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Virginia Tech

Contextus: A Modern Intervention in the Urban Fabric

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The word "context" originates in "contextus", which is Latin for "weaving." An architectural question arises as to how a building can so integrate itself with a community that is it truly woven into the urban fabric. The Shaw Neighborhood branch of the District of Columbia Public Library system closed in 2004. The building at the intersection of 7th Street and Rhode Island Avenue could no longer serve the needs of the community, and shall be replaced by a new facility on the same site. What are the needs of the community that should be addressed, and by what methods? As a civic building, what role will the new library play beyond that of a place to find books? What are the contexts that the new architecture will confront, and how does this building transcend the contexts of the present to endure as something equally valuable in the future?

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
2007

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Gallagher, Richard
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Piedmont-Palladino, Susan C.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Foote, Jonathan
  • Emmons, Paul F.
  • Holt, Jaan

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-08162007-164550
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34586

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

Gallagher, Richard. Contextus: A Modern Intervention in the Urban Fabric. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/34586