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Virginia Tech

NEO-ZOOMORPHIC ARCHITECTURE: The Decaying Whale Pavilion

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Sustainable design has recently become a hot topic in the field of architecture. With advancements in technology, sustainability has become more accessible to designers. However, instead of relying solely on various high-precision sustainable technologies, nature can be the best teacher. Learning from the cyclical patterns of life can help us better understand nature, become a part of nature, and even design projects that are renewable. This thesis aims to explore the process of decay and regeneration, utilizing the Neo-Zoomorphic concept and drawing inspiration from the phenomenon of a whale fall. It borrows from the external form of whales and their internal life cycle patterns to design a pavilion at the boundary of Pandapas Pond wetland and forest. The whale's skeleton becomes the main wooden structure, and the decaying flesh is represented by a woven bamboo fabric. The skin is simulated by a transparent wood shelter. All the connection points use traditional wood Joinery. Only natural biodegradable materials are used throughout while concrete or metal are avoided. As time passes, this project will gradually decay and eventually will return to nature without requiring any intervention.

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
2023

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Li, Qiuyi
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Jones, James R.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Becker, Edward Gentry
  • Mangual, Isaac Alejandro

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

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

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:38193
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/115946

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

Li, Qiuyi. NEO-ZOOMORPHIC ARCHITECTURE: The Decaying Whale Pavilion. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2023. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/115946