Site Diagram

The first, of what I am sure are many, analytical diagrams focusing on the site. I chose to do a figure ground diagram to isolate the key elements and look at their relationship together. The objects left in white (the residential, military, and religious structures of the historical district) can be more easily defined by their physical relationships, scale, and overall organization. However, an even more significant relationship can be observed through this diagram. That is the relationship that exists between the community and the ocean. I found that in plan there is a subtle elegance to the composition of the different "pieces." I believe this elegance exists in much more than just the plan of the design. I believe it to be this very characteristic that has inspired the groups opposing demolition to fight so intensely to have this neighborhood saved. Whatever the future design for the neighborhood entails, it must retain this elegance if it is to be successful.

Concept Sketch 3

Since the decommission of the Fort Kamehameha historical houses, the true definition of the buildings has been lost. They cease to serve the purpose for which they were created. There are no residents whom occupy the houses. They sit vacant in a quiet, abandoned site. However the debate of the houses has never been louder. There are multiple groups, organizations, and institutions that have formed their own definitions of the structures of Fort Kamehameha. The Air Force defines the units as an unnecessary expenditure and a risk. The Hawaiian Historical Foundation defines the buildings as historically significant structures. I, like so many others who have had the privilege of living in the houses, define the buildings as home. It has become necessary to redefine the buildings. An ultimate redefinition, in which all parties involved accept, is necessary in order to once again give life and meaning to these houses. Architecture ceases to be architecture when it is no longer employed. Without a redefinition of these buildings, they will remain in a state of isolation, uncertainty and despair.

Reading Response 2

In attempting to relate this article to the struggle that I am currently pursuing, I have been severely confused by his the many ways in which he contradicts himself. Perhaps they are not contradictions, but rather, he is walking a very tight line of semantics. Many times in architecture, the term “program” and “function” are used interchangeably. When reading the section of the paper on “programism”, I thought to myself: “the problems with design that he will describe here most likely be relevant to my design process because I tend to focus on functional concerns.” But then he makes a distinct point to oppose the two against each other. Another example of contradiction/semantic wizardry that seems very applicable to my topic dealt with “flexible” buildings. He writes: “Buildings cannot be ‘flexible’ or ‘indeterminate’ either. They are hard and immobile no matter what.” But then makes a point to contradict that statement in parenthesis: “(although they may, with some effort, alter and adapt their forms to particular purposes)” I wonder if he ever confuses himself while tip toeing this line. But perhaps it is in these contradictions and my confusion with them that my struggle with the immediate conception of a thesis lies. I will make a point to keep revisiting these ideas as my projects begins to flesh itself out and perhaps by walking the same line of semantics I will gain a fuller understanding of the problem at hand.

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Historical buildings are better served by their adaptation and continued use than by preserving them in a state of antiquity.

A shift needs to occur in the way that historical buildings are viewed and their preservation is approached. A creative transformation that keeps a historic building operating to meet today’s needs while retaining its historical integrity not only preserves the building’s historical significance, but also preserve’s the buildings dignity. Restricting the building from growing and adapting to accommodate new uses and evolving programs creates an artificial environment that fails both the user and the building itself.

Every good designer will envisage his/her building adapting, over time, to ever changing contextual demands. Unavoidably, buildings follow the designer’s prediction of change as its contexts transform often in unpredictable ways. However, overtime, the users, and others affected indirectly by the building, grow a bond with the edifice, and a feeling of nostalgia is created. This nostalgia creates an urge to defy the designer’s intent for change and return the building to its original condition, contradicting the designer, the user’s needs, and the relative contextual demands. The building ceases to be architecture; it enters the realm of historical monument. Architecture serves the needs of its users and its surroundings. Monuments serve as testaments to a former event or idea, nothing more. This nostalgic antiquarianism leads to a contradiction of everything that represents the building: the architect/designer, the user, and the surrounding environment.

On Hickam Air Force Base, on the island of Oahu, there is a battle occurring between the Air Force administration and the Hawaiian Historical society over 33 historical houses. The houses were formally officer's barracks that were constructed over 90 years ago. The houses have gained Hawaiian Historical Protection status. For the last four years, these houses, that sit on the beach looking onto the channel that leads into Pearl Harbor, have sat empty. The Air Force has decommissioned them because they operate too inefficiently, and lay in an "accidental potential zone" for commercial aircraft. Three options have been proposed for the handling of the houses:

1. An adaptive reuse project is carried out changing the function of the houses to commercial uses.

2. The houses are to be moved to an alternative location and renovated.

3. The houses are demolished.

In my thesis, I wish to investigate which option (definitely not the third option) would be most suitable for the units, and to carry that option through the design stage. Does a historical building lose its historical value when removed from its original context? Will an adaptive reuse strategy deteriorate from the building's historical significance? If relocation is the best option, how does one choose an alternative site? There are many questions that can be raised. I do not yet have an argument, or statement, to create a thesis with but I believe that there is potential in this debate that is taking place in Hawaii.

Response to Jose

The reading presents an interesting new way to view a problem that we have been dealing with for the past 4 years. While he describes the sequence of designing a project, we have followed a similar path with similar strategies in solving the problems in our eight studios. I did feel that the analogies he used were not clear enough and he could have expressed his ideas in a simpler, more direct way. 

There were several points that he makes that I believe are important to keep in mind while going through my own process of developing a thesis. "It is expedient to study the full complexity of the matter without tripping over all the hurdles encountered." Already I find myself not following this important bit of advice as I begin to think about my thesis. I have made the mistake of liking the idea of a particular project before deciding what argument I want to make. I find that my thoughts about what argument and general focus I want to study quickly diverge into thoughts of program, site, occupancy, etc. It is at this point that I have to consciously step back from the project and remember to look at the "big picture." Those other things will come, but for now it is important that I take the first step; I need to find my phantom.