Consequential Strata - A Question of Stillness

Abstract

The interesting thing about stillness is that it can be quite elusive, especially in the present environment. The fight for stillness is not a new one, many religious traditions regard it as a precondition for prayer. In the psalms of the Bible, it is commanded to be still (Psalm 46:10) and to cast anxieties away. Artists like Georgia O'Keeffe have noticed the atmosphere of chaos and the need for constant busyness. "When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, its your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not (stated by O'Keeffe, Brookes (web)). However, the topography of the battle has changed with the introduction of technology and social media. Social media, smart phones, and technology have created a state of constant connectedness to distraction that never happened in history. People are sharing ideas, thoughts, and collaborating at an exciting global level, but the effect of constantly curating our lives has stolen most of the connection we are searching for. The question now is how do we connect again? This architectural study is a proposition in response to that exact question. While stillness cannot and should not be forced upon anyone, the idea that it can be revealed and encouraged by architecture is an intriguing one.