Client and Program: Edge of Spaces for Celebration and Reflection

The Mayan calendar was utilized for many purposes in ancient times. Several of these purposes revolved around various celebrations and times of reflection based on the Mayan calendar: births, deaths, religious ceremonies, cultural achievements, the end of a Long Count cycle (52 years), etc. These events allowed for a significant gathering of people, but based on their purpose they would likely congregate differently. The range of the types of people that would amass at a location containing the Mayan calendar varied and could include commoners to elite as well as priests or spiritual leaders who would aid in celebration and reflection.

In general the calendar was a universal tool to organize time as well as predict the future holidays of a specific cycle. The calendar was such an important artifact in Mayan culture because of the belief that the gods granted the Mayans life 52 years at a time (the length of the Long Count cycle) and that this 52 years must be earned. Anxiety was a common sentiment nearing the end of each Long Count cycle and groups would gather to present offerings and then celebrate once they were inevitably granted longer lives. This affected every civilian regardless of social standing and they would likely feel the need to be connected to the calendar especially at this specific celebration. Large interior spaces and the massive size of the calendar allow for the general observance or exhibition of the calendar (roughly 12 feet in diameter, 3 feet thick) as well as movement throughout the space and differing perspective views of the calendar itself.

It is believed that the calendar could also be used to predict birth energies of an individual, along with divination to determine individual destinies. This would likely be performed by a spiritual healer and occur in a smaller setting where families or friends of an individual would be involved. The scale of such a space allows for intimacy within a group, therefore connecting the participants on many levels in such an activity.

Finally, on a much more personal note, the Mayan calendar was used "as a spiritual device that enables a greater understanding of the evolution of consciousness" and allowing one to "align [themselves] with this cosmic evolution toward Enlightenment." This type of reflection is clearly a very personal experience that allows an individual to feel connected and enlightened at the same time. In a smaller, more secluded space, this reflection could be possible and important for the spiritual and sometimes religious development of a Mayan civilian.

The calendar was used mainly as a tool to determine any date in the future or in the past. The system of telling time that the Mayans invented combined a few different cycles that overlapped to create the overall calendar system. This shows that the combination of things that have one main purpose in common - for instance, to tell time - could be applied to the construction of a space as well. My space contains three separate zones of different scales, but they are all tied into the important and awe-inspiring Mayan calendar. Much like the purposes of the calendar, the purposes of the room may differ but still have a strong connection and therefore allow for movement, exploration, and contemplation throughout the different spaces.

Spaces designed for the Mayan Ruler

The scepter of God K'awiil was only to be used by the Mayan ruler. Differing spaces can be associated with the client and the scepter.
A public gathering space is created for ceremonial ritual dances. The ruler would be at the highest point overlooking his community. He conjures gods to join in on the festivities. The group of elites surround the open space closest to the dancers, while the common people crowd around the edges. The space is vast and hierarchy is represented through multiple levels of space.
A group space is assigned to the client and his immediate family. The royal family, the priest, and the best artisans would gather to prepare before the ceremonies commence. They would celebrate by feasting in an open, smaller space suitable for several people.
The individual space is designed specifically for the ruler. It is a room composed of multiple small spaces to allow the ruler to prepare for his duties in the upcoming ceremony and speak with the gods. His wardrobe would be assembled and he would dress in one of the spaces, with the scepter awaiting his power to take hold.

Toltec Captive Narrative (Part 2)

The slowly rising hills support a constructed system that influences and forms to the conditions. As the Mayans constructed their own landscapes, mountainous structures rise along that skyline, while platforms elevate articulated constructions. Valleys and plateaus are utilized to their potential for living and structure organization. The system of constructions and voids insinuate functionality and detail describes the culture of inhabitants.
The insight provided from detail is potent with ideas needed to construct a society. Preserved in a presumed sacrificial well, a fabric remnant was discovered. Due to the fragile nature of such a material, it is very rare to find such an artifact. It is a cotton piece, woven, brocaded, dyed. It is an irregular piece, frayed. However the brocaded pattern is still dense with fibers. The pattern illustrates a fraction of the pattern that originally existed across the whole clothing piece at one time.
The fabric piece will complete a larger garment. It will wrap itself gracefully and structurally around the client. My client is a Toltec warrior captured by the Uxmal military. The garment that my fabric remnant came from was given to the Toltec in preparation for the sacrifice. The Toltec is kept in a holding chamber at first. Here he reflects his last moments in this world. The fabric he wears was the last experience he had with Earth. When the hour came for the sacrifice the captive would be lead out of the cell and into a larger room where the king and five high priests of the priest counsel would pray that the sacrifice be accepted by the god Chac for rain to bring a bountiful harvest in the recent famine. In procession the Toltec is escorted by warriors as the priests follow. The group follows along the edge of the Great Platform and down into the central valley where the sacrificial well awaits the Toltec and the elite and citizens alike come to view the hopeful change of their fortune.

Program: Journey through space to life or death

The Mayan Ballcourt marker creates an atmosphere for the elite. It is an atmosphere in where the winners thrive in victory and the losers submit themselves to ritual sacrifice. The client for whom this space is created is a victorious and glorified ball player. He is among the elite but is revered by even the other elite to a state of near godliness.

In preparation for the game of life or death, he passes through a series of spaces that not only create an environment that aids in his preparation, but also that preserve the stateliness of his being. He is a part of society, but only in physical being and never truly can be an average citizen.

The first place that the player inhabits is an intimate space where he prepares to take on his opponent. It is also a place where he contemplates the possibility of losing and self sacrifice. Being the glorified ball player, he also has a responsibility to his teammates to keep up their morale and inspire them with his experience and confidence. It is a small space in which he feels the presence of himself and the task that lies ahead. The next place that the ball player occupies is a place for he and his teammates. He meets with his team in preparation for the game and to discuss tactics and perhaps 'pray' to the gods to grant them the ability to perform. While this meeting place exists as a gathering space, it remains an intimate place of bonding among teammates and anxiety over what is to come before exiting out into the main arena where the struggle and the expecting crowd awaits him. When he exits the gathering space and enters the arena where he is immediately under the pressure of the game. It is where the winner is decided and the loser is sacrificed. This is a public space where the people can view the game from their seats and cheer them on. The ballcourt marker divides this space in half, yet also acts as a seam that joins winner and loser in an ongoing struggle to the death.

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.

Articulated Edge of the Nunnery Quadrangle (Second Iteration)

The diagrammatic edge of Uxmal's Nunnery Quadrangle is represented through my construction. The repetition of elements signify the spaces within the ruin. The extended elements show the edge's relation to the other constructions within the Nunnery Quadrangle. The utilization of micro lumber creates an emphasis on the threshold of the west facade. It is the largest entrance into the courtyard therefore it is the most detailed portion of the edge condition.