Atmosphere Alhambra
Investigating microclimate design innovations in the Alhambra’s Islamic garden palaces.
Overview
To promote atmosphere and sensation in the design of public spaces, I investigated microclimate design innovations in the Islamic Garden palaces of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, and drew out lessons that can help us create spaces of greater reflection and creativity today.
Activities concept development
narrative strategy
sourcing talent
copywriting
storyboarding
InstructorSilvia Benedito
Date2015
LocationGranada, Spain
CourseGSD2450 Meteorological Reveries (II)
Challenge
We live within an envelope of air that affects our wellbeing and shapes our perception of the world around us, but we frequently dismiss atmosphere and bodily sensation as considerations in designing our cities and public spaces.
For a seminar on atmospheric design at Harvard Graduate School of Design, I investigated the Islamic garden palaces of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain to help advance atmosphere as a concept that can expand the ecological, physiological and humanistic scopes in design.
Having lived in Granada and visited the Alhambra several times, I was really interested in finding ways to connect the lineage of its design language to the unique human experience of the palaces.
Political Climate
I situate the experience of the garden palaces within the longer lineage of cultural expressions used by Islamic political power.
Political Climate
I situate the experience of the garden palaces within the longer lineage of cultural expressions used by Islamic political power.
Design by @vanderyacht @jamesnoellert
Animation by @dantezaballa @davidjrockart @petercobo @area_man_sells_out @wakrsylbe @egetron
Music/SFX by @sounds_like_ambrose