The project draws from the hero’s journey, focusing on the moment of crossing the threshold, where the narrative is simplified into a trinity of choice. Three pavilions act as moments of pause and reflection, guiding decisions along diverging paths. From the entrance, the final destination is visible via an easy route, while an alternative path winds up the mountain through hemlocks and along a river before descending into calm open water.
left. entrance pavilion - center. winding pavilion - right. destination
site.
left. site sections & plan - right. topography generation process
The site was generated through a translation of the body into landscape. An image of my upper trapezius muscles was captured and projected into a three-dimensional plane, where its contours were abstracted to form a new topographic field. The resulting terrain establishes a pronounced mountain-valley condition that gradually relaxes into an open, flattened expanse, creating a natural transition between compression and release. This constructed topography was then situated within the treetop mountain landscapes of Montana, allowing the bodily geometry to engage with a larger ecological and geographic context.
composite drawing.
experience.
From the entrance, the opening on the pavilion slowly rises, revealing a glimpse into the winding path. Should the user proceed with this route, they are led into the forest, enveloped by the tall hemlock trees before opening dramatically above the raging river along the winding pavilion.
This checkpoint then slopes downward as staggered columns compress the space, casting shifting shadows that echo the river’s accelerating flow, before releasing into a calm open waterbody that marks the final moment of rest and reflection.
enterance pavilion slowly reveals the journey on the left
staggered "light columns" pace the user along with the river
winding pavilion peaks over the river, immersing within the rapids
final resting pavilion where the user is greeted by the large open waterbody
left. 1/2" section model - right. 1/4" chunk model
1/4" study model