TT5…

Not doing so well on the thesis front these days… I’m having difficulty widening the scope of the project. Two questions recurred on Friday during the reviews
1- what will be the deliver-ables?
I guess thinking about whether one is looking at developing a system, a kit of parts, a manual or a set of architectural drawings can focus the research.
2- how will the final project be assessed, how will we be able to ascertain it’s failure or success?
this is really asking that we clearly delineate a set of parameters, goals to be achieved so  that the final product answers a question and can exist beyond itself.

I have no clear answer for either… or rather i suppose I was thinking that my deliver-ables would be a set of drawings, a description of a building but that makes the second question really difficult to answer. In the discussions it was clear that subjectivity was not going to be acceptable.
Anna said she would not let me continue with my idea as it stands. I suspect she understood that the subject is very close to me, is too personal, and believes that it is a dangerous position. I kind of agree with her. I’ve been seriously considering dropping it because I find it difficult to talk about. But… that’s just stupid! get over it! Looking at the issue objectively, there is plenty to work with. Specially when trying to insert the whole thing into the city.

Two thing have come from thinking about the rehab in Manhattan; 1- There is no long-term inpatient treatment in Manhattan. Many of the Malibu rehabs are criticised for having a lax attitude towards accommodating their rich and famous clients’ schedule and needs. I see why that can raise eyebrows in the recovery communitybut clearly, there is a need for it. High end executives have this option in LA, what about their NY counterparts? and given the urban setting of NY, what would the Malibu rehab equivalent in the big apple look like. I’m thinking, maybe it’s a multi-storey structure on the roof of a huge industrial building in Chelsea. It is inpatient but you can’t totally lock people up for three to twelve months so how do you let them walk about the neighborhood without “leaving” the treatment facility. And how much outdoor can be brought indoors on a roof top in Manhattan? … something like this could be fun to work with… it doesn’t do much for my desire to help the needy; this is a luxury rehab… but hey, the rich suffer too, right?

2- Also, there is the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse  at Columbia University CAVA, and the fact that there is a serious lack and need for more and more systematic research in the field of addiction recovery. What if the center is also a researchcenter and is on Columbia campus or across the river where they have their earth science campus?… this could be interesting, I think. It makes it not just about a bunch of addicts but also about students and researchers and part of a campus and a city…

I don’t wanna think about it anymore for today~