WHO AM I? An exploration of the spatial expression of Self and One’s subjective experience of Existence

Abstract

The synthesis of one’s wading among the ebb and flow of existence. This question spans a lifetime yet passes in an instant upon the utterance of three words. According to the Existentialist, we are the sculptors of our own destiny, utilising subjective experience of our surroundings and interactions with others as a means of positioning ourselves among the chaos of existence.1 Free to determine our own purpose and identity across our lifespan, we are inherently blank, where Consciousness is a formless void conceived through our awareness of it, taking shape according to our subjective reflection of our worldly experiences.2 A notable figure among Existentialists, Jean-Paul Sartre emphasises the inherent dynamism of Self, suggesting that one’s Self is created over time, rather than being discovered as a complete and unified ideal.3 It is through the coalescence of subjective worldly experiences that the Self is realised, undergoing continuous change over time in the hope of reaching an ideal form; a feat which is largely considered futile. Using Sartrean Existentialism as a foundation of research, this thesis explores the notion of Self and how the innate formlessness of our Consciousness may be spatialised and architecturally expressed. This thesis is an explorative investigation into the dynamic and complex nature of Self, seeking to capture the emotions and sensations experienced in its cyclical formation and destruction, extending them into spatial suggestion. Writing and making serve as the primary methods of exploration, where one’s subjective perceptions of existence are translated into speculative atmospheres and landscapes expressing this innate flux. This project does not aim to manifest itself as built form, but rather as a temporal, dynamic and intimate experience of Self as space. In doing so, this thesis utilises architectural discourse as a means of anchoring oneself among the disorder of existence, seeking to resonate with those who observe this collection of work.