DESIGN PROPOSAL
Interactive blocks within an expansive open field engage passersby as they traverse the interstitial courtyard. The strategic positioning of the blocks, appearing as either dominating walls or continuous fields, shapes their experience and enhances the blocks’ usability.
Situated within an open field designed to encourage moments of engagement and contemplation, “Pixels” serves as a dynamic installation that prompts exploration, interaction, and reflection. This theater of observation examines the relationship between material and action, as well as the perception of space from opposing viewpoints. Major paths along each side draw passersby in, inviting them to explore each pixel freely. The design merges the Techne principles of material and human interaction, intently forming each pixel to engage visitors and foster meaningful experiences. By shifting based on perspective, “Pixels” challenges traditional spatial boundaries and bridges the gap between structured design and spontaneous human activity.
Framed by expansive paths, the field encourages visitors to step off conventional routes and immerse themselves in a fluid experience. These pathways blur the separation between defined paths and open terrain, enabling exploration with a sense of discovery. The topography slopes downward toward the southern end of the site, contrasting with the upward rise of each pixel’s upper limit. This creates an optical illusion: a seamless, continuous flow when viewed from the north and a structured, elevated formation from the south. The dual visual experience offers a panoramic expanse from one side and a multi-layered elevation from the other.
Each pixel, measuring 15 feet by 15 feet, hosts a distinct function—seating, recessed access, or a walkable surface—contributing to the landscape’s versatility. The integration of materials ensures a smooth transition between hardscapes and surrounding softscapes, blending the built and natural environments. This harmonious design exemplifies the principles of Techne, where craftsmanship meets human interaction, encouraging users to move seamlessly from structured activities to spontaneous exploration.
Probe_0.5: Interlude 'Dialogs'
Synthesis - The space-form system of Noonan Courtyard and its context are comprised of interstitial assemblies (form) and interstitial peripheral volumes (space) along the site's spatial envelope. Seen both as discretely situated instances and block formations, these interstitial types seemingly relate but largely decouple from regular but competing organizational matrices. Even further dissociated from the underlying organizational system, secondary forms (trees, benches, poles, etc.) aggregate across the site in distinct ways, converging as a dense cluster in the southeast corner.
Probe_0.5: Interlude 'Dialogs'
Synthesis - In previous mappings of the site, the focus has consistently been on material connections. Mapping iteration three introduces a matrix that enables a more structured examination and comparison of interstitial materials, material linkages, and the dynamics of human interaction with both. The motion notation offers a concise illustration of how ground materials might influence human behavior across the site. This framework serves to accentuate the delineation of spatial distinctions throughout the site's composition.