Xinyuan Yue

Parasensus

Fragmentation, Deterioration, Reintegration, Compassion

This thesis engages in an architectural exploration of the cultural implications surrounding fragmentation and alienation experienced by the elderly and unwell within our current youth-oriented and consumerist social system. Focusing on integrating sensation, psychology, and interaction into architecture and drawing inspiration from a blend of aesthetic and cultural production, this study aims to raise consciousness, awareness, and attention to pressing societal issues.

Recognizing the profound impact of deterioration and dementia on the lives of the elderly and unwell, this multi-volume mixed-use building project catalyzes reintegration by implementing transformative spaces—a captivating and immersive museum and a vibrant community activity center. The project employs innovative techniques to address the challenges associated with dementia, recognizing it as involving errors in aesthetics, misremembering, disruption in legibility, and erasure. The emphasis remains on the aesthetic and cultural significance of the undertaken measures.

Blurring boundaries, merging memories, and reimagining the built environment, the design achieves an uncanny integration that defies hierarchical structures, fostering inclusivity and unity. The project taps into the creative potential found in the misremembering and reconfiguration of spaces, allowing for a more empathetic and responsive design that caters to the changing needs and experiences of the citizen.

As an urban intervention, the thesis seeks to change the urban fabric and establish stronger connections with its surroundings, particularly the small and inadequate community centers in Los Angeles. By incorporating a large-scale community center in the core of Downtown, the design aims to revitalize the urban environment, promote social cohesion, and facilitate interactions among diverse groups while considering the specific needs of those affected by dementia.

Delving into the psychological and mixed mental landscapes of people with dementia and the unwell, the project captures the paradoxical nature of their inner world. Leveraging machine learning capabilities of Style Generative Adversarial Network techniques to mimic intricate and nuanced states of mind, the spaces reflect the older generation's delicate dance between order and chaos, clarity and confusion, simplicity and complexity. By embracing the disruptions and errors of dementia, the thesis strives to create legible, engaging, and nurturing environments for individuals experiencing memory loss.

The project critically reflects and responds to the cultural contradictions of our time. It stimulates contemplation and dialogue by harnessing generative design to challenge societal norms and blur boundaries. The abstract-yet-tangible design serves as a tool for transformative storytelling and cultural reflection, fostering a shift in perceptions and attitudes toward aging people. 

The ultimate aspiration is to ignite a cultural reawakening, breaking down the isolation between generations and social groups. By nurturing inclusive spaces and cultivating a collective consciousness in architectural design and contemporary culture, this thesis strives to build a more integrated, compassionate, and harmonious community where the rich tapestry of human experiences spanning generations can be celebrated and interconnected.

Concept Model - Details and Scales

Decayed Objects Composition

Reintegrated Volume

Building South Elevation

Isometric Close Up