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Virginia Tech

The Intimate Domain of Dwelling Between Earth and Sky

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The original constructive act of human nature was to make shelter. The original architectural act of human nature was to create place. Nature is made of emotive elemental matter- the horizontal of earth, the vertical of sky, the transcendence of water and the energy of fire. Human beings, alone among the living, have the opportunity to purposefully act. We have squandered this privilege until now, only considering nature where we have not yet built. We must endear ourselves to the source of our existence and through each experience gain nourishment and inspiration. Architecture manifests the spiritual revelation of human intervention into nature. The intimate act of dwelling requires fulfillment and sacrifice. The home should inspire the mind, envelop the soul, nurture the body, and free the spirit. The inhabitant must feel grounded within the foundation, thoughtfully carved into the earth, permeated with the warmth of being embedded, and enriched by the centering focus of a flame within the darkness. The inhabitant must feel elevated without weight upon lightness of frame, touched by a cool breeze, surrounded by canopy and inspired by the heavens. For this journey, the architect must purposefully and poetically place humanity within nature. This is the intimate domain of dwelling between earth and sky.

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
2015

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Andreas, Claire Larsen
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Piedmont-Palladino, Susan C.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Holt, Jaan
  • Emmons, Paul F.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:5728
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/52348

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

Andreas, Claire Larsen. The Intimate Domain of Dwelling Between Earth and Sky. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/52348