[Thesis] - Reinterpreting Our Boundaries and Communities

"Community is a deceptive social term."

- Richard Sennett, The Uses of Disorder

We understand communities as a unified body of individuals sharing common interests, values,
and/or beliefs.  However, many anthropologists agree communities are founded on ideals of homogeneity and rely on an elaborated opposition to otherness.  This cultural construct of boundaries imposed between our communities can thwart progressive thinking and learning through experiences outside of our comfort zone.  Since boundaries are human interpretations of varying degrees of similarities and differences apparent in the world, multiple interpretations are applicable in all situations.  The objective of the thesis is to avoid Utopian projections of stitching divided communities together, but to instead propose forms which imply the multitude of interpretations available along a prominent boundary in Baltimore, MD.  The motivation of such a form is to provide a social commentary of our conception of contained communities and promote interaction amongst people of varying backgrounds.