Prototyping Stories:
Architecture and Magical Realism Through Children’s Book
Year: 2023
Instructor: Tommy Cheemou Yang
The world is a mix of reality and imaginations
Can we imagine a different world upon the physical reality?
We are living in a world of built physicalities. The houses we see everyday and the environment we interact with, are they permanently REAL?
Study of Physical Spaces
The project started with the analysis of a hybrid physical space, and explore my own understanding of “hybrid”.
I studied Girasole, a unique spaghetti restaurant located in Shadyside, Pittsburgh.
I studied the site with a series of site visit and interviews, and sketched out the exterior, interior and people inside the space. The sketches help me build a basic understanding of the space, material and environment.
From the interview with the restaurant owner, Mr. Girasole, I understood that the restaurant was originally owned by his daughter-in-law, a great chef focusing on italian food. She created Girasole’s innovative menu which is very popular among customers. She’s now left to other restaurants, while Mr. Girasole continues to run this place.
Mr. Girasole’s father moved to the US from Italy, so he has a strong connection to Italian culture, and want to share food from Italy to more people. After 20 years, he developed the restaurant into a community, with customers coming and playing music every week.
Food
Home
Culture
Community
Joy
Food Home Culture Community Joy
Actor Network Drawing
From the information collected from the site analysis, I collaged different elements into an Actor Network Drawing, fosucing on the community Mr. Girasole builds, and the great food experience of the restaurant.
From the Actor Network Drawing, I connected multiple aspects of the physical space together, building a base for me to construct an imaginary story.
From there, we can build a world that blends the reality and magic.
A world that Mr. Girasole wants to build with his food and community.
Expressed through Children’s Book illustrations.
