The basis of this project was for students to design a memorial landscape context based on an impactful personal memory as seen through the lens of grief, gratitude, fear, anger, or shame. We were required to design three overhead moments into our landscapes for occupants for the purpose of reflection, observation, and experiencing feelings reminiscent of our personal memory.
My memory was of a series of hospitalizations I experienced during my junior and senior years of high school. I chose to design based on my experience through the lens of gratitude. During my illness, I remember an "out-of-body" experience where I looked down at myself from above during emergent treatment. I used this memory as a key driver of my design which can be seen in the two clustered moments which stand over the central body of water in my landscape.
The lower moment is intended to convey a feeling of disconnect and uncertainty as two occupiable spaces are beside each other but neither can be readily accessed from the other. The space which is constructed entirely above the water is meant to demonstrate a contrast from the "safe" enclosed space beside it.
The second moment in the cluster overlooks the moment below and is intended to represent my experience as I looked down upon myself during my out-of-body experience and reflected on my situation below. This moment is comprised of an enclosed space which occludes the occupant's view of the central moment, an underground space which allows for limited observation while enclosed in darkness, and a higher observation space which allows the occupant to view the other two spaces as well as the moment below for the purpose of reflection.
The third moment in my model is separated from the other two moments, but is connected by linear and tectonic systems integrated into the landscape. This moment is intended to represent peace as I look back on the clustered moments of my past with gratitude.
The model is constructed of basswood built upon a poplar structural grid. Water is represented by a layer of green colored VYCO vinyl covering underneath a layer of frosted plexiglas.
