Our Naked Traces

On a day-to-day basis, we wake up, eat, work, socialise, shower and sleep. This daily routine of being stuck inside a constant cycle is something that we often feel exhausted over, causing us to feel lost within ourselves. This thesis examines the idea of the cycle on a vast scale, exploring the extent to which environmental cycles and rhythmic behaviour within ourselves can be used to our advantage and represented through architectural typologies that assist in creating a positive experience for individuals.

This project is also a physical recollection of memories brought to life through an architectural narrative. It endeavours to challenge societal views surrounding the body and the importance of culture, specifically to do with my Korean heritage and values.

The first structure represents the idea of the Pyeong-Sang – a traditional Korean low-lying table used for dining purposes. In Korean culture, low-lying tables are commonly used at home on a daily basis or for traditional rituals where food is the main focus of the event. The Pyeong-Sang Tower not only allows for visitors to walk up the structure through a curved ramp surface and look out to the views of Mount Cook, but it also provides a space for people to rest, eat and be present in the moment.

The final proposal is inspired by the Korean bathhouse (jjimjilbang) – a design proposal that encourages public use of the baths that celebrates all genders. It highlights the importance of my Korean heritage whilst giving the opportunity for people to reconnect with their bare and naked bodies – how we all were when we were brought into this world.