Omar Harb

advisor

Phoenicia University

Lebanon

As an architect and founder of Omar Harb Architects & Associates, my work centers on creating… more

Overall Concept and Vision
Your project idea immediately grabs attention by challenging the conventional starting point of an "empty site." Instead, you propose using existing social structures, with all their complexities, as a "module" for design. This is a very insightful and relevant approach, especially in contexts with entrenched social issues. The tension between Christopher Alexander's modularity and Peter Eisenman's critique of architectural complexity is a rich theoretical ground, and your intention to navigate this space is commendable.

The concept of architecture engaging with class difference is critically important, moving beyond purely aesthetic or functional concerns to address societal impact. This shows a mature understanding of architecture's role.

Project Description
Your decision to use Bernard Khoury’s B018 as a precedent to demonstrate how a building program can engage with complex social issues is a strong choice. It illustrates that your theoretical approach is grounded in architectural examples. This connection of a specific building program to your modular theory, while simultaneously critiquing class disparities, is a sophisticated layer to your work.

Technical Information
This section is where your project truly distinguishes itself. The journey from your study of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed and Bertolt Brecht’s Verfremdungseffekt to your concept of "Standardized Propaganda of Spatial Bias" is intellectual and compelling. You're leveraging centuries of theatrical innovation to inform a new spatial experience.

The core idea of merging The Living Theatre (actors engage, retain control) with Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed (audience takes control) is revolutionary for a spatial design. Your vision of an immersive, three-dimensional performing art where the audience can intervene and reshape the performance is incredibly powerful. This directly challenges the "passive spectator" assumption and creates a dynamic, participatory environment.

Furthermore, stating that the building must complement the performance while simultaneously testing your theory (integrating system theory with its critiques) ties everything back to your initial theoretical premise. This indicates a high level of conceptual integrity.

Suggestions for Further Consideration
This project is highly conceptual, and its strength lies in its intellectual ambition. To further strengthen its presentation and impact, consider:

Architectural Articulation of the Module: While you introduce the social structure as a "module," the technical information focuses on the theatrical concept. How does this "social module" physically manifest in the architectural design? Are there specific spatial typologies, adaptable elements, or modular units within the building that represent or facilitate the "expansion to the urban scale" of your solution?
Defining the "Spatial Bias": You propose to reveal "class deviation to the middle class." How does the architectural design specifically create or manipulate space to achieve this "spatial bias"? Are there contrasting circulation paths, varying levels of access, or designed viewpoints that subtly (or overtly) highlight these class differences within the immersive theatre experience?
Feasibility and Scale: Given the experimental nature, what is the envisioned scale or location of this "theatre"? How might its implementation or the 'performance' itself begin to scale from a single building to an urban intervention, as your initial idea suggests?
Overall, Dawood, this is an outstanding project for its intellectual rigor and innovative approach to architecture's role in society. You're not just designing a building; you're crafting an experience that aims to provoke thought and action.

1. Concrete Manifestation of the "Social Module"
You've brilliantly positioned the existing social structure as your design module. Now, let's make that abstract module tangible within your architectural design.

Spatial Typologies Reflecting Class: How do specific spatial configurations within your building directly represent or embody different social classes or their interactions? Are there contrasting scales of space, varying material qualities, or distinct levels of access that subtly (or overtly) signify these social strata? For example, are there areas designed for exclusion versus inclusion, or spaces where certain services are readily available to some but not others, mirroring real-world disparities?
Adaptable Elements for Social Change: If the "social structure" is a module, how can the architectural elements be reconfigured or adapted to reflect changes in that structure? Consider how walls might shift, platforms might rise or fall, or services could be rerouted to symbolize evolving power dynamics or social mobility within the performance space. This would tie the Verfremdungseffekt directly to the building's physicality.
Visualizing Urban Scale Expansion: Given your ambition to expand this concept to the urban scale, how does the individual building hint at this larger vision? Are there recurring formal elements, modular connections, or a conceptual framework that suggests how this "spatial bias" could be replicated or integrated into a city's fabric?
2. Sharpening the "Spatial Bias" Through Designed Experience
You aim to reveal "class deviation to the middle class" through an immersive, three-dimensional performance. To achieve this, precisely articulate how the architecture itself orchestrates this revelation.

Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Access/Visibility: Design specific paths, viewpoints, and barriers that control what each audience member sees and experiences. Perhaps some pathways offer privileged views of certain "scenes" while others are intentionally obscured, or lead through spaces designed to evoke feelings of discomfort or constraint.
Sensory Manipulation: Beyond just visual cues, how do other senses contribute to the "spatial bias"? Consider how acoustics might vary dramatically between different zones, or how material textures and lighting could create stark contrasts between spaces representing different social realities. Could specific "scentscapes" or even temperature variations be employed to heighten the sense of disparity?
Interactive Mechanisms for Intervention: You mention the audience intervening. How does the architecture facilitate this? Are there literal mechanisms (e.g., movable walls operated by the audience, platforms they can activate, light controls they can manipulate) that allow them to "reshape the performance" in a physical, spatial way, making their participation directly impactful on the perceived bias?
3. Integrating Research and Performance for a "Living Laboratory"
To fully realize your project as a "laboratory" that integrates theory and critique, explore how the building can become a tool for ongoing research and a catalyst for dialogue.

Documenting the "Performance": How can the spatial interventions and audience reactions within the "theatre" be documented and analyzed? Consider integrated technology (subtle sensors, cameras) to capture data on movement patterns, interaction points, or even physiological responses, providing empirical evidence for the "spatial bias" theory.
Public Forum and Debriefing Spaces: Beyond the performance itself, include dedicated spaces for post-performance dialogue, workshops, and reflection. These areas could be designed to be neutral or to intentionally break down the "spatial bias" experienced during the performance, fostering critical discussion and shared understanding.
The "Module" as an Exhibition of Itself: Given your fascination with modularity, could parts of the building or its construction be exposed or designed as a continuous exhibition, explaining the theoretical framework (Alexander vs. Eisenman, Boal vs. Brecht) and the architectural manifestation of the "social module" to the audience before or after the performance? This makes the conceptual framework an integral part of the visitor's journey.
These refinements aim to give your incredibly strong theoretical project more tangible and impactful architectural dimensions, making it an even more compelling and revolutionary statement on the role of space in society.