Fall 2017

WAAC (Washington Alexandria Architecture Center)

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located: Alexandria, VA

 

Wonderland was my studio project at the WAAC as part of my study abroad experience. For this project I was able to develop my concepts and ideas with a different perspective.

 

Wonderland is a library based on the book "Alice in Wonderland" A library is for a curious person, a place for someone to explore and learn. Like Alice, a person becomes intrigued without fully understanding where they are being led. The library consists of three layers. The first layer is following the white rabbit. A person becomes curious of the library by seeing little peeks of the interior. They are then led within through the Wilkes Tunnel. The second layer is falling. Alice fell down the tunnel to the world of wonderland. This transition and sense of falling is experienced through the main circulation. Visitors transition to wonderland. The third part is wonderland. Wonderland is where the visitors is transported to another world. These are the nooks and library where a person can read.

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There is no clear sense of direction in the library. The experiences change as you explore. In the book Alice never truly knows where she is going but she is constantly lost. The library encourages you to explore and learn without having a clear destination. A visitor's experience is always changing in size. Alice was changing sizes as she explored and visitors also have a similar experience without the potions.

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Like Alice got lost in wonderland, a person can become lost in their own wonderland in this library from their own curiosity.