Anime and Architecture

Due to the ultra processed nature of our world and societies; our current built environment fails to stimulate the full breadth of requirements needed for us to instinctively consider a space habitable. As a result, we instinctively consider the vast majority of spaces uninhabitable, yet we inhabit them nonetheless due to a lack of alternatives.

This thesis explores a method of generating a primally aligned design outcome; with Napier's Mataruahou as the testing ground. This was done through an altered biophilic design framework sourced from the International Journal of Architectural Research; that draws on the theories of Matila Ghyka, Carlo Scarpa, Peter Zumthor, and Hayao Miyazaki; combining an understanding of habitability, with an understanding of human nature.

This design framework was developed by investigating three subjects: Architectural Theory: To understand the medium of architecture and current built environment.

The Processes of Hayao Miyazaki: For his ability to express the complexity of humanity.

Exploring our primal nature: To understand what stimuli is missing from our current built environment.

This was done through exploration of relevant literature and case studies, resulting in a series analogue and digital design experiments; with intervals of critical reflection at each stage, from my own perspective, and the perspective of two generated characters.

This work developed a design framework of 15 patterns that when combined, and effectively applied to Mataruahou; produce an architecture that connects us to the primal nature of our being. Differences in outcome will be generated by different designers, but as long as the frame work is followed, it will still be successful. However, this research has not explored the implications of different sites, programmes, or density; and cannot confidently state that the result will be consistent across these variables.