Prerana Dhadoti
Transient Marks
Transition I Abstraction I Fragmentation I Adaptation
This thesis focuses on revitalizing abandoned landscapes by transforming them into habitable spaces, drawing inspiration from the interplay between manmade cuts and the natural folds of the earth. The project centers on the idea of subtraction and addition: subtracting from the earth to create imprints and then adding new forms to shape spaces that blend seamlessly with the landscape. Through this process, the thesis explores how these newly formed structures interact with the natural environment, testing how they can be integrated into the terrain in a way that honors both the existing landscape and the architectural intervention.
At the heart of this work is the exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. The lines we draw on the land—whether through digging, shaping, or organizing—reflect our ongoing desire to impose order on the natural world while simultaneously engaging with its inherent beauty and complexity. This project examines how these lines, these marks on the earth, can be both a means of control and a way to reconnect with nature, creating spaces that are at once functional and reflective of their natural surroundings.
Using earthwork techniques such as excavation, retaining, shaping, and compressing, the design aims to balance form, light, and material, resulting in a built environment that is sensitive to the land's natural contours. The goal is to create geometrically structured sanctuaries that respect the past while challenging traditional architectural practices. By engaging deeply with the landscape, the project seeks to redefine how architecture can harmonize with nature, offering new ways to inhabit and experience the natural world.
In essence, this thesis proposes a method of transforming challenging terrains into thoughtfully designed spaces that bridge the gap between human intervention and the natural environment, creating a harmonious dialogue between the two.
Process Diagram - Initial Abstraction
Process Diagram - Additive Extraction and Object Formation
Program Diagram - Geometric Structuring and Design Logic
Final Trial