Perpetual Architecture

Project Title:
Perpetual Architecture: The Journey and Destination Experienced Through the Supermarket

Problem Statement:
I feel that in our fast-paced society, we too often look toward the future. We are constantly analyzing how our present actions are going to affect our lives later on. This obviously is vital to our world developing and evolving, and without this thinking, the future of man would be naught. However, more often than not, people do not cherish the moment that they are in now. I feel it is essential for each person to recognize that our lives are not just about the outcome, but the experience. This is a problem far too many people do not acknowledge. We relate ourselves with particular spaces, places and moments. These are the elements that become our very existence. Architecture can bring us together and this connection takes place through the experience.
Everyone has aspirations however great or small, long term or short term. Reaching our goals is important to leading a content life. It is important to realize though, that attaining goals gives us only temporary happiness before we begin our next endeavor. It seems that our accomplishments make us happy for an amount of time but inevitably, we will start over again. This perpetual search for a desire can prohibit us from enjoying the moment we are in now. We are in a way, deceiving ourselves into thinking that we are looking for an ultimate destination when in actuality, we are never really reaching an end. To resolve this, we must first recognize this problem and ultimately, learn to value the journey just as much as the destination.

Architectural Intentions:
Architecture often explores the theme of building up anticipation for a final, climactic experience. Architecture should epitomize this ideal, appreciating the present experience as well as its destination. Without a set intention, the experience of getting to this place would be meaningless, and without the journey, the destination would be empty. My interest focuses on how this architectural journey and movement affects its users. It is in the nature of humans to reach a desired point, be sustained for a moment, and inevitably begin the cycle again. Eating can be an example of this. We do not eat only once and are nourished for the rest of our life. Only for a moment in time are we satisfied before we must eat again. I propose to explore a way that architecture is the catalyst in which people experience this perpetuated journey.

Project Statement:
One of the issues I encountered was that of picking a program too narrow for many people to appreciate or relate to. I had considered program such as worship spaces, museums or galleries to honor something polemical. However, only those who had interest in this subject would come to experience this. I want to design a space that fits a larger demographic. Reflecting back on the food analogy, I propose to design some sort of food market/supermarket/restaurant. In order to live, we must eat. Eating is a temporary solution; we cannot eat once and be sustained for life. Eating is a commonality among all people and a food market is the space in which everyone must visit.
Our society is moving at such a fast pace, that it is easy for us to get caught up in its rapidity. We no longer enjoy “the now” because we feel that things must be done faster. No one takes the time to stop and enjoy the moment. This hurriedness has affected our food industry as well as our lives. Fast food has become an epidemic to our country. Eating is something we do to merely satisfy a basic need. I propose changing our eating into something that is not only about the consumption but is an experience in itself.

Program Outline:
This journey begins with choosing the produce, followed by preparing and creating of the meal, and the destination being the consumption of the food. The market experience can be a social or solitary event. The ultimate goal when one goes shopping is to acquire the desired or needed object. Our anticipation inevitably builds with the idea of attaining our goal. I intend to create moments in architecture that responds to such anticipation. This essentially will generate a relationship between body/mind and architecture/space; the feeling of these architectural spaces will stimulate one’s senses and awakening them to the current journey they are on. The issue of cherishing the present moment is being recognized.
In the case of food shopping, we are never “finished” and must at some point return to the market place in search for our next need. The market place seems to be just the beginning of the journey; much of the journey is experienced out of the market. The market is of great influence to what the people bring back to the home and to their family, friends, neighbors, etc. The marketplace will include the obvious produce section. Physical movement throughout the market spaces can be the literal journey. But perhaps also a restaurant and classrooms or informational areas can be included in this place as well. Classrooms could be used to provoke the mind through the teaching of cooking classes, new ways to prepare food or interesting recipes. The restaurant section could also be a journey in itself providing the stimulation of taste and smell and a sense of community with other guests. This is why architecture is so important because it is the catalyst of the experience. Architecture allows us to organize, appreciate and keep in mind the unstructured way of life and finally, to understand and remember who we are. Architecture frees us from control of our fast-paced lives and lets us undergo the slow, healing course of time.