working abstract


Model as Parameter (Overarching Idea)

Site is used as form determinant in a multi-faceted exploration of parametric modeling. In parametric modeling, parameters are given to define characteristics of systems or functions. Relationships between parameters in the entire model are tracked, in order to allow for change among variables*. This thesis plays with geometric transformations and manipulations, to explore the movement in space of the building occupant, in the current site along the coast of Castellammare near the main shipyard.

Culture as Site (Cultural Risk)

Castellammare di Stabia has always had industrial roots: shipbuilding and repairing, grain transportation, naval base. The city is currently under repair with public works, the Fontana Grande (public fountain), or the Stabiae Terme (public spa). This thesis takes advantage of the current under goings reconnects the city with its place of being. The current site where the old grain silos stand is under investigation as a potential link between the current downtown and the public industry region. The industrial part of town is focused on the use of water bottling, drinking, transportation, bathing, cooking, cleaning, preserving, heating/ cooling, leveling, importing/ exporting, healing, entertaining. This thesis also uses water as a generator for site investigation.

Program as Emergent Result (Architectural Risk)

Contextual use relationships effect the transformation of the coastline in Castellamare di Stabia. By promoting unity and porosity simultaneously, this thesis uses the current industrial events in and around the shipyard to respond to the fragments of the city.



* Parametric feature based modeling uses change states to maintain information about building the model and use expressions to constrain associations between the geometric entities. This ability allows a user make a modification at any state and to regenerate the model's boundary representation based on those changes. This ability is called a transmigration operation.