LIVING ARCHIVE
Academic Work | Group Work
Core Design Studio III - Cornell AAP
Year: FA 2024
Type: Learning Center, Housing Units, Phasing Plan
Site Location: Seneca Falls, NY
Instructor: Anna J.M. Dietzsch + Sean S. Anderson
Group: Boseul Seo
Learning Center and Housing Units
for the Gayogohono Nation
This semester, we made every effort to understand the culture of the Gayogohó:no’ Nation and empathize with their experiences. We tried to imagine how it would feel if our homes were bulldozed or burned and we were forced to relocate to unfamiliar land, previously used as a recycling site. Rage, fear, and a desperate ambition to protect and preserve what is valuable to us would be inevitable. But what would you do when there’s little left to protect or preserve? This is a profound question without a clear answer. This project is our small yet sincere attempt to respond to that question, and protect the community and their future generations.
Living Archive: Their Way of Preserving
Since the Learning Center is dedicated to preserving culture and supporting future generations, we drew inspiration from how the Haudenosaunee safeguard what is precious. During our visit to the Onondaga Nation, we were struck by their seed vault, which redefined our idea of preservation. Unlike conventional vaults where seeds are simply stored and fossilized, the Onondaga vault operates as a living system. Seeds are continually updated, replanted, and reharvested, creating a two-way flow that extends preservation beyond the vault into the surrounding environment.
This approach shaped our design of the Learning Center as a “Living Archive.” The facade acts as flexible storage accessible from both inside and outside, while spaces for learning, cooking, and crafting extend beyond enclosed rooms into the surrounding landscape. In doing so, the building embodies preservation as an active, living process rather than a static state.
This approach shaped our design of the Learning Center as a “Living Archive.” The facade acts as flexible storage accessible from both inside and outside, while spaces for learning, cooking, and crafting extend beyond enclosed rooms into the surrounding landscape. In doing so, the building embodies preservation as an active, living process rather than a static state.
Conventional Way of Preserving Haudenosaunee’s Way of Preserving Living Achive
One-way Static System Two-way Living System Two-way Living System
One-way Static System Two-way Living System Two-way Living System
Conventional Seed Vault Haudenosaunee’s Seed Vault Facade Systems in Living Archive brought in, stacked, and fossilized continually updated, replented, and reharvested flexible, accessible from both inside & outside
3 Wings Embracing the Precious Interior - Exterior Interaction 3 Wings Linked by Center
The Link and The Wings
The Learning Center consists of three wings, each dedicated to cooking, learning, and crafting. These wings are connected by a central link, which serves as a flexible, open space. This link can accommodate various activities, such as dancing, gatherings, or extending the programs when additional space is needed. Each wing integrates with its corresponding outdoor program, and the facade system mediates this connection, offering adjustable openness and functioning as seating or shelving when needed.
In terms of phasing, the construction begins with the cooking wing and the central link. During Phase 1, learning and crafting activities can take place in the central link. In subsequent phases, the remaining wings are completed one at a time. The unfinished geometry of Phase 1 serves as a reminder of progress and motivation to complete the entire building.
In terms of phasing, the construction begins with the cooking wing and the central link. During Phase 1, learning and crafting activities can take place in the central link. In subsequent phases, the remaining wings are completed one at a time. The unfinished geometry of Phase 1 serves as a reminder of progress and motivation to complete the entire building.
*Drawn by Boseul Seo*
*Drawn by Boseul Seo
The facade also functions as protection and surveillance. Facing the garden and craft preparation area, the facade blocks vision from the outside, safeguarding the people and valuiables inside. On the side facing the playground, it is fully open, allowing adults inside to keep an eye on children. To compensate the controlled opaqueness of the facade, which limits the southern sunlight, we introduced roof openings to ensure adequate sunlight.
Workshops and small stores for visitors are spatially distinct yet still under one roof. The unifying roof offers a warm and welcoming gesture towards the ouside world.
Workshops and small stores for visitors are spatially distinct yet still under one roof. The unifying roof offers a warm and welcoming gesture towards the ouside world.
Protected Spaces, Thriving Lives
We began by restoring the woods to address contamination and to serve as a natural barrier, providing protection from the outside. For future generations, we envisioned spaces where children can play freely while remaining within a safe and watchful environment. To achieve this, we first positioned a lacrosse field and playground, shielded by the restored woods and further protected by the learning center.
A thriving community requires more than housing; it needs activities and opportunities for sustainable living. Community members can generate income by producing and selling goods or by sharing their skills. Agricultural products can be sold through roadside shops, while workshops in the learning center can teach traditional crafts, cooking, and other aspects of their way of life.
A thriving community requires more than housing; it needs activities and opportunities for sustainable living. Community members can generate income by producing and selling goods or by sharing their skills. Agricultural products can be sold through roadside shops, while workshops in the learning center can teach traditional crafts, cooking, and other aspects of their way of life.
Phasing Plan
When Three Become One
There are three types of housing units designed to accommodate 4, 5, or 6 people. Together, these units form one community cluster. At the heart of each cluster is a shared central space that embraces a communal fireplace, fostering connection and interaction among residents. This central linking space is conceptually similar to the learning center but represents a more practical and scaled-down version.
Each community cluster can house up to 15 people. By the end of the phasing process, the development will provide housing for a total of 60 people.
Each community cluster can house up to 15 people. By the end of the phasing process, the development will provide housing for a total of 60 people.
We come from very different places, and while the United States itself was new to us, learning about this context was especially meaningful. It felt like encountering an entirely different world. Our ideas may feel speculative at times, but if they can offer even a small source of inspiration as you imagine your future, that would mean a great deal to us.
Thanks to my amazing friend Boseul Seo.
Amazing Semester :)