Healing by Design - Thesis Abstract

ARCH IX: Thesis

Professor Lia Dikigoropoulou - Christopher Mancia - Healing By Design - Thesis Abstract

Recently, the Department of Communications has asked for the Post Office Building, a space adapted for the School of Art back. This comes to the shock of residents and artists as they have been utilizing the space for the past 20 years. Residents are now looking to extend their stay within the space for another five years but it appears the Department of Communications intends to utilize the space for offices as it looks to bring its department back closer to the historical city center. This thesis proposal looks to design a new center for art and design within the Historical Center of Guatemala City.

Across the city, the art infrastructure is set up within a pay to play mindset with studios being required to be rented to be utilized on a consistent basis. Within this design, we consider the ways in which the space can be accessed by artists during all times of day fostering creativity and a sense of place while equally providing a social benefit to the community they reside in. In order to heal by design we need to understand the issue at hand, analyze the way in which the trauma can springboard new solutions, and propose systems derived from the collaboration across fields.

Through analysis of the current art spaces at the Post Office Building and interviews at the MUSAC, it is understood that this New Art and Design Center shall be multi-disciplinary and the spaces must allow for the full site to be as expressive as the art being created. Within this thesis program there are four intended users, Art Students, Professors, Local / International Artists and Residents. As part of the activation of Parque Centenario it is important to attend to the wellness of local residents, allowing them to take part in the restorative process and establish a cultural foundation through place-making.