Harrison Phan

Open During Construction

Open During Construction explores three main themes: the aesthetics of construction, exploring ideas of the ‘incomplete’ and the line between ‘finished’ and ‘unfinished’, along while looking at temporary equipment on a construction site as more permanent materials. The thesis recognizes that there is an intrigue from the general public about the mystique behind the veils of a construction site. Many can look, but never experience what it is like to be there. It challenges current social norms and regulations and seeks to break these barriers; giving the people what they want. Open During Construction does exactly as its name states: it seeks to explore what it means to have a construction site be open to the public during this phase of the architectural building process.  

Manifesting as an indefinite installation at the MoMA PS1 – a space formerly known for its revolving temporary architecture competition – the proposal is for a semipermanent gallery addition in the form of an assembly of construction equipment that is in a constant state of construction and deconstruction – all while allowing patrons to walk through and explore the site. By using construction equipment as building materials, it questions current sentiments and perceptions of equipment; visually perceiving the space as unfinished but knowing and coming to acceptance that this is the intended final design. It begins to question Architecture’s accepted process and the assumption that some aesthetics are accepted over others.