges ancient meditative practices with contemporary technological advancements, fostering an introspective exploration of breath as a mechanism for self-exploration.
Guided Meditation
Composite Phenomenon
Heart Rate
Simples
Breathing
Heart Rate Presence + Comfort
Lighting
Pleasure Fear / Pain
Pleasure of vital processes
Acoustics + Vibrations
---------- of calmness
---------- of grounding
---------- of health
Breathing
Simples
Pleasure Fear / Pain
Pleasure of presence
---------- of calmness
---------- of connection
---------- of vital processes
---------- of grounding
---------- of service
Fear of anxiety
----- of existential threats
----- of death
----- of being found out
----- of rejection
----- of disillusionment
Fear of existential threats
----- of vitality failing
----- of death
----- of being alone
Lighting / Acoustics / Vibrations
Simples
- Vibrations in the space reinforce the sound, adding a tactile dimension that augments sense of immersion
- Light can guide inhalation and exhalation, based on different breathwork types and techniques
- Translates brain waves into guiding sounds of the weather calm mind = peaceful weather, busy mind = stormy weather
- Heart meditation sinks the sound of drums to your heartbeat, light can pulse at the same time
- Have your breathing mimic the sound in a guided meditation (no words)
- Wind chime meditation brings attention to when you move
Box Breathing : 4 - 4 - 4 - 4
12 second cycle
4 - 8 - 6 Breathwork
18 second cycle
inhale hold hold
exhale
hold
inhale
Pursed Lip Breathing : 2 - 4/6
6 - 8 second cycle
inhale
exhale
exhale
In an era marked by rapidly evolving modes of information consumption, the understanding of what a library denotes is transform ing. The design of the Cave of Curiosity diverges from the traditional reliance of external artifacts as vessels of knowledge, embracing a paradigm shift towards sensorial engagement, placing emphasis on visual, auditory, and tactile experiences as dynamic avenues for learning and unveiling inner wisdom. By immersing visitors in a multi-sensory journey, this Cave of Curiosity redefines the concept of knowledge acquisition, inviting individuals to engage with information in ways that resonate with their individual cognitive processes and personal growth, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of both external subjects and internal reflections.
The Tribeca-Soho neighborhood, known for its cultural dynamism and artistic milieu, is an ideal canvas for such a groundbreaking institution. As a hub of creativity and intellectual exploration, this area pulsates with a diverse community of artists, scholars, and individuals seeking novel ways to engage with information. Amidst the lively atmosphere of these neighborhoods, the integration of a sensory-driven library bridges the gap between artistic expression and cognitive enrichment, catering to a community that thrives on innovation and unconventional learning experiences.
POD STUDIES | Preliminary Sketches
THE CAVE OF CURIOSITY | Facade + Entrance Renderings
A point of tension and mediation, architecture has long acted as a bridge between the macrocosm of the cosmos and the microcosm of human life. I am drawn to the exploration of what form modern sacred spaces might assume, particularly within a culture landscape that tends to privilege individualism and the crafting of personalized life philosophies. In my research, I delve into the evolving concept of sacred space in the 21st century and the conviction that sacred space rests and awakens within; there is no other. My objective is to create a suggestively blank canvas, inviting individuals to project their own understanding of the world onto it, thereby engendering a space distinctly attuned to each visitor.
The gathering space is on the first floor and is meant to foster an educational environment. It is set up for a head speaker to facilitate a conversation that the community can jump in on. The cozy atmosphere is meant to cultivate a diallogue and allow connections and curiosities to take shape. The slow changing light of the space is meant to further envelop one in an ephermal environment that seems to be an organism of it’s own.
LIGHT
DARK SPACE | Interior Rendering
The cymatics sphere is an immersive experience where one is suspended 7’ above the Chlandi Plate. As the experience starts, the globe gets dareker and hypnoic sounds start eminating from the speakers at the base of the plate. The vibrations from these sound frequencies create sacred geometries with the sand that is sprinkled on the plate, allowing the viewer to experience the forms sound frequencies can create.
