This was the final project for my A2 Studio course. It began with a study on a specific ritual and how the human body interacts as an individual, in a group, and with the characteristics of the celebrations. I chose the “Wheel of the Year,” which is the Celtic and Pagan calendar of festivals throughout the annual rotation of the Earth. The cycle is based on the Sun, Moon, and astrological calendars, but the main celebrations are for the Sun God and Goddess so I decided to focus on that (rebirth, growth, living, and decline). I chose the 4 main festivals, which are the Winter and Summer Solstices and the Fall and Spring Equinoxes. The project program was to create a park with private and public spaces, and used a real site in South Boston. After visiting it, I noticed how much the surrounding buildings influence the site because of their height, so I did a thorough study on how they cast shadows throughout the year into the site from South to North since the Sun was my main concept. I then used that information to determine where I wanted to represent the solstices and equinoxes (depending on how much the sun shone into the site at 12 Noon), during those specific moments in time. Then after exploring ideas for the structures, I decided to physically frame the Sun at the precise angle that the sun shone into Boston on each festival (24-winter, 48-fall/spring, and 72-summer degrees), so that the structure represented the specific solstice and equinox appropriately. Because the cycle signifies the decrease and increase of the sun throughout the year, I decided that the two solstices would have separate and opposing structures, and that the equinoxes would be combined as one moment since it represents the balance of day and night. The final design moves from above to below ground to show the movement of the Sun and the amount of light and darkness there is during the winter and summer months. Then it all ties together with the balance of the equinoxes, while still symbolizing each moment in time with great significance. This made my project a challenge because it was a very analytical and precise study of the site and how I can use its environment to my advantage. I wanted to challenge myself by placing myself in the shoes of a real designer so I could create something realistic. This way the design outcome was truthful in showing how the balance in the cycle of the “Wheel of the Year” works with our everyday experience of light and the absence of light.