Cristina Pillitteri

Institutes of Being

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“In order to form meaningful relations between the built environment and a person’s mental capacities, designers must develop a common determinant between architecture and cognitive perceptions. Storytelling through shards of landscape, this thesis proposes the enhancement of learning through the integration of sensory abilities and artistic expression. The proposed project is a kilometre-long sensory pathway and pavilion structures placed for people visiting the McMichael Canadian Art Collection or walking along side the Carrying Place Trail seeking opportunities for education, creativity, and personal growth, as well as leisure. The five senses—sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste—are singularly enhanced throughout the site, highlighting the identification between one's physical surroundings and cerebral processes. Every person in the site transforms into an artist, activating a playfulness in exploration and growth. Both interior and exterior programs utilize repetition and adaptability in forms to inspire individuals to learn about the environment that surrounds them, enhancing their unique experiences and its varying sensations.To convey the conceptual basis for this thesis, the symbolism which I have chosen is the imagery of a Kaleidoscope. The Kaleidoscope's exploration is found in the reflective symmetry of many geometric shapes, with growth in the lively unification of fractal space and interconnectedness of planning. When in use, physically or mentally, a shift of experience occurs on a sensory level in order to uncover the full image or idea. ”