Throughout time, human beings have occupied for various purposes underground spaces, but currently architectural thinking ignores the opportunities presented by developing underground. This thesis examines the architectural implications of these missed opportunities in the re-emergence of a viable typology in the contemporary architectural community.
While there are many topics of exploration one could take to devise architectural solutions to the underground, this thesis will be restricted to the study of spirituality, visibility, and presence as they are revealed through the interior physical constraints of natural lighting and spatial configuration. These areas of concern will be ascertained and analyzed in both ancient and contemporary architectural works as well as the literary works of John Carmody, Raymond Sterling, Rosland Williams, and Nigel Pennick
The ideals and principals of this thesis will be manifested in the design of a new underground museum for the Smithsonian Institute under the National Sculpture Garden on the Mall in Washington D.C.. The design seeks to represent the design qualities necessary to solve the challenges of the underground. Most importantly, the building will attempt to maintain a visible presence from the Mall, while preserving the functionality of the surface-scape, as well as embody the design techniques essential to evoke a spiritual connection to the underground.