FACETS

spatial experiences blur boundaries in Cyprus, Nicosia's archaeological museum

Georgia Tech Sophomore Studio Professor Keith Kaseman





Fall 2017


While understanding a public environment through different modes of representation and experimentation, the drawings and models produced influenced the design process in every way in order to investigate our capacity to perceive spatial complexity. With a vast site in Cyprus, Nicosia, we were able to play with an archaeological museum program in order to conceive of spatial experiences. This results in a faceted envelope acting as a bridge: habitable from below and above as the public’s playground.


























floor plan

floor plan



Exterior Room By folding the faceted envelope up it can create covered exterior rooms punctured with light wells for the people to walk under the building. Folding down urges the building to dig into the earth, and create a ramp up to the “roof” where the terrace can be walked on to enjoy an outdoor playground of peaks and valleys. Faceted, triangulated surfaces allow for a clean, unwarped, measurable surface to be manipulated by pushing and pulling nodes to transform varying spatial experiences into iterative 3D printed models.


Circulation Beginning with circulation without a prior notion of exterior form but with an intention to output the findings as 3D printed models, furthered the design process. With 3D prints consisting of closed volumes, the movement seen as paths and ramps allowed volumes to emerge simultaneously.

Program The artifacts are selectively scattered around the spaces, loosely divided into their chronological periods, and divided between permanent and temporary exhibitions. This allows the visitors to play.

Peaks and Skylights The mountain-like peaks that fold up from the roof allow shade to people above, and skylights to those inside. The small perforations across the skin allow light to indirectly bounce into the space.