Nepali women maintain a conflicting relationship with the sun. This is reflected in the daily sun worshiping ritual and in the marriage of Newari girls to the sun god. But the prevalence of colorism within Nepali society has made people avoid their own object of worship as it paints their skin in different shades of brown. So we conceal our bodies because the relationship between the individual and the sun is both sacred and forbidden- this is explored through movement exercises and drawings. The spacesuit encapsulates this very tension. The shawl, typically used to provide a barrier against the sun, is reimagined to embrace and amplifies its warmth; thus mediating a new relationship between my body and the sun that is just as sacred but no longer hidden.
Bodies are also hidden by the design and regulation of public spaces. Even a place as public as the street raises questions on who is allowed to be seen. When the presence and purpose of a body in these spaces is policed, marginalized groups are rendered invisible in efforts to keep “white spaces" white. Lingering then becomes a means of unveiling communities that are considered “out of place”; a way to reclaim the fundamental right to inhabit and exist in public spaces, just as much as anyone else. Undulating the exterior walls carves inhabitable spaces on either side and allowing the facade to transform into a canopy dissolves the boundary between the street and the interior. Public and private become extensions of each other. Here, loitering is encouraged.
Historically hidden bodies have navigated, challenged, and subverted oppressive systems that perpetuate inequality and discrimination by constructing unique spaces of collective action, solidarity, and fugitivity. During the highly regulated Prohibition Era, people found liberation in concealed, domestic spaces. Rent parties and speakeasies that emerged in Harlem at the time became sites of metabolism that provided financial liberation, promoted racial integration, facilitated African American artistic expression, and served as a platform for Black Activism. The layering of domestic and public spaces created a soft threshold that allowed for the superimposition of public activities in intimate settings and vice versa.
The pattern that emerges from mapping out the known locations of rent parties and speakeasies indicate their strong presence along Malcolm X Boulevard. Notably, the section of 133rd street between 7th and Lenox was once called the “Swing Street”, a title later transferred to 52nd street in Midtown. While most buildings that once hosted rent parties or speakeasies still exist, some have been reduced either to new apartments or vacant lots. Selecting a site that was at the nucleus of this metabolism, but now exists only in memory is essential in reclaiming and celebrating the cultural history of Harlem.
Un veiled serves as a collaborative musical hub that brings people together through the medium of Jazz. Inspired by the role daylight and shade play in creating vibrant public spaces, the building is an interplay of voids sculpted by the sun. Departing from traditional performance venues, the layered spatial design actively encourages the audience interaction with musicians.
All exploration for this building has been done through physical models made of candle wax. While a small part of it was because of the difficulty in translating such an organic concept digitally, the need for a medium that allowed for
The undulating terrain creates flexible spaces that allow for both observation and dancing alongside the performers. Private musical spaces for musicians to perform with no visible audience while the flared walls and the openings within allow the audience to listen in from different parts of the building. Even spaces designed for contemplation and composition maintain permeability, fostering collaborative improvisation. The interior spaces seamlessly transition to the rooftop seating areas above, while the north end of the building spills into the community garden. The interconnected nature of these spaces allows for the weaving of music emanating from various locations, producing a dynamic sonic gradient that evolves spatially.
Structurally the building comprises of a metal space frame sandwiched between thin sheets of marble. While the building appears like a solid mass during the day, when lit up at night, it reveals the layers of spaces within. The circulation within is meandering, and uses light and sound to unfold spaces and orchestrate movement. At street level, the building provides inhabitable space while preserving visual privacy. Once inside, the interconnectedness of different spaces create dynamic visual and acoustic conditions, allowing for collaboration as well as layers of privacy and intimacy.
