Cloud of Consciousness

The project, named "Cloudscape of Consciousness," revolves around a psychological neurology lab featuring a sensory meditation space situated in Upper State New York, adjacent to the tranquil Hudson River. It draws inspiration from research on memory in Neurology and collaboration with the esteemed artists' group known as Numen/For Use. By abstracting the intricate processes of memory—constructing, deconstructing, and reconstructing—into a captivating three-dimensional realm, the design team unearthed a remarkable sandwich structural system, encompassing the ground, ceiling, and floating spaces between floors. This vertical system incorporates steel columns for compression and cables for tension, harmoniously blending these forces to create an enchanting cloud-like environment, where one can experience a sensation of hanging and floating.
To implement this system on a larger scale, the design team opted for a single form, the circle, as the primary architectural element due to its ability to evenly distribute forces and eliminate any structural dead ends. By adjusting the density, slope, and orientation of the cables and columns, the structural system seamlessly transforms into space dividers, giving rise to unique environments tailored to specific programs.