ARCH-4980.6 | Chris Perry, Assistant Professor

A PROSTHETIC EXTENSION

Hybrid Processes in 21st Century Energy

CHRISTOPHER NOBES

Richard Neutra, Frederick Kiesler, and Marshall McLuhan are known to be either architects, philosophers, or theoreticians however, their synthesis throughout certain formulated concepts rely on the ability of a prosthetic extension – the initial explored analysis.  The definition of the word in this sense, does not correlate directly to an actual prosthetic limb, however, a prosthetic’s ability to lend the individual help with a certain task, follows the concepts in which these three individuals describe.

Richard Neutra showcases his use of a prosthetic extension within his health house.  Blurring the boundary between interior and exterior by pulling in the natural elements that surround the house, formulating a connection with the built environment.  Similar to Neutra, Marshall McLuhan was intent on discovering the boundaries between technology and a built structure.   To McLuhan, technology and building are separate features however, they do not act alone.  They both have ties to one another and if technology were to experience a great achievement, so would the building.  The opposite is also true.  On the other hand, looking at Frederick Kiesler’s research and experiments, his vision machine showcases his use of a prosthetic, visually.  In this experiment, the concept decomposes the retina and creates a functioning model.  This model renders the usually invisible networks of information in this space, as visible.  By using various bubble densities, the models interstitial information, flowing from the retina to the back of the brain, produces its own type of prosthetic extension.

Stemming from this research, the thesis became focused on Indian Point Energy Center.  A nuclear power plant that portrays the highest amount of danger to the Hudson River Valley.  A site, which could greatly afford the integration of its own type of prosthetic extension in order for it to generate a less hazardous and aesthetically acceptable campus.  It is with the connection between the three mentioned individuals and the dangerous site conditions, that defines the thesis of a new 21st century energy production center.  This center, fosters individual interaction in order to showcase the architectural achievements and comparisons within nuclear energy production and a new microbial fuel cell and electrodialysis energy system.