Reimagining Water as a Public Space

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In Folder: 2020 Theses

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Reimagining Water as a Public Space

Submitted to the Department of Architecture in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture at the Wentworth Institute of Technology, April 2020

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title: Reimagining Water as a Public Space

creator: Curtis Dragone

subject: Water and architecture; Public baths, Massachusetts, Boston, Designs and plans; Boston City Hall plaza (Boston, Mass.); Bathhouses

description: Public outdoor space has transformed since the introduction of the car and other advancements in technology. These advancements as well as the growth of the urban city have stripped the public space of its central community aspects. City Hall Plaza is one of the many outdoor areas that does not function as a vibrant public space. The large fountain that was once there invited people to occupy and enjoy the space. Now that it is filled in, the site remains vast and difficult to occupy daily. This poses the idea of embracing water as a public space and looking at the potential that water has to reinvigorate it on multiple levels. A variety of past regions and cultures constructed bathhouses that were the focal point of their societies. These spaces brought people together for cleansing, leisure, socialization, exercise, and served as a public forum for all to enjoy. In certain cultures, this public space is still an important part of the community. In America however, the bathhouse was short lived in the late 1800’s and eventually transitioned to the now dwindling municipal pool. This thesis proposes the reconstructing of social experiences around water within the American city for the 21st century. Aside from physical interaction, the sights and sounds of water can be very beneficial to the experience and staying quality of a public space. The project features aquatic zones where water is physically enjoyed for recreation, leisure, exercise, and relaxation. It also incorporates dry zones surrounded by the audible and visual connections that bring life to public spaces for everyone to occupy.

publisher: The Douglas D. Schumann Library and Learning Commons, Wentworth Institute of Technology

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date: 2020

type: Thesis

format: .pdf

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language: eng

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rights: https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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