THE GLADE
exploring ritual through architecture
Ames, IA
Instructor: Reinaldo Correa
Partner: Dylan Rivera
Instructor: Reinaldo Correa
Partner: Dylan Rivera
Humans are naturally creatures of habit. But what happens when these habits become rituals of daily life? Rituals serve a variety of different purposes and take on a multitude of forms, ranging from spiritual practices to daily exercise to clear one’s mind. Regardless of the ritual, these intentional actions and behaviors offer an opportunity to improve mental and physical well-being. The built environment is complicit in the effectiveness of these rituals and can be designed to enhance rituals for occupants.
The Glade aims to create a place where communication is used as a vessel to relieve stress and create a comforting environment. By offering a place for students of Iowa State University and the Ames community to gather and communicate through a variety of mediums, the social and physical needs of the community can be met. The architecture enables this ritual to occur through the use of interactive walls, flexible gathering spaces, and an open connection to the surrounding site.
Visitors are encouraged to communicate through a variety of media, such as verbal communication, visual art, and music. Large GFRC modules offer a surface for messages and art to be left to spark conversation and leave lasting messages for the community.
