RECIPROCITY. DESIGN 3 | FALL 2015

Inspiration for this project came from the interaction between elephant and human. The idea of framed view became influential in the design in order to direct attention to the animal and allow for an intimate experience between the two. The project quickly became an investigation of a moment rather than a design of a complete structure. As human is directed through the construction, they weave between tight spaces that frame itinerary and view of the elephant. At any given point, spectator could be looking up, down, or be on eye level with the elephant. These are justified by their proximity to the elephant along with what it is doing; whether entertaining or resting.   

In an effort to capture the experience of being near such a large animal, I sought to accentuate the reverberance of its movement in order to feel the ground shake and to hold its voice within the structure itself. This was done by examining the joint that holds the elephant and by capturing its sound in a hollow mass that both orients us towards it and echoes its voice throughout.