Joani Cuko + Sean Guerrero

This thesis explores the transformative potential of glitches in challenging Gestalt theory, specifically the idea that people perceive the whole before its parts. Glitches disrupt our conventional perceptions through their unexpected deviations from normal patterns or expected sequences.

By investigating the potential of glitches to invert the Gestalt effect—individuals are compelled to encounter architectural parts before grasping the whole. We can extrapolate these design interventions and reshape the reading of the overall architectural experience as they offer a unique lens to reconsider how we perceive architecture and urban spaces.

Through design experimentation and analysis, this thesis proposes strategies to simulate glitch effects within architectural constructs by allowing viewers to occupy a unique vantage point while immersing them in an experience. One way we are doing it is through layers of glass and layers of images. We want to utilize the transparency of the glass along with the images of bricks that we glitched to create visual depth.