Thesis Project
After hours of contemplation and agony I have finally choosen the subject of my thesis project. It is titled: REST STOP REVOLUTION. The project is a rest stop on Interstate 40/Route 66 in Arizona. The site is 3 miles from the town of Yucca (population 238- perfect) and about 40 miles from Needles, CA and 30 miles from Kingman, AZ. I was searcing for a desolate area with arid conditions.
Please read for more details:
MANIFESTO!
Rest Stop Revolution.
Rest stops. For some they are meccas on long traveled roads, a chance to relieve the
bladder and stretch cramped limbs. For others, bladder infections would be more pleasurable than
using a rest stop restroom. Rest stop are commonly known for questionable sanitary conditions
and safety concerns, especially at night when they are less utilized. Many travelers choose to
bypass rest stops and continue on to the next off ramp with their preferred restrooms, gas, and
food.
Rest stop are generally the responsibility of state transportation departments. In some
states such as California, the rising demands and cost of maintenance and security has caused the
state to discontinued the building any new rest stops and only maintain the existing ones. Some
rest stops on the east coast and in other countries are going private, meaning commercial space is
rented to fast food chains, gas stations, convenience stores, and private maintenance
organizations. However, most state and local governments prohibit privatization of rest stops in
order to protect small towns whose survival depends on roadside service.
Whether private or public, the standard rest stop focuses on function and necessity. Rest
stops have the potential to be much more their current states. They are often in unique locations
and already accessible to travelers. Instead of a quick stop they could be an anticipated
destination. Architects design to create potential- potential environments, potential behaviors,
potential experiences. However, what a person perceives, values, and uses from that potential is
what becomes their “effective environment”. In the case of existing rest stops the potential
environment has little to offer. The function should not limit the potential to be more.
Rest stops have the opportunity to create many potential conditions, while still meeting the
minimum necessities. Rest stops are necessary to the world:
Time Our society is too fast paced. So focused on getting from point A to point B, we miss the
in-between points, spontaneity, and freedom of exploration.
Fusion Rest stops are a conjugation of the vast and the intimate.
Architectural Regionalism “...Creating a harmony and energy between a natural and a man-made
environment.” Integrating climate, landscape, scale, and culture in a unique place.
Transformation Rest stops need to be adaptable to changing conditions in future technologies and
transportation.
Rest stops can no longer be victim to mediocre government offerings or targeted by
solicitous commercial chains. They must arise to their potential for the betterment of mankind.
A rest stop that seeks higher potential will transform the way we travel by offering users new
possibilities.
Change the world or else !?! > F a l l 2 0 0 6 > Rest Stops please revolt
The Berg Gallery
My abstract is the one with the toilet paper roll. - Alittle demeaning, but caught some attention.
There was alot of very random and creative stuff.
The Berg Gallery
My abstract is the one with the toilet paper roll. - Alittle demeaning, but caught some attention.
There was alot of very random and creative stuff.
