Prospectus Approach

April 20, 2026

Approach

This project moves beyond the visual appreciation of film sets to investigate Narrative Architecture. By treating the built environment as an experience, one is able to adopt the tools of the scenographer to challenge the standard functionalism of modern design. The goal is to prove that when we design for a story, we create spaces that resonate more deeply with the human psyche.

This study aims to focus on both case study analysis (first semester) and making-based (second semester). First, there will be a series of interviews with scenographers and potentially architects (or even psychologists?), as well as initial evidence collected from movie analysis. Much of this half of the process will be recorded with written documentation/feedback alongside several diagrams and sketches to support the scenography process and architectural features. There is also a necessity for further research into fantasy/surreal genres, scenography, and environmental psychology to determine how designers articulate these strategies.

The creative side of the project will consist of various formats of the design resulting from the previous research. From the precedent diagram and sketch analysis, a digital model will be created that uses these techniques of environmental psychology and worldbuilding. A physical model will be constructed showing the entire model, supported by smaller “deliverables.” These could range from renderings to capture the feeling the set evokes, diagrams/collages that communicate the process/precedent, and detail drawings that break down the building logistics.

Schedule (Two semesters)

Semester 1 (Fall 2027)

Week 1: Meet with Chair, research

Week 2: Meet with Committee, research

Week 3: Reach out to scenographers for potential interviews,

Week 4: Movie 1, Initial Notes

Week 5: Movie 2, Initial Notes

Week 6: Meet with Committee

Week 7: Interviews and research

Week 8: Interviews, research

Week 9: Diagrams, sketches, written evidence

Week 10: Meet with Committee

Week 11: Research

Week 12: Movie analysis (second round)

Week 13: Develop writing

Week 14: Develop writing

Week 15: Develop diagram/evidence to integrate with writing

Week 16: Prepare next semester's work

Week 17: Meet with Committee

Semester 2 (Spring 2028)

Week 1: Meet with Committee

Week 2: Design iteration through sketch

Week 3: Design iteration through digital modeling

Week 4: Development of design digital modeling

Week 5: Develop a proposal for the design for feedback from committee members

Week 6: Meet with Committee

Week 7: Digital modeling

Week 8: Finish digital modeling

Week 9: Rough digital deliverables

Week 10: Meet with Committee

Week 11: Craft physical model

Week 12: Deliverables and writing

Week 13: Deliverables and writing

Week 14: Collect research and deliverables together for submission

Week 15: Submit Final Draft to committee

Week 16: Defense

Week 17: Public presentation