Paul Kang + Yujung Lee
Our thesis explores into the intricate relationship between urban spaces and their inhabitants, examining this interplay through the concept of 'gestural streams.'
As cities grow denser and culturally more diverse, the conventional linear narrative of the architectural promenade—a journey defined by walls and sequential paths—is increasingly insufficient. In response, our thesis proposes the 'gestural stream,' a novel framework that re-envisions the interaction between architectural forms, their functions, and the inhabitants.
Here, 'gesture' is interpreted as an 'invitation'—a subtle prompt that guides or suggests a certain action or pathway. This invitation, paired with the 'Stream,' symbolizes the flow of reactions or responses that emerge from that initial gesture. Individuals might accept, negotiate, or reject these invitations. Still, the culmination of these interactions shapes the collective experience. Like water carving its path in response to the landscape's topography, humans navigate and interact with spaces guided by the architectural cues they encounter.
In modern urban settings, the promenade's structured linearity contrasts with the spontaneous, multidimensional rhythm of city life. Our investigation aims to comprehend how the foundational principles of the promenade can be reimagined and woven into the fabric of the 'gestural stream,' thus embracing the complexities and unpredictability inherent in today's urban existence.
Our exploration is rooted in understanding the promenade's role in shaping past urban spaces and how this understanding can be translated into the 'gestural stream.' We question why the promenade was significant and how its principles can be reinterpreted in contemporary contexts.
By intertwining circulation patterns (sectional study, pocket conditions, circular/disperse types) our thesis aims to seamlessly integrate the modern cityscape into our understanding of the 'gestural stream.' This approach redefines how we navigate through spaces and challenges traditional architectural storytelling conventions. Our goal is to craft spaces that respond to and are shaped by, the gestures and movements of their inhabitants, thereby pursuing a more intuitive and responsive urban environment.
