Through the Other: The Social Impact of Architecture and Recognition of the Other

Abstract

The United States of America was established on July 4th, 1776. That day marked the birth of a nation of immigrants. It was through the hard work and dedication of those immigrants and their descendants that this became the great nation it is today. It is thus paradoxical that the topic of immigration, in the United States, is so controversial. The topic has been stereotyped by the media as being notorious. This connotation paired with the relationship our society has with public spaces and personal interactions has led to gross misconceptions and hostility between the two groups. I seek to remedy these particular issues through a study of political thought, self-awareness though the public realm and the means and reason by which humans interact. With the findings of this study I hope to spark a fire in the hearts of Americans and immigrants so that they may find each other in the darkness of our current reality. I intend to accomplish this task through design implementations which stimulate the coming together of people and celebrates getting to know the Other through embodied interactions within the public realm.