Garden Cosmologies: Curated Nature in the Contemporary City. Image © Beatriz Santos

Thesis Review is a collection of conversations, statements, and inquiries into the current state of thesis in academia. Thesis projects provide a better understanding of the academic arena while painting a picture for the future of practice. Each feature will present a contemporary thesis project through the voice of those who constructed it. 

This week, we chat with Beatriz Santos from the University of Miami and her thesis titled, "Garden Cosmologies: Curated Nature in the Contemporary City." Santos shares the challenges of thesis and the stressors one faces when finding ways to develop, and ultimately defend, one's project. For Santos, the intention to focus on garden typologies stemmed from a curiosity about the relationship between architecture and human interaction with the built environment. 

Thesis is a moment that not only challenges but also reinforces one's architectural perspective. Santos explains that "as the urban fabric continues to change in order to accommodate the growing population moving back to cities, we have a shared obligation to interrogate the architecture we propose in terms of the human response." Through her research and investigations, Santos unpacks the push/pull relationship between architectural exploration and the developing one's "architectural sense" of the past and present. 

What is your thesis?

Garden Cosmologies: Curated Nature in the Contemporary City builds upon a theoretical premise that fundamental spatial constructs emerged from cosmological notions embedded in our human psyche, nature, and experience. Further, it explores the idea that these fundamental spatial constructs can be useful tools in the adaptive use of cities, and the development of urban identity. The project emphasizes three garden typologies as the manifestation of this theory into physical form.

The inception of these spatial constructs and place-making are fundamental aspects of the history of civilization and the human psyche. Historically, the three chosen cosmologies (Cave, Agriculture and Paradise) reflect a consensus of shared elements of form and meaning in various contexts.

Garden Cosmologies are based on the implications of fundamental principles of humans' primal existential needs that historically shaped the origin and creation of spatial constructs. Human existential needs are reflected and satisfied through a union with nature; The thesis explores this connection by backtracking to prehistoric times in order to understand our inherent impulse to define space and create meaning for our surroundings. The universality of the three cosmological notions is a prevailing theme ubiquitous in ancient mythology and religious practices across cultures. In present day, societies demonstrate great differences in cultural habits and traditions. However, the dawn of human evolution—undoubtedly—is founded upon the same concepts, which yielded similar spatial constructs. The inception of these spatial constructs and place-making are fundamental aspects of the history of civilization and the human psyche. Historically, the three chosen cosmologies (Cave, Agriculture, and Paradise) reflect a consensus of shared elements of form and meaning in various contexts.

Human existential needs are reflected and satisfied through a union with nature, the thesis explores this connection by backtracking to prehistoric times in order to understand our inherent impulse to define space and create meaning for our surroundings. 

What was your inspiration for the thesis?

The topic for my thesis emerged from a series of formative moments throughout my academic experience. Unconsciously, I’ve always had a keen interest in gardens. The most memorable lectures are those that delved into matters of the landscape. At the University of Florida, Professor Charlie Hailey’s Theory II course touched on landscapes, and I was most astounded by a guest lecturer that spoke about garden typologies, since then I was triggered to incorporate gardens into my studio projects. Then, at the University of Miami I spent my second semester in Rome, and again the most compelling sites for me were those with gardens. My studio Professor, Jaime Correa, underlined the serenity of the imposing water gardens at Villa d’Este to the simplicity of hedges framing the Saint Peter’s Basilica viewed from the Aventine Keyhole. But I became fixated with gardens after the visiting professor, Jorge Silvetti, led the tour of the Casino of Pope Pius IV at the Vatican Gardens; he spoke about the role the casino and garden served as an escape for the pope; this experience, along with the influence of my upbringing as a catholic led me to begin questioning the deeper meaning of the garden.

How did it change over the course of the project?

Drastically. At the University of Miami, thesis is a year long: The first semester we take Directed Research, the purpose of which is to define the topic of our project and find the research to support it. Going into this course I already knew the focus of my thesis—the garden in the urban fabric—but the purpose and complete theory behind the project did not evolve until a few weeks before midterm review of the second semester. After struggling for months without much progress, I became frustrated at the fact that my thesis was not clear—I was unable to tie all the pieces of the research together—and by the harsh criticism received from some of the other thesis advisors. Finally, towards the end, everything came together, but not without a feeling of emotional stress and discouragement. I struggled to finish the visual representation, as the end of the semester was coming closer to an end, and I had only a few weeks to develop my final presentation.

My thesis was the climax that marked, not only the culmination of my academic experience as a student, but the beginning of my professional maturity; it’s helping me define the tone of my work and area of interest within the profession.

How do you see this thesis progressing into your career?

My thesis was the climax that marked, not only the culmination of my academic experience as a student, but the beginning of my professional maturity; it’s helping me define the tone of my work and area of interest within the profession. For my final presentation I framed the 3 drawings that represent the essence of the project which are now hanging on my wall, so inevitably, I constantly think of the topic. The beginning of my maturity as an architect concurrently happening at a time of social and political unease affecting the country I call home and also my native Honduras, has raised my awareness of the challenges faced by communities of color and the role I play as an architect.

