Beginning Architectural Design | College of Marin | Spring 2017 | Instructor: Georgia Goldberg
Through experiences of confinement, escape, and freedom, this project portrays the story of Daedalus and Icarus. The design allows for two main pathways from the entrance of the site to the exit, one following the father’s and one the son’s story.
The paths at the first stage are shared. A labyrinth-like, tightly spaced walkway is indicative of the imprisonment of the two protagonists of the myth. The indentations in the wall at the start of the confinement section are aligned with the the wave-like, rhythmic walls that seem to have detached and pulled away, reflecting the escape and flight in the story.
In the escape, the option to choose a path is arrived at. From here, taking the less exciting but safe, rectilinear path to the left is representative of the father Daedalus’s choice. Going to the right is representative of Icarus’s excitement and choice to take a more risky but more exhilarating route “stepping” through high circular clouds and near the sun.
Daedalus’s path leads to a safe exit from the site. Icarus’s path leads to a sinking, negative version of the thrilling path he took. The design is intended to represent both his fall and the waves he slips into.
From Icarus’s side, all is white, representing an innocent and carefree perspective. From Daedalus’s side, everything is gray, representing the whole story in a more tragic and solemn light.
