A Framework for Memory: Designing Between Objective Realities and Subjective Experiences

Traces of memories exist everywhere—from the individual mind to the recollections of shared thoughts visible in the built environment. The everyday spaces we inhabit are defined not only by their formal structures but through the experiences which unfold within them. Architecture lives beyond the three-dimensional form to embody a complex constellation of senses, experiences, and memories. Thus, memory shapes our understanding of space to form architectural narratives. Oftentimes, design is focused on efficiency, productivity, and operations; creating homogeneous environments which limit the potential for exchanges between mind, body, and space. Typical site analysis and design processes all too often neglect the presence of memory in the built environment. In contrast, this thesis proposes the 'framework for memory' as a design approach that focuses on the tangible and intangible aspects of memory associated with a particular place. By linking memory to place, the framework embraces intersubjectivity in the design process.