What were the key moments within your thesis?

There were two defining moments within my thesis. The first, my mid-term review; the High Noon Lecture (a series of lectures conducted by guest speakers) coincided on the same day of my mid-term review, with a topic similar to my thesis: “the potential of ecological performance.” My thesis advisor invited the guest speaker to my review, which—foreseeably—he was extremely critical of. But for the first time I had a concrete thesis and was able to defend my project, and it was this moment that gave me the confidence I needed to push through. 

Erick Dave [...] His human perspective was necessary for me to ground my work on the unfortunate reality affecting many people living in broken urban fabrics.

The second moment was when I traveled to Cleveland to document my site, after speaking to my uber driver about the reason of my visit he became my tour guide and interviewee. Erick Dave, through his lived experiences helped me understand the tangible ramifications lived by people in the de-industrialized urban area of Cleveland. His human perspective was necessary for me to ground my work on the unfortunate reality affecting many people living in broken urban fabrics.

Who were your advisors and how did they help support or challenge your thesis?

My Advisor was Allan T. Shulman; he played an imperative role in the development of my thesis. Not only with insight into urbanism and landscape, he also enthusiastically engaged in my curiosity for exploring the links between architecture and the human psyche. However, his role impacted me most on a personal level; Although I had struggled for a long time, he always reciprocated my desperation with words of encouragement. Though, eventually, I hit a low point and so I approached him regarding finishing my thesis the following semester—seeing me in the darkness of my despair—the only option he gave me was to finish within the program’s timeline. (Maybe it was his intention, or maybe it was just what I needed to believe) but I then heard the unspoken words that he still had faith in me.

As architects we claim expertise in social and environmental issues, but we mostly base this expertise on the reading of data and statistical reports, and we fail to seek direct human interaction with the people whose lives we’re affecting.

How does your thesis fit within the discipline of architecture?

Architecture is currently experiencing a transcendentalist shift, deviating from its historic glorification of power to a holistic approach focused on the fundamental needs of the people it’s meant to serve. As the demographic, social, and environmental fabric in America continues to shift, it becomes even more critical to reflect upon the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, past and present, in relation to the urban fabric. My thesis externalizes the importance of the residue caused by the decisions we, as architects and planners, make. As the urban fabric continues to change in order to accommodate the growing population moving back to cities, we have a shared obligation to interrogate the architecture we propose in terms of the human response.

My thesis externalizes the importance of the residue caused by the decisions we, as architects and planners, make. As the urban fabric continues to change in order to accommodate the growing population moving back to cities, we have a shared obligation to interrogate the architecture we propose in terms of the human response.

What did you discover during the process that you did not foresee?

Certainly the level of emotional strength needed to get through thesis, years of criticism during reviews do not prepare you to endure the criticism received when the topic is of your choice—you take it personally. Also, it became clear to me the profound aftermath of our work and the importance of proximity to the communities we intend to work in. As architects we claim expertise in social and environmental issues, but we mostly base this expertise on the reading of data and statistical reports, and we fail to seek direct human interaction with the people whose lives we’re affecting.

Is there anything you wish you would have known before starting your thesis?

No, it wouldn’t have been authentic. I think that going into the project without any preconceived notions is what made it into what it eventually became.

If you could do this again, what would you change?

I don’t like the idea of regret, as cliché as it may sound; I truly believe that everything does happen for a reason. Even though it was a challenging year, both intellectually and emotionally, the experience contributed to my growth as an architect and as an individual.

What do you think the current state of "Thesis" is within architecture and how can it be improved?

It depends on the institution, some give you the freedom to explore without any limitations and I think this is the model to follow. Thesis should reflect upon your personal concerns, and as we prepare to depart academia, we deserve autonomy. However, that does not take away the responsibility of professors to guide the students toward a research base foundation. This is an opportunity of self-discovery and self-actualization—maybe our only chance—as when we enter practice, where we only encounter greater constraints than those encountered in school.

Thesis should reflect upon your personal concerns, and as we prepare to depart academia, we deserve autonomy [...] This is an opportunity of self-discovery and self- actualization, maybe our only chance, as when we enter practice we only encounter greater constraints than those encountered in school.

What are your next steps academically? Professionally?

I am interested in contributing to academia in the form of research. Professionally, my next step is licensure, I have 3 ARE exams and less than 200 hours of AXP left to complete this process.

Any tips for students working through their thesis?

If it’s within your control take the time to find a topic that you’re truly passionate about because that’s the fuel that will drive your thesis and potentially your career. Keep in mind that this process can become emotionally draining, so if within your control, request an advisor that’s not only an expert in the area of your thesis, but someone that could provide you with emotional support. Exercise and eat well, it increases productivity and helps manage stress. And last, I’ll hand over the wisdom Professor Shulman passed down to me: “It’s not about the end result, it’s about what you learn throughout the process.”