Architecture is a pathway to capture memories in the physical presence. Like a charm bracelet, a path leads you through individual segments, each telling their own stories. "Community Narratives for Architecture Spaces" investigates how to choreograph design strategies around the memories of the Christiansburg Institute, a historically African American school, and its cultural legacy. Materiality, lighting, and programming articulate specific memories within the spaces of this project. It is essential to have moments highlighting the past, present, and future while individuals maneuver through the site. There is a life cycle where things must end, and new opportunities can grow from them. This cycle can be beautiful yet ugly to navigate through. Architecture highlights the essence of this cycle by portraying how beginnings can be born from the old. An old site can be transformed into a new one, creating new memories and perspectives while preserving existing ones. Christiansburg Institute encompasses all of these beliefs. This design proposal honors the life cycle of the institute. / Master of Architecture / Historically African American school in Southwest Virginia for approximately 100 years. At its prime, it reached over 185 acres with over 14 buildings. It now stands with less than five acres and only one surviving building. This thesis is a design proposal to rejuvenate the current site in honor of its legacy and contributions bestowed to the African American community.
Ethnographic storytelling documents the cultural identity of a group of people or a specific experience. Historically, storytelling has documented the history of African American communities. To directly honor the alumni of the site, I interviewed four individuals to discuss their memories of the school's spiritual and physical presence. Their stories will remain documented and help understand the Christiansburg Institute's space and its legacy. These recollections of memory were analyzed and dissected to influence the new design proposal.
As an emerging designer, the relationship between social narratives, the role of an architect, and creating community space are imperative. Community members should have a voice in how the design process shapes their neighborhoods and buildings. Community Narratives for Architecture Space; Christiansburg Institute uses Christiansburg Institute as a case study to further explore the process of engaging the community with schematic development procedures. Ideally, these actions will influence future design and planning strategies to be more intentional and inclusive.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/106541 |
| Date | 05 November 2021 |
| Creators | Lewis, Byronaé Danielle |
| Contributors | Architecture, Dunay, Donna W., Tomer, Sharone, Schnoedt, Heinrich, Bohannon, C. L. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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