Instructor: Anali Gharakhani//Woodbury University//ARCH 281//Fall 2016

In the Round

In this project, we studied a circular ancient architecture as the precedent. I first analyzed its geometry and identify its generative diagram. After modifications of the diagram, variants were developed with integrating the concept of symmetry. Hence, probable alternatives of its current form and mass are proposed.

After that, one variant of all developed masses will be selected and further develop by including interiority. It will transform the mass into an aquatic center. Finally, this aquatic center is asked to be positioned into a specific site within the city of the Los Angeles.

Precedent Study: Santa Costanza

The Old Symmetry

The plan of Santa Costanza has both the reflected symmetry and the rotational symmetry on the same axes extended from the center horizontally and vertically. These two axes ultimately guide all the columns and niches (the proportions) reflectively and rotationally. Since a entry is needed for the accessibility, a variant to the bottom component is added, as well as an asymmetry to the central horizontal axis.

The New Form

A new analysis of the original diagram is resulted below. When comparing with the original diagram, the new form is constructed by translational symmetry, where the three original forms are over -lapping and having their circumferences intercepted the centers of the neighbor forms.