Cultural Coalescence Center
from Design 6 Architecture Studio with Prof. Chitsanzo Lamba-Isaac
The C.E.C. Currently, borders act as parameters that separate masses of land, and in effect, they separate cultures as well. Our design will redefine borders and the stigmas behind them to create a central space where cultures can coalesce or come together to form a unified group. Utilizing portal travel 50 years in the future as an eco-friendly and instantaneous travel method, the Center connects six different cities globally through specifically marked airport terminals that have been converted into portal locations. These cities are Harare, Zimbabwe; Damascus, Syria; Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong, China; Lima, Peru; and Montreal, Quebec.
The program of this Center acts as a space of unification between various cultures. This occurs through the use of performances native to each culture and a market that sells goods and staple items from each of these locations. By creating a shared space where multiple cultures can feel welcomed, people can learn from one another to develop a deeper understanding of the values, day-to-day life, and traditions that these cultures and people within the different cultures have to offer. The location that hosts the pilot cultural-ecological Center is Bidong Island, off of the coast of Malaysia. This island once housed refugees from Vietnam, but it is currently vacant from residents and is only used for coral reef research. The Center pays homage to the island's history by emulating a monument that honors the refugees that once lived there. It also emphasizes using natural materials that will work well with the natural elements found on and around the island. In the years leading up to 2074, this island began to experience failure in the reef systems due to a global water pollution issue. We developed an initiative to fully restore the world's dying coral reefs, leading to Bidong Island becoming the region's exposition center for ecological regeneration and coral reef restoration through the use of research and exploration with a newfound technology patented as Biorock®. |
"There are no right answers, but there are wrong answers." - Jeffrey Wilkinson
"Take a step back and look at the overall picture." - Katie Dinan |
How was your voice amplified through this project?
In a group project, it can be hard for each member to have their voice heard. With a partner project, you are in constant communication, but with 4 people, it may not always be easy to get everyone's voices through. The first step we did as a group was create a group contract, not just for meeting times but for the work that would be split among us. My job at the start was to research about Bidong Island and compile all the information about the site, and later it transitioned to the sectional drawings. This gave me something to talk about and have influence over throughout the course of the project, and it ensured that all of our voices, research, and ideas were taken into consideration for the most effective and encompassing project we could create. Because I was able to take ownership in a specific part of the project, I felt I was able to talk more freely and openly about my ideas for the project moving forward with my teammates. - Jeffrey Wilkinson |