Final Presentation Layout

Final: The Process of Designing Harmonious Spaces

Architecture revolves around the topography and the environment of the location where the designs are composed. This design process shows the significance of the location and the site to every archtecture. Vitruvius mentioned in his first book of the ten books on architecture that “they [our ancestors] never began to build defensive works in a place until after they had made the liver sound and firm.” Although this statement was not written for today’s commercial and residential design and construction, the theories behind the processes of locating a healthy site are still being practiced today.

The inspiration for this program revolved from not only Vitruvius' ten book on architecture, but also Plato's treatise. Plato mentioned that "sometime we [inhabitants] blame the noise, the air-conditioning, the fluorescent lights, the crowds, the proportions, the smell—but all of it comes down to architecture, whether the circulation of people, acoustic, out-gassing toxins, colors, spatial aesthetics or construction details.” As such, the design of this intervention considered the significance of these issues, such as the lights, moisture, wind, and even the sounds that could penetrate into the interior of the edifice since each of the element would affect the clients' experiences.

Each of the programs and circulations from the design interacts and responds to the natural elements, and works with one another as one main system, the harmonic system of architecture. The intention of this design is to create a balance of spaces, functional programs and rhythmic circulations that interact and respond to the topography and the climatic conditions of the environment. The final result should deliver a positive result to the clients' body and soul.

Programs and Space Adjacencies

The Mayan weapons contain very symbolic meanings, including a well-define shape and form to serve its functions. This particular carved stone weapon passed through three process and related to three different group of people. First was the craftsman and the maker of this particular weapon. The artifacts reveal that the craftsman must studied and had a clear understanding of the religion, since these weapons are not only for the military but also held many symbolism for ceremony purposes.

The main purpose for the carved stone weapons were still mainly for the warriors who protected the elites and Uxmal. These weapons were intended for protecting their fundamental ground, bring their beliefs to battles, and protect the important their sovereign.

Hypothesis: Mayan Warfare versus Religious Practices

The Maya civilization was well-known for their religious practices and warfare. Mayan cities, including Uxmal, were constructed accordingly to the needs of religious practices, spiritual sanctuaries, and sacred temples. Since the civilization held a strong and conventional beliefs, the ruins of Uxmal (as well as other Mayan cities) suggests that the constructions within the site were built with defensive systems for the possibility of a battle to defend their beliefs. Not only that Uxmal was once enclosed by a defensive wall systems, but also each of the programs were constructed on elevated landscape or platforms for further defenses. Moreover, in a smaller scale of the defensive systems, the threshold and the entry to any of the edifice were constructed in a very narrow and limited manner. These applications of the defensive designs also define the importance of the programs, and reveal the hierarchy among each of the edifices in Uxmal.

On the contrary, many of the Mayan artifacts suggested differently that the Mayan edifices and programs were built specifically for religious practices with less concerns for their defenses. Artifacts, including the weapons, revealed the importance of the symbolism and the meaning of the weapons. Mayans believed that their gods and spirits would being them the victory. The carved stone weapon (as shown in the diagram) “suggests a zoomorph, perhaps a snake in its long, sinuous shape;” and the simplicity of the design is also apparent. This particular artifact shows the design that is inspired by an animal and may perhaps held a certain symbolism or significance, while also provides the user with a simple design to serve its functions. However, since carved stone weapons were used both in daily life, for sacrifices and as a weapon, these purposes suggest that the edifices and the programs were designed not only to hold symbolism and imagery for their gods but also for defensive purposes and daily rituals.

Artifact: Carved Stone Weapon

Carved stone weapons were used both in daily life, sacrifice and warfare, but also are also found in cemetery, burials, and ritual site. Mayans' weapons were not particularly designed for the efficiency of warfare usage but were concentrated on the symbolism, meaning and imagery of the god and goddess, as well as the decorations and articulations of each weapon. “Maya artisans prized flint for their weaponry,” and the artisans were more concerned with the meaning of the weapon more than the efficiency. However, since most of the weaponry kept a very simple design, the function and the efficiency of the usage came naturally. As such, this carved stone weapon “suggests a zoomorph, perhaps a snake in its long, sinuous shape;” and the simplicity of the design is also apparent. This particular artifact shows the effectiveness of the simple design to serve its functions, while the design is also inspired by an animal and may perhaps held a certain symbolism or significance.

Diagrammatic Analysis through Articulated Edge [Part II]

The articulations on the constructions of Uxmal not only narrated a story and decorated the site, but also created a well-define edges with an organized itinerary. This model is a diagrammatic representation of the edifice between the Pyramid of the Magician and the Nunnery Quadrangle, constructed accordingly from the regulations and the surfaces present at the site of Uxmal.

Diagrammatic Analysis of an Articulated Edge [Part I]

The articulations on the constructions of Uxmal not only narrated a story and decorated the site, but also created a well-define edges with an organized itinerary. This model is a diagrammatic representation of the edifice between the Pyramid of the Magician and the Nunnery Quadrangle, constructed accordingly from the regulations and the surfaces present at the site of Uxmal.

Analytical Diagrams of Uxmal

These drawings and diagrams of Uxmal show several analysis of the site, from the articulated edges of each program to the architectural promenade of the site. The programs of the site are demonstrated into each of the analytical diagrams. While the arrangement and the planning of these programs and circulations sustain and support the architectural promenade of Uxmal, the articulations and the symbolisms on the temple’s walls also indicate the main inhabitable spaces and paths. As such, the digital rendering of the site illustrates the relationship between the programs of Uxmal to the architectural promenade of the site. Moreover, the ink wash diagrams analyze the issue of public spaces versus private spaces through the usage of different tones. Finally, the elevation diagram of the site not only conveys the issue of the constructed landscape of Uxmal, but also specifies the functions of each of the programs.