Narrative Form

Architecture is a dilemma of transforming complex desires into compelling forms. It stands to reason, then, that to better understand the desires of a user might produce a more compelling form. This is an investigation into the process of design, wherein narratives are constructed as a productive tool for innovation. These narratives are the synthesis of both the desires of the client and the discriminations of the designer. Eschewing the conception of the architect as a mystic, this thesis begins with an investigation into how we represent complex Architectural ideas to a client. It begins a process, or framework, through which a project can be conceived. It both demands that the client shed preconceived, and potentially erroneous, associations between desires and design, to get to a more pure understanding of the needs of a client. The hope is that by rendering Architectural intention less opaque, we might come to a better understanding of the desires of a client, and thus create a new way of practicing; wherein neither client nor architect rely on a pre-defined set of formal solutions for a constantly evolving problem. The single-family home is the programmatic basis for this investigation. Few other programs illicit as robust and divergent desires than the home. It's not that architecture is in the pursuit of creating narratives. But rather, it's that the process of design is one wherein the creation of a compelling narrative has the potential to produce innovative work. And important to the construction of that narrative is the productive engagement of the client.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Architecture

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Architecture

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Angelini, Giorgio

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alford, Grant

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Colman, Scott
• Wittenberg, Gordon

• Narrative
• Narrative form
• Image
• Process
• Idealized image
• Architecture
• Design
• Home
• Client desires
• Judgement
• Rice University
• Giorgio Angelini
• Narrative triggers

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/71915

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/71915