A Library of Gifts: An Architecture of Place and Generation
Open Access
Author:
Mc Rury, Katie
Area of Honors:
Architecture
Degree:
Bachelor of Architecture
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Darla V Lindberg, Thesis Supervisor Pep Aviles, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
third places sustainability slow culture libraries
Abstract:
Colonial capitalism has eroded many historical community structures and knowledge systems in its enterprise of global extraction. In addressing the resulting crises of climate change, hyper-consumption, flawed educational models, and generational shifts, revitalizing the socio-cultural ties of communities is one first step toward sustainability, equity, and resilience on a local scale. My thesis explores third places—specifically a new evolution of the library type—to rebuild these relationships through generational, anonymous wisdom. This library will be generated through what I understand as “gifts,” that is knowledge and resources that were historically available but have been neglected or overwritten, from sourdough starters with advice on how to care for them to hand-illustrated maps of neighborhood walks and resources. This thesis claims a new architecture of place, community, conversation, and generation will foster the networks and experiments necessary to imagine and build better futures.
