Morphogenesis: A Theory of Places

Abstract

Reconstructing the concept of place as a location of events fosters a greater social awareness of occasion. In an effort to adopt and encourage this reconstruction, this thesis will develop a specific Place Theory which will express the nuances of psychologically and architecturally understanding environments. Perhaps no other medium appropriately and effectively recreates a sense of place than the arts. Theater and other performance arts, in particular, have long been cultural and architectural events which allow people to reconstruct space and time into place and occasion. Moreover, the performance arts create, in the mind of spectators and performers alike, an opportunity to enter into social arrangements in order to engage environment and life in general. As such, they will be the selected means for studying and applying the ideas gained from the developed Place Theory. As a metaphor for place appreciation, the resulting design will take on the role of event within a larger, urban situation. It can reinterpret common conceptions of place, providing other events with an essential association of identity and character within the greater fabric of society. The historical evolution of performance arts and theater will be used as a point of study to understand how places can be conceived of theoretically, and how they can be reconstructed in an appropriate and effective manner.