The assignment for this project was to create two separate spaces, and eventually create a threshold between the two. One space was required to be for intimacy/being alone, the other for interaction/play. What I created out of this was a journey that allows the inhabitant to interact with the structure through an optical illusion of movement, because interaction is something that doesn’t have to be physical, rather engage one of the senses in some way. Once entering the space, it leads the individual into an inclosed and private space, with the option to reflect through the small viewing port, or simply stand and relax. 
Drawings:
In order to create the project I created many models, drawings and ideas in order to explore and eventually create something I thought best suited the main concept of the project.
We started off the project with creating two spaces, one intimate and one interactive. I explored structural aspects in which I thought related to the definition of both intimate/interactivity in order to find inspiration for what I wanted it to look like.
For my intimate structure, which I made out of clay, I built a cave like space with cut outs all throughout it for someone to have the ability to be alone, while still having access to the outside world through their eyes.
Perspective: Plan:
I decided this was the best way to represent an intimate space because, personally when I think of being alone I tend to reflect on my own thoughts and observe my surroundings, which are all things that can be done in this space.
For my interactive model, which I made out of bristol board, I created something that is not only a place for people to interact with one another, but a somewhere that people can manipulate and physically interact with the structure itself.
Example of movement:
I decided this was the best way to create an interactive space because for me personally I think of interaction as something beyond two people having a conversation, instead somehow involving the body into the way the structure acts and performs.
When it came to creating the threshold space, I had many ideas as to what I wanted to do. Creating mood boards and drawings, these are some examples:
- A mixture of Organic and Geometric shapes.
For this idea I was inspired by the forms of my two previous models. The organic forms of my intimate space, and the geometric of my interactive space. I wanted to find a way to combine them into something that would turn both of these forms into one. Rather then creating something that was an addition to my previous models, I wanted to merge them all into one consistent model using this idea. What I discovered while researching different forms, like in the photos above, is that geometric shapes can make organic structures, and organic shapes can create geometric structures. This was a definite possibility for a threshold space.
2. The Nature Of Spirals.
For my second idea I wanted to explore different structural possibilities that would allow me to create something that would gradually transition from a private to a public space. Spirals naturally form in a tight intimate place, and slowly grow into a more open and interactive space. This was when I realized that spirals have similar context to this project, and can be manipulated in many ways according to what someone wants them to do.
3. Pod – Forms and Manipulation Abilities.
For this idea I was inspired by “Pod” forms, and how they can easily be manipulated in many ways to be private, and/or public depending on individual needs. Taking inspiration from the organic structure elements of my intimate space, and the physical interactivity element of my other model, the pod form seemed to be something that married the two ideas together. The idea here would be that through manipulation of the arrangement of these pod forms, one could create a threshold space with them, between my two previous models.
4. Inspiration of Previous Ideas.
The fourth idea I had was inspired by my previous three ideas, taking the elements I thought were most successful from each, and combining them. I wanted to incorporate the organic/geometric form to create a flexible wall that acted as the main structure of the project. Then, putting this wall into a spiral formation and lastly placing the pods throughout to gradually transition from a private to a public space.
After exploring and testing these ideas, flaws came about and helped me create my finalized project. While keeping in mind both my initial models as well as my different ideas for my threshold space, I took my project into a direction that allows for the inhabitants to feel as though they are in a private or public space based on the reaction of their senses. For my first interactive model, I made something that was more than just interaction between people, but interaction between people and the space through physical means. While designing my final model, I realized that interaction with a space and the individual did not have to be physical in order to be an interaction. This was what led me to the idea of having the interaction be visual, and how that could be equally as powerful. I began looking at structures of biomimicry that could help structure my form while still supporting the function of the project. What this resulted in was the spiral form that is my final model. From the outside, stimulation of light and shadow, as well as the illusion of movement, I created the interactive element in my piece. I wanted to create a threshold that was something obvious to what it was leading to. The short ceilings lead the inhabitants to the intimate portion of my structure. The intimate space is something that has minimal views on the outside world, and closed of for a private and alone atmosphere.
