Gu Taiqing 顧太清 (1799-1877) is one of the most famous and prolific female writers in the late Qing. In this thesis, I focus on her poems and lyrics on three important subjects, self-portrayals, plum blossoms, and Qingfengge 清風閣 (Clear Breeze Pavilion), in her two poetry collections, Tianyou geji 天遊閣集 (Collected Poems of Heavenly Travels Studio) and Donghai yuge 東海漁歌 (Songs of the Fisherman of the Eastern Sea), in order to advance the current scholarship on this female author and Ming-Qing women’s writings and reveal the uniqueness of Gu’s poetry. My study addresses how she represents herself, recounts her life experiences, and engages in the poetic tradition established by men. By examining her voices and images embedded in her poems, I argue that she creates her own expressions of female voices as an elite woman, a mother, and a female companion for her friends and her husband through the incorporation of her life experiences, both inside and outside her inner quarters. Most female figures portrayed by male poets are desired, static, subordinate, and longing for their absent lovers in their boudoir. Differentiating from the common women’s image, Gu shows her literary creation and women’s subjectivity by taking an active role, as opposed to a passive one. She describes a self-contented life and creates a delightful atmosphere in the spatial setting of her inner quarters. She also writes about her activities outside her boudoir and narrates her travel experiences as a female poet in her poems, in which she constructs her image as a subject that appreciates nature and is emotionally attached to her family. Moreover, my study discovers the approaches that she takes to negotiate between her reputation as a talented poet and her image as a learned lady, given the high moral standard expected from the late Qing elite women. Constructing her image associated with Confucian morality, she highlights her dedication to womanly learning and suggests that women’s literary talent and virtue are reconcilable.

My thesis is about transforming the Anacostia waterfront with a rhythmic approach to seamlessly integrate it into the overall fabric of Washington, D.C. My design involves establishing seasonal celebrations throughout the year, including a redbud festival, and zooming in, to craft a space that celebrates the rich dance culture of Anacostia. My thesis goal is to foster a celebratory atmosphere through an interconnected design that harmonizes with its environment. My research involves exploring the relationship between dance, architecture, and trees to create an experience that would be enjoyed by the community and to bring people to Anacostia, which has historically been a neglected part of the city. The Anacostia Redbud Festival will be the waterfront's own version of the Cherry Blossom Festival, it'll be an opportunity for a celebration of this Native tree and to increase the city's tree canopy. It's a transformative approach for the Anacostia Waterfront as a whole, and I'll be proposing an overall, rhythmic site plan to enhance the recreational experience there. Zooming in, I chose a particular portion from my overall site proposal to intervene and place my dance structure. My design approach has been to explore vertical elements along with trees to create structural movement to mimic dance. Jazz dance will be the foundation that my design will be based upon. I chose Jazz instead of Classic Ballet, which is universally known as the foundation of dance, to teach people that idea is euro-centric and neglects the history of other dance types. Jazz dance was invented by African slaves who shared it when they were brought to the U.S., they never codified it so white people took the chance to claim it for themselves. My design will be a celebration of Black culture and teach people who the true pioneers of Jazz dance are and how that's the true foundation of all dance. Approaching the design of my structure, the idea of having an inhabitable roof took precedence because it allows for the structure to seamlessly intertwine with the existing park. The inhabitable roofs are made from long ramps that bring you from the ground to a rooftop experience that reaches into the surrounding tree canopy. The rooftop also has different pockets where one can find platforms to perform on or to just relax on. This whole ramp structure sits on top a dance pavilion that houses a casual theater, dance studios, gallery spaces and a café, allowing people to also enjoy dance inside and outside, blurring the lines between architecture and landscape. Furthermore, the building is surrounded by small vertical poles that act as structural elements, as well as an important façade element for shading. The small poles are placed in a loose order to imitate a forest of trees. The ramps and orientation of the building give emphasis to the new 11th street bridge structure that will be coming to Anacostia and overall creating a vibrant park that encourages movement and celebrates true D.C. culture. / Master of Architecture / This work holds significant value in its ability to transform the Anacostia waterfront into a vibrant cultural hub. It brings together the community through seasonal celebrations and highlights the rich heritage of dance, particularly jazz dance, which is deeply rooted in African American culture. By challenging Euro-centric narratives and educating the public about the true origins of jazz dance, the project fosters a greater appreciation for diverse cultural contributions. The importance of this project lies in its potential to revitalize a historically neglected area, drawing visitors and investment to Anacostia. By enhancing the city's tree canopy and creating a unique cultural destination, the project contributes to environmental sustainability and urban beautification. The impact creates a dynamic recreational space that encourages physical activity and cultural engagement. The integration of architecture and nature offers an immersive experience that blurs the lines between architecture and nature, promoting a deeper connection to both. Ultimately, this project has the potential to transform the Anacostia waterfront into a celebrated part of Washington, D.C., enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.