Pledge of Allegiance: M.Arch thesis project by Julia McConnell. Thesis advisor: Devyn Weiser & Peter Testa.

Architectural representation in film and television often provides highly impressionable results. Beyond a story's narrative, architecture can be used as a secondary 'character' to help create a sense of place, tone, and facilitate visual association for the viewer and the story's setting. Julia McConnell, a recent M.Arch graduate from SCI-Arc, used her interests in film to further explore questions relating to representation, ethics, and aesthetics. 

In her thesis project, "Pledge of Allegiance," McConnell explained that her thesis research requires "architects flatten the ontological plane and view individual instances of a particular type for their particularity. Thus, establishing that we may be able to differently value what architecture inherently contains: a myriad of views, positions, and possibilities."

Architecture thesis acts as a catalyst that allows young designers to explore their interests while expanding their perspectives and architectural thinking. Continuing with Archinect's coverage of 2021 thesis projects, our interview with McConnell provides a brief dive into the experiences of a recent graduate. Together, we explore their thesis process, views on the value of thesis, the state of architecture today, and plans post-graduation.

Archinect's Spotlight on 2021 Thesis Projects: Archinect's commitment to highlighting student work doesn't stop at simply sharing projects. Our editorial team focuses on connecting with students and asking questions to learn their process, architectural perspectives, and their take on the industry as young designers. 2020/21 has been a challenging year for all architecture graduates; to support the class of 2021, we've launched our summer series iteration of Archinect's Thesis Review to highlight the work of thesis students during this unique time of remote learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Be sure to follow our 2021 thesis tag to stay up to date as we release new project highlights.

My thesis challenges convention by proposing film as the work of the architect... 

Please provide a brief summary of your thesis/final project.

The first of a series of short films, Pledge of Allegiance engages with the projective political backdrops of increasingly balkanized political futures. Beginning by identifying the unhelpful singularity of a room like the Oval Office, the project attempts to architecturalize that in which political theater is utterly incapable. Representing the kind of complexity and multiplicity of any given situation. My proposal requires that architects flatten the ontological plane and view individual instances of a particular type for their particularity. Thus, establishing that we may be able to differently value what architecture inherently contains: a myriad of views, positions, and possibilities.

How does your thesis fit within OR challenge the discipline of architecture?

My thesis challenges convention by proposing film as the work of the architect. Furthermore, I propose an understanding of type that allows us to hold a much bigger basket of disparate objects, in a way wherein we simultaneously comprehend and string together vastly different individual objects and never once confuse one with the other. If we conceptualize type in this way, reinforcing the idea that specific instances of things are just as important as any abstract concept of them, I think it will have profound implications for architecture. Particularly, the architecture that is engaged with replicating and representing the apparatus of power.

At its best, thesis uncovers something that sparks a deeper drive for continual learning rather than providing clear answers.

Did your thesis change during the pandemic? What difficulties did you face? How did your thesis advisors help you during this time?

My thesis was always geared towards creating a short film. That being said, the learning curve of actually producing an eight-minute film was substantial. My advisors helped to guide my vision and shape the way in which the film targeted architectural and conceptual frameworks throughout the process. By the end, I felt it was important that I had gathered a small creative team of advisors around me as a sort of checks and balances system because the isolation of the pandemic meant I was the only one seeing the project for long stretches of time.

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

Thesis is a self-directed exploration and beginning. The more research and production I did, the more I realized that these are the kind of problems I'll hopefully be grappling with for my whole career. At its best, thesis uncovers something that sparks a deeper drive for continual learning rather than providing clear answers.

What are your next steps academically? Professionally?

The next steps have been very exciting! I am currently working to expand Gluten, a studio I co-founded with Paige Davidson in January of 2021 to pursue global opportunities within architecture & film industries as well as Assistant Teaching at SCI-Arc in the core studio program.

Thesis is a self-directed exploration and beginning. The more research and production I did, the more I realized that these are the kind of problems I'll hopefully be grappling with for my whole career.

As a recent graduate experiencing the direct effects of the pandemic, how do you feel about the architecture industry right now?

I feel the industry is at a pivotal point, at both the scale of the system and the individual. There is a huge re-shaping of what possibilities the role and boundary of an architect's work can encompass. The shift towards digital during the pandemic raised a lot of questions around representation, ethics, and aesthetics that are all deeply linked to the core principles we associate with Architecture (with a capital "A"). These are all questions I hope to continue exploring as I shift towards practice and filmmaking.

The shift towards digital during the pandemic raised a lot of questions around representation, ethics, and aesthetics that are all deeply linked to the core principles we associate with Architecture (with a capital 'A').

What has helped prepare you for the workforce?

My time at SCI-Arc instilled an urge to look beyond the conventions of traditional architecture and helped promote my growth as a designer and conceptual thinker with a broad range of tools under my belt.