SYNQ
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
35.4928134° , -97.5308139°
Studio: Graduate Architectural Design X
Professor: Dr. Andres Cavieres
Typology: Mixed-Use Cultural
Construction: Steel
Conceptualization
This project proposes a bold reimagining of Oklahoma City’s Classen Corridor—an area rich in cultural history yet currently underutilized. Anchored in the city’s designated TIF district, the proposal leverages informed urban design to transform the corridor into a vibrant, mixed-use destination that celebrates music, sensory expression, and community engagement. Rooted in a synesthetic design approach, the project fuses sight, sound, touch, and movement into architectural experiences that encourage exploration and interaction.
As part of the broader INDEX framework, the initiative positions architecture as an instrument for cultural translation—bridging past and future through immersive spatial storytelling. By cultivating local talent, attracting regional collaborators, and amplifying the creative economy, this proposal seeks to reawaken the Classen Corridor’s untapped rhythm and reestablish it as a thriving hub for artistic and civic life.
SYNESTHESIA
Creation is a cyclical process where sensory experiences blend and transform, each sense acting as a translator for another, forming new connections that externalize subconscious layers. In creative synesthesia, sight evokes sound, touch conjures color, and sound stirs emotion—each sense amplifying and refining the others. When building an instrument or performing music, for instance, the process isn't just about producing sound; it also engages the tactile, visual, and emotional senses, layering them into a richer, multisensory experience. Similarly, a filmmaker combines rhythm and visuals to provoke taste or texture, while a chef layers flavors and presentation to engage multiple senses simultaneously. This act of creation becomes a fusion of sensory input and output, where amplification and distillation are in constant tension, allowing for deeper connections and richer expressions that transcend individual sensory boundaries. Creative synesthesia is this dance—where each sense feeds into and shapes the others, creating a holistic experience that connects both the creator and the audience.
Creation is a cyclical process where sensory experiences blend and transform, each sense acting as a translator for another, forming new connections that externalize subconscious layers. In creative synesthesia, sight evokes sound, touch conjures color, and sound stirs emotion—each sense amplifying and refining the others. When building an instrument or performing music, for instance, the process isn't just about producing sound; it also engages the tactile, visual, and emotional senses, layering them into a richer, multisensory experience. Similarly, a filmmaker combines rhythm and visuals to provoke taste or texture, while a chef layers flavors and presentation to engage multiple senses simultaneously. This act of creation becomes a fusion of sensory input and output, where amplification and distillation are in constant tension, allowing for deeper connections and richer expressions that transcend individual sensory boundaries. Creative synesthesia is this dance—where each sense feeds into and shapes the others, creating a holistic experience that connects both the creator and the audience.
