Entertainment : an architectural prototype

A response to architecture in a consumer-driven environment

The increasing social influence of media corporations raises important

questions in architecture. This thesis studies the "extreme" architectural models

of the theme park, tourist resort, and entertainment district. The techniques

and technologies that have broughtthese models success merit closer study.

Contemporary concepts of architectural performance and interactivity

have expanded the appeal of theatre, gaming and cinema into recreation

spaces. Public spectators wish to participate in their communities, and ask

architecture to facilitate this inclusion. As new technologies raise questions of

application, architecture could help discover socially conscious answers.

Market research and advertising campaigns present feedback loops

with potential for architectural research and experimentation. This thesis

proposes to manipulate public love of novelty in a hybrid resort-laboratory

prototype. Within this environment, greater forms of complexity can find public

funding and new technologies can be given critical content. The short-term

potential may be entertainment, but long-term, this prototype could advance

building sciences and design.