Joshua Aranda -
Project 1 - Salem Witch Trials Memorials
Project Material - Wood
Class Padlet Wood Research
Using wood as our primary material for the memorial we researched how wood works, its benefits, how it interacts with us and the environment, and architectural uses.
Salem Witch Trials Research Padlet
We researched the Salem With Trials as a class to help us create a theme and mood and apply it to our concept memorials architecturally. We found the answers to many questions such as What was the event? Why did it happen? How did it affect people? and How did it end?
Salem Witch Trial Poster
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After Researching the events of the witch trials, we were assigned to create or draw a poster reflecting the events and their meanings. What I found was that the puritans believed women shouldnt be allowed to perform other activities other than what they believed. That brought out the corruption and oppression against women the jury had. I put reasons why it happened on the branches of the tree used for hangings. Before the executions happened, Salem was experiencing conflict with neighboring Indian tribes and the British army, thus causing mass hysteria and stress across the town. With little to no evidence the puritans believed that the victims were practicing witchcraft and performing devilish practices.
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Site Planning -
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What I found about the site was that it is in a residential area and is covered in trees. The site also has a significant drop in elevation in the eastern half. The precipitation is pretty constant for rain throughout the year and snowfall drastically rises as we enter the cold season and drastically falls as we enter spring. The city of Salem experiences subtropical winds from the south and polar winds from the north.
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Concept Ideas -
The purpose of these models I developed was to help me advance further into my final design
For my 1st idea I purposely made it look like a tornado. A tornado is a symbol for stress, disaster, and panic. which accurately describes the events of the witch trials.
For my 2nd idea I shot for a feeling of enclosure. To achieve this I made arch gets smaller and smaller as you pass through it.
For the 3rd idea I focused on creating a sense of entrapment. Once you're in the middle of the circular monument all exits disappear and create the individual to feel incarcerated just like the victims of the Salem With Trials were. The 4 sticks represent the number of victims who died by hangings and it serves as a sub memorial. The first victim died alone on June 10 so the memorial would be the shortest. 5 victims died on July 19 and another 5 on August 19. The last 8 victims of the hangings died on September 22 making the last memorial the tallest.
For my 1st idea I purposely made it look like a tornado. A tornado is a symbol for stress, disaster, and panic. which accurately describes the events of the witch trials.
For my 2nd idea I shot for a feeling of enclosure. To achieve this I made arch gets smaller and smaller as you pass through it.
For the 3rd idea I focused on creating a sense of entrapment. Once you're in the middle of the circular monument all exits disappear and create the individual to feel incarcerated just like the victims of the Salem With Trials were. The 4 sticks represent the number of victims who died by hangings and it serves as a sub memorial. The first victim died alone on June 10 so the memorial would be the shortest. 5 victims died on July 19 and another 5 on August 19. The last 8 victims of the hangings died on September 22 making the last memorial the tallest.
Final Design Drawing
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For my final design I incorporated the symbolism of disaster, confinement, and "Hell". I added a flame torch as a symbol of Eternal Damnation and efficiently executed that by placing its location underground. The circular structure provides the feeling of confinement and also serves as a path to the "hell." I added large walls in the pathways to make people more aware of their surroundings and to be creeped out from being in the middle of the woods. This memorial also serves as a timeline and it starts from the eastern side where people meet the "tornado." It is a symbol for stress, panic, and disaster which was the situation in Salem before and beginning the witch trials. Then they reach the circular structure which serves as a "jail" and can then follow the path to reach the flame which ends as a symbol of "death."
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AutoCAD Drawings -
Site Plan
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Site Trees and Topography
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Site Drawings and Elevations
"Tornado" and Circular Monument
As you enter from Pope St you first encounter the "Tornado" structure which symbolizes the events before the witch trials as stressful, panic, and a disaster. You then take the path uphill to the circular monument and either take the stairs inside the walls down to "hell" or make your way to the center where people feel the confinement the witches experienced.