Diploma Unit Two. Architectural Association School of Architecture

Tools for Architecture is a research unit based at the Architectural Association in London formed by a team of MArch AA Diploma students and lead by Space Popular directors Lara Lesmes and Fredrik Hellberg.

JOURNEY

Athena Parthenos statue inside Parthenon

 

Numerous architects, poets and philosophers have written of the difficult climb up a winding and uneven path as an act of personal and historical discovery.

Originally an enormous ramp was built in the 6th century BC, making the Acropolis very accessible and remained in place for 500 years until  it was destroyed and replaced with a series of steps.

In 1970s a proposal to rebuild the ancient ramp was considered by the Greek government, but was quickly abandoned, as the fact that the ramp would contrast intensely with over 200 years of writing all of which position the tough climb as integral to the authentic experience and meaning of the Acropolis.

 

Hakone Mototsumiya-jinja Shrine

 

 The journey to the Hakone Mototsumiya-jinja Shrine on the summit of Mt. Komagatake 1356 meters above sea level.

The summit of the mountain is totally empty except one shrine framed by the gates of torii. Wide panorama from summit  gives a feeling as if you are looking out from the sky.

The journey to the top is very tough and lasts about 2 hours and 40 minutes, in which  the pilgrimage itself is equally as important as the final moment.

The Holy Ka’ba at the center of Al-Masjid Al-Haram

Hajj is the world’s largest annual religious gathering. The word ‘Hajj’ means ‘to intend a journey’, representing the physical distance Muslims travel, but also the internal battles they overcome.

Throughout the journey, pilgrims take part in various rituals.

At the first day, they spent a day and night praying on top of the Mount Arafat.

At the second day they are throwing pebbles at 3 pillars, representing the “stoning of the devil”.

At the third day, pilgrims go to the Grand Mosque that holds the Islam’s holiest shrine – the Ka’ba. They circle the Ka’ba 7 times, gradually getting closer and touching it. Then, pilgrims walk between 2 hills – Safa and Marwah also 7 times.