An Architecture of Terroir: Cultivating A Sense Of Place In A Globalized World

Evolution of human estrangement from nature has run parallel with globalization and the technological framework through which we experience the world. As globalized Western culture continues to influence consumer products, landscapes, and consequently the built environment, it has guided the homogenization of places. This thesis investigates architectural strategies grounded in the concept of terroir as a way to counteract homogenization while re-establishing a dialogue with the nature of place. Terroir, as a concept which bears insights into the culture-nature relationship, is the starting point for which to establish place driven architecture. By understanding how terroir as an architectural concept can reflect the naturally rich and culturally distinct characteristics of our environments, this approach considers ways in which the built environment can help us reconnect with nature, informed by the context and specificity of place.