Solitude in the Context of Communal Life: Creating a Quiet, Contemplative Graduate Student Residence

AbstractNowadays our solitude and meaningful alone time is taken from us by ever demanding societies and our contemporary lifestyle. The design of our living and work spaces are encouraging constant social interactions and left us with less opportunities for solitude and self-reflection.Inspired by monastic cell as a metaphor for withdrawal from community in a search for peace and meaning in life, this project wishes to create a space that delivers solitude in the context of communal life, enabling an individual to find peace and contemplation.The study of the monastic cells and their relationship with the community illustrates how a built environment would exceed its utilitarian existence, the experience that one’s describe as otherworldly or sacred. Monastic life in many aspects is similar to the experience of a graduate student’s life, as both voluntarily take a transforming journey towards their ultimate concern, and dedication is a crucial part of this journey. Furthermore, both are a member of a larger community and their identity is connected to the community’s identity.Creating a quiet, contemplative student residence that is dedicated to enlightenment whether spiritual or intellectual may enhance the general wellbeing of students and may result in a more meaningful experience during their studies.

Author

• Maghsoud, Parisa

Language

• en

Keyword

• Enlightenment
• Contemplative
• Solitude
• Student Residence
• Communal Life
• Student Housing

Date created

• 2016

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Fine Arts

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• Ames, Benjamin

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/rv042t26g