Caden Henderson: Architecture II, Carson

Project 01: Memorial

Client Concept Drawing

   My client is Theodora of the Byzantine Empire. I chose her because I learned about her sophomore year of high school. She was the empress of the Byzantine Empire from 527 BCE - 565 BCE. People remember Theodora for the power she held in a time when women had little. She used her power to advocate for women's rights and lead the Byzantine Empire into its golden era. Not only did she advocate for women, but she advocated for Byzantine as a whole. She's a brave woman who would rather die than surrender and see her empire fall. The Nika Revolts tested this philosophy, a clash between two political parties that almost destroyed Constantinople. Everyone deemed that it was necessary to flee while they still could, afraid of death. Theodora was able to influence everybody to stay and fight, saving the Byzantine Empire from destruction. 

Memorial Projection Drawing

​    For the projection drawing, we created a floorplan, elevation, and section drawing for our memorial. I wanted my memorial to incorporate Byzantine architecture so the viewer could see what Theodora fought for during the Nika Revolts. This memorial has flowing water through each walkway that acts as a source of sound and transition from each space. The water also acts as a metaphor. The water represents peace and tranquility, and so does Theodora. In this memorial, there are three spaces: the main informative space is information about Theodora's life, the second area describes her actions during the Nika Revolts, and the third space describes how Theodora advocated for women.

Site Selection

My site is in Istanbul, Turkey. The significance of this site is that Istanbul, Turkey, is modern-day Constantinople, and Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, which is what Theodora ruled. Not only is the memorial in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire, but the memorial is next to the Hagia Sophia, an architectural masterpiece created in the Byzantine era, too.

Conceptual Design I 

This conceptual design is for the Memorial Projection Drawing provided above. There is a bubble diagram, program, and 3D sketch created for this design to distinguish what goes where. There are two secure entrances in the back, one for the staff and one for the residential building.

Conceptual Design II

For my second conceptual design, I wanted to combine everything together to minimize space but still keeping the overall feel and architecture of the first conceptual design. I really liked the water idea and how it represented Theodora and the peace she brought to the Byzantine Empire. Each space is the same, however, the arrangement is different, and the residential area directly connects to the memorial through a secondary staff entrance.

Conceptual Design III

For my third concept design, I wanted to incorporate a sense of safety, so I made the building wrap around the viewer as they enter, providing the same sense of safety that Theodora provides. The Water in prior designs is still in effect, representing Theodora. The memorial greets the viewer with Byzantine architecture rather than modern architecture upon entry; this acts to contrast modern and traditional architecture.

Final Site Plan

  This 3D model is a visual representation that gives the viewer a general understanding of the layout and how the memorial connects and works with its surrounding buildings. It shows the contrast between modern architecture and archaic architecture.

Schematic Design

 My final model is a modern version of my first concept design. Instead of using traditional Byzantine architecture, which would compete with the Hagia Sophia, I chose to redesign and give it a more modern look. It still has the same effect, the building will surround the viewer giving them a sense of safety, the same safety Theodora gave to the people who she ruled.

Floor Plan I

Picture
 Upon entering, you will need to be checked in by staff. The first floor contains an auditorium for guest speakers to speak about Theodora's contributions and women's rights. It also hosts the first level of a museum. It will have multiple artifacts from the Byzantine era and belongings of Theodora. In the blank space is a botanical garden. The plants will be arranged to look like a mosaic, an art style traditionally found in Byzantine Era artwork; this gives a sense of contrast between tradition and modernity. Lastly, it contains a hotel lobby and restaurant. There are staff rooms located throughout as well. The restaurant symbolizes the food that people were able to afford because of Theodora, and what she did for the community.

Floor Plan II

 The second floor contains the hotel and the second level of the museum. The second floor of the museum is the same as the first floor, it is going to contain artifacts and things that Theodora has owned. The hotel symbolizes the protection that Theodora offered, fewer people were slaves, and more people were able to have housing. 

Floor Plan III

The third floor is strictly residential. It contains a penthouse for the resident who will be a historian/guest speaker. 

Elevations + Model