THRESHOLDS
2019 LYCEUM COMPETITION | A SANCTUARY
Class: Advanced Architectural Design Studio I
Professors: Rashida Ng & Eric Oskey
Semester: Fall 2018
Program: Sanctuary
Location: Angel Island Immigration Station, San Francisco Bay, Tiburon, CA
For those processed through Angel Island Immigration Station during its years of operation, the experience was one of both hope and hardship. Immigrants from all over the world came to the United States with hopes of better lives, seeking to escape the harsh realities of their native lands. But many were met with great disappointment upon arrival, as they were treated with with hostility and prejudice. The Immigration Station, also known as the Ellis Island of the West, imposed terrible conditions upon those who were detained there, often for many months before either gaining entry to the country or simply being deported. In order to cope during these hard times, immigrants carved thousands of poems into the walls of the facility within which they were kept. A nation that promised freedom, opportunity, and equality did not welcome them to these rights.
Taking all of this into consideration, the Sanctuary is a place of inspiration as well as a place that acknowledges the history of this long forgotten place. One must acknowledge the history of the site as a means of entry to the Sanctuary as immigrants of the past had to endure the terrible conditions of the immigration 04 process as a means of entry to the country.
A dock is proposed as a new point of entry to China Cove, a second point of entry in addition to the south end of the site. As you approach the site, you see this monumental, cantilevered form thrusting itself out from the side of the hill. With curiosity, you step off the ferry onto the dock and move forward toward the shoreline.
Adjacent to the dock is an arrangement of tiered, landscape- inspired spaces on which people can sit and contemplate to the sound of the crashing waves.
Up ahead is a trench that cuts into the landscape. As you enter the trench, you read the poems engraved into the walls and learn about the history of the Immigration Station. The path of rocks beneath your feet makes it difficult to step forward.
You then exit the trench by ascending a flight of stairs and come out at the top facing the ocean. Around you are various structures in which people can enter for social events or to sit and enjoy the views out to the ocean. These variously scaled spaces can easily be transformed between places of assembly as well as places of repose and contemplation.
As you enter the gathering space, the concrete shell structure soars above you and directs your view out across the bay and toward the horizon. This is a place of both inspiration as well as contemplation. It is also a place in which naturalization ceremonies can be held for new citizens of the United States. Because it is broken into several separate, tiered platforms, it is suitable for groups of individuals as well as gatherings of one thousand. In addition, retractable curtain walls allow for the space to close up during inclement weather.
