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Virginia Tech

Dialogue between opposites

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The value of architecture lies in our sensory perception, our experience of the space. If the space creates an awareness of the present through the sensory exchange between our body, mind, and the architecture, then it is committed to memory as a place. The perception of a space cannot be controlled by the architect, it is subjective. The architect can control the idea or philosophy of the design as well as the formal aspects such as structure, materiality, spatial organization and proportion. Through these formal aspects the architect strives to make the intention physical. Successful architecture should facilitate this sensory exchange or communication on many scales. It should speak directly to us through it's immediate physical manifestation and spatial experience as well as through it's ability to make a grander connection to it's situation. As stated in Questions of Perception- Phenomenology of Architecture, "Architecture, more fully than other art forms, engages the immediacy of our sensory perceptions. The passage of time; light, shadow, and transparency; color phenomena, texture, material, and detail all participate in the complete experience of architecture."The essence of a library is a place for introspection and study or even meditation. Therefore silence is a significant aspect of this project in regard to producing a structure that is quiet and subtle in its forms and spaces.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Architecture
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Architecture
Department dc:contributor.department
Architecture
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1996

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Foster, Kendal K.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Brown, William W.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • O'Brien, Michael J.
  • Sarpaneva, Pia
  • Weiner, Frank H.

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-04182009-041258
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/42145

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Foster, Kendal K.. Dialogue between opposites. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/42145