Two Places are One-One Place is Two

This slideshow is part of: Selected Undergraduate Design Studio Projects--Thesis 2011-12

Two Places are One–One Place is Two

Sean Gaffney

The ground is constructed. Innumerable pieces of earth form together to create a vast composite whole. Its vastness can’t be captured by human limits. It must be broken down to be understood. My thesis conflates two sites, transposing one to into the other in order to produce a new composite. This new terrain is the product of three imposed limits: an idea of measure, and idea of extraction and an idea of recomposition. This is explored in two separate case studies. Both studies conflate a site in the wilderness and a site in the city. One takes place immediately in space, while the other takes place over a much longer time.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.